Should I send this letter to Bruce Anderson?, 914 LE cars Options

[JeffBowlsby]

Hi Bruce,

Many of us enjoy your significant contributions to Excellence and other venues in support of the humble 914. I have reviewed the November 2004 914 Market Update and was encouraged to read about the awakened interest in the 914 model. I concur, that at this point in time, it seems that the 914 has become much more respected and sought-after in recent years. Thank you for your continued enthusiastic support of the model.

A 914 devotee, I am also curious about the lack of any mention in the article of the highly-regarded 1974 914 Can Am Limited Edition. 1000 cars were built and imported to the USA, making them more rare than the 914/6, yet much more available than the M471 cars mentioned. Documented recent resale prices for clean but not pristine examples hover in the range of $10K to $12K…for a four-cylinder 914 no less. Because it was a factory production car and not a prototype, I think it would be of service to the 914 community to mention the 914 Limited Edition cars.

All available information about the 1974 914 Can Am Limited Edition cars including a Registry of located cars can be found on my website at this link:

http://members.rennlist.com/914_canam/

May I propose the following text for your hopeful inclusion with future 914 Market Updates, for your consideration:

“The 1974 914 Can Am Limited Edition was standard equipped with most optional factory equipment including specially-designed color schemes, side stripes and front air dam. 1000 cars were built, making them three times more rare than the 914/6. Conceived to promote Porsche racing successes in the Can Am racing series, the cars are highly-prized by all 914 owners.”


Sincerely,


Jeff Bowlsby
San Jose, CA

[JeffBowlsby]

Hey...Bruce has responded to me off FOrum...so I post his response for yupour edification...He is a great guy. $14,500...WOW...top price ever paid for a 914 LE!

"From: Bruce1485@aol.com
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2004 22:22:09 EDT
Subject: Re: 914 Limited Edition cars
To: bowlsby@sbcglobal.net


Hi Jeff,

Have dealt with the limited editions several time in the readers reports:

1974 914 Lirnjted Edition 2.0. 117,000 miles. Creamsicle and Phoenix Red. Complete disassembled restoration. Rebuilt motor. Interior is in good condition with exterior being in excellent condition. Car came with original laminated window sticker. All extra options sold at no charge on this model, Le., center console, sway bars, etc. Was able to purchase car for $8,400.

Response: We estimate the 1974 2.0 liter to be running from a low of about $4,700 to $5,350 for one in good condition and $7,150 for an excellent example, and we would allow an additional 10% for the limited edition for $7,865.

_________________________
Here is a submission for your reader’s sales report. 1974 914 limited edition 2.0 bumblebee. 107,000 miles. The body is straight with only several door dings and one small dent behind the drivers side door (see photo). Rust is limited to the rear truck and is very minor. The paint is horrible...someone used spray paint as touch up paint. The interior is very nice with the exception of a missing radio and missing lid for the center console. The brakes are poor but the car runs good (I drove it home at 70mph on the freeway). The tires are extremely dried and cracked (believed to be last changed in the seventies), but are on yellow Mahle 15" rims. Service records are limited to several gas station receipts from Mt. View, Ca. in 1977. It seems to be a bay area car based on its limited rust etc. Purchased for $800.00.

Response: We estimate the 1974 914s to be running from a low of about $4,700 to $5,350 for one in good condition and $7,150 for an excellent example, we would also allow an extra 10% because the car is a limited edition, so it sounds like you got a deal.

1974 914 2.0 Limited Edition/ Can Am, Light Ivory /Rally Red. One of less than 1000. $25,000 spent on a thorough recent restoration. Light ivory Glassurit over bare metal. Fresh interior upholstery. New carpet, dash cap, NOS sunvisors and seat belts. All new OEM rubber. Powder paint on trim items and engine sheet metal/ lid grill. Engine was rebuilt by a previous owner and was resealed during restoration. Pre buy exposed excellent compression. Tranny was rebuilt during restoration. All shift bushings were replaced. Brakes were done during restoration.
Extra items include 19mm master, braided brake lines, koni shocks, kenwood CD, Momo wheel, extra dynamat sound deadening material, H4s, fuel pump is relocated to front of car. Car has won it's division at PCA regional concour's two years running and placed consecutivly 2nd and 5th best of show. This car looks, smells, and drives like new!! Advertised at $15,500 SOLD FOR $14,500. Yep, It's really just a 4 banger!!

Response: We show the 914 2.0 Liter running from a low of about $4,150 to $4,700 for one in good condition and $6,250 for an excellent example. It is obvious the car that you bought is something special so the fair market price for your car was what you, the buyer and the seller agreed upon. This car is a lot like the 911S that the reader recently sold for $29,000 and then took me to task for valuing the 911S models too low. What he doesn’t say is that he just spent $45,000 restoring his 911S so that he could sell it for $29,000. These cars are obviously exceptions to the norm. You wanted the car and were willing to pay $14,500, the seller didn’t want the car anymore and was willing to loose $10,000 of what he had invested to sell it.

The cars are nice for sure and an excellent example will pull a premium, but they are not a 914/6 and will never be as valuable.

Bruce"