Time to Document my Survivor 1973 2.0L Options

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I've been thinking I should start sharing the history and pics of Sara and my 914 for quite a few months now. I've hesitated because I'm not great with pics and don't have unlimited time. Finally decided to start posting and hope you all will be patient and that this may take a while.

Some of you have heard of and been involved in my story which started last July in a search for a 914. I'm not one who can say I have been committed to this quirky car for 40+ years. I admire you original owners and those who know these cars (literally) inside out. I'm a lover of vintage cars and have owned many but not a mechanic. Over the past few years, Sara and I have really gotten into survivor/preservation cars. Love to see a car that remains unchanged other than the patina and wear that comes with 40+ years.

Long story short….after developing an interest in Porsche's over the past 7 years or so, I started thinking about that quirky 914 that I used to see driving around Fond du Lac WI in the 70's. Any Porsche in Fond du Lac was a rare thing and as a teenager this one got my attention. That thinking turned to an obsession and last July we got a bug up our butts (actually it was me, not Sara, but she fortunately loves old cars too so she accepted that another would likely be on its way to us) to look for an original 914. After looking at a few -6's and posting of my interest in an original 914 on 914World, I received a PM from a guy in Minneapolis who had, two months earlier, purchased a 45k mile 1973 Bahia red 2.0 from the original owner. Erik, the 2nd owner and his father are Porsche enthusiasts. They had heard about the car being for sale through the local Barber who happened to cut the hair of the original owner also. Erik told me that he of course knew a good thing when he saw it and originally had planned to keep it as a family summer car. After getting it home and really pouring over it, however, he realized that this car was much too pristine to use it in that way. Not needing another garage queen, Erik decided to sell, saw my post, and after several weeks of discussion and negotiation the car was in an enclosed trailer and on its way to Atlanta.

Here are a few pics that Erik took. He took some great pics (and many of them) so I'll likely use quite a few of those here in documenting the car.

Steve

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Haven't added to this post in many years now. Hard to believe the I've owned the car over 10 years!! I'll never surpass Jim's ownership of this original car....over 40 years....but it's been fun trying to be a deserving caretaker of this amazing car for the past 10 years.

Bought this 1973 2.0 after posting that I was looking for a really nice survivor. Paid an outrageous sum at the time and was more than happy to do so in order to have the opportunity to own it, It had just under 45,000 miles at the time and, as of last fall, I think I am just under 49,000 now. Before you criticize me for not driving it enough just know that I thoroughly enjoy its preservation and also I live in Mexico most of the year and the car is in Wisconsin. I'm lucky if I have the chance to put 500 miles or so per year on it.

It's the cleanest 914 I've ever seen. I know there are lower mileage and even a few that are likely better condition but this thing is still stunning!

Jim, the original owner in Minnesota, kept meticulous records and I have every original purchase, ownership document and receipt since new....save for one repair receipt which somehow went missing. I keep in touch with Jim, the original owner on a regular basis. He has visited us once in Wisconsin and we share at least a Christmas message each year. I think Jim is about 89 now.

Have only shown the car twice....once at Octeenerfest in around 2016 (?) and once at the Chicago Region PCA Concours in the Fall of 2023. The car won best in show and best stock at Octeener Fest and Best of Show at the PCA Concours.

Over the years I've done some regular maintenance but really the major things have been, new rear springs shortly after I bought it, new nos injectors and seals in 2023 and also the odometer went out on the return trip from the PCA Concours. Sent that out and had it back in a week without losing any miles....ok I think I lost maybe 17 miles.







Considering my living in Mexico, I constantly wonder if it's crazy to keep the 914. To make matters worse I also have a 1967 Scout and a '93 968 Clubsport as well as a sweet 15,000 mile 2010 Mercedes C350 Sport. It makes no sense at all and one of these days I will start thinning. The right buyer who will treasure this thing for the next 10-20 years will come at the right time.


The 914 this past summer: