Engine compartment of untouched 1975 1.8 914. Comments please! Options

[22truckie]

Ok. Here is the engine compartment with just the beginning of the "gross" cleaning. Because it was GROSS!! It will be perfectly cleaned with no alteration to finishes, patina left in place. My understanding is it is all original with the exception of Petronix added inside the distributor. Original coil was left in place. Close ups will be shown. Please give comments on anything not original if you truly know it is. I am rapidly learning about these as much as possible. I have collected unrestored muscle cars most of my life. Had this car fall into my lap. Always wanted one. Thanks for the help!!

[22truckie]

Yes on the Petronix module in the distributor. Mentioned it in the initial post I will be removing it and going back to points so the wiring will be correct. When I mentioned untouched I ment all original components ( original coil, mufflers, shocks, distributor, untouched original spare, tool kit, original paint every possible piece of paperwork ...) is either on the car or will be back on the car. I do expect tires, spark plugs, battery to be replaced and do not considered them part of an untouched car ( very very rare cases do exist but those cars typically have minimal miles and were stored their entire life. I read my post and didn't see where I stated "untouched" so a little confused. Anyway, I specialize and collect only unrestored all original " untouched" cars. The two other ones I have and will never sell are a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 convertible, all original including every engine component ( except plugs and battery) original mufflers, top. Rare special order color combo. My other is a very rare 1970 Torino with a factory NASCAR engine in it ( only 400 made) the head quality assurance person for NASA for Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. He was the person who saved Apollo 13. I have his car. It is the best condition true survivor car I have ever seen that has been driven and the only thing change is the battery, plugs and running tires. The 914 is pretty amazing in that it is an unusual color and is that original and driven over 140,000 miles. Thank you again for your help. Lots to learn. Hopefully that clarifies " untouched". I will be making the necessary little changes to make it correct and put back the original parts that are not currently on the car. It drives like a dream

[87m491]

Your story comes at a time when the original vs restored discussion is everywhere.

You mention "It will be perfectly cleaned with no alteration to finishes, patina left in place." and "I read my post and didn't see where I stated "untouched" so a little confused."

I had thought "patina" was the surface something exhibits after the passage of time and or use, so I checked Webster's

Full Definition of patina
1. 1 a : a usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its color b : a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use
2. 2 : an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
3. 3 : a superficial covering or exterior

By definition "perfectly cleaning" it will change/kill the patina, so yes a bit confusing.

They say it is only original once, given the recent sale of the Shelby GT 350 that was in the family since it was 2 years old, said to be "one of the most original examples in existence" even as it sat with all the race dings and 45 years of storage dust on it.

So it seems you can have original or patina. "Correct" of course is relative. NOS could be correct and original. Built to original OEM specs could be correct but not original. Choose your poison as this and your other cars seem to be "dead guy cars", so you only have to answer to your own tastes. (as you will never sell them the next owner will have bought them from a "dead guy"!

Good luck with it. Would love to see a pick of the Torino. One of may favorite muscle cars!

I will be making the necessary little changes to make it correct and put back the original parts that are not currently on the car. It drives like a dream