Checking out a 914 today Options

[ronaldmcthrottle]

Hello all.

Checking out a 71 914 1.7 today as a project car. Seller says it doesnt consistently run due to fuel pump issues. Ive been reading a little about these cars, wiring corrosion is my first guess.

My dad and I are looking for a "cheap" project. Something we can make a driver out of soon for somewhat cheap, and restore over time. We had a 944S as a project a few years ago. My dad has owned an X19, e29 320i, 280Z, e36 318i. I've messed around with some motorcycles. So we kinda know what we are getting into, just not super specifics about the 914. We've been talking about a bug or karmann ghia for a while, so why not a 914?

The ad says its a 4 speed but arent all 914s 5 speed?

The body is solid. Some corrosion underneath. Floor pans and trunk trays are no big deal to us as long it's structurally sound.

Looks like a very active and helpful forum here so that's a huge positive.

Any suggestions on what else to look for?

[ronaldmcthrottle]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

There are no "cheap" projects in my opinion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

914's are a bit worse in that they were treated like VW's or worse. Many of the 914 parts are priced at Porsche prices.

Not trying to be a downer but go into this with eyes wide open.

Eyes are open, for sure. We dealt with Porsche prices on the 944S. I don't mean I want a cheap project to make 100%. Just something with a relatively cheap buy in that can move under it's own power for relatively little. I know it will take some $ to make it a reliable solid driver.


I like the idea of a 914 because of fuel injection and a 5 speed trans vs the VW's. It isn't a particularly complex car it seems, aside from some early bosch FI nuances.

I've looked into the price of longblocks, and those seem reasonable should the worst happen. I do not know about transmissions, will have to do more reading regarding their parts availability.

And lastly the D jet is what makes me the most apprehensive. But I've read the ecu's themselves seem pretty robust. So that gives me hope.