First time buying advice - gearbox etc Options

[mabbo]

Hi,

Im finally looking for my first 914 after considering one for ages. Im trying to do some research into what year etc to go for. I have seen a few for sale but wanted to get some advice before I buy.

I prefer the look of the earlier chrome bumper cars but have seen a 1975 1.8 thats never welded, solid and had a repaint. It looks really original and still on the factory fuel injection with dealer air con. I like the idea of the late gear linkage, air con (I struggle in the heat) and factory fuel injection, but not sure if I need educating:

1) Id like to build a bigger engine at some point and not sure if the injection system would need replacing with carbs anyway. Min of 1911cc. Id like a big crank if i can afford it but probably not.

2) Does the later gear linkage really make that much difference over a earlier tail shift when everything is in good order?

3) Is the dealer air con (this is the VW style apparently) actually any good? I have read the dealers didnt do the best job installing them and hack the body around quite a bit.

4) How difficult is it to find and fit original air con to a car without it? I know nothing about air conditioning.

5) Im aware of the hell hole but reluctant to buy one thats had it repaired previously as Im really fussy with metalwork - I restore classic cars, mainly 50s/60s Volkswagens, for a living and I have seen A LOT of really poor quality restorations / bad metalwork covered with nice paint come through work and I dont want to buy anything like that.

6) Ideally Id like to find an original solid car that hasnt had any welding and doesnt need any, but they seem to be few and far between. Do any ever come up for sale? I dont want a big project because I wont find the time to get it done but also not sure I want anything previously restored. Something needing recommissioning or paint would be way better for me than something needing or had a load of metalwork.

Thanks for any advice. Random pictures of my 58 Beetle I built in case any of you are interested:
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Thanks, Neil