It doesn't matter to me how stupid or ignorant the questions are, I always try to educate people about the car. A little friendly explanation goes a long way. One of the best things about the 914 are the (for the most part) down to earth people who own and drive them. Don't be a dick. Take some time to educate someone.

How is this stupid to a non-914 owner? Seems perfectly legitimate since there is no obvious gas flap.

Agree in principle but in Mark's case, it's hard to educate a man that has no power of observation and/or can't read.

Last week during my shopping rounds I stopped at one of the usual places for some stuff, and on my way out a gentleman with his bicycle and cell phone asks “What is that, a ‘72?” Figuring he must know 914’s I tell him, “No, it’s a 76” (I have backdated bumpers.)

Since I already had stuff in the frunk, I open the trunk but then think better of putting milk and OJ in over a hot engine. My man is watching the whole time. So I close the trunk and open the frunk, and put the package inside.

Suddenly, he’s laughing, and yelling, “You just f’d me up, man, YOU JUST F’d ME UP!”

Really much more humorous than stupid though.


Never gets old...

I love flipping peeps out by loading stuff into both trunks, "Where the hell is the engine man?"


I'm never pissy with the 914 uneducated, I often tell them about the car.
I'm always amazed at how many people come up to me saying they or a family member had one. A guy the other week knew they came with a 1.8 and 2.0, but didn't know you could get one with a /6.

This is the best post on this thread.

Right on Mark, I totally enjoy chatting up with people that ask any question, regardless of how silly it may seem.

So here’s today’s story. I go up to return bottles and cans, and pull into a parking spot. When I get out, I realize I had pulled in a little too far; my nose was about a foot over the line. No biggie, just reach in, release the e-brake and push back a bit. A guy asks, “Do you need a hand?” I’m like, no, I’m good, thanks. Then he proceeds to tell me that his brother had one, thought it was a million dollar car, blah blah blah.

I ask him if his brother lived in a town a few miles away. Yes, he says. I then ask if his brother’s name was *$#%. He says yes, it is! Turns out , I looked at that car a few years ago, at least, and still kick myself occasionally for not buying it, as my car actually now sports the rear sway bar that came off it.

Had a bunch of other good stuff too, including a perfect dash. Oh well...

I have people come by here and there and ask if the "old car" is for sale.

I don't live on a busy street at all, but people are nosy. I suppose I'm the same way, always looking for something cool tucked away in other people's garages.

I had a guy come by the other day, and we talked for an hour about 914s in a very enthusiastic way. (I love 914s) By the time I was done, he was off to check Craigslist for one, he just HAD to have one.

I agree with Carl, we can and should all be good ambassadors for our quirky little cars!

No kidding. (Look at my screen name.)

Yesterday, at a Porsche only show, I was looking at a 914 3.2 conversion and someone walked up and said, this a super rare car, I said, what makes it rare? he said its a six and they only made about a 1000. (first mistake). A quick look at the vin and I said its a 73.
The conversation continues but you get the idea....

They did my loan on my 81 Rabbit Pick up.

Best loan rate in town at that time.

Bob B

This reminds me of a Euro car show held annually down in a local village. I entered my car, and had a couplafew very pleasant inquiries that I was more than happy to oblige. Then, a couple comes along, and the guy is telling his girl, totally within earshot, “These were cheap cars, they’re called a 914. Real junk, unless it had a six, and they were called 916’s”

So I make a halfhearted effort to tell the pompous jackass that no, they were not called 916’s, they’re known as 914/6’s...

The guy grabs her hand and pulls her away like I was coming at them with a flamethrower

Turns out he’s got quite an extensive collection of some pretty rare stuff, including a few that were entered in the show. Obviously, though, he knew it all...

Some people

Just like when you tell somebody with a Dino "That's not a real Ferrari"

Since my car has GT flairs, people at Cars & Coffee ask if it’s a 916. And of course the top is off. I don’t consider it a stupid question. I’m surprised they have even heard of a 916. Of course I’m nice and educate them.

I took my daughter to a Porsche car show. There was a guy there that was talking to his daughter.. “you can tell it’s a six by the 914-6 emblem on the back”. I tried to be nice and said I have the same emblem on my home made six. Best way to tell a real one is by the Vin. I explained the difference in the vin, but I don’t think he liked me correcting him in front of his daughter.

It’s all about the ego. The guy I was referring to actually has a darn extensive BMW bike museum/collection.

Still...

Today actually: The guy was with another guy that I know and we were talking about our cars which were parked next to each other. The guy interjects - "Are you going to restore it." My friend and I both look at him and my friend asks - "What would you have him do? It's pretty much about as good as it gets." He looked embarrassed and said, "yes, it's pretty nice, I don't know why I said that."

Coolest thing that cancelled out the "are you going to restore it" question: A kid and his mom were looking at my car and he was telling me how cool he thought it was. Then, I let him sit in it. While he was doing that, his mom tells me "He drives racecars you know. I put my foot in my mouth and say "shifter karts?" Mom says "well he used to do that but now he is in Indy Lights. Sting Ray Robb. Kid is an up and comer...
And yes. They really did name him Sting Ray...

When using the ferry to cross the Channel from the UK over to France, security checks these days invariably mean being asked to check the contents of the trunk and occasionally check the engine bay. In June, I had the usual 'Can you open the boot (trunk) please?' as the armed soldier walked to the back of the car. I open the trunk lid, he nods OK and then asks to see the engine. As I reach inside the car, he walks to the front... I open the engine lid, he then walks back to peer inside and then waves me through. I guess the moral of the story is if you want to smuggle anything through, use a 914 and place the goods/people/explosives in the front trunk...

I had the same scenario with my 981 Cayman last year, too, except I wasn't asked to show the engine. That would have been hard to explain 'Sure, you got a workshop lift handy?'...

Now that's funny

That's good.

Old Sting Ray actually has his own website.

https://www.stingrayrobb.com/

Told my new girlfriend that perhaps I will buy another Porsche.... saw a twinkling star in her eyes and she asked me which one ? I hope not a boxster cause I don't like Boxsters... another 911 ?

Showed her some pictures of nice 914's.... she hesitated and said .... why ? I don't like that model.... at that moment I was convinced... I'll buy a 914 VERY SOON!!

Relationship test : if she still joins me, she is the one... if not ...

Cheers
Dax

A girlfriend won't see credit card statements or boxes full of shipped parts. No 'what did FedEx deliver today?'.

Security Theater at it's finest!

Love the acceptance criteria.

When dating my wife we used flash cards to teach her the various Porsche's of the era (356, 911, 914, 924, 944, 928). We're still married 22 years later.

Really been together 28 years but I found out later that there is no credit given for time served while living together.

You should have done what I did. I found a woman that already had a 914 and married her!

That is AWESOME.

Hard to argue that one, but, another alternative might be to marry one that is loaded with $$$ and let her decide it's easier to simply keep me happy in the garage than to get a divorce

Used to crew for a race team for fun in late 90's. Dude married money and couldn't build yachts and race cars fast enough to spend it.

I had a girlfriend who was not impressed by my beat up 914. She solved the problem by buying herself a much nicer one for herself. Been married 35 years and still going strong.

And . . . she pretty much looks the other way with respect to the madness going on out in the garage. Be careful, she might make it hers once it's done.