A nice dilemma to have...I think Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I've allocated $10K for a restoration/refurbishment/upgrade of my long-time owned '70 914/4. This is a car I've had for 30+ years, autocrossed, rallied and concoured it. Its been in PCA, SCCA and BMWCCA events. Been to Parades. Been on family vacations north, south, east and west.
The reason for all this history...it's considered a member of the family and isn't going anywhere. I've refused a $5500 offer for it. The reason I mention that is to give you an idea of its condition. The body is virtually rust free, the battery tray is still intact, there are some minor rust perforations on the bottom pan, Stoddard fixed the rusted and torn right trailing arm back in '78, I have the original f & r pans and I have kept the car mostly stock with the exception of a Pedrini wheel and 195/55 tire upgrade and the fitment of a sport s/w. Paint is still good, but getting a little old from a '74 hail damage repaint.

So....do I,
1. Spend $10K on this early, but low performing 1.7 to get it looking really nice and extremely original? (Too nice that I might not want to drive it)

2. Do upgrades like 5 bolt wheels, sideshifter, sway bars, bigger brakes, etc. and "screw" the originality mentality? People seeing 5 bolt Fuchs wheels would think it an early six, but it would be a hoax.

3. Put a "6" in it and keep it looking the way it does, and have a "sleeper"? Add some discreet brake, chassis and suspension mods to handle the HP increase.

4. Try do build a "proper" and "authentic" 6 (I don't think that can be done for $10K), but still have "fake", "repro", "clone", "unoriginal" .

5. Leave it the way it is, enjoy its "authentic-ness", don't worry about it, and buy a Ducati , or a mutual fund with the money?

Since I've had this car for so long, I seen its "status" change constantly from un-wanted "stepchild", through grudging acceptance, from derisive regard to mild admiration. As the years pass, the car may even be attaining "cult status".

Old sports/GT cars always seem (to my eyes anyway) to look best at or near original configuration, be they TR-3s, 275GTBs, Stingrays, or 356s.
Since all, or most on this Forum are extremely knowledgeable, opinionated and, above all, ENTHUSIASTIC, about this very unique and wonderful car, I'd like very much to hear your input. Thanks in advance to all!

[John]

Since you asked for opinions, here is mine and my whole viewpoint.

You and only you need to figure out what kind of toy you want. If you want a stock car that is great, then keep it stock. I do not want to own a concourse car. They are nice to look at and oogle over, but I would rather drive it like it was meant to be driven and not spend every last minute polishing/maintaining/etc...

I chose to spend my money on a fun/fast/exciting/slightly updated car and that is what I'm working toward, (but in steps).

I like the looks of the 914-GT cars and one day mine will loosely resemble a GT/street car.

I'm not doing the hood pins/hole in the hood/fibreglass hoods, etc. I'm keeping those parts stock.

I'm doing a 3.2 conversion and have the flares for it, but they have to wait until later as I want to drive the car this spring/summer.

I am converting to 5-lugs with SC brakes. One day, I'll even put the 915 in it, but that is another project.

For me, a reliable and fun street car/toy is what I want. I don't mind modifying it, but really want to enjoy it as much as possible. I bought the car because it was fun to drive, not because it's fun to work on/look at.

My budget if all added up would be close to that $10,000 range.

In the end, I should have a car with slightly easier to obtain parts (newer), more fun to drive (more power and better brakes) and just what I want.


just my 0.02