Introduction of guy and car...., first 914 on its way.... Options

[Frankvw]

My first 914 !
Introduction of guy and car....

Introduction
Frank, from Holland, the Netherlands, Europe. Frankvw on the forum.

I am no stranger to the car hobby, but totally new to the Porsche world. So, not only did I recently buy my first 914, it was actually my first Porsche.
For many years I am into VW's some came and went, but also some stayed: a 1960 VW Beetle Ragtop and a 1978 VW T2b Westfalia Berlin.
After deciding I wanted a 914, I did a lot of reading and looking what was 'out there'
I did check a lot on the internet, including (of course) the 914world forums, especially from January 2016 onwards when I sort of decided I was going for it !
In april 2016 I did sign up to 914world as a member to make it more registered and tried to keep up through the different topics.
I already tried to contribute in different topics, since I also will be taking a lot from the 914world community.

How did I buy my first 914 ?
I kept an eye on the classified section of 914world, but nothing came along or was sold too soon. I wanted to buy from a clubmember so I had a better idea what I was buying.
Being from the Netherlands, Europe, it would be a buy based on trust. I figured that was easier to find on the 914world with your backup.
I did also check Craigs List to see what was out there, prices, details etc but my idea was that it would be hard to find a trust-deal on there.
I also kept an eye on Ebay, but I learned soon the cars were sold for higher prices then I had in mind. I saw the comment on the 914world somewhere : 'Evilbay is a great place to overpay'
I wanted a driver, not a project car and one day a 914 showed up on Ebay, a 1973 1.7 914, second owner with all history with it.
I contacted the seller and I had the idea I could find that trust-buy with him, we had good communication (mail, phone, SMS) and he was willing to help out in the shipping process.
I did enter the bidding war (well...20 bids in total) and I won !

The car and the color...
as mentioned, a 1973 914 1.7 with its original FI, on Riviera's. In fact, all is original except for one respray in 2002, in the original color.
The second owner bought it 18 years ago from the original owner who had it the first 25 years. Almost all history and maintenance known !
The most interesting part is the color. It was already discussed on the forum, since the seller called it sepia brown and it wasn't.
Before the auction ended I contacted Porsche Germany to help me check the color and they helped out (as much as possible).
We found the data they normally print on the COA, and there was stated it had several options. for example interior 31 (beige leatherette), was sold through a dealer in LA to first owner, option 570 (extra seat cushion) etc.
But also was stated on the files that this 914 was delivered in Color option 99 - Special Wish, which translated in code 98 on the Karmann doorpillar ID.
It was definately a custom wish, since the car was bought in the original color by last owner and he had it resprayed in 2002 since some of the clearcoat faded/came off.... and 914's had no clearcoat from the factory I learned.
Porsche could not find out what color it ended up in, so no more info on the color besides seller claiming it was resprayed in the same color it was before.
It is for sure a metallic brownish color, and the targaroof was also painted that color by the way...
I will have to wait what the real original color was if I remove some parts/carpets.....In case you have ideas or opinions about this color...let me know !

Wait?
Yes. Car has to be transported to the Netherlands from USA. First, car will be transported from Connecticut to NJ (see pic attached)
and from NJ it will be loaded in the harbour of NY to be send on it's way to Europe.
I waited to post this intro since I thought when the car started his journey away from the sellers house, my adventure and ownership will start (although I already went through the financial process and paperwork)
Car was just picked up in Connecticut ! (see pic attached) voila, my intro !

What is next?
After the car arrives in the Netherlands, I have to pay tax, more tax and some other tax, since it is from outside Europe. Then I have to bring it for a Identity check and a Technical check
All needs to work and should be in good (enough) order, important stuff like structure and brakes, but also the small stuff like wiperrubbers and working horn. You get the idea.
This means I have to go through the car before I go there, and that is when I see what I still really need to do on the car to be able to drive it in NL.
I already know about some small issues with the car, from the info of the seller, but you always have to wait what really pops up, right ?
I also need some items not needed for this tests, like better beige vinyl seatcushion covers and one targaroof clip holder, but I will keep my eyes on the classifieds here !
After the tests, a Dutch registration, licenseplates, insurance and go with that banana (like we say in Holland) :-)

Ok...enough for now (problably already too much to share for an intro, but I got carried away typing, sorry)
Frank (Frankvw)

[dlkawashima]

It does not look like the door jam was repainted, looking at the Karmann plate and your compliance sticker:



If that's true, I think the color would have to be Copper Brown Metallic, Porsche color 432 from 1974 (I don't know what the VW equivalent would be). Since your car is a very late '73 build, it wouldn't surprise me if a '74 color somehow made its way onto your car.

[mbseto]

Welcome, nice looking car!

[SirAndy]

It does not look like the door jam was repainted, looking at the Karmann plate and your compliance sticker. If that's true, I think the color would have to be Copper Brown Metallic, Porsche color 432 from 1974 (I don't know what the VW equivalent would be). Since your car is a very late '73 build, it wouldn't surprise me if a '74 color somehow made its way onto your car.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[Frankvw]

Interesting ! 432...
thanks a lot for your thoughts and input on my first 914 !

[whitetwinturbo]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) ..........love that beer color!

[Frankvw]

Today I received mail that made me happy !
A package from FedEx from the previous owner to me, the new owner.
It contains the maintenance history of the car from the first invoice in 1973 till last bill (inch thick pile of papers), the original first CA plate, plus all the documentation from the car.
Besides the stuff on the pics, there was a lot more !
How cool is that !!!! especially since I will have to wait for the car, it is cool to get something that is related to the car and is something I can touch. Pics are cool, but this is more real.



Have a great weekend !

[7TPorsh]

WELCOME!..... my notes say L99K Copper Metallic

[7TPorsh]

1975

The colors available for this model year were:

Black L04I
Berber Yellow L11D
Summer Yellow L13K
Nepal Orange L20C
Malaga Red L30C
Scarlet Red L31M
Laguna Blue L50C
Forest Green L64K
Light Ivory L80E
Palma Green Metallic L95K
Silver Metallic L96D
Anacona Blue Metallic L97B
Copper Metallic L99K

[Frankvw]

Thanks for your feedback 7TPorsch !
The car was build june 1973, sold juli 1973, so I am not sure about L99K. I do agree it looks like it a bit, but the year is a mismatch to be that color.....but who knows....

[Frankvw]

Expected shipping out of NY at July 7th. Then about another 20 days to the Netherlands..... waiting always takes longer than you want....
in the meantime reading up into the 914 books, docs and forumposts....

[orthobiz]

Good luck! It will be interesting to see what little things the car needs to "sort it out" and make it yours.

Paul

[Frankvw]

Oh yes ! I will keep you updated . I am going through the pile of bills / maintenance history that i already received earlier than teh car (see previous posts in this item) and check what/when is already done. It had some interesting repairs in its past, including the relocation of the fuelpump. It does not mention to where :-)
Also the AC was charged at least 10 times during its life but is not currently working according to the last owner. Really nice to go through the maintenancehistory !

[Frankvw]

Seems like it takes forever, but the 914 is nearly in sight. It is floating on the sea under England, but getting close to Belgium, it will visit the harbour of Antwerp first (Belgium) and then it will set sail for the Netherlands, and will arrive in the evening of 21st of July. From there harbour actions and customs etc. after that the car is released to me.
So...I guess next week I will get a first hands-on on the car.

[Dutchdriver]

So, did your 914 arrive safely?

[Frankvw]

Thanks for asking !
Well...it arrived in Holland.... that is the good news.
it came out of the container yesterday.
Now for the bad news....
There are some issues with the car because of the way it was handled during transport, but I di not want to get ahead now....because I only saw the pics and transportcompany will work on a solution ( after a little persuasion from my side)
Car will be brought to my house tomorrow and after I did see with my own eyes what the status is....then I will give an update.
My transportcompany has a very good reputation and i have faith they will sort it out for me. I will post progress and updates here after car is here ....

[Dutchdriver]

Oh, that's a bummer :-( Hope it all will go smooth so you can start enjoying your 914...and start sharing pics! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Karmann11]

Wondered how the car was? Which shipping company did you use out of interest?

All the very best with it and look forward to updates.

[forrestkhaag]

congrats on the 914 score / looks like a nice ride.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[SixerJ]

Any news on your car?, hoping whatever the issue is its minor

[Frankvw]

Hi guys (and girls). thanks for the interest.
The car arrived on the friday before I left for vacation on saturday morning.
The issue with the car was that during transport it developed some mold in the container which affected my car as well.

The receiving transport company on the Dutch side called me to state that there was some mold on/in the car, and I had to wait to see for myself how bad it was.
The shipping companies stated that this happens more often, and is even mentioned in the contract in the small-print. I did talk to the USA transport company to express my concerns and worries since I did give them superdry car without mold and they offered to work on a 'Mutual solution' with me after we solved the issues.

I already spoke to a steamclean company that is specialized in mold-removal in cars in the next days, before the car was delivered to my house, so they were standby if needed.
The car was delivered Friday, saw the car and I did call the steamclean guys and they cleaned the 914 for me, only little later after I received the car. Normally they do newer cars, but they liked it to have a vintage car in their portfolio, so they took some pictures for their own webpages as well.

After the cleaning of the inside, the outside still has to be cleaned, it was steamed as well but it needs to be polished/waxed...however you guys call that... but that needs another company to do that, and could be done later.
So...I put the 914 in the garage and went on holiday the next morning.

Last weekend I came home and yesterday (Sunday) I could check the 914 better for the first time...... Update coming soon, promised !! !