Cache of 5 914s found, Should I buy them? Options

[stevegm]

I located a cache of 5 914s sitting outside in a field. The guy that owns them knows quite a bit about Porsches and is just starting to get out of them. There are 2 '71s, a '72, a '74, and a '75. I got all the VINs for the database.

All have engines. No 2.0L, though. He has titles for all the cars.

All appear to be parts cars, except one of the '71s (the 5th picture down below). The color code was gone, but it appears to have originally been tangerine. No serious rust in either trunk. The doors opened surprisingly well. All the gaps looked good. Some hell hole rust. Needs rear pans, at least. No signs of accident damage. Comes with 1.7L engine with Dellorto carbs, and tail shift tranny.

Not a lot of great parts on the cars. A few bumpers, door handles, mirrors, windshields, suspension. Lots of body rust.

He wants $3,000 for all. Or $1,500 for the tangerine '71.

What to do?

[GeorgeRud]

It would seem that there would be at least that much in parts alone (side shifter transmissions and linkage on the later cars), but do you have a place to store and dismantle them?

[stevegm]

It would seem that there would be at least that much in parts alone (side shifter transmissions and linkage on the later cars), but do you have a place to store and dismantle them?

Figure they are all 1.7 or 1.8 engines. And trannys don't seem to carry a lot of value lately. Given the labor to haul them and dismantle them, I'm not sure it is worth the effort. I am interest in saving the tangerine '71. Primarily, though, because of the color, which is the wrong reason. $1,500 for a '71 1.7L that needs pans, undoubtedly at least some longitudinal work, then a complete restore?

[mepstein]

Offer $1k for the whole lot.

[green914]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif) Save them all! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Cuda911]

Any pix?

[stevegm]

I added pictures.

[Cuda911]

Thanks, Steve. An interesting collection there.

Looks like lots of parts there worth some $$. The question is, do you have time to strip them out and list them for sale? I imagine it's more effort than worth, unless you have a large parcel like this guy, and can let the cars sit around.

[stevegm]

Thanks, Steve. An interesting collection there.

Looks like lots of parts there worth some $$. The question is, do you have time to strip them out and list them for sale? I imagine it's more effort than worth, unless you have a large parcel like this guy, and can let the cars sit around.

Ya, I agree. I'm more interested in the tangerine '71. But, $1,500 is a little high, IMHO, given the work it needs. I am wondering if the parts cars could offset the cost of that car to make it make sense. I don't think he will come down on the price much.

[Chris Pincetich]

Make him an offer you can't refuse (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[EdwardBlume]

I bought a complete silver 73 2.0 for $1 once. That made sense.

5 decomposing 914s would be a tough challenge let alone $3k.

If you decide to go for it, power wash all 5 take lots of pictures and see if you can place 2-3 to others who want to restore them.

$500 is the magic number for a dead 914 IMHO. The tangerine might be worth more depending on real condition, or be a money pit.

Good luck!

[etcmss]

interiors and other key items may be worth the time, but without condition of chassis known maybe 3K is high.

[mepstein]

Looking at the pics I'm still at $1k. Lots of work to strip and sell. Lots of rental cost on the trailer if you have limited storage space and need to pick up one week at a time.
Stay the course on your silver car.

[914forme]

Run don't walk, I used to do this in my youth, and had a barn stash, I still have parts in places around the house that I stumble upon thinking they where all gone.

Suspension stuff, unless it has 5 lugs, worth about nothing, sway bars and a-arms are the one thing.

Engines are all cores as are transmissions. You have no history. Unless you have great dash pads, and other interior items, these are all about toast. And I am not seeing rust free in your future here.

It will take you a long time to recover your 3K investment. Then you add in cost of doing business, and well its a Money Pit! Now if your doing it for the love of the car, by all means go for it.

If they where stored indoors all these years, heck yeah I would pull the trigger on 3K. If your going to pull the trigger at 3K, have him check barns and garages, he might have a few treasures stashed away. And hopefully his wife is sick of seeing this stuff cluttering his life, and you can make a package deal.

[Chris H.]

I bought a complete silver 73 2.0 for $1 once. That made sense.

5 decomposing 914s would be a tough challenge let alone $3k.

If you decide to go for it, power wash all 5 take lots of pictures and see if you can place 2-3 to others who want to restore them.

$500 is the magic number for a dead 914 IMHO. The tangerine might be worth more depending on real condition, or be a money pit.

Good luck!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) And those are $600 each...technically in the ball park, probably worth it in theory. The problem is when there are 5 where do you put them all while you part them out? And how far away are they ? Will it cost a lot to move them all? If you have that kind of space, or can take them one at a time, go for it! And you Accounting for every switch, lever, lens, pedal cluster, gauge, engine, etc, plus the assorted extra "gems" you find on each of them there's enough to make your money back and then some. It just takes time to sell it all. I still have stuff (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) .

Another idea...could you part the ones that are really bad right there on the guy's property? That white one on the left end is toast. The fog lights are worth $ though.

[malcolm2]

How could someone that says they are a PORSCHE person do that to 5 cars? Why would anyone do that to any car?

If I had the room and my wife did not know about it.... I would pull the trigger and take them to my barn.

Good luck.

[boogie_man]

It looks like the earth is winning them back (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) Sad as if they were somewhat covered and taken care of, you'd have a chance. RUN

[ConeDodger]

Walk away.

Too much money... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Larmo63]

The '71 Tangerine is definitely the star of the show. There will come a time when this find would be a gold mine. That time just isn't now. Only a really dedicated 914 freak would endeavor to pull these and part the four ragged ones out.

[cconcepcion]

get the VINs and add them to the VIN data base.