Patina, can a 914 "have" it, or isn't it old or valuable enough? Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I see recently that a 1939 Talbot-Lago went for $4,847,000. Yes there were only a handful (less than 30) made, yes, the Talbot marque is much revered, yes, the car has racing history, and yes, it's a "survivor". But "no interior door trim", "leather seat stiff and cracked", "most instruments and controls fitted", "oxidized and chipped paint applied by brush in places" , and "there are crudely welded metal pieces..."

The reason for this preamble is to determine at what point a "survivor" needs to be restored and refinished, as opposed to leaving it alone and preseving its "patina", if a 914 can have such a thing.

It's been said that a car is original just once, and once it's redone, the direct link to its origins is lost forever, even if it's only a sympathetic repaint.

My '70/4, repainted by the only previous owner in 1973 after a disasterous hail storm, lost its originality staus then. Though the paint held up surprisingly well over the subsequent 30+ years, rust was becoming ever more evident on the lower extremities of the front fenders, around the door handles and the rollbar area. Not quite so evident to the casual observer, rust had also taken its toll in the usual 914 problem spots (hell hole, floor pan). No chance at preservation or patina with my car

I'd live with paint chips on the nose (proud evidence of road use), even door dings left by careless motorists (my blood runs hot at such wanton disregard), and moderately faded/scratched/crazed exterior paint would not, by itself, prompt me to repaint and restore. But blistering, rotting, eroding, corroding sheetmetal only hints at what evil deterioration lies beneath painted surfaces.

So, if it's rusted, I'd cut it out and refinish and repaint. If the metal was solid, straight and intact, I'd do all I could to keep the paint intact, preserving the originality and maintaining the "patina".

Finally, if anyone has a /4 or /6 with the aforementioned "patina", I'd like to see some photos and history. Thanks.


Paul

[Sarastro]

I believe the contrast here is that 914s were built as fun cars, never exotics and never really sold as speed machines. They were often purchased by youthful males who, even as proud and protective owners, were never particularly sensitive to or aware of the car's primary nemesis - rust.

Due to the manufacturing techniques used (no galvanized metal, void box fillers which hold moisture internally, battery placement, and simple design flaws) rust is a threat to a 914's long term survival. It would be difficult to find an example that survived its first 10-15 years of life without having rust damage, the control of which should be a preservationist primary concern, particularly in reference to the rust you can't see.

In the 90's particularly, there were few people sufficiently devoted to the 914 to maintain one in pristine condition and allow it to develop an untouched original "patina". If indeed their where such an example, my interest for the car would remain more in the condition of its framework than in its untouched paint.