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?

[Superhawk996]

Just be careful on the sheet metal. When you say some corrosion underneath that is a giant warning flag.

914's are notorious for corrosion. There is no such thing as rust free and whatever you can see, it is much worse in places you can't easily see. Rust is often hidden by undercoating, bondo, or paint.

Here is a link to my build thread. Notice how nice the car is top side. This car needs a complete longitudinal on the passenger side, floorpan, and lower rear bulkhead due to hidden rust. There is also some minor paint bubbling at bottom corner of doors which is a sure sign that rust is working there too!

This was a $4000 car which I ultimately got running for a neighborhood test drive. May seem like a good deal to many but it really is going to be a money pit which I knew going into it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The problem is is you had to pay a body shop to do the metal work, it would eclipse the value of the car. My time is billed at standard hobby rate of $0.03/hr. Materials are generously funded courtesy of my day job! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...;hl=rustoration.


Be wise. Better to shop around for the best you can afford that is absolutely rock solid.