3,800 Mile 914 - Preservation Ideas, How to maintain low milage 914 Options

[914x2]

I’m looking for some advice on how to “preserve” a very low milage 914. The car has 3,800 miles on it. I purchased it from a Porsche collector who bought it at this auction:
https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo17/lots/r...porsche-914-18/

For background, I purchased my first 914 for $600 in the 80’s at age 14 with five years of lawn mowing savings. The car didn’t run, had a lot of damage and was riddle with rust. My father and I spent a couple years getting it running, repaired the rust and “restored” it. I’ve owned old Porsches ever since.

I drive all my cars and frowned upon the idea of just displaying them in a garage. However, I now find myself feeling a bit like a caretaker of this car as it is likely one of the most original examples in the wild. So, I’ve morphed into the “display it in the garage” guy with this one.

I am looking for advice on how best to keep it mechanically sound while limiting miles. It is in a climate-controlled garage (always has been) with fluids changes every year. I use ethanal free gas as did the previous owner and I am removing the gas every year by pumping it from this car into my wife’s SUV. I take it on a 10 mile drive every 6 months.

I’d appreciate thoughts on anything I should, or should not, be doing to achieve the goal of preserving the “originality” of this car while still exercising the mechanicals.

[JeffBowlsby]

Where in the US are you? (please edit your profile-City, State)

Some initial pointers:

1. Environment & Location

• Choose indoor, climate-controlled space: Store the car in a dry, well-ventilated garage or a specialized storage unit maintained around 50°F–60°F with low humidity (ideally 65–70% or lower) to prevent rust and condensation.
• Avoid concrete moisture: If parking on raw concrete, lay down a heavy-duty plastic vapor barrier or flooring mat to keep ground dampness from rising into the chassis.
• Use a breathable cover: Wash and wax the exterior thoroughly, then apply a soft, breathable indoor car cover. Avoid plastic tarps, which trap moisture and scratch paint.

2. Fluids & Fuel

• Change the engine oil: Replace the oil and filter right before storage to clear out acidic combustion byproducts that can pit engine bearings over time.
• Stabilize or drain the fuel:
• For storage under a year, fill the gas tank to roughly 95% capacity to minimize air space (reducing condensation) and mix in a quality fuel stabilizer like Sta-Bil, running the engine briefly to circulate it.
• For storage exceeding a year, completely drain the fuel system.

3. Tires & Brakes

• Prevent flat spots: Inflate your tires to the higher end of the recommended PSI (or around 40–45 PSI), or place the vehicle on jack stands (under the suspension control arms) or tire cradles to take the weight off the rubber.
• Disengage the parking brake: Leave the handbrake off (chock the wheels or leave the car in gear instead) to keep the brake pads or shoes from bonding or freezing to the rotors/drums.

4. Electrical & Interior

• Maintain the battery: Disconnect the ground cable or hook the battery up to a smart trickle charger/battery tender (like a CTEK or Battery Tender Plus) to prevent deep discharge.
• Deter pests: Place clean rags, steel wool, or mesh covers over the exhaust pipe and air intake to block critters, and use non-toxic or enclosed cabin moisture absorbers/baking soda inside the car (avoid leaving open food or loose traps that attract mice).
• Skip frequent idle warm-ups: Do not start the car every week or two for a few minutes; short runs build up corrosive condensation inside the exhaust and engine without getting hot enough to burn off moisture.

[914x2]

Thank you JeffBowlsby. I am new to the forum and will make sure to update the profile to location setting.

The car is in Michigan in a climate controlled garage (heat and AC) designed for cars storage and currently on a lift. I'm currently doing all the things you recommend with the exception of a few of your very good suggestions. I had not thought to put some baking soda in the car and over-inflate the tires, great idea.

Also I have the emergency brake engaged, that is coming off tomorrow, thanks for the suggestion.

Dave