Newbie needs purchase advice, Purchase advise Options

[Indyheel]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the 914 world and am looking at a '73. The car is from Colorado and was dry stored for 23 years. Car is relatively rust free with the exception of a small area by the drivers door sill. I've attached pics of the battery area. Would do you think?

[Superhawk996]

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Run Forrest, Run . . . .

[poorsche914]

Perhaps more info and images will aid in guiding OP ... from the CL ad:

Great, rust free solid car. Recently tuned--New plugs, condenser, points. Fuel pump upgrade and new stainless lines to replace the old vinyl lines that could catch these on fire.
Purchased last year out of Colorado where is sat in dry storage for about 20 years. Last driven and tagged in 1996, but it runs great now with no smoke and a smooth idle.
Great project car to clean up the body or even keep in its original survivor patina. I have lots of parts from the previous owner including brakes, A/C, ignition parts, trim parts, new seat covers, fuel tank cleaner (not needed). The car is complete and just needs a little effort to get it into great shape.

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[Superhawk996]

Perhaps more info and images will aid in guiding OP ... from the CL ad:

Quick things I see in the photos:
1) interior is roached. Budget $2K at least to make this decent driver quality. If you want it pristine, you'll be in for more like $5K.

2) Door jamb rust on driver side is a bit unusual. If you can see that there is easily in that spot, there is 20X more hidden around the vehicle that isn't easily seen. Insist that owner pull the passenger side outer rocker panel before buying.

3) Trunk hinge on passenger side above battery has been broken and has been poorly welded as the quick repair.

4) the rusted battery tray surely dumped acid laden water and acid onto the engine bay longitudinal. Hell Hole needs to be checked way more closely. Haven't seen a picuture of it yet down in the low corner at the firewall where the rust happens.

5) 1st gear Syncro is no the end of the world but likely that isn't all the trans needs.

6) fuel injection lines have standard worm clamp on them. This is a fire waiting to happen. These lines need proper clamps that don't cut into and extrude the rubber though them.

7) luggage rack add on virtually guarantees that you now have corrosion starting on the trunk. At a bare minimum, you now have holes.

8) Car has had A/C installed. There are multiple holes cut into this vehicle that are sources of corrosion and leakage. I know, my car had A/C installed and I'm working to fix the damage. All A/C installed of the era involved pure butchery!

9) where did all the center console gauges go?

And that is what I see in a 30 second rundown. I'm sure there is way more.

Previous advise stands. Consider this a learning exercise in how to inspect and buy a 914. You've come to the right place for expert advice. The guys on the forum will help protect you from yourself. Don't fall in love with this one.

Unless you can weld and do all work yourself this is a money pit.

Love that color. My first car started the same color. And like a dope I painted it red in the 80's -- what was I thinking. Changing it to red cost me thousands in speeding tickets!