I just joined the forum. I fell for the 914 while stationed a Fort Ord during the early 70's. I am just finishing restoration on a 35 Ford. My next is going to be a 914. I want this to be my driver. I know absolutely nothing to look for when I go to buy one this summer. Can some of you folks help out on what to look for and what to stay away from? I promised the wife that this one won't take five years. So I would like one that does run so she can take it for a ride a few times (To get her hooked) before I tear it down. From what I am hearing, is I need to go to SO CAL to get one that is close to rust free. This maybe a misconseption or everything I read or hear maybe one. So please help me all you can. Thanks. Gunn

Welcome to the forum! Just purchased my 1973 914 2.0 and this link really helped me.

How to Buy a Porsche 914

The Long (frame) likes to rust through under the battery tray. Cars have broken in two. Look for damage at the passenger B pillar and lower jack point. If you find rust on the drivers side at these locations, run away. Rust is the big killer of these cars. Buy the best car you can. don't worry about the engine.

Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment

once you are ready to buy a 914 find a club member for a ppi. even if you have to pay for it's worth every single cent!

search for "hell hole" repair on the forum or "rust 'oration".

if you have to budget, $7-10k will get you a great car or you buy a project $2k and you will spend another $5-7k to fix it to your liking - after 2-3 years :-)

welcome to the madness. theres a good chance one of our members near you can help you find a good one. if you find one that looks interesting..post a "PPI request" here in the garage with your location and see what happens. if not, take lots of pics of the suspect areas and post em here to get opinions.

this is a great bunch of people you have stumbled on here... Dave

If you want to see alot of nice 914's, come to the WCR 2011 in Medford, Oregon.

WCR 2011 Link

You will see alot and learn alot. Bring the wife so she can see what you and she can have!

Your about 2 1/2 hours away, the first hand knowledge would be worth it!

What is the "Hell Hole"?

Small world. I was at Ft. Ord in 1970 and when I bought my current 914 in SoCal I drove through Elkton on my way home to Seattle. Highway 1 or 101 the whole way til it started to rain buckets south of Reedsport. That was my cue to head east to I-5.

You won't regret buying a 914, they are a blast to drive and come complete with a wacko community of talented and generous people. Generally speaking, California is the place to look for a minimally rusted car. There's a lot of them there and they're reasonably priced. You might also contact Craig Laughlin at Camp914. He frequently has a nice selection of cars and is about an hour away from you.

Area under the battery.

I looked for a year at cars in Washington, Oregan and BC, never

looked in Kaliforia. Found a good very little rust in Portand Oregon.

Car had all the paperwork of work done but needed paint on the outside.

Good Luck and welcome to the madness. Do try and make the WCR

2011 in Oregan.

when your ready to buy contact me

Check with Jamie (Jrust), he had a few in his collection, some projects. He's a good guy that's in Corvallis- Eugene area. He couls maybe point you in the right direction.

Two Suggestions

1. Keep an eye on the classifieds here. Many good members with good cars for sale. Cali cars are usually better than most others, but that is not always true. Part of that theory is Porsche sold more 914s there to begin with & the climate is good. But I have found some absolute gems here. Craig at Camp914 is not that far from you and always has cars

2. Get a 914World Member to go with you to look at any car. Not only with they have knowledge, but also a voice of reason.

Good Luck,
T.C.

hell hole area

It's a slippery slope you've stepped on to. The 914 is an addiction, and there is no cure. Enjoy.

And just go to Jamie's used 914 lot. (JRust)

Very good suggestions from T.C. but I would add that you should buy jackstands. You will need them more than you can imagine

Before you head out of state, check with Craig at Camp 914.

http://camp914.com/

The Cap'n

This picture really helps. Thankis, Gunn

Generally speaking the more you pay on the front end for a good solid car, the less you'll spend in the long run.

Take your time and don't be afraid to walk away from a deal that's too good to be true, as they usually aren't.

Right now it's a buyer's market, so you can be picky.

Gunn, she'll probably like the 914 ride better that the 35 Ford (nothing against it), unless she's like mine who turns if I push it in the curves in any car!

While more 914s were sold in SoCal, not all remained rust free, even if mostly/always garaged. You can find solid ones and rust buckets anywhere, but start your search nearby, since it's easier to get to & you have a good bunch of Teeners up there in the PNW.

Remember that the early 1970s were El Nino years down here & streets were flooded over the curbs around LA when I was in college there 70-74 on several occasions. Curbs = 6-8" 914's clearance = <5" .... do the math!

Look at the classifieds (cars & rollers) on here, on 914club.com (and sign up for their Craig's List notifications for as many regions as you want to look at), clubNARP.com , Pelican (Porsche parts seller), TheSamba.com (under Porsches, cars for sale - it's a V-Dub site with aircooled Porsche cars & parts, etc.), and maybe sign up for Lycos & LemonFree autos for sale searches under 914s.

I agree with the others, get someone on here to do a look-see on anything you'll consider for or with you, so you don't see then it home & find yourself for months or years later!

I appreciate all the great info. I think I will call on somebody when I go looking to make sure my eyes do not get me into trouble. I also think I will go to the WCR 2011 in Medford. And my fear with the wife is, she will commander the 914 and I never get to drive it. In the area we live in the roads are great for motorcycles and sportcars. I drive 65 miles one way to work each day, and the roads the whole way are nice S all the way. I looks forward to more information and and education. Gunn

I see no problems here.... you just buy a second 914, and have His & Hers.

This is the kind of brilliant insight you'll find with this group. Always ready to help.

I'm going to have to acquire another for the wife also. More like give her this one and build my 6 conversion!!! Just have to find a good tub and start collecting the parts.

How much difference to rebuilding the engine in a 914 to say a 1600cc VW? I worked my way through college many years ago by rebuilding VW's in my livingroom. I wanted to know if rebuilding is the same. From what I see of pictures they appear very simular. Thanks, Gunn