New high for a base 1971 1.7 ? Options

[live free & drive]

I was watching this - very nice car. It went for $57,500 +12% auction fee:

https://bid.broadarrowauctions.com/lots/vie...971-porsche-914

[TRP]

$64,400 with auction fees. The car had a lot going for it to fetch that price: 31k +/- original miles, interesting color, etc. Add to that, it was on auction at one of the biggest car events in the US. There is a TON of money down here this weekend. Seeing that it was sold at the Jet Center, I bet it is going into a car collection and won't be driven regularly.

[KELTY360]

Yowsa! That car embodies the essence of the 914. Body color bumpers, sail panels and Targa bar emphasize the dynamic color palette without the need for vinyl or shiny bling. The creature elements of multiple trunks and a spacious, ergonomically pleasing cabin are there. What can't be pictured is a thrilling little car; lightweight, balanced, nimble and economical, designed in the evolution of engineering brilliance. Back in the day, that car was derided as, Not a Real Porsche. But, over 50 years later the truth is revealed.

Bravo!

[Jack Standz]

Willow green, a personal favorite. Fantastic looking car.

[mepstein]

These days it can easily cost that much just to restore a 914. Rust repair, body work, paint, engine, trans, interior, suspension and brakes.

[live free & drive]

To that end, there was a receipt for $14.5K that one of the recent owners (there have been several) spent at AA for a bit of fluff and buff.

Read here: https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-91...7-1971-4988141/

[914sgofast2]

Crazy price for that car. The graining of the vnyl upholstery is not stock, and looks like the interior has been re-upholstered with non-stock vinyl and cloth. The color of the door panels does ot seem to match the color of the back pad or seat bolsters; however, that could just be a function of the photos or my computer monitor. However, the vinyl graining is too big. Most stock 914 interiors I have seen were all done in finer grained vinyls. In addition, a base model like that would have come with the upgraded aluminum wheels. The brushed aluminum trim on the rear of the targa bar has all been painted body color; I don't believe the base 914's had that aluminum trim painted in body colors. The said, there is no doubt that the car has been nicely refurbished/repainted, but not to its original factory specifications.

[914sgofast2]

There are a few more things on that 1971 car which don't really add up to support its claimed low mileage of 31,xxx miles. The round black plastic air exhaust vents at the top of the door jambs on both sides of the car are missing. The condition of the vinyl on the front of the ash tray looks aged & dirty, and does not match the like-new condition of the dash top. The "rolled" portion of the upholstery at the top of the door cards looks like it was poorly re-upholstered or glued down, and is lumpy and uneven looking.

[914sgofast2]

That 914 also has the wrong type of radio antenna. It's not a Hirschman style, but a cheaper aftermarket antenna from Pep Boys or somewhere similar. The sides of the car also show that at some point the car once had side stripes on them that read "Porsche", but the stripes now have been removed and have left a "ghost Porsche stripe" that discolors the paint along the bottom of the doors and fenders.

I think the high price was the result of bidding fueled by two (2) bidders with plenty of blood alcohol and big-dick-ism.

[914sgofast2]

The headlight switch knob is also missing its center headlight symbol button. Those headlight switch buttons are readily available from the Samba website's classifieds and/or from any VW Bug parts supplier, since a VW Bug headlight switch was used on 914's.

Finally, the two air distribution hoses used on the heating system's booster fan in the engine compartment are aftermarket and of the wrong type. They should be the black corrugated cardboard with foil center hoses that VW and Porsche were so enamored with in the early 1970's.

[914sgofast2]

Lastly, what does Dr. 914 of Auto Atlanta think of this car and the price paid?

[mepstein]

Crazy price for that car. The graining of the vnyl upholstery is not stock, and looks like the interior has been re-upholstered with non-stock vinyl and cloth. The color of the door panels does ot seem to match the color of the back pad or seat bolsters; however, that could just be a function of the photos or my computer monitor. However, the vinyl graining is too big. Most stock 914 interiors I have seen were all done in finer grained vinyls. In addition, a base model like that would have come with the upgraded aluminum wheels. The brushed aluminum trim on the rear of the targa bar has all been painted body color; I don't believe the base 914's had that aluminum trim painted in body colors. The said, there is no doubt that the car has been nicely refurbished/repainted, but not to its original factory specifications.

Vinyl grain looks correct for a 71. It was different than 70 or 72. Looks just like my 71 own vinyl. Early cars didn’t have the little plastic vents in the door sill. I think early cars did have the option for painted targa trim but I’m not 100% sure. The door panel tops are probably original since they get lumpy with age. Chances are the dash is new but I’d rather have a new reproduction than a cracked original.
I’m not a buyer for any stock 914-4 over about $15k but if the body checks out and the car really is low mileage and similar to what the listing says, I would think the new owner has a nice car for their collection.
I think some of the missing or incorrect items like the antenna and hose could be easily replaced for a couple dollars.

[TJB/914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Good 914's sell at market demand (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I was at my weekend cars/coffee and Auto-motion PCA events yesterday. Had some really great 914's. popcorn:

FYI: Tom Parker's 1973 2.0 FS listed on PCA's web site a few days ago selling for about ($55K) and worth the price. It was parked behind me at Parade's 2013and lost to me by a single point. It's a great restored/quality buy, I know this 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Yesterday at the Rennstatt gathering and ArborMotion Ann Arbor MI gathering they have a beautiful 1973 1.7 getting ready to sell. Any interest contact Sebastian owner (248) 761-1088

My opinion, buy quality if you can before prices become 356 status (IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif)

Tom MI

[930cabman]

These days it can easily cost that much just to restore a 914. Rust repair, body work, paint, engine, trans, interior, suspension and brakes.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) and a low mileage original is always worth more

[SKL1]

It can be really difficult to determine the proper vinyl used in the interior. My early '71 was built in 9/70. My dad liked it so much, he got his own '71 914 in the spring of '71. His car was built in 3/71 and the interiors were totally different. We always commented it was amazing they were both " 71's"...

[davep]

Crazy price for that car. The graining of the vnyl upholstery is not stock, and looks like the interior has been re-upholstered with non-stock vinyl and cloth. The color of the door panels does ot seem to match the color of the back pad or seat bolsters; however, that could just be a function of the photos or my computer monitor. However, the vinyl graining is too big. Most stock 914 interiors I have seen were all done in finer grained vinyls. In addition, a base model like that would have come with the upgraded aluminum wheels. The brushed aluminum trim on the rear of the targa bar has all been painted body color; I don't believe the base 914's had that aluminum trim painted in body colors. The said, there is no doubt that the car has been nicely refurbished/repainted, but not to its original factory specifications.

I am not sure you know much about the 1971 models with these complaints. There were at least two versions offered: standard and appearance group. This car would have the Standard trim. Note what Mark says about the 1971's. It has been a long time since I owned a 1971 but this car brings back some memories.

[wonkipop]

Crazy price for that car. The graining of the vnyl upholstery is not stock, and looks like the interior has been re-upholstered with non-stock vinyl and cloth. The color of the door panels does ot seem to match the color of the back pad or seat bolsters; however, that could just be a function of the photos or my computer monitor. However, the vinyl graining is too big. Most stock 914 interiors I have seen were all done in finer grained vinyls. In addition, a base model like that would have come with the upgraded aluminum wheels. The brushed aluminum trim on the rear of the targa bar has all been painted body color; I don't believe the base 914's had that aluminum trim painted in body colors. The said, there is no doubt that the car has been nicely refurbished/repainted, but not to its original factory specifications.

in base form without vinyl sail panel trim was painted body color in those years. at least 70 and 71. i think 72 too, but not 100% on that. just as were bumpers.
switched to black trim on the sail panels and black bumpers in 73 on definitely.

if you are seeing anything else on the cars its happened in the intervening 50 years.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

but that car has been restored to some extent for sure - mildly restored i think.
and meticulously detailed with a very deep clean.
have to look more closely at photos but i did take a good look at it when it was up on elferspot a month or two back.
its a great looking car to my eye. i really like those minimalist early cars without chrome and vinyl. ahead of their time?

[wonkipop]

when i look at this car i see a mildly refurbished very original car.

engine is basically untouched.
you can tell. intake plenum pipes are original finish and the tinware still has the factory code stencil paint stamp.



sure the heater hoses are the wrong type but correct ones are not cardboard with aluminium inner liner as suggested by one post here. originals were corrugated plastic tubes. which have all split on just about all cars, original low mileage cars or not. its been half a century and the plastic naturally goes brittle and they all fail. a good replacement with a close resemblance to stock are the black cardboard tubes with inner alum liner but they are not original - just a close match. original plastic tubes are hard to come by. easy to recognise as they have smooth ends where the hose clamps go.

when you look closely at the photos you can see that externally the paint is slightly faded but the inners are original unfaded and near perfect. see the front trunk shots where you can compare the paint on the inners with the headlight lids.

its a high price for a base car. but i guess the bidders felt they were chasing a very original car. and i think they were. its not the highest price paid for a humble base car that was very original. a 75 1.8 once sold in the 80k range about 6 years ago. and a blue 73 1.7 sold in the 70k range. both low mileage original cars.

i guess thats what collectors want. preserved original cars?

having said all that i am only looking at photos. if i was out to buy one like that, and i never will be, id sure be checking it out in person. not buying off photos on a website.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[wonkipop]

Yowsa! That car embodies the essence of the 914. Body color bumpers, sail panels and Targa bar emphasize the dynamic color palette without the need for vinyl or shiny bling. The creature elements of multiple trunks and a spacious, ergonomically pleasing cabin are there. What can't be pictured is a thrilling little car; lightweight, balanced, nimble and economical, designed in the evolution of engineering brilliance. Back in the day, that car was derided as, Not a Real Porsche. But, over 50 years later the truth is revealed.

Bravo!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) 100%.

[ctc911ctc]

Anyone else get that 914-feeling see this car? Reminds me of seeing one in that exact color in a small showroom in Kenilworth IL.......ahhhhh

Good Vibrations