Hello 914 owners - my name is Frank and I have a 1976 912e that was completely rebuilt by the previous owner (all numbers match) and I just enjoy the heck out of the car - leaving my 2014 Carrera in the garage most of the time!
OK here is why I am here - we share the engine and transmission of a 1975 914 (I think except for the type of fuel injection so I a bit familiar with these pieces) - I do my own routine maintenance (oil changes etc) but am not a rebuilder - so please give me your thoughts!
I am considering a 1976 bone stock 914 that has been in storage since the early 1990's - it is copper in color and has approximately 40k miles - one owner who passed away and left in the garage since then - integral type so it has been climate controlled -I have seen the car from the bottom mostly as it is in a used car/restoration garage on a lift (over a roadrunner) - the bottom is clean with no leaks or rust - dealer tells me that he has removed the tank and cleaned up the fuel system and will add new hoses etc - interior is as new - clean with no damage anywhere - even has the original am/fm radio - no modifications as it is as delivered - body looks excellent with excellent wheels etc.
It has not been driven as the dealer is going to completely go over the engine before starting it up - he is a dealer who specializes in vintage and unusual cars (currently has a Jensen and roadrunner on the lot as an example)
If the car is all original with no rust anywhere as he states and only one owner would you pay 20k as he is asking? - also I thought 1975 was the last year - he has all records even the window sticker - I thank you!
Frank

All the 1976 914 were built in 1975 . Copper color is a plus, special order color. Mileage is good.Having the plumbing gone thru is a plus. Go for the lowest price you want to start at and work from there. Probably double the sticker ( $7500?) will get you in the ballpark.

Without seeing it and knowing that there is no rust I want to point out that a 76 914 in original shape ( Very Good) paint with records is easy worth $20,000. Today.

Sold mine to Belgium in Jan. of this year for that number.

A car dealer will get the Max dollar the car and knows how to list it. You need to know all the problem spots on the car as 40,000 in Pittsburg if and of it was in the snow ( Salt) or rain could have started problems. Get a 914 guy to help you out on a PPI

Bob B

Welcome!

Post pictures if you can, will be a big help.

Thanks for the help so far guys - hope to see it on the ground later this week and will get some pics - first time I have seen the bottom of a car first - one question - I noticed that it had 2 exhaust tips which had yellow stripes around the chrome tips - this cannot be original is it? - i only have one exhaust out of my engine
thanks for the help

Where in the 'burgh do you live? I have a condo in Sewickley, work in Plum.

Are you planning to bring your 912 to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix? I'll be bringing my 930 to the car show at Schenley Park on Sat 7/14.

SorryI forgot, Welcome

Bob B

I also have a copper metallic car L99K paint code, I previously thought it was only able to be ordered in 75, but I guess 76 as well! Rare color, I've only seen 6 or 7 here on world. there are 3 owners that are active here, and one went to Europe recently. I would say if the price is right, grab it! and please , pictures!

that sounds like a Monza. the 75 and 76 models had some very restrictive catalytic converters and heat exchangers. the stock muffler I think was Bursch, but mine came with a Monza and the original HE which were badly rusted out. it was the first thing I did other than sort the FI( which will be d-jetronic Bosch on the 2.0.
I have an after market Triad but if I were getting one today I would back date the HE to a earlier year HE and add a stainless muffler from Tangernie Racing-Chris Foley.
There are other options but look close at your exhaust and make sure those original HE are not leaking- that is if the original ones are actually still there. Maybe those have already been changed out.

Picutres would help.

Phil

Frank,
First, . Second, while the copper metallic might be rare, it’s proven that a car painted that color is slower than BLUE.. As suggested, get a knowleadgeable 914 guy to look at it. Lots hidden from an untrained eye...

You had me at no leaks and no rust.
However, You do need to do a through inspection on the lift looking at all the usual spots (hell hole, longs, underside mostly, the trunks are easy).
He is a dealer ask him to make you a deal you can't refuse. The inspection is the real key, they all have some rust. Just make sure it is minimal. No rust is a unicorn. It's a 76 the production is limited, but not necessarily the most desirable of all. It's not bone stock with that exhaust, and you should research what it would cost you locally to make it bone stock. That's a good place to start. It's not an unfair price, or maybe still a bargain, but bone stock and rust free are embellishments to the truth.

By the way I have 912E with sunroof (my wife does anyhow).

Hi - live near Greensburg actually - yes taking the 912 to the show - and maybe also to the show at PIT raceway the week before where the fast VGP cars are!

FRank

It may be a 20K car, but not with $8K of work needing to be done. Cars sit in garages for reasons and these cars weren't built to last forever. That said, if you do your due diligence, you can make a complete list of work to do and costs and make the decision based on professional advice.

This is wise counsel.

Here are some pics from yesterday - 48,83 miles - stored since 2004 - no rust - PO was enthusiast as shown by all of the shop manuals in the trunk and catalogs - mechanic turned the engine over but will not stay running as could be fuel pump - orig Blau radio even - please comment - do I buy it for 15-20K once running!


Have more pics and will post later
Thanks - Frank

Couple more!

I don't see any center console, no fog lights, no sway bars, aftermarket exhaust and looks like reproduction Fuchs. Tells me that it is a base 2.0, sold for around $7500. +1 on the color and low miles (if validated by records). My start would be $10K. My final price would be $12-13K.

Going to take $1k for parts and labor to replace pump, go through fuel system, tune up,and clean injectors. Brakes may need attention, calipers don't like setting that long.

Rockers need to be pulled and checked too.

has fog lights - in another pic - center console is black and opens - miles are validated by receipts and inspection sticker
Frank

has fog lights and console is shown in the pic - black and it opens!

Frank

Looks good, but I agree with mark that “bone stock” doesn’t describe this car. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good one. Three letters... PPI. Fortunately there are insanely knowledgeable people here who will be happy to look at the car with/for you. Good luck!

Frank,

IF there is no hell hole rust, no rust in longs floors or trunks,
If it runs good and has good compression, THEN maybe a $15,000 car.
maybe even more- BUT i can tell you what it cost to do longs, and floor pans-
my copper metallic car is a '75 with appearance group. but a po had stripped the fog lights the center console and guages etc, then i had longs rebuilt and the rear floor pans replaced - that alone was @$6k, and the test of the body work and paint another $6k- you may not need to do that- my hell hole had zero rust! rear trunk one small spot, - long story short- i had to do all the brakes and brake lines and all shocks struts bushings bearings turbo tie rods, ball joints, MC, - because all this is 45 years old and not maintained . guessing here but over past 9 years doing all that myself mostly ive spent $1500 getting some professional help of it but did most of that all myself still spent close to $4000 on all that - and i only spent $2500 for the car(140k miles, good compression, spent $500 to get the car running but that was the easy part!! rebuilt transmission at a dr evil clinic etc etc. luckily my car finished and done is said by insurance to be worth about $25k for appraised value and replacement at this point-
now i say all this to just give some perspective. i am glad i got the car,i wanted a father son project. now if money is not an object get it- if you can get it for $10k id say get it but expect to spend some $$ but i drove my car 5 years before doing the brakes and suspension stuff, then another 3 before the floor and long repair, and another 2 before getting rest of body work paint and bumper back date done( this will be complete this summer).
So i am excited for you i think if it runs and you can talk them down a bit, you have a great car that can be mostly original as it has original paint no rust on outside so you have a better starting point than i did. my car had a bad respray over outside and was no longer original.
keep us posted on the rust questions, motor compression etc.

This is the center console Mark was referring to, with gauges, they would have been an optional equipment item. Your center seat storage box is black where it should be the color of your seats, so it was probably an add on at some point.

Your copper paint/tan interior is s stunning color combination that adds to value.

It appears yours is a 76 49-state model (no EGR or CAT).

Cleaned up really nice - squeaky clean - with all systems refreshed and in top condition this is a 20K 914. Personally I would lose the fake Fuchs and aftermarket muffler they devalue the car to my eye.

I tend to look at things a bit differently. Rather than picking all possible nits (assuming the big stuff like longs and hell hole are not issues, as the apparently are not with your potential buy), I'd ask when I might find an opportunity like this again. Except for a few easily reversed mods, you're looking at the proverbial unicorn. Assuming the dealer gets it in running condition, I'd go for it, perhaps with a little negotiation, get it in a condition so you can enjoy it, and ultimately reverse the non-OEM mods.
Put another way, would you pass on your 912E if it was offered to you today?

Hey thanks for the positive vibes - I am going to have a long time Porsche/VW specialist look at it for me as I am not the most mechanical when it comes to these cars - can do the easy stuff like fluid changes etc is all! - My 912e was restored with a complete engine/transmission rebuild -by the PO so I knew what I was buying - I redid the interior, odds and ends etc - and would not part with it today for 10k over what I paid - these old cars grow on you! - As a point of reference I also have a 2014 991 Carrera that I use for a daily driver and love the car but not as much fun as the 912e - I plan on passing the car along to my son along with my other ones when I am too old or decrepit to enjoy them as he is now looking for a 944 to take the place of the 924 he sold -
I agree it is a great opportunity and what is 10K to some may be 5K to me so that perspective cannot be valid - If it passes the specialist test I will grab it and work on the mods later and enjoy it for today!

More pics as well as one of my 912e - Thanks for the help
Frank

I was hoping to be subjective and realistic not negative. Buy it for what you want to pay.

If it does not run, it's a project and is worth far less than a driving car.

If the seller gets it fixed correctly and it runs and drives as it should, it will be a nice acquisition. Not super top-dollar for all of the nit-picky reasons already mentioned, but an excellent driver and possible candidate for a light restoration.

--DD

I don't think the intent was to lay down negative vibes for you. This is a good candidate for acquisition, just a matter of checking the car out, and coming to a price you can both agree on.

wait, you have another copper colored car.
this is a no brainer...go buy it

Car looks pretty decent, everything can be fixed.

rich