Researching 914 Ownership History & Condition Eval Pix, How to research original dealer & initial owner(s) of my `73 914-2 Options

[Tom_T]

>>>> ANDY, KENT & JIM - SEE MY POST #62 @ PAGE 4 FOR PRIOR PIX OF CONDITION, THEN THRU TO PAGE 7 -
- & I'VE ADDED SOME MORE CONDITION EVAL PIX TONIGHT STARTING ON PAGE 7 POST #132> - 7/5/22



OK - UPDATE - I've added some Pix at the end of this thread - Again....

The updated history findings, new info & pix start at this post:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry1159791

More new Pix 1/21/10 starting here:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry1264140

Hi All,

I'm new to 914World's list, and am in the process of doing pre-restoration research for my `73 914-2.0 - VIN 4732901954, to help me decide how to go about restoring it, and how much time, money & effort to expend, & whether to do it the way I would have bought the car new - or only as originally sold. I'll determine its initial set-up by ordering a Porsche COA - but that apparently won't even tell me the original dealer who sold the car, let alone the original owner.

So I'm also looking for tips & other research avenues, since you cannot just order a CarFax/etc. for pre-81 cars, in order to try to recover it's original owners manual/service book/etc. & initial 3+ years' service records, history, etc.

...and a very long shot - does anybody per chance happen to have any information on my `73 914-2.0 - VIN 4732901954 ?


Ergo, I'm trying to close the gap of ownership history between its initial sale by the dealer in CA on 11/9/72 (which dealer?), and any/all owner(s) up to the time I purchased it in Feb.-Mar. 1976. {ed. - NOPE = Brain Fart - CA DMV sways it was 12/26/75} I've lost or misplaced my original loan and purchase documents from `76, and never had the original service records book either (which was not in the car when sold). It was also missing the owners manual, etc., as well as several key options which I had thought came "standard" with the 914-2.0 in `73 based upon period Motor Trend/etc. articles - i.e.: the full set of appearance group & performance group items. However, my recent on-line reseach indicates that they could come anywhere from "standard" to full Appearance & Performance Group options (at least on German/Euro models).

Was this also true for USA - & specifically California models - in early `73 production & sold in late `72? ...and what did the USA/California 914-2.0's typically/always come fit-out with?


I'm also seeking advice & opinions on how "true to original" to approach the restoration. I've put a summary of the car history, past work & current condition at the end below fyi. If buying it new, I would have ordered it "fully loaded" with all Appearance & Performance Group options (of which some were missing when I purchased it, as noted herein), and factory painted in either one of the "Alaska" or "Marathon"/etc. 914 met. blue colors, silver, black, or a factory custom color - such as the 911 "Anthracite Grey" met. (dk. grey met.).

And now - if/when it needs another engine rebuild, should I do it per "stock" 2.0L specs, or go for a FAT Performance, AutoAtlanta, etc. bore/stroke/compression "upbuilds" to 2.0-2.5L with more HP, on the original block/case number?


Contrary to my personal preferences above, it appears to have originally been either L80E "Light Ivory" (white) - or maybe a white undercoat/primer with a dealer custom color or color matched Gold or Bronze met. overpaint?? From recent research, I understand that it could have been either a factory "Custom" color from the Porsche, Audi or VW line, or a factory custom "Color Match." It appears to have the white under the intitial gold/bronze when I bought it, with my `76 color change to copper met., and then another to gunmetal or anthracite grey met. in `80. However, I understand that L80E "Light Ivory" was used as a base coat for the custom & color match factory &/or dealer paint jobs.

Is this true? ...and if so, then how would I tell whether the gold was a later repaint (maybe an accident?) or an "original" factory/dealer custom color?


Although it has/had sway bars & Bilstein struts, chrome bumbers & sail vinyl from the App. & Perf. Group pkgs. - it was missing the center console/gauges & fog lights, & Fuchs alloys when I bought it in `76 - instead it was sold with brushed aluminum Riviera mag wheels (I would have chosen the polished Fuchs or Rivieras if new). So it begs the question as to how original it really was when I purchased it? - i.e: did the prior owners remove the center console & fog lights (& maybe Fuchs wheels), or had they been vandalized/stolen & not replaced prior to its sale to me (which the COA should tell)? In any case - after checking out several earlier & lesser quality/condition potential 914's to purchase - my mechanic Hans Imports in Huntington Beach felt it was a strong car in `76 (he's Porsche factory trained on the 914's & still in HB), so I bought it and he's serviced it ever since (see summary at end).

Additionally, I'd had a couple of minor front-end "benders" over the 9.5 years it was my daily driver (neither were my fault), where the front faceplate/bumper & rubber bumper parts had to be replaced, & the front deck lid needed replaced/repaired & repainted - both of which precipitated color changes by me in 8/76 (Copper met.) & 5/80 (Dk. Grey met.) respecively. Then in 5/85 it was hit in a UCLA pkg. structure while I was in MBA classes, by a Sorority gal in her Honda Accord - both pushing in the rear end, and pushing the car forward 2 feet into a concrete column & pushing in the left front area & bending the retractable headlight assembly axle (no other mech. parts damage at either end - fortunately).

Since 5/85 it's been prep'd., covered & dry-stored on blocks in my garage to present, patiently awaiting my tender care! Unfortunately, I cannot get into the car at the moment to see the VIN & Mfg. date tag in the front trunk, Karman door tag for the paint & body code, engine & transaxle codes, etc. (which the COA will tell me anyway), due to my daughter's furniture stored on the other side of our garage while she's away at college. So at the present time, I don't have the open space needed to jack it off the blocks & roll it out, in order to look at the tags, take photos & work on it.

Having been sold in early Nov. `72 (& manufactured in May or June `72, if I recall the VIN plate in the front trunk correctly), and being #1954 914 in the `73 model year (not sure what number of 2.0 production it would be - but COA will show it). At #1954, it also would have the newer and better post #1000 door structure/design. Ergo, being an earlier part of the `73 model year production run, but late enough to have the kinks worked out - it MAY be worth going to "as originally sold" - if sufficiently unique.

However, it may NOT be worth that - NOT being a low milage pampered garage maven - having been a daily driver for its first 12.5 years with 191,000+ actual miles on it, & having the transaxle case changed for a used case in the12/83 transaxle rebuild, and having been either owner repainted (or custom? - see below) - possibly in an accident 11/72 - 2/76, and I've had it color changed 2 times myself since then, and in 2 minor fender benders, plus a semi-major crunching that put it into storage in `85 that I now need to repair. See the summary below...

Of note: I'm one who firmly believes that cars - like airplanes and other mechanical stuff - were meant to be DRIVEN (or flown/used) - and NOT rarely/non-driven, pampered & trailered to car shows, etc. So I would definitely be using this car as an "active" but "extra" 3rd vehicle for "pleasure use", at somewhat less than our other 3 cars' "daily driver" levels. However, since I home-office and my wife works within 2 miles, even our other 3 "classic" daily drivers only clock <5-7,000 miles per year. These include: an `88 VW Vanagon CamperGL ("Westfalia"), an `85 BMW 325e 2Dr. Coupe (1st year of 6 cyl. & only year with fuel efficient "eta" engine version) - both well kept/semi-restored/refurb., & a recently refurished/restored `88 Honda Civic Hatchback DX for our 2 college age kids' use (it will get the workhorse transportation duties with them).


So given the car's history & my preferences/use, does it really make that much sense to take it back to original, or go ahead and restore it as I would've wanted it - and how will each route affect its current & future "as restored" value - given its imperfect history?


Thanx for any help, opinions, advice, etc.!
Tom T
Orange, CA


Summary Car History & Key Points:

Ownership & Records:
Sold & 1st Registered in CA 11/9/72 - VIN 4732901954
I purchased it used in Orange County, CA in Feb-Mar/76 with 45,000 mi
As far as known, its always been a So Cal car for 36.33+ years
Present Engine, Transaxle & Body/Paint nos. currently inaccessible due to storage situation
(COA will give orig. nos. for comparison)
Orig. & any other prior owners unknown 11/72 - 2/76 (3.33 years)
I am 2nd (?) owner since early 1976, purchased with 45,000+/- mi (2-3/76)
ALL Records since 3/76 (but missing 11/72 - 2/76)

Useage & Storage:
Daily Driver 3/76 - 5/85 - approx. 146,470 mi (9.25 years) + 45,000 initial mi
Dry-stored covered & on blocks in SoCal Garage 5/85 to present (+/- 24 years & counting!)
Curr. indicated 174,342 mi - not correct due to repaired/reblt. Odo not set to true mi
Est. actual 191,470+/- mi, with the added est. mileage while Speedo/Odo was on fritz `81
(est. using milage at service records for avg. use during 6 mos. down & error at new odom. reset)

Major Mechanical & Body Work:
Last Body Resto & Color Change Repaint Apr/May `80 at 113,622
(it now needs repaint/restore @ 29+ yrs)
Engine Rebuilt in Oct `83 at 162,260e in same case/block (orig. # ??), Use = 29,210 mi
(engine "overhaul" to factory 2.0L specs in existing case/block - orig.??)
Transaxle Rebuilt in Nov `83 at 165,090e in used case (prob. won't match orig. #), Use = 26,380 mi
(transaxle "overhaul" to factory specs in "new" used case, due to excessive wear at seal points)
Other typical key mech. work & fixes done include:
Engine mounts, clutch cable tunnel reinf., fuel pump reloc. to front (ala `75-76 914s), battery tray "clean-up" & factory recall cover & pad (batts. never leaked/corroded due to my exclusive use of closed cell batteries), new Konis up front (from orig. Bilsteins), remanuf'd. EFI computer, clutch & throw-out bearings, CV joints, rear deck/trunk lid hinges, etc., & regular maint. per factory schedule while in use 3/76-12/85 (probably during 11/72-2/76 too, while under factory warranty).

Original Equipment & Options:
Has front & rear sway bars & had all 4 Bilsteins (Perf. Group?)
Has Chrome Bumpers, Vinyl Sail Trim, Padded Center Seat/Cover (App. Group?)
Did not have Center Console/Gauges, Fog Lights/Chrome Grill & Switch in 2-3/72
Has less common "Cinnamon" (tan) Interior & matching Tan factory loop carpet
Still has early-`70's Radio/8-Track when I purch. car 2-3/76 (orig.? - don't recall brand)
(I also still have many 8-tracks, but they probably won't play anymore)
Orig. Ext. Color was White or custom Gold/Bronze ?? (see above)

Owner Body & Paint Work:
Color changes: maybe Gold/Bronze pre-2/76 ??, Copper Met. 8/76, Dk. Grey Met. 5/80
Rust & Body Resto. 5/80 with last color change

Current Condition & Repair/Restoration Needed:
Curr. gneral cond.: has some small recurrent 1/4-3/8" rust bubbles on L/R cowl & at L/R sails-3/4 panels, some surface rusting on exposed underbody & engine compartment area (non-battery related), 2-3" tear to outside seat bolster on drivers seat (happens in every car I own!), worn older int. carpet at L&R floorpan areas (despite keeping Coco & Carpet mats 3/76-5/85), Last 1980 paint/resto job is "dead" with clear-coat failure/checking & needs repaint, & at 29+ years with age related deterioration - most/all rubber & other seals need replacement.

Last Accident curr. body damage due to 3rd Party hitting it in Pkg. Structure at UCLA 5/85 & pushed car front-end into conc. column, with front & rear end "damage to" items including:
(some parts may be repairable/restorable &/or replacable with "dead engine" or "roller" 914 body)
> Rear End: rear center body panel full width, back edge of rear trunk floor, lower fascia/valance (short), chrome rear bumper/faceplate & rubber bumper top/cap, L&R rear light clusters & lenses, rear deck/trunk lid, upper & lower latch mechanisms
> Front End: front center body panel, left fender-1/4 panel, left retractable headlight assy. (bent axle), lower fascia/valance (stock - not dam), chrome front bumper/faceplate & rubber bumper top/cap, Left `73/74 rubber bumber extension, front deck lid, upper & lower latch mechanisms
> Uni-Body / Suspension: check & adjust/straighten Uni-body as req'd., verify suspension cond. & repair/replace as necessary (will need to replace 29 yr old Bilsteins/Konis with 4 stock Bilsteins)

> Engine & Running Gear: Although stored with Engine & Transaxle Rebuilds at only 29k & 26k miles on them, it will need a thorough "going through" of all mechanicals to bring all systems up to safe & reliable running condition. If an engine rebuild is now required after a full check-out, then I may do it as stock 2.0L, or as a "built-up" 2.0-2.5L custom engine.

Addl. Items desired to add if appropriate:
Add Center Console & 3 Gauges,
Fog/Driving Lights w/ chrome grills & dash switch/wiring/breaker/etc. as neccessary,
Maybe 914-6 style elec. windscreen washer pump (although the orig. was so simple & effective, as long as you remember to check the spare!),
Maybe set of 5 OEM Fuchs alloy wheels (altho. I've always loved & preferred the Riviera style),
Replace to stock 4 Bilsteins as orig.,
Maybe do a "Built-up" higher performance/HP 2+L Engine (if/when rebuild needed again)
Other mechanical & condition updates & upgrades as appropriate




>> See NEW Pix & info. updates added starting at:
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry1159791


///////end

[Racer]

If you included pics, it would have been the "posterchild" for first posts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Tom_T]

If you included pics, it would have been the "posterchild" for first posts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

OKAY - So just to make you happy, last week I spent 20+ hours digging the crap out from on & around the 914, crawled over, under, in, around & through taking pix & assessing the work ahead - literally through, as the pass door is inop. & there's only about 12" clear on driver's side, so I used a broom to crank down the window & slithered in! Since this post process limits pix to 500kb & my camera took 1-2+ MB pix, I've had to crop down a few to give you the general idea of what I'm up against.

Hopefully you can then all weigh in on whether to fix or cut-&-weld-in "new" parts (probably from a donor junker 914)????

During that grueling overnight process, I also pulled off the front bumper/etc., grills, horns, valence, turn & marker lights (for safe-keeping ya know!), etc. In that process, I found the fog lights' wires just snipped off behind the dual tone horns (verified that: 375 & 400 MHz), and the mounting bolt receivers were hiding behind the tweaked bumper et al. Of course I've always seen the perfect hole in the dash & basketweave cover material where the switch once was!

I also found the center console's front & rear mounting brackets' holes under the dash & in front of the storage console/flip-up pcenter pad; & the wiring harness connectors under the tunnel carpeting - so apparently it was once there - pretty sure to positive also! Why it was removed??? ....maybe for more leg room, especially if the center flip-up cushion was often used for a 3rd passenger??

No idea on why the Rivieras instead of 2.0 Fuchs, unless it had to do with one of the speculations that either I or your responses posed. Another new speculation I have come up with in researching 914 recalls, is that there was a Porsche Recall regarding the Alloys being improperly installed, and maybe the Dealer took the easy out & just installed VW Rivieras instead of correcting the front hubs/rotors???? I'll have to pull the RF Riv & compare the Rotor on there with the new ones I just got, to see if it has that little centering bump-out thingy!? ...real technical I know, but I'm brain-dead about now I can't think of the name of it!

Wouldn't it be a hoot if I could force a dealer to correct that & do the proper rotors, hubs and go find & buy me some nice 2.0 Fuchs Alloys ALL AT THEIR / PORSCHE'S COST!? ...I know, I'm dreamin'!!!

However, along those lines, I had the COA gal refer my query about whether Porsche would still do the Fule Lines & Battery Recall Campaign on mine (to at least save me some of the cost to replace the old OEM lines). And they do and I even got an "official Porsche Case Number" to get it done at a dealer whenever I'm ready can get the 914 to them. Then they have to find somebody who knows how to work on a 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (since the car is probably older than most of their mechanics today) & run down the parts! They apparently have to honor all uncompleted recalls!

But first, an update on the "History Quest"! The COA is on the way, which actually prompted my picture quest 'cuz they needed a pic of my GA engine number before they would list it as a 2.0!

Furthermore, I've tried to read the trunk chassis number stamp which is very faint after OE + 3 Repaints, and with the limited clearance at the driver-side door, I can't even see the front label, the rear jamb lable & the one on the Pass-headlite box were painted over & unreadable - ANY IDEAS ON HOW TO CLEAN OF THE PAINT WITHOUT DAMAGING THE LABEL????

I also verified Sway Bars F&R, and the "Red" Konis went on the rear - not front struts as I'd said before (that was only a fix for one upper F strut mount, per the service record). I know that my mechanic told me they were Bilsteins before, but back then the replacement OEM Bilsteins were 2x the Konis, and cash was tight then - so I went with Konis!? I haven't tried to look in to see the F strut inserts, but the struts appear to be black or dark grey where I wiped off the grime, which I think means their Boge Struts - yes / no?? So I feel that verifies the Performance Group Package was there "standard"

And I verified dual tone horns, I know I have the intermittent wipers 'cuz I've used them!; verified the center console/gauges were most probably there at one time, she has the mouse-fur targa top headliner & "textured" black finish on it outside, has the vinyl roll bar trim & chrome F&R bumpers, has the tan/"carmel" loop/pile OEM carpet & Tan/"Cinnamon" Leatherette/Basketweave upholstery, padded Leather(ette) covered Steering Wheel & Shifter Knob (with the "old colors" cloisonne Porsche badge), & leather(ette) shifter boot - all confirmed & per the pix.

So that all sounds like the "fully loaded" 914-2.0 / "914S" upgraded equipment, as described in the early 1973 Porsche 914 full 9 page marketing brochure which I recently acquired on=line from Bishko for this very purpose. Therefore, I feel fairly confident & comfortable in restoring my early 914-2.0/914S with all of the currently "missing" 2.0 AG/PG items: restoring the missing fog lights/chrome grills, center console/3 gauges, & 4 Fuchs 2.0 Alloys.

...or would it have come with 5 Alloys - including the spare???? (FYI - my spare in the pix is the "then new" for 73 steel wheel with the cross-pattern stamped design)

However, during several phone & e-mail conversations over the past 2 weeks with Kristen doing my COA at PCNA, I now know the following:

VIN 4732901954
Only Options listed: US Equipment & Tinted Windows
> she had nother for certain on "standard 2.0 AG/PG Eqpt."
Engine Case # GA000424 - matching
Trans Case # 914/11HA0042874 (I think it is a 74, cuz mine was too worn for the 12/83 overhaul & a used case purchased)
Chassis # 5649545 ? (based on hard to read trunk stamp)
> (1st 5 could be a 3, 2nd 6 could be 3 or 8, 4th could be 8, but pretty sure on rest)
OE Color Code L80E Light Ivory (as I suspected)
> But I'm still unsure if the Gold Metallic when I bought it 12/75 was a Dealer or First Buyer Requested Repaint by the Selling Dealership.

Is it better to go back to the OE color, or to the Dealer Repaint (if I can verify such), of would it be okay to do either if it was a point-of-sale request for the Gold????

Another correction to my initial post: I had a memory related brain fart, & when I looked at my California DMV Registration Cards, it indicated a first sold/registered date of 11/9/72, and my purchase/renewal cycle date as 12/26/75 - and not the early 1976 acquisition date that I was presuming from my earliest service record date! So I've actually owned my teener a few months longer than my decrepit mind had recalled, dating back 34+ years, and purchased her just past her 3rd Birthday!

Also - given that the Gold Metallic paint wasn't super fresh & new on 12/26/75 - like a recent accident repaint would be, since I had to do a repaint in 8/76, that lends credence to it either being a dealer/initial buyer requested repaint - or at least a very early accident repair/repaint to gold!

I also found out that Calif. DMV will do research into their microfilm records under an "Information Request" at $20 per yeaqr requested (11/9/72 - 12/26/75 is only 4 years & probably well worth the $80 to fill the gap! ....especially if I can recover the missing fog lights, center console/gauges & 2.0 Fuchs Alloys from the PO/OO!!!! ...or at least answer what happened to them & why, & why/how the Gold color!?

If you're in CA & want to get this research, just go to the dmv.ca.gov website & download the "Information Request" form, fill it out & send it in with your check! ...then wait.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/yellowsleep[1].gif)

Okay - now for some pix, but bear with me, since I have to upload them 1 at a time due to the posts' attachment size limit. After I can figure out how to upload the full 8-900 pix to a homepage - which I'll also have to figure out how to create, then I'll post a link back at the front on my first post here.

Starting with Rear End Work..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bootyshake.gif)