Help choosing the right 914, Separating the good from the bad Options

[ressex]

Merry Christmas everyone. I'm new to 914World - and am glad I found you. I have been looking for a 914 and thought I knew a little bit, enough to buy one ..until I started reading here. I am focusing on 73-74s and looking at three right now, two listed on 914World classifieds and one on eBay. I'm not wedded to originality, particularly if typical upgrades make the car better, in term of rust prevention, brakes, transmission, etc. and changing colors is fine, as long s it 'looks right'. One focus has been the hell hole. Were the original batteries the biggest issue or poor steel in that area? I ask because an original car with no rust there would still be susceptible to rust versus a car that's been stripped and repainted, assuming that area was given extra attention? As I look through the ads I also see the usual mention of the pedal box, brake and transmission upgrades and the ongoing debate of FI versus carbs. Armed with some advice I will ask questions before making what may be a cross country journey. Thanks very much for helping a novice.

[tod914]

Contact Brad Mayeur of 914 LIMITED, INC. in East Peoria, Illinois regarding the silver car, as per the adv.. Brad is a stand up guy and can give you an honest professional assesment of the car if your interested in it. Here's a recent thread on it. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=200324&hl=

[ressex]

Contact Brad Mayeur of 914 LIMITED, INC. in East Peoria, Illinois regarding the silver car, as per the adv.. Brad is a stand up guy and can give you an honest professional assesment of the car if your interested in it. Here's a recent thread on it. http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=200324&hl=

I sent an email to the shop on Christmas Eve and may give him a call today. Thanks for the thread. Very helpful. Shockingly, I did notice what I thought were the rusty bolts and even what looked like a little rust along the bottom of the door edges. I had to laugh about the 'paragraph' comments too. That drove me nuts trying to read it!

I didn't make the connection with concours and all the non-original parts, which like so many other things after reading here has been a part of a rapid learning process.

I'm fine, even preferring some non-standard upgrades for better reliability, drivability, etc. I do want to drive the car too, not just letting it sit. I'd rather pay a bit more to get someone else's work - usually at a discount - as long as the work has been done properly. What I'm now realising is I really don't know ..I'm the guy who knows just enough to be dangerous ..to my own back account. I've let my heart lead before both in buying and restoring and should know better.

All of you have been very helpful. I need to take my time and get it right. I'm not looking for some 'perfect car'. I've see several that struck my fancy so far. All were chrome bumpers and 2 litre cars with some reasonable upgrades. I even considered 914-6s but they've escalated to a point that's more than I want to spend, too precious perhaps.

Thanks, again.