Getting back into the 914 world, My history and next steps. Options

[vonsteigerho]

I'm a newbe to this forum and getting back into being a 914 owner.

Back in highschool (class of '83) I had a '70 1.7 liter from Florida. When I bought the car, it had high miles. The only thing good about the car was the frame that had no rust and was straight. I had to rebuild everything else. Regardless, I loved that car and dream of it to this day. Wasted a lot of time and money fixing it up before getting a '74 part car with shot longintudinals. Put the engine, tranny, shifter linkage, interior, rims from the '74 into the '70. When I was done, I had a really nice car. Sold the car in '87 when I graduated college and bought a Jeep.

I'm ready to become a 914 owner again. I have a space in the garage and a few more bucks to spend than when I was in highschool. However, I have 2 kids so not a ton of time and not a lot of money.

This time around, I know a lot more about 914's and what it takes to build the car I want. Things are starting out a bit backwards, because I'm buying the parts car first. Negotiating to pick up a '74 2.0 rust bucket in my home state of NJ. The price is $800 without the rims, but still far in excess of $800 in parts. I just was the car for the 2.0 liter and the midshifting tranny.

Here is where I need your help. Because the '74 will give me enough parts to build a road worthy car, I'm really just looking for a road worthy frame with a title. Any suspension upgrades would be ideal.

I don't plan on doing a restoration or create a show car. Instead, I want to build a lightweight roadster with highperformance 4 cylinder, tuned suspension and improved breaks. Most of the money and time will go into the engine.

If any of you guys live near NJ and own a chasis that fits the bill, please let me know. I've been reading these postings for a while and realized there are guys out there will multiple cars never seeing the road.

It is my plan to keep this thread going once I get a car so I can ask a lot of questions. For example, how can I replace the headlight motors with a manual pull to save weight? How do you balance a motor?

I will also start a build thread when the time comes.

[vonsteigerho]

I added my hometown to my profile, but not sure it will show up in my signature. In case it doesn't, I live in Madison, NJ.

I hear what you're saying about buying the "best" 914 you can afford. I'm defining best as the one that best fits my needs. Example of what I'm looking for would be the Raby powered teener that was for sale in NJ over the summer for ~$9k. Not much to look at, but fast. Some people must see things the way I do because that car sold quickly. Most of the other cars I see for sale in the area are priced high because of the way they look. The modified cars seem to reside on the left coast. Of course in CA they go crazy over appearance and performance (no offense).

If anyone knows of a 914 4 for sale with strong performance located in the North East and ready to drive, let me know. Wife will be a lot happier if I bring home something that drives. Not looking forward to hearing her complain about how long it will take me to get a project on the road.

[pete]

I added my hometown to my profile, but not sure it will show up in my signature. In case it doesn't, I live in Madison, NJ.

I hear what you're saying about buying the "best" 914 you can afford. I'm defining best as the one that best fits my needs. Example of what I'm looking for would be the Raby powered teener that was for sale in NJ over the summer for ~$9k. Not much to look at, but fast. Some people must see things the way I do because that car sold quickly. Most of the other cars I see for sale in the area are priced high because of the way they look. The modified cars seem to reside on the left coast. Of course in CA they go crazy over appearance and performance (no offense).

If anyone knows of a 914 4 for sale with strong performance located in the North East and ready to drive, let me know. Wife will be a lot happier if I bring home something that drives. Not looking forward to hearing her complain about how long it will take me to get a project on the road.

Ha. My wife wasn't happy when my 914 was running and certainly isn't happy now that it has been sitting in the garage for 10-15 years in various stages of "restoration". She even offered to buy me a relatives 2006 Cayman IF I got rid of the 914. I turned her down. What can I say, the dream lives on. Did you go to Madison High?

[vonsteigerho]

Ha. My wife wasn't happy when my 914 was running and certainly isn't happy now that it has been sitting in the garage for 10-15 years in various stages of "restoration". She even offered to buy me a relatives 2006 Cayman IF I got rid of the 914. I turned her down. What can I say, the dream lives on. Did you go to Madison High?

I grew up in CT and moved to NJ about 3 years ago. It's nice area and I'm glad we made the move.