Contracted 914 fever— is this the car to cure it?, What do you think of this ‘73 914 2.0 on Bat— pass or play? Options

[trylon]

New to the forum and the car. Was pointed to it by an aficionado on The Samba— I have a ‘59 Karmann Ghia. https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=723793

He suggested that the people on this forum were the brain trust for all things 914 and that I should vet one here that has caught my eye on BAT:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-914-113/

Any insight would be appreciated!

[trylon]

Car officially bought and paid for, booked pickup/delivery!

Let the games begin.

So, as the big west coast shows are on, delivery is going to be a bit slower than usual. That said, would love to start discussing what I should do when it arrives.

It seems to be in decent driving shape so, yeah, will be posting driving videos sooner rather than later. But I want to make sure the car is safe. One thing that is already causing me the heebie jeebies is the thought of half century old plastic fuel lines. Yikes!
Try as I might I can not figure out if this has been addressed or not in the car by the photos provided. Can anyone help me determine this?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-914-113/

[Jamie]

Car officially bought and paid for, booked pickup/delivery!

Let the games begin.

So, as the big west coast shows are on, delivery is going to be a bit slower than usual. That said, would love to start discussing what I should do when it arrives.

It seems to be in decent driving shape so, yeah, will be posting driving videos sooner rather than later. But I want to make sure the car is safe. One thing that is already causing me the heebie jeebies is the thought of half century old plastic fuel lines. Yikes!
Try as I might I can not figure out if this has been addressed or not in the car by the photos provided. Can anyone help me determine this?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-914-113/

Original plastic fuel lines are in place, and the inlet hoses for the heater blower are missing. I suggest that you will want some heat/defrost during winter on the east coast! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[trylon]

Car officially bought and paid for, booked pickup/delivery!

Let the games begin.

So, as the big west coast shows are on, delivery is going to be a bit slower than usual. That said, would love to start discussing what I should do when it arrives.

It seems to be in decent driving shape so, yeah, will be posting driving videos sooner rather than later. But I want to make sure the car is safe. One thing that is already causing me the heebie jeebies is the thought of half century old plastic fuel lines. Yikes!
Try as I might I can not figure out if this has been addressed or not in the car by the photos provided. Can anyone help me determine this?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-914-113/

Original plastic fuel lines are in place, and the inlet hoses for the heater blower are missing. I suggest that you will want some heat/defrost during winter on the east coast! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I wonder why the blower has been taken out of the loop. Might a comment on BAT postulating a failing exhaust and fumes in the cab might have something to do with it.

Yes, if I recall it does become somewhat chilly in Connecticut in the winter.
Unfortunately it also becomes somewhat salty.

This brings up a point that I would love to hear the forums reaction to:
Dare I run this 914 year round?
What would be required to do so?

[Superhawk996]

Dare I run this 914 year round?

Only if you want to see it turn to rust before your eyes

[trylon]

Dare I run this 914 year round?

Only if you want to see it turn to rust before your eyes

Am always curious about this. Hypothetically, what might be done to mitigate this?

[Superhawk996]

Dare I run this 914 year round?

Only if you want to see it turn to rust before your eyes

Am always curious about this. Hypothetically, what might be done to mitigate this?

Nothing hypothetical - there is no preventing the accelerated corrosion due to salt.

There are too many nooks and crannies for the salt to get into and to do its work. Even under the best of circumstances, 914’s corrode from the inside out.

These cars were built in an era before galvaneal steel and e-coating inside body cavities was a thing. In addition they are largely built using steel that is 0.8 - 1.0mm thick. That is what makes them light weight. It also means that it doesn’t take very long for rust to grab hold and to perforate panels.

Due to the nature of the enclosed body sections (longitudinals, sail panels, and rear bulkhead box section), it is almost impossible to get 100% coverage of any sort of body cavity wax or rust inhibitor.

If you drive it in the winter, on salt & slush roads, you will severely devalue what you have purchased.

[trylon]

Dare I run this 914 year round?

Only if you want to see it turn to rust before your eyes

Am always curious about this. Hypothetically, what might be done to mitigate this?

Nothing hypothetical - there is no preventing the accelerated corrosion due to salt.

There are too many nooks and crannies for the salt to get into and to do its work. Even under the best of circumstances, 914’s corrode from the inside out.

These cars were built in an era before galvaneal steel and e-coating inside body cavities was a thing. In addition they are largely built using steel that is 0.8 - 1.0mm thick. That is what makes them light weight. It also means that it doesn’t take very long for rust to grab hold and to perforate panels.

Due to the nature of the enclosed body sections (longitudinals, sail panels, and rear bulkhead box section), it is almost impossible to get 100% coverage of any sort of body cavity wax or rust inhibitor.

If you drive it in the winter, on salt & slush roads, you will severely devalue what you have purchased.

Pretty much the story I have heard for the ‘59 Karmann Ghia as well.
Thanks for the confirmation.