Your Personal 914 History, When did you get the bug and how bad? Options

[Qarl]

1. How were you first introduced to 914s? (Relative, first car, always wondered what it was, AX event, etc.)

2. How old were you when you first drove a 914?

3. How many 914s have you owned, including now? (Year, displacement, color)

4. How would you describe your 914 bug?

a. Ehhh... Anyone want to buy my 914?
b. Casual interest - I'm still learning
c. Interested/Enthused - these cars are the best
d. Severely infected - I'm contagious. Admit me to the E/R now
e. Lost Cause - I will probably give up the ghost while driving in my beloved teener!

[ThinAir]

1. How were you first introduced to 914s?
I learned to drive in a 62 Bug so I've had a soft spot for air cooled cars for a long time. In 1980 we're expecting our 3rd child and the Chevette isn't gonna cut it anymore so we buy the 69 VW Camper Bus from some folks across the street. I need to learn something about cars quick and a girl at work who owns a beat-up Karmann Ghia puts me onto the local community schools class on foreign auto repair. Turns out it's mostly VW types. One of the guys is a doctor with a turbo-charged 914-4. He gives me a ride through the streets of Hermosa Beach to the local VW place - good thing I had a seat belt on! I knew already back then that I wanted a Porsche, but figured a 911 was never gonna be in the picture ($$$$$). I figured the 914 was the "poor man's Porsche" because the "Porsche snobs" who didn't know anything about cars would discount its heritage and proclaim it to be NARP.

2. How old were you when you first drove a 914?
39. (11 years after that first ride)

3. How many 914s have you owned, including now?
1. 1972 White 1.7L FI that I found at a local used car place. I traded a truck that I should never have brought plus $300 for the 914. Both the dealer and I got a good deal considering the truck that I got rid of. Drove the 914 for 12 years with minimal investment before disassembling it last year to finally restore it. After I get it all taken apart the body guy looks at it and says we're looking at $6,000 to start instead of $2,500 as quoted so I hauled it home. It's now sitting on my back patio and will be a project car so that I can learn to weld and do body work in preparation for my dream "retirement" job of having a 1-man business restoring air cooled Porsches & Volkswagens. (I've got about 10 years to work on it.)
2. 1971 Red, No engine or tranny. A parts car that I picked up for $200 because I needed an early window regulator in a hurry. It's sitting in my back yard in hopes that I'll get around to cutting it up soon.
3. 1973 Yellow 2.0L FI. Purchased this about a month ago from Tim in Seattle after seeing it in a 914Club classified. This is the car of my dreams. It came with carbs, but I just finished putting in the 2.0L FI engine that I had originally purchased to go into the 72. It was sort of a gift to my self after becoming re-employed. My son & I flew to Seattle and drove it back to Arizona over a weekend. What a great drive - even I5 is fun in a 914!

4. How would you describe your 914 bug?
e. I don't suffer from insanity - I'm enjoying every moment of it! I am definitely a lost cause & I've passed it on to my son as well (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) The disease gets even worse once you get to drive one that is in good condition. Of course, no one is looking for a cure!