914 Journey to the Concours, Project: 1974 914 2.0L LE Bumblebee Options

[JeffBowlsby]

Because it handles so well out of the box, most 914 owners want a 914 so they can tinker with it, race it, and modify it so that it is ‘better’ than the factory ever envisioned, to whatever their definition of ‘better’ is from their perspective. We have seen so many great things on the internet about the 914 lately, on this website and others. It is exciting to see the interest in the car thrive and I am glad to be a part of it.

As much as I appreciate and admire the modified cars and the tremendous efforts put into them, I really like the stock, factory original cars the most. I don’t know if it’s the nostalgia or what, but to see and be near a 914 that looks, feels and smells like it just rolled off the assembly line 30 years ago is an exciting event for me. So many have been modified, and so few are original. I don’t know if I ever will be able to have a 914 that is a contender in a Concours event, but I think it would be fun to try. This continuing saga will be my online chronicle of the effort. I prefer to use photos so I will attempt to include lots of them as I go. To anyone who doesn’t share my enthusiasm for original cars or stock restorations, I hope you will still appreciate and encourage my journey. One great thing about these cars is that they are intriguing on more than one level and this project is about preserving originality for us, and future generations, to enjoy. But I still will drive it to enjoy its best attributes…

Here are a few detail shots of my car VIN 14536, the object of this thread, that I recently sent to Otto, to assist him in the restoration of his 914 LE Bumblebee VIN 14700:

[ArtechnikA]

Forgive my blondeness, I am just beginning to gather information on my car...

one of the standard references on what's what is "914 and 914-6 Porsche - A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity" by Dr. B. Johnson. but no one reference has everything there is to know.

if you're really determined to learn a lot in a hurry, this board's a good place - start with some of the older threads, and just work your way through them.

depending on how 'hands-on' you want to be, mechanically, the Haynes is a good all 'round reference, with the Lash International (Clymer's) book as an occasional backup.

you can ask anything you want here, but you'll have a lot better idea of what questions are relevant to you if you do some basic research first. there are all kinds of 914 owners here, and while the track and performance guys outnumber the 'Concours Weenies' a hundred to one, there are people here who know what is and isn't original on what cars. welcome, and enjoy !