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!

[ewdysar]

It's your $$ and your car, but if I were in the same position, I might approach it like this (kinda like what would you do if you won the lottery)

Since it's already had a repaint due to hail damage, then I would repair and re-paint to get it as close to original as possible. Since your car is relatively unmolested, there's more value in the future because of that. If you mant more car, Subie, six, V8 or whatever else you might be looking for, I'd buy one that's already been taken down that road, you'll get plenty of upgrades for less than doing the same yourself.

I've got a Model T that was assembled from many others, back in the early 60's, and it's been in the family ever since. There are other early cars that I'd rather have, but for now I'm keeping the tradition thing going. The last thing that I'd want to be responsible for is turning it loose to some hot-rodder, there's someting to be said for preservation.

Good luck with the quandary (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)
Eric