So I have been sitting on this 914 for just over 2.5 years now and have been slightly active on here. However a bunch of questions have come up regarding small things on the vehicle. For a complete bumper to bumper discription.
Starting at the front I have come under some scrutiny for the rubber along the front and rear of the bumpers.
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Secondly I have no idea what the rims are, they are NOT turtle backs. Anyone have some knowledge on them?
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The dash is cracked but 45 years old and being in the high desert this is extremely normal. I know it detracts from the value but how much?
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The center cushion has a tear in it but it is the original one. ideas?
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Here is the door tag, I know it has been repainted but overall I am looking for a quote on the car. or what small things I could do to make the value more. I also have all the documentation for this vehicle. The engine has been out once for a rebuild, not needed but seals and such were replaced(time wearing parts) there is no charge for bearings, rings, or valves on the receipts. clutch was replaced because the lady rode the clutch. I had to replace the first gear synco and the shift bushing from the previous owners atrocious shifting. It has a few chips in the paint but I am in the process of getting them fixed.
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If you are shooting me an estimate of value please do it over PM. Thank you much

Need to see the longs and the hell hole. Without seeing those, impossible to gauge value. OK well, it's possible, but you will be offended at the prices laid out.

Do something about the streeing wheel cover!

Pictures indicate condition and knowledge of the cars.... good luck.

What's the scrutiny you're receiving about the bumper tops?

Cracked dashes are relatively common, especially if the car has been outside exposed to the sun for most of it's life. 914rubber.com is currently offering a group buy for reproduction dashes (about $300).

You might try an auto upholstery shop to see if they can match the material on the center armrest and have it redone. Model year 1971 had a special grain in the seat fabric, may not be the easiest material to find these days

The wheels look like early 70's vintage Pacific-Italia Carreras. Not too common on 914s, but seen moreso in the VW arena. They're probably narrow wheels (4.5") that don't allow for tires wider than 175s, maybe 185s at max. The offset is more than likely VW too, so wide tires (especially the rears) would tend to rub against the fender lips. Some folks would roll the lips to allow wider tires if running VW offset wheels. Check the back side to see if they list the size and offset.

The car looks nice in the pix, but as mentioned previously, RUST plays a significant role in assessing value. If you're not familiar with where to look, see if a member here local to you can assist you with that evaluation. There are a few World members who reside in NV.

The things you mention are bolt-on items (bumper, dash, wheels) which are secondary items of importance when determining the 914's value.

Primary concern is integrity of the chassis. you'll get the bulk of the value of the car from the chassis. Take off the rocker panels under the doors and take pictures of the longitudinals. Take pics of the hell hole; the floor pans under the seats; the front and rear trunk floors; any kind of body rust.

Of importance as well is the engine; does it run? Carbs or FI? Stock or upgraded? Time/miles since the last rebuild if known?

but if I saw a cracked dash on a 914 I'm thinking $4-5k max just because I'm assuming everything else needs work. A replacement dash from 914rubber is currently $400 and is a pita to install. Need many more pics to hone in on a reasonable sell price.

$10,473.34

More pics or get a local PSI (pre sale inspection) done by a knowledgable member.

If this is your ad and you're looking for $18k you are in for a very long wait.

Craigslist 914

This car was offered for $20K a month or two ago in the 914 Facebook group. Guess he's come down a little bit.

Given that Randy Foulds' beautiful '70 Willow Green brought somewhere around $14K last fall, IIRC, then by comparison I don't see this car bringing anywhere near that.

You have some VERY stiff competition with cars in the similar price range in the classifieds. Look at what they're asking and base your price accordingly.

... $18k is very optimistic in the current market

... and it's actually a MY '71 (471xxxxxxx)

Nice car! Not disrespecting in any way. I would be proud to have the car. But in that price range there are just too many items that let it down. Granted the history is good but there are a number of cars in that range that are much nicer. Also I missed the engine size.

If the history is correct and the miles as well, the investment to fix the interior would likely be worth it.

It is probably a 1.7. Looks like it in the photo.

Not to hijack the thread but I see this reference here and there and don't know what it means. Can someone explain? What is MY? my VIN starts with 470. thx

I agree. Replace the dash top, get rid of the wood dash kit and take it back to the original basket weave, get rid of the aftermarket radio and find an original, fix the center cushion, and find some original steel wheels and hubcaps.
It also looks like you need a pair of defrost vent gaskets for the front windshield defroster vents.

Basically get rid of anything that isn't stock, and fix anything that needs fixing. It doesn't matter if it's normal for dashes to crack where you live. If it's cracked, it's NOT investment grade. The car has to be perfect to get the kind of money you're looking to get. Everything has to look and work exactly as it did when the car left the factory.

MY= Model Year

ok, thx....so nothing special really.

I believe the factory reopens in August after their summer break, to start on the next model year production.

I wouldn't necessarily deduct for the wooden dash, but any other aftermarket items that can be taken back to original will restore value.

No pics of longs or hell hole. At this point, the starting bid is $4,000.00. Unless you can find a sucker on Craigslist.

Just looked at them they are both bone dry and have no rust. A but of dust and a few leaves but nothing a quick run with the shop vac and wax cant fix.


I plan on doing that


I was told that the rubber tops is not correct for that year? Also thank you on the Rims. As far as the dash is concerned; I recently took it into an exotic dealer, and was warned against replacing original parts.


I had it looked over, put on a lift and scrutinized by a specialist and no rust was found anywhere on the body or the frame. Nothing rusts up here anyways. The hell hole and longs have been addressed as no rust. The engine has the original FI set up. And has had 12k on the rebuild.


I have been told by a few dealers and people now that replacing anything original hurts the value.

But the engine is a 1.7L and runs and drives great. TO clarify anyone posting further. I have had 3 different dealers look it over and not a single one of their mechanics could find rust anywhere on the vehicle. The rubber on the vehicle is in great shape as well.

Well, it's a 1.7, not a /6 or even a 2.0. Sooooo, the original cracked dash top LIKELY hurts it far more than a beautiful replacement. The wheels aren't likely original. . sooo why the worry?

Replace the dash with new and keep the old for the buyer.

Also, gold plate everything so you can actually get $18k...

Still no pics of the long and hell hole. Starting bid $4,000.

I sent you a pm on some ideas

You can also find good used dashes (among other parts)in the classifieds.. ask me how I know

(Cough I have one for sale)

If someone told you the bumper tops were the wrong year, don't ask them for any more advice - they don't know what they're talking about.

It looks like there's some minor ripple in the front one, but it doesn't look that bad. There are some nicer used OEM tops floating around if you want to replace them (just so happens I'm taking a nice set to the G&R&B Swap Meet this Sunday).

Also, new (repro) tops are available, but they're a little expensive. I wouldn't bother if you're just flipping the car.

It sounds like you've already had many people look at your car so why ask the experts on 914world to give you an opinion? I wouldn't trust a dealer evaluation of a 914 to save my life.
Btw - repainted body, cracked dash, aftermarket wheels, steering wheel cover and no documentation to the low mileage. New clutch and first gear at 25k? - with 12k on the rebuild implies a car with 125k mileage that has had the odometer turn over.

If this was a Gmund 356 or a Merc 300SL, then yeah, leave it completely original and sell it as a time capsule barn find, warts and all.
I hate to burst your bubble, but it's a 1.7 914. Maybe wait 20 years and those flaws might be appreciated by collectors.
As it stands, you need to replace the cracked dash (and fix the other aesthetic flaws) to get the money you're looking for...if you want to get that money within the next few years and not the next few decades.

Also, that's great that YOU didn't see any rust in the longs and the engine bay. But you need to post those pictures for buyers. As far as buyers are concerned, if they can't see it, it isn't real.

When I bought my '72 1.7, I took it to a mechanic, who just happened to have restored some 911LWBs and sold them for $250K restored. He advised me to just rebuild the tail shifter, but not convert it to a side shifter. He was treating my 914 1.7 as if it were a 911 or a 914/6. I told him it was a rust free, un molested survivor, but also a daily driver. He still said keep it max original. I now know he was wrong about 914/4, but maybe right about the 911. I think you are more right than he is about 914s. Maybe if it has 30,000 original miles, then store it for another 30 years, and in 2045 it might be worth it as an original 914/4 1.7, but not today. For me, I'm just gonna clean mine up, keep it rust free, keep it narrow bodied, and drive it daily. No gonna make me rich like a 911LWB, but at least I get to drive it daily.