Unmolested '73 for sale, 20 mins away from me!, Xmas & my B'day at the same day? Options

[thieuster]

I've just introduced myself here: <a href="http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=5051&st=1440" target="_blank"></a> (posting #1453 and I'm busy starting this thread about my search for a 914.

Over the years, I had and have my fair share of classics. Saabs, Triumphs. But I always wanted a classic Porsche. Especially a 914! Dutch highway patrol had a dozen of the 914-6 in service during the 70s (next to 356s, 911 - up to the latest air-cooled version). I remember sitting in the back of my father's car on the lookout for those two men in white leather jackets in a white and red Porsche!

After completing my Triumph TR3A, I started looking for a 914. Most cars I spotted and took a look at were complete dog's houses, basket cases. Even cars from dry US states. Until I heard from a guy who lives 20mins from my address. He used to be a mechanic at a Porsche indy garage in my home town. Sadly he became ill (muscle & nerves related) and he cannot longer hold a spanner. He switched from Porsche mechanic to Porsche 914 guru! Together with his crew, he buys, sells and dismantles 914. But not the one you see below. His warehouse is filled with all sorts of parts! Quick count: at least 50 doors!

This is an original, matching number 1973 2.0. Unmolested, unharmed. Last time the car was on the road was 1997! Back in that year, the D-Jetronic went belly-up and the first owner (engineer!) was unable to find skilled help to get the car going again. So he stored the car: heated, dry, all joints greased, engine filled with oil, with a fresh squirt of oil down the spark plug holes ever 3 months - for 17 years!

Now, at the age of nearly 80, he sold the car to the Porsche mechanic. When I arrived at his place, this 1973 time capsule had just rolled into the workshop! TBH, it was really hard to get off cloud nine!

Long story short: after a close look at the car, we decided that the seller would sort out the injection (done now btw) and that he would allow me to send in a friend who used to work for a German main dealer in Hamburg - with hours and hours of tinkering on these cars behind his name. He's going over there next week.

I'm quite confident that I can overcome technical problems. However, my sheetmetal skills and welding skills are very, very bad. I need a car with no or very little work on that part. This 1973 car can be the answer.

TBC

Menno

EDIT: the raised pink & apple green 914 is on a stand: the owner of the shop had a jig designed especiailly for the rigidity of the body when you start cutting and welding. It's a piece of art! That strangely colored car is not to be restored, it's the example how to fit your 914 on the jig.

A quick pic of the car. These wheels were quite common in Europe. Most owners replaced them because there was too much VW relation between the VW wheels and the Porsche wheels...

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422740109.1.jpg)[/URL]

[thieuster]

Thank you for your friendly comments.

Although 275 miles from Zuffhausen's Finest HQ, I just live on the Dutch side of the German - Dutch border. The car is Dutch car. Dutch and German cars were completely alike, apart from one thing: Dutch cars needed a fog light (see one of the pics).

You asked for more pics, well here they are. The seller put them on his FB page, so I lifted them off his page.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422781871.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422781871.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422781871.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422781871.4.jpg)

Note the black anodized strips on the back of the targa and indeed, the absence of the vinyl on the targa. I always was under the impression the black accents were only sold in the US as some sort of LE. Now I am under the impression that it was for sale in the EU as well.

There's no * P O R S C H E * on the on the engine cover. Officially these cars were sold as VWPorsche in Europe - by the Porsche dealers! There's even a VW logo on the back! Back then, they were called 'VoPo': VolksPorsche. Even the logos on the hub caps are Volkswagen's Wolfsburg crest! You can imagine that I am on the lookout for nice looking set of wheels. I like the looks of Cosmics.

As you can see, there's no console in this 2.0. That's original as well. The targa roof, not shown here, is flawless on the outside, inside the grey lining has come off: it's sagging. But nothing that can't be rectified with some proper glue. Also worth mentioning is the ride height! As you can see, the car is not lowered like most of its brothers: it still has the original ride height (nose a little up in the air!)

As said, the engine is running again. My friend / formerly employed by a Porsche dealer/restorer in Hamburg will take a look on Wednesday or so.

Is there noting wrong with the car then? Oh yes, before the car was stored, it was repainted in its original color. Not the best job I've ever seen, but for now, I can live with that. First thing I'll do when the car gets the sign of approval from my professional friend (and I will buy it), is to drop the engine and gearbox, lift off the tins and blast them (yes, I can do that myself) and have them powder coated. Next thing is replacing the fuel lines (safety). Dutch cars need to undergo a annual safety test before they are allowed on the road: brakes, steering, lights etc need to be in tip top condition before they receive an approval for one year. I'll get to that automatically before I can run the car on the roads.

It's the second time that I come across a car like this. Last time (2006) I found a one owner Saab 96 in Sweden. That man had passed away and his family sold his car on a Swedish craiglist-ish site. I took a car + trailer to Sweden and returned with a Saab 96, 38K miles on the odometer. I've brought it back to life and it's still running strong. I've never touched it with a spanner since!

Tips, comments, do's and don'ts... to get it alive again are welcome and keep 'm coming please!

Have a great sunday.

Menno

(my other prides and joy)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i211.photobucket.com-18384-1422782816.1.jpg)