914 to 914-6: High Treason?, Should I convert my mint 2.0? Options

[Technicolored Horrors]

Hello everyone. I am the proud second owner of a '76 914 2.0. It has been in the custody of my Dad and me since 1987. It is close to mint condition. It has 57,000 original miles. I replaced the goofy gigantic steering wheel and the wheels - other than that it is all original. The paint is near perfect, there is no rust and there are no known mechanical issues.

My first world problem is this: I have always wanted a 6. I want more off-the-line speed. I want that perfect sleeper. Given how few nearly-perfect 914 specimens there are out there, is it dumb/treasonous for me to consider converting my 2.0 to a 6? If it is not, can any of you give me a ballpark of what such a conversion, done correctly, would cost? Thank you for your opinions.

[horizontally-opposed]

To each their own, and the passage of time may make this personal opinion—and that's all it is—seem less than smart, but...

If we were talking about a clean, super original example of the most desirable 914-4s, such as a 1973-1974 2.0, or even an insanely original 1973 1.7, I'd have a tough time with a six conversion. But I tend to view the big-bumper 1975-1976 914s as the best basis for a hot rod, as they had all the final updates and are really nice, well sorted cars yet not as desirable in the market's eyes—mainly due to the big bumpers. And if you delete those, you've already started cutting the car... With your 1976 car, you have the movable passenger seat, the later vents, the good windows and top (even if they come with the heavier/safer doors), the relocated fuel pump, and other improved bits. You lose some cool early 914 features, such as silver-dot gauges, but these can be added back if you wish. And you say the car doesn't need bodywork or paint, or interior work? Yum.

And you say it has family history, so it isn't likely to be for sale, either? I wouldn't think twice. Well, except for one thing: A hot Type IV might give you the juice you're after without making major mods. If you are inclined to keep the stock bumpers, then I'd call Jake for a healthy Type IV. I almost went that route, until an old friend convinced me to convert my mildly modded 1973 1.7 to a 2.2 six. The sound alone makes the conversion worthwhile to me, but I still need to sort a lot about the car...it isn't quite the flickable thing it was as a four—I can feel the added weight, and the car now feels more serious. Exotic and special, too, but some of the light-heartedness was lost in the bargain. No regrets, but be aware there are tradeoffs.

YMMV! Have fun with your car.