27,000 mile original '74 on BaT, This will be interesting Options

[Big Len]

I'm going for it, $71K.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-porsche-914-59/

[Big Len]

I don't know why I so fascinated with this sale, maybe because it's a 74 and a 1.8 like mine, but 2 other clues that hint toward a very low mileage car.
The seat belt buckles are in very good shape with the word "PUSH" on the female end a bright orange. Most have faded in the sun and yes, I know you could get replacements, but I would think very few would go to that level or even realize that they are faded. It's a tiny clue saying that this car was out of the sun and in storage for a long time.
A much better clue are the front tits. If you don't own a 73 or 74, you may not realize that the leading edge of the car are the vertical surfaces of those bumpettes. They are usually riddled with small imperfections from stone and bug hits. The ones on this car are pristine. Now, I guess you could try and fix them or buy new ones from somewhere, but again, to go to that level of noticing that detail and faking mileage would be rare. I just know from my own car that it's an indicator of mileage.
I'll shut up now.

[bbrock]

I don't know why I so fascinated with this sale, maybe because it's a 74 and a 1.8 like mine, but 2 other clues that hint toward a very low mileage car.
The seat belt buckles are in very good shape with the word "PUSH" on the female end a bright orange. Most have faded in the sun and yes, I know you could get replacements, but I would think very few would go to that level or even realize that they are faded. It's a tiny clue saying that this car was out of the sun and in storage for a long time.

This could be easily verified with better pics of the buckles. The stickers actually say "PRESS" and the "R" is wrong on all the replacements I've found so you can easily tell if they are after market.

[wonkipop]

I don't know why I so fascinated with this sale, maybe because it's a 74 and a 1.8 like mine, but 2 other clues that hint toward a very low mileage car.
The seat belt buckles are in very good shape with the word "PUSH" on the female end a bright orange. Most have faded in the sun and yes, I know you could get replacements, but I would think very few would go to that level or even realize that they are faded. It's a tiny clue saying that this car was out of the sun and in storage for a long time.

This could be easily verified with better pics of the buckles. The stickers actually say "PRESS" and the "R" is wrong on all the replacements I've found so you can easily tell if they are after market.

think @Big Len is right.

BAT car.



mine. now up to 46K miles. 32.5 in 89.



mine have always been faded. checked my old slides from 89.
they faded almost instantly those things. even in mid west summer UV.
Len is right, back in 89 i didn't even realise they were faded.
every 914 i saw had faded seatbelt receivers.

either faultless reproduction looking at typography or BAT car led a very sheltered life from UV even before it went into storage in 85! unusual. maybe the tinted glass it has and always having the top on possibly could have preserved them.

new owner is going to know for sure the day he drops the trans and does the clutch.
that is when you know. there will be that rubber core clutch in there.

i am as fascinated by this car as Big Len. for the same reasons.