new person, a few stupid questions.. Options

[beast boy]

Hey all,
I currently own a '73 914 project, it was in a wreck, has been to the the body shop and has now been sitting in my driveway for about 9 months.
Anyway, first of all, I have changed oil, put a new battery in, etc. and now I basically wanna see if she'll start.. problem is, my only key broke off in the driver side door (I did manage to remove it.) Unfortunately, I have called every place in town, and they all want over $110 to re-key it. Before I do that, are there any other options? I am just dying to see if this car runs.. any possibility of starting her w/no key? I have no idea how to hotwire and deffinately do NOT want to screw up my ignition.

Also, after I get everything in working order, I was thinking it would be nice to replace the transmission w/something a little less awkward.. any possibility of fitting a tiptronic, or even an automatic? I live pretty close to a large junkyard/parts recycler that specializes in Porsche and Audi, so finding parts would likely not be an issue.

[TravisNeff]

Welcome to the club, always nice too see someone from arizona post. If you remove your passenger door handle and take that to a locksmith (because the passenger side will be less worn than the drivers side) they can make you a new key. I took my handle in with a key blank to use and I think it was around $30.00

I am sure the $110 quote was to come out onsite and make you keys at your location. Can you get into your car? If you are locked out, you can also get a key made off the rear trunk lock.

As for the transmission, I would start with the basics before you swap it out. shift bushings, transmission bushings, clutch adjustment, shifter adjustment. You can always do a rennshifter, which I understand is a night and day difference in shifting. Show us a pic of your car!