What would you pay for a Perfect, Mint 914/4? Options

[TJB/914]

See attachment "Tom's 914".

[mr914]

Tom, that's a beautiful 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

I've seen it in person. I'd be afraid of driving it on the streets....

BTW. Is that the correct number of wraps on the wiring harness? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Mueller]

Hey Tom,

Nice car...in fact I remember showing your car to my wife when it was featured in Excellance...she too thought it is an exceptionally nice 914........

[TJB/914]

Hey Mr 914
To answer your comment on the wire wrap. In doing my restoration. I found out the German's used tape (cloth electrical) about 1/2" wide to wrap the wiring in the trunk area. I found out you can't buy this size as only 3/4" wide is available. I then cut down the vinyl stuff down to 1/2". I know the guy in N.Y. is laying in the bushes to pounce on it at the next concours meet. He's my best buddy Gary's friend and has one of the best 914's on the east coast. It's Bob or Jack?? Are you out there?? I left that flaw to make sure it's not perfect. It's a councours weenie thing. I am really not one, but got carried away in the restoration. Now it's just a nice 914 to me.
Tom Bliznik HIPO-2L - Yellow

[Porsche Rescue]

Tom,
That's not a car.......it's art. You did good!

[Curvie Roadlover]

I've seen the car in person and it is truely somethink to behold. I'm sure it is as close to perfect as is possible (3/4" cloth electrical tape not withstanding). Tom, congrats on posting a pic. Now that you know how, how about posting some more. Here's a pic I have of Tom's car taken about 3 minutes after I saw it for the first time. The goose bumps I got hadn't even worn off yet.

[TJB/914]

Thanks Curvie,
Back to Jeff's original post "what would you pay for a mint restored 914-4" I know a lot of 914's are under construction and the future looks good for increasing values. I am in the stage of my life when I was able to put money into my 914. You know the dog died, kids through college, wife lets me spend money on my hobby & the rest is history. The best part of doing my 914 has been the friendship that developed with the 914 beaters to the high end 6's. I believe the high $$ 914 is already happening. Like in the stock market, it's already over when us little guys start to think about it. I believe in the next five years you will start seeing some very high dollar 914ers coming out.
Tom Bliznik, HIPO-2L - Yellow

[EdwardBlume]

914s are worth what people are willing to pay, or sell them for.

It seems like seeing that older couple willing to part with their cherry, original owner, '74 2.0 is getting farther away.

As far as value? Depends on who's buying. I think we will see clean cars go for more and more over the next few years. Prices seem to be climbing.

As far as driving, I like driving both my modified 914 and my stock 914. Both cars have a unique personality.

The stock one is due for some restoration work, but you will never see it for sale. $100K wouldn't get it from me because you can't put a value on a car that means something to you. I may upgrade from the 8 track though.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ar15.gif)

[Alfred]

as much as i like to see people to at least take "originality" into consideration, i agree with some of the other post, a stock 914/4, even in perfect condition does not sound very, hmm, appealing? it'd rather have the "upgraded" version. i think of it more like, what would a 914 look like if Porsche would make it today? upgraded suspension, bigger engine, different spoilers, bigger wheels etc etc etc ...

because of the excellent handling and fairly low price,
it makes for a perfect "customization" project ...

Andy  :headbanger:

Fair enough. I, on the other hand, am 95% or so concours weenie - even for a 914/4.

Alfred

[Brad Roberts]

Allright guy's.. help me out here.

What is a concourse car ?? The Yellow car above is obviously a great car, but every pic posted has something "not correct" on the car.

The other day somebody posted a pic of a cherry engine compartment belonging to a guy who wins concourse events (and it had carbs) ????

I dont get it. When I visit the Palo Alto Concourse or Pebble beach... the cars are dead nuts stock, not SSI's and a coated Bursch.. or carbs.

This ranks right up there with "show winning" 1999 Boxsters ??? How hard could it be to keep a new Boxster clean ?? LOL

B

[Alfred]

Hi Jeff & Tahoward,  
Thanks for the kind words on my car & Jeff great article on LE's.  I believe my restored (Aug. Excellence) 914 qualifies as mint restored.  I have been asked what my price is & it's $25 big ones if I decide to sell.  I believe anyone who has the desire & money will step up & pay the price.  I have $15K in parts alone, plus another $6k in outside services or a total of $21k into the car including my $400.00 purchase.  I also have over 2000 of my free manhours in the restoration that's worth something.  I believe any restored car will have 2000 to 3000 manhours plus material costs.  Do the math & you approach big bucks having a professional restored car.  Of course I didn't consider costs when I did my restoration. It was a labor of love.  I understand not everyone has the money or effort to do what I did but you can be sure & back in the next five years and say "would have , should have"  because the cost & availabilty of good 914's are drying up.  Hope this picture comes through to show you the level of detailing.  I have been a lurker & just had to respond.  Thanks everyone.  My 4 kicks butt on a local 6's till we hit 100.  Right Gary!!
Tom Bliznik, HIPO-2L - Yellow

Does anyone know where I can buy the August 2002 issue of Excellence? Pelican Parts lists it as NLA.

Thanks,
Alfred

[Brad Roberts]

Alfred,

Call Excellence and ask for Stan Michaelman. Tell him Brad from SSI told you to call him. Ask him for the back issue you are looking for. Play the whole game and tell him how much you really liked the issue with the Yellow 914 in it. He is the advertising director and always seems to come up with issues that I missed.

B

[Alfred]

Alfred,

Call Excellence and ask for Stan Michaelman. Tell him Brad from SSI told you to call him. Ask him for the back issue you are looking for. Play the whole game and tell him how much you really liked the issue with the Yellow 914 in it. He is the advertising director and always seems to come up with issues that I missed.

B

Thanks Brad!

[TJB/914]

Hey Guys,
I need to defend myself (my yellow Excellence issue#112). I am like most of you guys built the car to my personal standards. Yes, it's 95% bone stock with internal motor modifications w/FI, Bursch exhaust, upgraded suspension, soon to have BMW-320 brakes, bigger tires, different radio, & polished Fuchs. I probably would not enter Pebble Beach & win, because it's a 914 or for that matter they don't want me. I built the car to better than the original 914. To my way of thinking this touches the hot button of all 914ers. Nuff said. (ok the price just went down .50 cents)
Tom Bliznik, HIPO-2L - Yellow

[Brad Roberts]

No worries (no need to defend yourself) I would have built it EXACTLY the same way. I enjoy show cars and street cars. I consider your's a "show car" not a concourse car. When I hear the word "concourse", I think about Hemi Chargers with proper grease pencil marks on the firewall. Batteries with the 1969 date code punched out on them... Red Line skinny tires from 1969 GoodYear moulds. This is concourse to me. I'm just trying to get a better idea of what people consider "Concourse". I personally think the magazines use the term too much.

Your car is the reason why we need a readers rides page dedicated to the cars.

B

[JeffBowlsby]

The things I learned from this thread:

1. 914 owners are a mixed-lot…no two are the same…some are into testing their ingenuity by re-engineering and ‘improving’ the 914, others want a virginal factory timepiece. Both viewpoints are valid…feel the LOVE guys…

2. Driver 914s run up to about $8K…then there is a gap in pricing.

3. $12-15K buys a pristine restored 914/4.

4. $15-20K buys a pristine original 914/4…if they can ever be found, or a nice Six. $20K and up for a restored or perfect original Six.

5. 914s in better condition are becoming scarce and difficult to find anywhere and will continue to escalate in value, whether equipped with four or six jugs.

6. Hey Paul – How come the price guide does not reflect the LE cars when it lists all the others?…The LE cars are more rare than the 914/6!

7. Different definitions of ‘Concours’ are floating around. To some it means flawless condition, but minor invisible (or not) upgrades (320i brakes, subwoofers, wider tires, etc) are ok. To others, it can only mean the car is in exactly the condition it rolled off the assembly line…the original window sticker still on the window would be ideal…

8. The most rare LE car is not the Bumblebee, it is the Grasshopper!

9. Any car is only worth what another buyer will pay. A car with $50K in parts alone, without counting labor…may still be a $5K car if that’s all someone will pay for it.

[Dave_Darling]

No worries (no need to defend yourself) I would have built it EXACTLY the same way.

LOL!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Somehow, I think you mean "exactly the way you wanted it", rather than "that particular shade of yellow, with the Bursch muffler and 320 brakes and..." Somehow, I don't see you setting up a 914 that way...

--DD

[SirAndy]

Somehow, I think you mean "exactly the way you wanted it", rather than "that particular shade of yellow, with the Bursch muffler and 320 brakes and..."  Somehow, I don't see you setting up a 914 that way...

don't be too hard on brad!
it took me 15 minutes last night to convince him that a bolt, 5mm longer
than the original, for the top of the brake-bias on mueller's 914/6 would be OK,
because the original sucker just didn't want to get back into that lill hole ...

yes, he's THAT anal ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[914]

Guys,
Heres Mine Owned It For 28years,Really Clean,Always Garaged,88k Miles.Ive Owned Many Cars And Alway Kept The Teener.I Think The Value Is In Clean Orginal Cars.Prices Who Knows Supply And Demand Will Only Tell. Thanks,914

[Brad Roberts]

Actually Dave..

I love that Yellow. He can keep the 320 brakes.

Andy,

That new bolt caused me to lose sleep last night. I'll probably fight the install of the OE bolt...LOL

As I get older (32) I'm really starting to understand the concourse weenie thing. These cars are getting harder and harder to find in decent shape.

B