Determining value, When is an original six just a conversion? Options

[enderw88]

I have a line on an original 914-6. It is running a '79 3.0 engine, has racing seats, roll cage (removable, I think). The front suspension is modified, with 944 Turbo front brakes and with the original 914 front brakes moved aft. The paint is not the original color. The seller wants to price it like an original /6, which I guess it is.

How can I estimate the value of this thing with respect to a well done 914/4-6 conversion? This car is so far from original that I can't see putting it back. It is like trying to sell George Washington's axe, even though the head has been replaced once or twice, and the handle broken some time ago so that was replaced too, but its still George Washington axe...

[Cairo94507]

I guess we are playing with the word "original". So there is an original 914-6 car with the 914 VIN that is all original as assembled and delivered by the factory and then we have what probably the greater percentage of these cars are today, original 914 VIN cars with some alterations, typically engine upgrades. So long as one is clear in representing their car and its condition, that is to say, non-original engine, etc., then I see no problem.

Man, the more I read here and the longer I have my car the more it kills me that it was originally delivered gold. Don't think I haven't loss sleep (am I the only one that is this crazy?) over restoring it to the original color (which I do not like) or painting it a color that I really like, like Irish Green, Adriatic Blue, etc.

Despite all my ramblings above, I still think an original six (to me) is a factory six chassis. Trying to find one that has never been touched, and I mean no paint work or anything, is probably not probable. Frankly if you were to find one like that I would bet it would still have rust working somewhere.

I bow down and respect originality, but I also love a nicely restored and mildly upgraded (or improved) car that is driven regularly to share with the "common man" who looks at our cars and says, "What the hell is that little boxy car?" and we get a chance to talk about our toys.