Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car, interesting observations on a 914 sale Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

In the latest issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car (Nov 2011), they comment on the auction results of a 1974 914 that was sold at the Bonhams' sale.

1974 914, condition:Modified-#3- (#3 is considered average), selling price:$10500.

Comments: " Few people can leave a 914 alone-like a '32 Ford, it's the rare car that's been returned to stock form and, as with any hot rod, your vision and that of a buyer seldom match up well enough to recoup your investment. This car's work included a 2.0-liter Euro engine with a number of mods: exhaust, transmission, suspension, brakes, wheels and interior, including a harness bar visible here. A hole in the side of the engine bay right behind the driver looked like it was made with a shotgun-no idea what that was about. The home paintwork was adequate. The buyer purchased a large amount of work for cheap"

The photo shown depicts a red (or orange) narrow body with body painted rollbar and bumpers. The bumpers do not have the black "tits", the car has fog lights and a crest on the hood. I can't discern the type of wheels that are on the car.

I also do not know if the 2.0 engine they refer to is a /6 or a /4 w/carbs, as they call it a "Euro" engine. (That could also be the seller's description).

Anyway, as has been the subject on this forum before, I believe that modified cars, besides often being expensive to build, rarely, if ever, return the cost that was spent on its modification. That belief also applies to "clones", "knock-offs", "resto-mods", and "fakey-dos". That is true whether you are building a Hemi-Cuda, a Mustang GT-350, a 911 Carrera RS or a big-block C2 Corvette.
Authenticity counts for much in the upper price realms of desireable cars, which I think is proven by 914/6 values.

Paul

[sixerdon]

This is the one by Bonham's mentioned in S&EC which took place in June.
Note that it was a '72 and not a '74 as mentioned in the mag. Somebody paid big bucks including premium.

http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19392/lot/370/

Don

[sixerdon]

This is the one by Bonham's mentioned in S&EC which took place in June.
Note that it was a '72 and not a '74 as mentioned in the mag. Somebody paid big bucks including premium.

http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19392/lot/370/

Don

Additional information I found on the vehicle that started this thread,.................. I recognized it as belonging to a guy living to the north of me. He's been trying to sell it for the past year prior to this Bonham's auction in June. His original asking price was $13K and didn't get any sale through ebay, craigslist or other sites, including this one, as I recall. Anyway, here is his spec on the car as he had advertised it.
Don

1972 Porsche 914-4 For Sale

Tangerine (Orange) / Beige interior
Recent paint, seals and carpets
2.0 Liter engine (CJ Serial Number, 2.0L Euro)
Side-shift transmission w/short-shift

I bought the car in Jan 03 and have probably driven it 3,000 miles. The Odometer read a little less than 70,000 miles, and still does. In that time I have replaced/added the following:
• Dual Dellorto DRLA 40 Carburetors
• Pertronixs magnetic points in Bosch mechanical distributor
• Flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, throw out bearing and shaft seals
• Side-shift transmission w/short-shift linkage
• Bursch performance exhaust
• H4 Headlights
• Factory Fog Lights
• Air horns
• Mini Tornado mirrors (2)
• Simpson four-point seatbelts (2) with harness bar
• Triple-cluster instrument
o Oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel gauges
o Low oil pressure, low voltage, low fuel lights
• Flawless dashboard pad
• MOMO suede steering wheel
• Bridgestone Potenza S-03 (205/50 ZR 15) Tires (4) on Fuch-type wheels (5)
• Replaced all metal brake lines, added braided stainless lines
• New Master brake cylinder, brake bias and factory rebuilt calipers (4)
• New brake rotors with performance brake pads(4)
• Rebuilt pedal cluster
• Emergency brake cables
• Front and Rear adjustable stabilizer bars
• Bilstein shock absorbers (4)
• Metal fuel line front to back
• Battery
• Replaced battery tray, left-side outer sill and rear suspension consoles (2)

No radio or speakers
No heater
Odometer not recording

Full factory service manual set and Dellorto Carburetor manual

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

This is the one by Bonham's mentioned in S&EC which took place in June.
Note that it was a '72 and not a '74 as mentioned in the mag. Somebody paid big bucks including premium.

http://www.bonhams.com/usa/auction/19392/lot/370/

Don

Additional information I found on the vehicle that started this thread,.................. I recognized it as belonging to a guy living to the north of me. He's been trying to sell it for the past year prior to this Bonham's auction in June. His original asking price was $13K and didn't get any sale through ebay, craigslist or other sites, including this one, as I recall. Anyway, here is his spec on the car as he had advertised it.
Don

1972 Porsche 914-4 For Sale

Tangerine (Orange) / Beige interior
Recent paint, seals and carpets
2.0 Liter engine (CJ Serial Number, 2.0L Euro)
Side-shift transmission w/short-shift

I bought the car in Jan 03 and have probably driven it 3,000 miles. The Odometer read a little less than 70,000 miles, and still does. In that time I have replaced/added the following:
• Dual Dellorto DRLA 40 Carburetors
• Pertronixs magnetic points in Bosch mechanical distributor
• Flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, throw out bearing and shaft seals
• Side-shift transmission w/short-shift linkage
• Bursch performance exhaust
• H4 Headlights
• Factory Fog Lights
• Air horns
• Mini Tornado mirrors (2)
• Simpson four-point seatbelts (2) with harness bar
• Triple-cluster instrument
o Oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel gauges
o Low oil pressure, low voltage, low fuel lights
• Flawless dashboard pad
• MOMO suede steering wheel
• Bridgestone Potenza S-03 (205/50 ZR 15) Tires (4) on Fuch-type wheels (5)
• Replaced all metal brake lines, added braided stainless lines
• New Master brake cylinder, brake bias and factory rebuilt calipers (4)
• New brake rotors with performance brake pads(4)
• Rebuilt pedal cluster
• Emergency brake cables
• Front and Rear adjustable stabilizer bars
• Bilstein shock absorbers (4)
• Metal fuel line front to back
• Battery
• Replaced battery tray, left-side outer sill and rear suspension consoles (2)

No radio or speakers
No heater
Odometer not recording

Full factory service manual set and Dellorto Carburetor manual

Yes, I would have to say that some money was spent there.

I think the salient point to this whole thread is the quote "...your vision and that of a buyer seldom match up ......(the " well enough to recoup your investment")" part of the quote is not as important. Several years ago when I undertook the lengthy refurbishment of my '70/4, I knew full well that the money spent would never be realized if I ever elect to sell the car. Keeping it as OEM as possible was my target.
The real point of the thread is that just as some of us love/hate the color yellow or orange or black or silver or green or whatever, and would limit our purchase somewhat on color choice, similarly the mods we make to a 914 are going to limit the audience to which the car would appeal to, if it were ever to be offered for sale.

Paul