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

[Beach914]

I like seeing any 914 that has been has been safely resurrected and on the road in any state of modification, be it conversion, shalon, or whatever.

Well, maybe not “any” state…..there are some pretty weird ones out there.

I think i just really like 914’s.

[914_7T3]

I think so!

[SO.O.C914er]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I can take a 914 in any configuration you want to make it. If you have a clean great shape unmodified I would keep it stock. But it wouldn’t drive as nice through the canyons as a wide body…..drive on (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[bkrantz]

My own very personal opinion:

If I owned a low mileage, pristine, and completely original 914, I would work to keep it that way.

If I bought a similar car, but in need of restoration, I would also be tempted to maintain originality, and enjoy the challenge of chasing down stock parts.

I did buy a 914 with matching numbers (see my build thread) that turned out to have been mildly wrecked and repaired (poorly) on two corners, and with serious rust. I decided that I would have more fun with some mods, mostly reversible, in building my vision of a cool 914.

[Ansbacher]

I think "stock" is a nebulous and unobtainable concept with any car that has left its factory. Scenario - car rolls off the assembly line, is shipped to a dealer and is purchased. Three days later it gets its first replacement tank of gasoline; six months later its first oil change and replacement wiper blades; two years later new tires; etc., etc., etc. Voila, the car is already no longer "stock", or as in the condition it left the factory. With our 914s at the half-century mark, the idea is even more ludicrous. Let's just be content with what we have.

Ansbacher

[Eric_Ciampa]

Personally I welcome any *high quality* work or modification to our cars. An excellent done restoration, BIG 4, Six conversion, Suby conversion, or V8 monster is a treat to see. To each their own. Keep our cars on the road. The enemy is rust, junkyards modifications, and poorly done work.

[KELTY360]

I think "stock" is a nebulous and unobtainable concept with any car that has left its factory. Scenario - car rolls off the assembly line, is shipped to a dealer and is purchased. Three days later it gets its first replacement tank of gasoline; six months later its first oil change and replacement wiper blades; two years later new tires; etc., etc., etc. Voila, the car is already no longer "stock", or as in the condition it left the factory. With our 914s at the half-century mark, the idea is even more ludicrous. Let's just be content with what we have.

Ansbacher

Not to be confrontational, but I think your definition is highly simplistic and an insult to the owner of a true survivor who has properly maintained his car. I believe stock refers to the configuration of the car as it left the factory. They were always designed to burn gasoline, exhaust friction capabilities of oil, wear the rubber tread off tires, etc. Why else would they supply an owner’s manual listing the correct replacement components.

[jagalyn]

Not to be confrontational, but I think your definition is highly simplistic and an insult to the owner of a true survivor who has properly maintained his car. I believe stock refers to the configuration of the car as it left the factory. They were always designed to burn gasoline, exhaust friction capabilities of oil, wear the rubber tread of tires, etc. Why else would they supply an owner’s manual listing the correct replacement components.

Agreed

[Wew]

I think so!

Holy smokes, Gorgeous!

[wonkipop]

i used to raise an eyebrow at merican love for sticking V8s in 914s.

not anymore.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

there are enough original ones around for antique interest purposes.
should be open slather for the rest.
the chassis is up for it.


remember there is only 10 years of petrol left.
drive em while you can.

[KELTY360]

i used to raise an eyebrow at merican love for sticking V8s in 914s.

not anymore.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

there are enough original ones around for antique interest purposes.
should be open slather for the rest.
the chassis is up for it.


remember there is only 10 years of petrol left.
drive em while you can.

There’s a lot of wisdom here. As appealing as an unmolested 914 may be, I truly feel that the fundamental attributes of the car make it a generational platform for hot rodding. Mid-engine, four wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, easy basic upgrade path, etc. Those are all elements to building a supercar with a nearly unlimited choice of power plants. What car builder wouldn’t want to mess with that combination? We’ve seen amazing examples of that concept.

This is the charm of the 914. In stock form it’s one of the most fun, practical sports cars ever built..trust me, I had a new one in 1973. As a platform for individual ingenuity it has no equal. This leaves it up to the owner’s evaluation of what he owns and where his vision takes it. Enjoy the ride.

[JeffBowlsby]

At this point, ~50 years from being as originally delivered, each 914 is unique and different. No two 914s nor 914 owners are alike and that should be celebrated. That’s the way we like them around here.

[rgalla9146]

At this point, ~50 years from being as originally delivered, each 914 is unique and different. No two 914s nor 914 owners are alike and that should be celebrated. That’s the way we like them around here.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I'll take one of each please.

[mlindner]

I love these cars, stock or modified. Happy Holidays

[mb911]

I think ones that are close to stock current condition or survivor condition with almost no rust and close to original paint on all panels should be kept stock hands down. Then I think ones like mine that were rust buckets and destined to be scrapped are really a blank canvas. Now an interesting quandary for me is my dad's 74 , a fairly stock 914 though think someone upgraded to a 2.0 from what I believe was a stock 1.8. This car needs some rust repair and paint but it's hard for me to decide if I should put it back 100% to stock or should I just 6 swap it?.

It boils down to it's your car do what you want.. from a value stand point I believe sticking with the air-cooled vw or Porsche engine are hands down your best bet.

[Jett]

We are fortunate to have four 914’s two (73 and 75 2.0) in as close to stock configuration as possible and perhaps over restored. One 73 1.7 that is mechanically sound but never restored, and a 75 1.8 that we are doing a narrow body conversion with a 69 911s motor, which should be a blast.

We like them all (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jett]

I think so!

Holy smokes, Gorgeous!

Car is stunning! Let me know if you ever plan on selling (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[jagalyn]

I think so!

Holy smokes, Gorgeous!

Car is stunning! Let me know if you ever plan on selling (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Sorry Jett, I’m first in line! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[GregAmy]

Is the time for modifications coming to a close and preservation becoming more of a priority?

No.

Let's stop turning these cars into concourse specials. Let's stop trying to make them expensive collectibles. I bought my cars because they are affordable and fun to drive. I don't care if the value goes up or down EXCEPT if they become so "collectible" that I have to start thinking about the finances and begin questioning if it's rational to drive them on the street at all.

If I had a /6, I wouldn't drive it. I'd sell it and buy a nice /6 conversion to drive. What happens if my /4 become spendy? Where do I go?

I don't want my cars placed in a bubble. I want to enjoy them. If we make my car "collectible" then I'll have to start wearing string-back gloves and dealing with 911 artichokes at PCA meetings discussing option and paint codes and pretending I care what they have.

Enjoy your car. Do with it what you want. But please don't place these 914s on art pedestals... GA

[mepstein]

If people complain to me about what I'm doing to my cars, I'm hanging out with the wrong group. I like stock, I like modified, but I don't like other people telling me what I should or shouldn't do.