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]

A lot of good opinions here, and I respect all of them even if I don't agree with them.

But I'm with Rob on this one. Why?

1. When building a hot rod, it's better (for the builder) to start with a great example of a less desirable model or year than to start with a car that needs everything. Talk about expensive—paint and body can easily consume $20-30k, or far more, and you still don't end up with a car as nice as a really original car. Better in some ways—maybe—but I'd rather have original paint and interior every time.

2. If was building another six conversion, a very nice original 1975 1.8 or 1975-1976 2.0 would absolutely be my choice as a basis. I do feel a bit differently when we begin to talk about rare AND desirable models. An acquaintance is looking at Canepa-izing a 959 and doing a complete color change inside and out. Dark blue non-metallic on brown leather was sounding great to me until I saw the car in silver and metallic gray leather. I hate metallic gray leather, and silver 959s are "common," but...it's a 959. A 1976 914 will never be a 959, or a 1967 911S or a 914-6 or a 1973-1974 914 2.0 imho.

3. More isn't always the answer. Some people don't want two sports cars, and especially not two versions of the same sports car. When I thought about converting my 914-4 to six cylinders, part of the rationale that put me over the edge was I could only see budget and space in my life for one vintage Porsche—not two—and while I hadn't been interested in converting my car up to that point, it made sense to put "the" Porsche engine in the 914 that was taking up the one spot I had for an old car. Every time I start the flat six, I smile. Of course, there are other similar lines of logic besides space—such as bandwidth, insurance, upkeep, etc.—so putting the engine you want in the car you have, rather than adding another car, makes more sense for some.

Anyway, to the OP's question: I don't view it as an offense. It's a 914. And it was meant to be fun above all else. If you'll have more fun with the car running on six cylinders—and if the conversion process will put your father and you on a new road together, adding sentimental value—then for me the choice would be easy. It doesn't sound like "price" is in your objectives for the car. It sounds like value is. Only you can determine what that means for you—and you've got some great feedback here that may benefit you and others, too.

Again, a lot of great opinions from a lot of experienced people in a great community. Did I say,

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