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.

[Eric_Shea]

Welcome Beast (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smilie_pokal.gif)

Got a name? We like to put them in the "sig" if it's not one everyone can guess... (like mine).

You get credit for the coolest newbie avatar.

What everyone else said on the keys. You should "easily" be able to take the two pieces to a qualified locksmith and have him cut a new one from a nice new 914 blank. Cost...$5-10 bucks plus the blank.

Take the Ms. to an autocross. Let someone take her out for a ride... prefferably in a 914. She'll want to pick-up the stick in no time flat. After they pack up the cones you can have the parking lot to yourself... she'll get it. It's a hell of a lot easier than sticking a tip in a teener (would be cool though).