Our best estimate of how many USA 914s survive in 2007, Save the 914! Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I just got off the phone with the folks at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Unfortunately I was not able to obtain a list of VINs, but they were able to tell me the total number of 914 registrations from Jan. 01, 2007 thru Oct. 31, 2007.
That number is....98!

As a personal observation, that number doesn't include my own 914, which has been off the road, unregistered this year for the first time since it was new in 1970, as it is undergoing a refitment/resurrection/refurbisment/restoration.

Secondly, as we get into the winter season here in the Midwest and the road salt applications are measured in terms of tons/mile, I wouldn't look for any increase in that total number of registrations beyond 100, if that.

Without knowing the number of survivors undergoing restoration and track cars that never see public roads, I believe a fairly accurate number to use for Ohio 914 survivors would be 100.

Paul

[GWN7]

How many phone calls did it take?

Of those 100 cars, how many do you know of?

Good job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

How many phone calls did it take?

Of those 100 cars, how many do you know of?

Good job (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Seven (7) different phone numbers were referenced and called before I got in the "right room" and got to talk to someone who could help me.

This year to date, I've seen a total of 2 914s on the road here in the greater Cincinnati area. There are several in PCA that show up for the ocassional, casual concours event, but I've only seen them through photos in the newsletter, as I work Saturdays and Sundays when these events are typically held.

This Forum is inhabited by 2 or 3 members from the Cincinnati area,and I've met an individual from the Dayton area last year at the 2006 FFC. There are also several members that are in the northern climes of Ohio, based on the locales that are listed below their avatar.

Paul

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I just got off the phone with the folks at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Unfortunately I was not able to obtain a list of VINs, but they were able to tell me the total number of 914 registrations from Jan. 01, 2007 thru Oct. 31, 2007.
That number is....98!

I'm not done with the BMV just yet, however. I didn't want to push too hard, too soon, for too much information, so I was gentle with my requests. Now that I have a phone # and a contact name, later on I will attempt to secure a list of VINs. That would be a coup.

[davep]

This Forum is inhabited by 2 or 3 members from the Cincinnati area,and I've met an individual from the Dayton area last year at the 2006 FFC. There are also several members that are in the northern climes of Ohio, based on the locales that are listed below their avatar.

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio and 9 alone in the Cincinnati area.

[Pat Garvey]

This Forum is inhabited by 2 or 3 members from the Cincinnati area,and I've met an individual from the Dayton area last year at the 2006 FFC. There are also several members that are in the northern climes of Ohio, based on the locales that are listed below their avatar.

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio and 9 alone in the Cincinnati area.

What about Ky & In? They are so close to Cincy!

[championgt1]

George says he is mailing out 33,000 copies of the AA catalog. I am astounded at that. If he could only get each one to send back the VIN's of each of their cars that would be a tremendous resource.

I wonder if he is slowly trying to come up with a list of cars that are out there. I called to order the new catalog and the gal I spoke with asked me for the year, and color of my car. Maybe the start of a list or not. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[davep]

What about Ky & In? They are so close to Cincy!

KY 16
IN 23
OH 54

[Bleyseng]

ok, a average of 30 cars per state X 49=1470 + Californias 10,000 cars= 12,000 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio ...

The number of registered 914s in Ohio is 98 as of the first 10 months of 2007. Mine would be 99. So I'd think it's a safe bet to say there are 100 licensed, registered 914s in Ohio. (Only 54 are members here, according to Dave). That's not counting cars that are not registered with the BMV 'cause they are track cars, undergoing restoration, are parts cars, or the owners just don't bother to keep the license/registration current.

If Kentucky numbers 16 members, maybe there are a total of 30.
If Indaiana lists 23 members. perhaps there are 40 surviving 914s.

100 (Ohio) + 30(Ky) + 40 (In)= 170 for three midwest states.

170 divided by 3....56.6. Let's call it 50.

50 914s/state X 49 =2450. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Add California cars (are the 10K members, or real registrations?)

I can't imagine Hawaii, Alaska, N. Dakota, Maine, for instance, are going to have 50 914s. On the other hand, places like Florida, Texas, Illinois, New York may very well have more.

It's hard for me to fathom that the 914 survival rate could be as low as 25%.

Paul

[slackin' at work]

I personally would not be surprised at a 25-30% survival rate.

I love these little cars but they are not, nor have they ever been, an expensive car.
they have always the red-headed-step-child of both the VW and porsche crowd.

I would say most 914s have been bought, beatup, and thrown away over the years.
even to this day they seem to be extremely disposable.

anyay, this is my take on it. the numbers are shrinking fast... so perhaps someday
they will be rare enough to command a higher price. hence adding longevity to the
remaining examples.

carry on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[Racer]

Approximately 115,000 "4's" built over 6 years and another 3300 "6"s... maybe 10% still being driven/registered/raced? Considering NO rust protection, low entry price, NARP stigma, Lots of "2 clips to build 1 car" syndrome, parts cars.

Now, let me also generalize that 50% of all 914's came to the US (so, 60K "4"s and 1700 "6"s) Of those, I think about 15% of "4"s are still used in the US - so... 9,000 "4"s and maybe 20% of the 6's so 350 "6"s?

or about 10,000 914s in the US still drivable/registered/racing

[mel reckling]

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio ...

The number of registered 914s in Ohio is 98 as of the first 10 months of 2007. Mine would be 99. So I'd think it's a safe bet to say there are 100 licensed, registered 914s in Ohio. (Only 54 are members here, according to Dave). That's not counting cars that are not registered with the BMV 'cause they are track cars, undergoing restoration, are parts cars, or the owners just don't bother to keep the license/registration current.

If Kentucky numbers 16 members, maybe there are a total of 30.
If Indaiana lists 23 members. perhaps there are 40 surviving 914s.

100 (Ohio) + 30(Ky) + 40 (In)= 170 for three midwest states.

170 divided by 3....56.6. Let's call it 50.

50 914s/state X 49 =2450. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Add California cars (are the 10K members, or real registrations?)

I can't imagine Hawaii, Alaska, N. Dakota, Maine, for instance, are going to have 50 914s. On the other hand, places like Florida, Texas, Illinois, New York may very well have more.

It's hard for me to fathom that the 914 survival rate could be as low as 25%.

Paul

Paul, make mine #100. I haven't bought plates for it in over 25 years.

[914Sixer]

I have destroyed about 25+ cars that come to mind. Just in the last couple of years I started saving the headlight vin tags to track the cars.

[914pwer]

I have destroyed about 25+ cars that come to mind. Just in the last couple of years I started saving the headlight vin tags to tracki the cars.

WHY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

In sweden we have about 180 914-4 and six 914-6 + three 914-6GT
I dont understand why some of you just destroy 914s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif)
i have two 914-4 that are quite rusty like the most cars here but iam trying to save them both (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)

[Bleyseng]

I have destroyed about 25+ cars that come to mind. Just in the last couple of years I started saving the headlight vin tags to tracki the cars.

WHY (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

In sweden we have about 180 914-4 and six 914-6 + three 914-6GT
I dont understand why some of you just destroy 914s (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/slap.gif)
i have two 914-4 that are quite rusty like the most cars here but iam trying to save them both (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/santa_smiley.gif)

Here there is a abundance of clean fairly rustfree cars still....so pouring $4k to repair a car that is rusty isn't worth it when you can buy a clean car for $5-8k.

[John]

For my calculations, I will use the SWAG method.

I believe that as of right now, approximately 1/3-1/2 the cars imported into the USA are still around (not necessarily drivable, but around). This would include track only cars that may or may not be "registered" in the state that they reside.

I base this partly on the fact that (4) good tubs (2 drivable and the other 2 will be drivable one day) are in my garage right now. Two of these are my dad's and two are mine. My brother has (2) drivable cars (one is his son's car).

My dad and I have had at least (5) parts cars. (4) were cut up and (1) was sold as a tub many years ago.

I still see 914's frequently on Craigslist in my area (some are parts cars and some are supposedly drivable).



I know that cars are being cut up everyday, so the number is constantly decreasing, but I still think there are probably about 1/3-1/2 left.

[davep]

There is one fellow in Ontario that is buying absolute junkers providing that the titles are good. He then turns them into tube frame race cars with a minimum of original bodywork. This permits some VIN's that would otherwise be totally scrapped to be kept alive albeit much modified. He does nothing illegal, hence the requirement of the good titles.

[mrgreenjeans]

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio ...

The number of registered 914s in Ohio is 98 as of the first 10 months of 2007. Mine would be 99. So I'd think it's a safe bet to say there are 100 licensed, registered 914s in Ohio. (Only 54 are members here, according to Dave). That's not counting cars that are not registered with the BMV 'cause they are track cars, undergoing restoration, are parts cars, or the owners just don't bother to keep the license/registration current.

If Kentucky numbers 16 members, maybe there are a total of 30.
If Indaiana lists 23 members. perhaps there are 40 surviving 914s.

100 (Ohio) + 30(Ky) + 40 (In)= 170 for three midwest states.

170 divided by 3....56.6. Let's call it 50.

50 914s/state X 49 =2450. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Add California cars (are the 10K members, or real registrations?)

I can't imagine Hawaii, Alaska, N. Dakota, Maine, for instance, are going to have 50 914s. On the other hand, places like Florida, Texas, Illinois, New York may very well have more.

It's hard for me to fathom that the 914 survival rate could be as low as 25%.

Paul

In North Dakota, the members of the local Porsche club that meet monthly have amongst their small membership , a total of 5 cars. 2 are true 6 cylinder Porsches and the others are 2.0 litres of 74 and 75 vintage.
There were also 2 true 6's that were recently sold out of state, and I personally know of 3 - 1.8 cars and 4 more 2.0 litre cars sitting and/ or run minimally, but they need help. The 5 cars owned by us are all show worthy and definitely rust free and road worthy survivors. Most showing less than 70,000 miles, one with an actual 21,000.
In Grand Forks , there have been several sighted, and in Bismarck there is rumored to be about a half dozen, as there was a local Porsche/VW dealer there for years. In the rest of the state I would hazard there to be less than another half dozen, total.
If we were to show a total of 25 or 30 cars statewide that were running , licensed cars, I would be surprised. But then we may have that many sitting around behind garages, under tarps or in wrecking yards. About once a year, I get a surprise and see one I have never seen before, usually bent to the ground and covered with leaves or moss, the edges of a rust ravaged hulk peering from its roost.
They are indeed a dying breed, and it is a sad fact.

And its starting to become that way for 944 cars also.

[GWN7]

So far I have 54 members listed for Ohio ...

The number of registered 914s in Ohio is 98 as of the first 10 months of 2007. Mine would be 99. So I'd think it's a safe bet to say there are 100 licensed, registered 914s in Ohio. (Only 54 are members here, according to Dave). That's not counting cars that are not registered with the BMV 'cause they are track cars, undergoing restoration, are parts cars, or the owners just don't bother to keep the license/registration current.

If Kentucky numbers 16 members, maybe there are a total of 30.
If Indaiana lists 23 members. perhaps there are 40 surviving 914s.

100 (Ohio) + 30(Ky) + 40 (In)= 170 for three midwest states.

170 divided by 3....56.6. Let's call it 50.

50 914s/state X 49 =2450. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

Add California cars (are the 10K members, or real registrations?)

I can't imagine Hawaii, Alaska, N. Dakota, Maine, for instance, are going to have 50 914s. On the other hand, places like Florida, Texas, Illinois, New York may very well have more.

It's hard for me to fathom that the 914 survival rate could be as low as 25%.

Paul

In North Dakota, the members of the local Porsche club that meet monthly have amongst their small membership , a total of 5 cars. 2 are true 6 cylinder Porsches and the others are 2.0 litres of 74 and 75 vintage.
There were also 2 true 6's that were recently sold out of state, and I personally know of 3 - 1.8 cars and 4 more 2.0 litre cars sitting and/ or run minimally, but they need help. The 5 cars owned by us are all show worthy and definitely rust free and road worthy survivors. Most showing less than 70,000 miles, one with an actual 21,000.
In Grand Forks , there have been several sighted, and in Bismarck there is rumored to be about a half dozen, as there was a local Porsche/VW dealer there for years. In the rest of the state I would hazard there to be less than another half dozen, total.
If we were to show a total of 25 or 30 cars statewide that were running , licensed cars, I would be surprised. But then we may have that many sitting around behind garages, under tarps or in wrecking yards. About once a year, I get a surprise and see one I have never seen before, usually bent to the ground and covered with leaves or moss, the edges of a rust ravaged hulk peering from its roost.
They are indeed a dying breed, and it is a sad fact.

And its starting to become that way for 944 cars also.

The was one at the GF UPS depot (blue). Guy who owned it worked there. I never got to talk to him about it. There probably are 20-25 cars in ND. There are 20 that were registered here last year and I have only seen/know of 8 of them.