Need Buying advice - 1971 914 Options

[stevegm]

I need a little advice. Any comments are appreciated.

I took a look at a very clean 1971 914. The car is completely original, down the the original fuel injection. The only exceptions are:

1. Replaced front bumper
2. Replaced front hood
3. Repaint - white over the original Gemini Blue. They also painted the door jams and trunks grey.

The car is very clean in nearly all respects. 105,000 original miles. Driven, but, garaged and clean. The car appears to have had a very minor front accident. The front bumper took 99% of the impact (I saw the original bumper). There is a very, very minor spot buy the right headlight box that tells the story, if you know what you are looking for. Even then it is hard to see. Just a little ripple.

Rust - I couldn't find any. I know what I am looking for, and spent an hour hunting. None, other than very, very minor rust on the right rocker panel. The hell hole, and longitudinals, floor pans, and trunks, are all look perfect.

Thanks,
Steve

[Pursang]

I would agree with Scotty b about not rushing into a decision. If your true goal is to restore to show (or similar) condition an original car then you might have a good starting point. You can always bargain the price down based on the fact that it is an earlier model and doesn't have the items pointed out as being with the 73-74 versions.

If you bought one that someone else has done the work on, it would set you back more since the 914 is becoming more collectible. Many of those out there have been modified in some degree or another and so this does have the attraction of being "mostly" original.

I would suspect that you are going to have to do some engine rebuilding and so the mileage does not matter too much. I would be hesitant to say that the car has only 105K original miles though. 205K is more likely. I bought my 1974 car in 1987 and it had 130K miles on it then.

Ultimately it comes down to what you want to spend. Regardless of the deal you make on this or any other car, you are going to find a couple of surprises. That's just the way it goes. Have fun and keep us posted on this deal, or any other, and your progress with the restoration.

[stevegm]

I would agree with Scotty b about not rushing into a decision. If your true goal is to restore to show (or similar) condition an original car then you might have a good starting point. You can always bargain the price down based on the fact that it is an earlier model and doesn't have the items pointed out as being with the 73-74 versions.

If you bought one that someone else has done the work on, it would set you back more since the 914 is becoming more collectible. Many of those out there have been modified in some degree or another and so this does have the attraction of being "mostly" original.

I would suspect that you are going to have to do some engine rebuilding and so the mileage does not matter too much. I would be hesitant to say that the car has only 105K original miles though. 205K is more likely. I bought my 1974 car in 1987 and it had 130K miles on it then.

Ultimately it comes down to what you want to spend. Regardless of the deal you make on this or any other car, you are going to find a couple of surprises. That's just the way it goes. Have fun and keep us posted on this deal, or any other, and your progress with the restoration.

Thank you for these well-reasoned comments. After Scotty B. posted his comments, I decided to slow my roll (my wife thanks him, BTW). I think I will have Black Forest Racing go over the car. And Ockteenerfest is coming up. I am assuming there will be nice cars for sale there.

Any other comments anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I have dealt primarily with the later year cars. But, the idea of the rear-shift tranny, and other early "features" don't really bother me. I am looking to build a 99% original car. That is the most important thing to me (along with an agreeable color). Any comments from owners of early cars would also be welcome.

-Steve