Over the years, I had and have my fair share of classics. Saabs, Triumphs. But I always wanted a classic Porsche. Especially a 914! Dutch highway patrol had a dozen of the 914-6 in service during the 70s (next to 356s, 911 - up to the latest air-cooled version). I remember sitting in the back of my father's car on the lookout for those two men in white leather jackets in a white and red Porsche!
After completing my Triumph TR3A, I started looking for a 914. Most cars I spotted and took a look at were complete dog's houses, basket cases. Even cars from dry US states. Until I heard from a guy who lives 20mins from my address. He used to be a mechanic at a Porsche indy garage in my home town. Sadly he became ill (muscle & nerves related) and he cannot longer hold a spanner. He switched from Porsche mechanic to Porsche 914 guru! Together with his crew, he buys, sells and dismantles 914. But not the one you see below. His warehouse is filled with all sorts of parts! Quick count: at least 50 doors!
This is an original, matching number 1973 2.0. Unmolested, unharmed. Last time the car was on the road was 1997! Back in that year, the D-Jetronic went belly-up and the first owner (engineer!) was unable to find skilled help to get the car going again. So he stored the car: heated, dry, all joints greased, engine filled with oil, with a fresh squirt of oil down the spark plug holes ever 3 months - for 17 years!
Now, at the age of nearly 80, he sold the car to the Porsche mechanic. When I arrived at his place, this 1973 time capsule had just rolled into the workshop! TBH, it was really hard to get off cloud nine!
Long story short: after a close look at the car, we decided that the seller would sort out the injection (done now btw) and that he would allow me to send in a friend who used to work for a German main dealer in Hamburg - with hours and hours of tinkering on these cars behind his name. He's going over there next week.
I'm quite confident that I can overcome technical problems. However, my sheetmetal skills and welding skills are very, very bad. I need a car with no or very little work on that part. This 1973 car can be the answer.
TBC
Menno
EDIT: the raised pink & apple green 914 is on a stand: the owner of the shop had a jig designed especiailly for the rigidity of the body when you start cutting and welding. It's a piece of art! That strangely colored car is not to be restored, it's the example how to fit your 914 on the jig.
A quick pic of the car. These wheels were quite common in Europe. Most owners replaced them because there was too much VW relation between the VW wheels and the Porsche wheels...
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