Flew and looked at a 73 914. I know it's only a 1.8, but it was fast enough. As long as I never drive a 2.0 or a 1.7, I will never know the difference. Most importantly, this 914 was structurally solid with nearly no rust. Just a few minor things to sort out.

It was really the first time I drove one, and boy I was all smiles. I can't believe how this thing handles and corners. I mean "oh my God."

This car is a far cry from my MGBs. It just shows those Germans were a million times advance that the British.

Oh, yeah, miserable "cars" those Britishers put together. The 914 is so sweet....you'll never look back! Welcome to the world--you'll get lots of help here.

Thanks. I am very excited. Now the wait to transport her to the bay area.

Where in the SF Bay Area are you? There are lots of us spread around the Bay!

Welcome to the madness!

I am still at the Seattle airport stuck lololol. Believe me it is worth being stuck to see and drive this car.

I will post pics once I am home.

Yes, I cant wait to meet you bay area guys or girls! I am in Walnut Creek.

Welcome to the madness? Get your checkbook ready! You teener is same year and color as mine! You did good!

you bought it from some one up here?

Pics are here. Welcome to 914s Randy. You're going to enjoy that car!

Randy's red teener

Yeah, we made it a point to keep him away from you...meeting Greenie was traumatic enough.

In the Limey’s defense, they were crippled by poor management. They had to rely on designs that were behind the times when they were introduced, and sold long past their prime just to keep money coming in. The Lotus Élan gives a pretty good idea of what they were capable of. But having been through 3 MGBs and a B-GT I really appreciate how much more modern the 914 is.

it's amazing my MGBs and this 914 were built almost the same time, but the 914s were just so way ahead.

It was a pleasure meeting Marc and Kurt, and I really believe I made the right choice.... Finally!!!!!!!!!

Smart choice! Great looking 914!

Be a post whore about the car.
Pat

Hey Randy,

You bought a very nice car!

It's a shame you didn't have the time to drive her home.

Hope to see you in June at the "Ramble in the Gorge"

christ!!!

i'm amazed the greenie let that miscreant kelty in any of his cars again!!!


that looks like a amaizng car!

i love the color

Lol I may have to, I am still in the airport

....congratz!



She looks like a nice one!

Might as well put in for the retro-repro "Legacy" plates from DMV when you register her....unless you have the original CA blue/yellow plates that came with (if she was originally sold new in CA), if not - then go look here.....

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/legacyplates/index.htm

They'll probably give you "regular" plates until production starts on the Legacy ones, unless they've already reached the 5000 minimum, in which case you'd get the Legacy ones sooner.

I agree, driving her back would've been a hoot for you!
.... maybe not too late to schedule a long weekend off to fly back & drive home! ...Coast Hwy 1 from the Redwoods to SFO!

Lol made the flight and heading home whew!!!!!

Thanks again everyone for the kind words.

you could have made it home in about 14 hrs!

Congratulations! You did it the right way! Came here, asked plenty of questions and knew what to look for and what you were getting into first. I'm sure most of us envy you. I'm sure you will grow to love your car like the rest of us and you'll be an awesome owner who really appreciates what a great car this really is.

Looks like a very sweet 914.

I met an engineer who worked for Triumph through most of the 60's. He said their motto was "Good enough..." If they could start a car and drive it off the line, good enough no matter what might be wrong with it. He also said engineering sat on the other side of the plant from production and they seldom visited the line or talked to the production staff. Then he went to work for BMW around 1970 and retired from them a few years ago. For BMW engineering and production were a tightly coupled group, and their was "No matter how good it is, we can make it even better". I imagine Porsche of the day was similar to BMW in these respects.

Grats! Looks like a nice example too.

Damn, I forgot gas prices have skyrocketed. Enclosed transport fees are crazy. I may actuallyhave to fly back and drive it home

Would it be so wrong to put a black CA plate on the 914?

im not sure who said this first, but it could not be more true:

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS


and and lets see that car...

Welcome! I auto cross with a club and have seen so many problems with the Brit cars- pushed many off the course, rolled many back onto their wheels. 914's may be under powered, at times, but fun and charm, they have aplenty. Dave

Lol, I am already there! And the funny thing is my car is still in Seattle

lots of us very close! I am about 45 minutes down Marsh Creek Rd! Fun little drive if you can avoid the commute time!

That would be a nice drive for the 914. I haven't drove that in awhile.

i remember seeing this when it when up for sale 2 week ago (or so) and thought, "well this wont last long." a great score.

i followed the same path. did my research, asked alot of questions, drove several 14's that had to many issues, so i just waited and refined what i was looking for and then back in october on a thursday i found a 73' on this site in classified's drove it on monday, bought it on wednesday, and the love affair began. your going to have so much fun...

Great story too. I just did not want or afford to make the same mistake I did with my last MGB. Bought it from Florida, sight unseen. Big mistake!!!!!

Not a bad looking car. I just wished it drove like it looked.

Well, my 914 is now safely loaded in an enclosed carrier and enroute to her new home in the Bay Area.

A huge thanks again to Marc (KELTY360) and Kurt (greenie) for making this deal happen and helping out Garrett.

Everyone who drives a MGB wishes that.

YUP, on it's way!

Wasn't sure it was going to fit, but the driver managed to squeeze it in.

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Santa is coming and he is bringing you a brand new ride!

Thanks Marc for posting those pics. Awesome!

Congratulations, Nice looking car!

"Exotic Auto Transportations "

Has the 914 become an Exotic car?

Like I said before you bought a beauty! Kelty worked harder than normal to make this happen. A lot of fun was had by all of us on this deal, Garrett was a blast!

Kaduka tell the story about Keltys reaction when we came back from the test drive with the "Death Trap" report.

Lol, greenie, its true you are a trouble maker. Kelty had a lot of patience dealing with me, and for that I thank him.

My 914 came in this morning at 9:30am. I immediately called my local Dent Pro guy who removed a few small dings around the right front and rear fender area and trunk lid. Now it is dentless and super straight!!!!!!!

I then cleaned her up and took her for a spin on the freeway. It was awesome!!!!!

Here is a pic with her in her new home.

I also took Marc's advice and replaced the engine with a 2.0 liter. lol, okay I just swapped it with a 2.0 emblem.

Can you guys give me some suggestions on the exhaust, which is visible. Should I paint it black or silver or what? Or should I just leave that rustic look it has now?


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I heard Rustelom BBQ grill paint works good. Your new ride looks great!

But what color?

I like the flat black look.

Okay that makes two, because that's what I like too.

Great Minds Think A Like!

Gray would be a more OEM-ish look--but it's not an OEM muffler setup, so that may be a moot point.

Black should serve to hide it a little better, make it less obvious. That has some definite appeal.

--DD

I opted for a few coats of zinc paint, stockish and unobtrusive.

First painted the exposed exhaust with Rustoleum BBQ black. It was too flat with a weird color grey to it. So I tried the Rustoleum BBQ Ultra Semi-Gloss Black.

I LIKEY IT!

BTW, the exhaust has Thunderbird stamped on it. I haven't seen or heard of it here on this site, but of course I am new here. I do like the sound, not loud at all.


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MUCH better!