This is a qoute from another topic here today:



With the 914s getting older and less of them on the road due to rust, accidents, being converted to full out race cars and the worse sin of all...bad owners/mechanics the supply is dwindling fast.

IMHO, what adds to the remaining 914's demise is the shitty additude many 914 owners (and some NON-914 owners*) have towards the lower end 914's such as the 1.7's, the 1.8's and even the funky colored 914's getting knocked around and neglected...oh yea, i forgot to add the smog (here in CA) cars that have the big rubber bumpers.

No matter what option or color 914 it is, we need to quit generalizing that if it's got the small motor or "different" color it should be sold or bought at a dirt cheap price thousands of dollars lower than the holy grail 914....you know, the '73 2.0

I'm sick and tired of people diss'n the 1.8 cars especilaly those that have never owned one.....sure the FI is different, but if you can read, know how to use a basic volt meter and know what end of the screwdriver to hold, it can be mastered in a few hours. Most people that critize the 1.8 never had one or even knew someone that had one..."well, I heard it from a guy down the street" ... idiots I say !!!!

And yes, the 1.7 is the smallest engine put into a 914, but does that make it crap as well??? I don't think so !!!!! Not all cars have the big(LOL) motors....deal with it and get off your high horse 'cause you own a 2.0 (which could be a few miles away from dripping a valve from you not tuning it up correctly)

*these people really piss me off, never owned or driven in a 914, yet they can have an opinion about something that they are totally clueless about...the only thing that'll make them smarter is a good swift kick in the nuts

If you got this far thru this ramble, what I'm trying to say is that all of the 914's need to be loved and we need to keep the prices up on them or otherwise we will all suffer down the road...yes, I used to be guiltly of considering the 914 as a disposable car and sadly, it's somewhat true in this area, hell, I don't have the space and no one wanted the cars so I ended up cutting a few of them up

Look at the 356....the prices are way up..had more of them survived the prices would be lower, a good thing if you own one or want to own on......

flame away

well said

right on brother

'cept for the orange ones...

amen brother!

( ive driven a 1.7, and it was smoothre than my carbed 2.0.... but it was FI)

Actually thinking about buying a 1974 1.8 myself.. SO I CAN SLAM A 3.2 IN IT.

LOL


Oh.. we have a lonely 1975 1.8 for sale right now at the shop (2500$) shameless plug.


B

Even Sepia Brown? JK Mike. I agree with you.

Spoken like a guy who just bought a 1.8 (j/k brother)

I know where you're coming from. Personally I'm guilty of buying a car whose original color was not to my liking. For that reason alone I probably shouldn't have bought it. Instead I've spent countless hours and dollars trying to erase that "mistake". Oh well, live and learn.

Though you have to admit this problem is bigger than just with 914s. I'd like to have a Boxster to start toying around with but all I can justify right now is an early 2.5 car whereas what I really want is newer model with at least the 2.7 and a glass rear window.

i had a '72 1,7 tailshifter and it was fine. fun, economical.
reliable it was not, and we drove it home on 2 cylinders from its PO for $2000 cash (this was in 1982 or so) after he'd put about the same amount into it with local shops getting it to run that well. new trigger points fixed that issue, but after running into one half-assed fix after another inflicted on the car by PO's prior mechanics (several of which resulted in spouse being stranded at night) i ripped out the FI and put on some nice little Dellortos. 40's, i think, with 34mm venturiis. ran great like that for many years after.

(this was 1982. there was no Internet. there was no email. there was no international support group for D-Jet resuscitation. now, the resources to fix that car's problems right exist. we didn't have as many choices then, and simple & reliable was the order of the day.)

i remember reading a column by Smokey Yunick maybe 40 years ago. he said "if you want to drive around like you're in a race all the time, buy an American car with a wild-animal name." very damned few entry-level Porsches have carried 'S' in their name. (that Holy Grail '73 2,0 - first known - briefly - as the 914S was one, and the 924S was another). the entry-level Porsche has never been about world-dominating performance. it has been about sporty fun and efficiency. i think that's a fine niche.

Punkin's Punkin cuz of dat colour AND... it's a 1.7 (a blown up 1.7 but none the less) and yes, a 2.0 is going into it as soon as I git rid of theis EF'N COLD

.........b

I've only ever owned 1.8s and I love them.

I'm there with you Mike. The 1.8L cars are perfectly fine if you accept them as they are, for what they are...something most 914 owners are not comfortable with. L-Jet is a modernized FI system and frankly better than the D-Jet on many levels. Fewer sensors, better electrical connectivity and very easy to work on.

I'd buy a clean 1.8L 914 in a second, over a hacked D-Jet car of any displacement. 1.8L cars are currently a great buy for value.

The value and quality of the remaining 914s should be defined more in terms of condition, than horsepower *cough* rating.

I love my 75 1.8! The FI was easy to diagnose and get running (bought it non-running) and now runs as smooth as a baby's bottom!

Yeah! Orange and yellow 1.7s KICK ASS!

I agree!! we're all 914 brethren... can't we all just get along?!?!

Me too! Mine's been a great runner.

Mine is a California Emissions car AND it's Laguna Blue. I think I get extra points for being lowest HP AND funky color.

I speak in jest, but I have to say I have been very surpised at exactly how fast a 1.7 can be when it is set up (mine still isn't set up completely) and driven hard.

The main problem my car has is the tranny....

Chasing Randy down the road to petaluma was truly an education as well.

I spent 25 years in a 1.7 FI before I drove my first 2.0 with carb. The 1.7 was just as much fun. It now has over1/2 mil miles on it. We use it as a "loaner" motor.

A 914 is a 914 no matter what motor it has.

I have owned and still own a fair share of 914s. I have never even owned a 73 2.0, they have been 1.7 or a 1.8, I think a couple of 75 2.0s were in there somewhere.
When someone calls about a 914 I might have for sale the invariable say"well my buddy said I should wait and get a 73 or 74 2.0" my reply"go right ahead".
I look for a 914 that is in good condition structurally and then mechanically and then I look at the price, paint and interior condition enter in also.
1.7 or 1.8 BFD, 75 or 75 give me all you can, big black bumpers, I have enough chrome bumpers I can backdate everyone I buy.
I heard the same thing when I was searching for a Boxster to buy, " oh you must have a 2.7 or a Boxster S, "
I have a 99 Boxster that I purchased 1.5 years ago for what some of the 2002 Boxsters are trying to sell for today and I got a "brand new factory motor out of the deal".
So keep looking for the "holy grail" I hope you find it. I will be happy to stock my garage with a 1.7 or 1.8, make it a 75 or 76 and Sepia Brown is just fine with me.
CCLIN9146ANDV8

I truly enjoy reading the posts from people who like this little car as much as I am growing to. As a kid I was taken with the lines of most all Porsches, but especially the 911 and the 914. Now I actually get to drive my very own 914 (a 1972 1.7, repainted Guards Red), to say nothing of tinker with it, read about it, learn about it, and hopefully maintain it for years to come. I have found that I don't even need to drive it fast to marvel at how well it handles, how it feels in corners, how it sounds (not as nice as it probably can, but I am learning), etc., etc., etc. It is great hearing that others, considerably more knowledgable than myself, feel the much same way.

I wake up ever morning and drive an '70 orange 1.7L to work. I love it. The car is solid, everything works correctly, and I can't for a better value.

-Britain

look i am going to go look at the 1973 1.7 green machine tomorrow, and i say if i can get the 1.7 fi to work i'll leave it like that if i cannot get it right, i'll carb thatbad boy.

if i get it i'll shoot a photo, and ohh by the way letstry and raise theprice after i buymine okay.

I'm happy when I see any 914 on the road.
It doesn't matter what color or engine size.
Your doing good if you can find a good condition 914 that's not rusted or wrecked.
Even though some people are into the OEM thing.
I'm into what makes me happy.
Which is my Euro 3.2 914-6 FrankenPorsche.
Nothing like blowing away brand new 911's in Southern Cal.
They always seem to like to pick on 914's because they think there gutless.
I love the look on there Girl friends face when there boy friend just got his doors blown off by the infamous VW-PORSCHE!!

Steve

Yeah, I guess all of us 914 folks ought to band together and not split hairs on engine size or color...... but dammit, we're men.... we have to whip a measuring stick out once in awhile.... true there's always going to be a nicer 914 in someone else's driveway, but that's what gets me going, dreaming, and always coming back. I know where my hard earned dollars are going and its not going for ballet tickets.

Yet, I agree that no 914 should ever be disrespected even if it's a poorly done bondo special that looks like an '83 "future car". We've got plenty of places to vent (ie rice) without going after our own.

$0.02

First off, don't let other peoples opinions get you down. You know the truth.

914's are fun. Plain and simple. The 1.8 liter cars when maintained well ran well. I don't know about the 1.7s as I have never had one, but I would guess they would be similar to the 2.0s (same injection generally).

My street 914 had a 1.8 when I bought it about 17 years ago. The car ran great. As with all "sports" cars, it was a little tempermental when there was a vacuum leak (including the oil filler cap). Once the quirks were figured out and taken care of, I believe that it ran better than my current 2.0 (smoothness at least). It was a more modern fuel injection, and was the basis for most of the current "air flow" monitoring systems. I used that engine up until it developed a knock. Once the knock showed up, I swapped it out with a 2.0 with fuel injection that I had laying around. Now the old 1.8 is laying around (still).

When I was installing the 2.0, I was considering swapping the 1.8 injection for the 2.0 injection. I found that the factory 1976 912E cars used the 2.0 with the AFC injection. I haven't thought about that in quite a while.... Is that possible??? Oh, well....

I have a 73,1.7,( My Holy Grail) I don,t know how any other engine could be better. I.E. I have followed 2 911's and a 944 from Indy to Effingham at 90 mph. And still got 30+ MPG. also from Sean,s fall color tour to Maumee at 90 +,got 35 MPG then. All this with a progressive carb. and 80HP. Converting this spring to the orginal F.I., reason is low speed drive ability.
There ALL great cars and should be treated as such.
Dave

OUCH! i can relate to that quote SINCE I MADE IT, i did not mean to offend anyone with the comment and i guess, since i have a 1.8, i was allowed to say it. i said it because i believe it to be a common opinion, like you said, the 2.0 is the holy grail. i also said that i am happy with my 1.8. many people who get into 914s end up on the road to more horsepower (-6 conversions, raby motors,...) and i guess if you start a little lower on the ladder, its farther to the top.

i am in favor of all things porsche, even the tractor!

just stating an observation on value to try to help another person get into a 914.

First off..... allow me to say AMEN!!!

"classic thread" potential??? Definately!

"A lover of all things Porsche"... is the best way to explain it. Although not a huge fan of the 924s and 944s, they deserve their due respect.

As for 914s, which are in my opinion, the most distinctive, personality-driven, "coolest" cars ever produced............. Although I cannot attest to the reliability or "goodness" of any of the engines.

I've had a 72 1.7 sideshifter, with dual Webers, and my current 72 2.0 tailshifter, with Dual Solex's.

I bought the cars because I loved them, regardless of it's engines "originality". I bought them because they ran good, they looked cool, and just the thought of buzzing through St. Louis with the top off, my daughter smiling in the passenger seat next to me, the "Sonic" burger joint calling our name, and the many friendly people that are as intrigued by the car as I am talking to me about it...... Is enough for any man (or woman) to appreciate for a lifetime.

With that...... all hail the 914 (all of them)

Cheers

I have owned a D-Jet and an L-jet, and from what I can tell The L-Jet Rocks. Its simple, easy to maintain and very easy to customize. As well the parts are much cheaper (And you can find them).

I dare anyone to take a ride in my stock (Well at least the engine is...) 1.8 L-Jet and try to say any bad word about it. So its not as fast as a beeffed up 2.0 or a flat six... Who cares, To me its not how fast you get there, but how good you look doing it...

I like the early 1.7 cars or the 2.0l cars because all the 1.8 cars I have driven could hardly get out of their own way! Yeah, yeah, they are still great little cars but definately need some hp increase.

I like them all but prefer the early 1.7 or 2.0L's cuz they are faster.

Geoff

I loved my little 1.7... even it being in desperate need of a rebuild, it was a kick in the ass to drive around in!

My brother in law in Chicago bought one first (73 2.0 with 37K original miles!) and I confess I gave him shit. "for the money you could gotten a nice 911". I attended the Laguna Seca pre-historics with him and my son a couple of years back and Road Glue guys had taken over the campgrounds. I was struck by the camaraderie ( and the custom brewed beer) and the sight of 8-10 914s all lined up on the hill. I bought a 73 1.7 shortly thereafter. I immediately started looking for a 2.0 long block to rebuild. I posted on a board complaining about my "Anemic 1.7" and my b-in-law fired me off a nasty email in defense of the maligned 1.7. I now have a 75 roller and my 2.0 rebuild will be done soon. The 1.7 will be given to my 19 yr old son to put in the roller and believe me he is psyched! I m inclined to begin purchasing rollers and runners and warehousing them for the future. The Japanese will surely over-pay me for my efforts in a few years. They will be the next Hello Kitty!

My first 914 was a carbed 73 1.7. Later, I had a 74 1.8 for a while - purchased from Brad Mayeur, and as clean and rust-free as a midwest car can get. It was reliable as hell.

I was very happy with the car, and it was my daily driver for a long time (until the snow started falling).

Alas, I needed to sell the 1.8 to make room for the 914/6. But it was a great car.

-Rusty

Does that mean that I'm not as cool as I thought because I have a 2.0L?

Actually, I'm much more concerned with the overall condition of the car, rather than the motor size. The fact that my teener has a 2.0L was just icing on the cake when I bought it.

I agree with everything said here. My girlfriend said it best; "size doesn't matter!" Of course she was refering to the 914, not me.

Sorry, guys, I'm a hotrodder. Nuthin' is sacred.....especially the 914. It is one of the finest bare canvases ever created.

IMO, in it's stock form, it's a slow, decent handling, now old sports car. If that's what ya'll want....fine with me.

Mike should be happy there are folks like me that will buy his "stuff" and quit whinning.

JP, I agree to an extent... nothing is sacred... if it were, no one on the board would want to do chevy conversions... but that doesn't mean that there is ANYTHING wrong with a stock 914 with a stock engine... a stock engine is still a blast to beat around town in or anything else! we're not saying that a 1.7 is sacred... but there's damn sure nothing wrong with it either!

I personally don't care to have the fastest 914... just one that runs and runs well.. and it will be my own creation: brushed aluminum interior and maybe some nice pinstriping... or FLAMES!!! who knows?!?!

It commits *the* cardnial sin.... it's slow....you could chrome it, I guess

so there ya go, you've made the point, exactly !

if you're just going to change it anyway, there's no point dissin' any particular model because of what it's not.

to some extent, the "holy grail" '73 914S is is -less- desirable from a performance standpoint, because you'd (okay, maybe not you, exactly, but 'you's' in general :-) ...) be more inclined to leave it "original."

the factory made exactly two 3-liter 914's - and they were 8's. they started out as 6's 'cause some of the work (oil tank, 5-lug...) had already been done for them.

now just about 35 years after the first cars came off the line, it's virtually impossible to tell what size any particular car has. you might have an idea what it was before its first rebuild, but after that all bets are off...

I don't care what size the motor is, I'm not even sure if mine is a 1.7 or 1.8. I know that it looks and runs great, goes fast enough for me to maybe outrun the police (not really) the stereo kicks ass and with the top down and R.E.O. "Time for me to fly"playing no kids I feel 19 again and don't give a shit about work, life, bills, ect!!!!!!!!!!!
Sherry

2.0's are small.

I remember years ago at Mosport, talking to some guys with 1.7 914's and asking why they didn't have 2.0's. They said they just wanted to be the fastest guys with 1.7's. They were happy with what they had, and had loads of fun. The 914 is very versatile, four / six / eight, it is your choice.

DaveP

My '74 1.8 could easily be put back into concours (sp?) condition, so I'll admit, to some concours weenies I'm like the guy running his nails down a chalkboard.

I'm a gearhead, I'll always be one, so I'll pump it up.
I have a '67 bug that can smoke its doors and that won't do! But I'll never be a snob just because someone has less ponies than me. I love em all.

I liked the 1.8, runs great even if it is a slug.
I'm hanging on to it, might stick it in my squareback.

I'm probably one of those people whose said some negative things about the 1.8,
mostly because that IS what's in print out there.

.... since the FI is different than the 1.7 & 2.0, and does seem to require
more time/maintance, it must not be as good, right?

I had about a 105hp 2-liter, 18-19yrs ago, I LOVED that 914.

But I also like my current 1.7, hell I even liked the 1.7 that came with the car, before
it let go in the summer of 2002


I wonder what Mr Rich Bontempi thinks of the little 1.8?
I wonder IF he's had ANY experience with them? LOL

How's that description go? "multiple-time champion" or somethin' like that.



Besides, there's nothing wrong with preferring a 2-liter or a 6, or a 8...
(not that that's what Mueller was saying)

I'm a little guilty myself, although putting around 30k miles on a 74 1.8 with FI, and another 50k or so on the same car with a mild warm over with carbs, I've earned the right to an opinion.

My biggest gripe about the 1.8 is really only the loss of HP vrs a 1.7, but I've got the same gripe about some of the same period 911 engines. The 2.4T engine has such a low compression ratio you can damn near turbo the thing as is. Why up the displacement for lower HP? This was at a time when pretty much all engines were getting "de-tuned" for better fuel economy and emissions though. The reality is that there are guys that have definitively proved that there are some very good things about the 1.8 engine.

I do agree with you 100% on principal. A good 914 stands alone regardless of year model, and any real Porsche enthusiast will appreciate it. There are loads of guys out there that can afford any Porsche they want, and have a 914 in the stable. Stock 914's in all configurations are a pretty well rounded car. Pretty much everyone on this board know how great they can be developed, both in 1970 and today.

Didn't you read the last excellence? 914's made the list for all but a few of the guys polled. the few that didn't have the 914 on their list are; a retired Porsche exec who believes the ten best ones were the nearly last ten model years, a journalist who picks a 356 powered 911, and some foreign guys who's opinion mean nothing to us.

I guess I don't agree on feeling like there's any reason to defend why you like a 914 (1.7, 1.8, or whatever version), to some knucklehead knocking 914's in general. If someone is rattling your cage over the fact that you've got a 914, then you must have had a bad day at work. I don't give a crap what anyone else thinks about my 914. If they think they know more about Porsches than you do, you aren't going to get through shit for brains.

I always thought the 914 holy grail was a real 6???

Horsepower does corrupt.

PK

don't ....

i like the carbed 73 and the 75 l-jet. it's interesting to have a modified car and a stock one side by side in the garage. they're both great in my book.

kevin

Group hug?

My first and only 914 sets in the garage with a v-8. I originally built it from a "junkyard special" into a complete 914-4 using the 1.7 engine. I had more fun driving this car with that engine; and it was dependable. I am only sorry that I did not keep the engine; it would be back in the car today. A fun and enjoyable engine for the 914.

Steve Hurt

The only 914 I have ever driven is the one I test drove for about 5 miles, loaded it on a trailer, brought it 300 miles home then drove it around the parking lot a few times. That was October 2002. I then tore it down, sandblasted it all to bare metal and started my reconstruction. I love the car that I have never really driven.
Now I am rebuilding the engine, yes a 1.7, and hope to have it all balanced and reassembled in a week or so.
Then and only then will I be able to put it in the car, get a "safety check" on it and put it on the road.
Then I can actually have a real opinion about driving these cool little cars. (insert crying emticon here)

I couldn't wait that long to be able to drive one. When it was decided to refurbish Dad's Car, I had to buy a second one to drive while the first is being worked on. Only problem is, now that I'm really starting to get all the bugs out of the Blue Car (yes, a 1.7), I don't ever want to part with it. It's that "gee, I wish I'd never sold that car" kinda thing. If I don't ever sell it, then I won't ever feel that way, right? I just have to keep adding on to the driveway..... <_<