With rising popularity, should 914s be kept stock?, Originality Options

[unpolire]

For years now since owning my first 1971 914, I have seen heavy modifications such as rotary engines, turbocharger additions, V-8 conversions, and 914-6 engine conversions. Now, with rising values and losses due to wrecks and rust, how many unmodified 914s are left? Even the best Porsche tuners in the world have touched the stock 914 or 914-6 and tastefully upgraded them making them remarkable machines.

Is the time for modifications coming to a close and preservation becoming more of a priority? As a multi-marque car collector, I feel that original 914s are now the rarity. Or does the community feel that reversible modifications are OK now? I know that the originality forum of 914World is the definitive answer for all things original 914. But is that just for the small concours original community or is it migrating towards all 914 owners?

[KELTY360]

That ship has already sailed. Due to it's NARP status for years, modifications weren't considered blasphemous, or even questioned for that matter. Fine, it is what it is.

Going forward, owners will need to evaluate their car differently, depending on how far it's descended down the rabbit hole. Originality can't be 'reclaimed', especially with the paucity of restorable and OEM parts available. IMO, true survivors, sympathetic restorations and period correct cars will offer the greatest value for collectors entering the market. 100 point restorations will always be attractive to big dollar collectors, especially as interest in the 914 continues to rise.

For my own part, I've owned my '74 2.0 since 2006. When purchased, it was 'substantially' stock, needing paint and other cosmetic touches. I left it that way for a few years until a small accident squashed the front fender leading to a makeover I'd been planning for years. Front and rear bumpers were backdated to '72 to delete the bumpetr tits, sail panel vinyl was deleted and trim holes welded shut, DOT warts were removed. The car was fully repainted in it's 'correct' color, Marathon Blue; but the bumpers and sail panels were also painted that color. The goal was to replicate an old school look of the early 914s. Instead of black valances and rocker covers, they were painted a complimentary dark blue and the Mahle wheels were also painted that color with the ribs and lips left silver. If you're interested, here's a link to the makeover: Making lemonade
All this said, it still has it's correct D-jet, 2.0 engine (rebuilt with euro pistons by PO), side shift tranny (rebuilt), correct interior, incl. working backpad light, and the patina of a well driven car. I wouldn't call it stock, but modified would be a pretty strong word for the changes, I think. Bottom line is that it's my car and I did what I wanted but maintained the 'essence' of the 914 character.

[Wew]

That ship has already sailed. Due to it's NARP status for years, modifications weren't considered blasphemous, or even questioned for that matter. Fine, it is what it is.

Going forward, owners will need to evaluate their car differently, depending on how far it's descended down the rabbit hole. Originality can't be 'reclaimed', especially with the paucity of restorable and OEM parts available. IMO, true survivors, sympathetic restorations and period correct cars will offer the greatest value for collectors entering the market. 100 point restorations will always be attractive to big dollar collectors, especially as interest in the 914 continues to rise.

For my own part, I've owned my '74 2.0 since 2006. When purchased, it was 'substantially' stock, needing paint and other cosmetic touches. I left it that way for a few years until a small accident squashed the front fender leading to a makeover I'd been planning for years. Front and rear bumpers were backdated to '72 to delete the bumpetr tits, sail panel vinyl was deleted and trim holes welded shut, DOT warts were removed. The car was fully repainted in it's 'correct' color, Marathon Blue; but the bumpers and sail panels were also painted that color. The goal was to replicate an old school look of the early 914s. Instead of black valances and rocker covers, they were painted a complimentary dark blue and the Mahle wheels were also painted that color with the ribs and lips left silver. If you're interested, here's a link to the makeover: Making lemonade
All this said, it still has it's correct D-jet, 2.0 engine (rebuilt with euro pistons by PO), side shift tranny (rebuilt), correct interior, incl. working backpad light, and the patina of a well driven car. I wouldn't call it stock, but modified would be a pretty strong word for the changes, I think. Bottom line is that it's my car and I did what I wanted but maintained the 'essence' of the 914 character.

Beautiful