914 as a compement to my 10/74 911S?

Ole Petter · 11-23-2008, 11:38 PM

Hi, I am in the process of buying a 914. I already own a 911S that has an excellent rust-free body. I never drive the car in the rain, and I will do my best to keep the car rust-free and in good shape overall. So it is not much of a daily-driver! Occations only and Porsche Club meets in the dry season.

Lately I have been thinking of buying a 914 as a daily driver. Does this make sense? I really love open-top driving! And I have the impression that the VW drivetrain is inexpensive and robust?

Thanks for your thoughts about this! Maybe I am better off driving my 911 more of the time!?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Sure why not.....you could also buy a 914/6 or convert one. Not hard.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

My daily driver is a '72 914.

Grady Clay · 11-24-2008, 04:48 AM

A 914 (particularly a six) would be great lightweight fun but probably not ideal for a daily. Even in a dry climate a 914 rusts quietly just setting in a dey, heated garage. If you worry about your '74 911, a 914 will keep you up at nights imagining you can hear rust.

In your clime, I would lean toward a 911SC or Carrera coupe with a galvanized body. Perhaps additionally dipping the car in Tectyl.

While a 914 with a six has good heat, the cockpit is very small compared to a 911 and fogging is more of an issue. A 'late' 911's A/C can be modified to become a dehumidifyer in cold & damp conditions.

914s have great redeaming factors. Light weight and mid-engine are at the top of the list. I would also include the ability to use almost all of the well developed 911 hotrod stuff as a plus. You can alse carry two sets of golf clubs - something you must wrestle into the back seats of a 911.

Everything said, a late-ish 911 coupe is probably one of the best all-around cars ever made.

Best,
Grady

PS: I have a 914-6 in addition to a rust-free '74 Targa, just neither as a daily. An '85 Camry fills that nitch.

Ole Petter · 11-24-2008, 06:12 AM

+ 1 one tectyl! The 911 is rust-proofed "to its roof"...!

I find it interesting that several members have 914's as well as 911's.
How do they compare mechanically - is the 914 cheaper to run and easier to work on? Does the VW-mechanicals hold up like the 911's do?

I know I want one bad!

T77911S · 11-24-2008, 06:38 AM

i built a 914-6 back in the 90's. it was more fun to drive than the 911, plus i could drive it better. i would love to have another. mine had a 2.2E.

rfuerst911sc · 11-24-2008, 01:19 PM

I am in the process of building a 914/6 GT clone. It is a 1975 chassis and I'll be installing a 1978 911 3.0 engine with 40mm Webers it should move quite nicely

I have been working on this car for 2 years and I can honestly say there aren't too many parts that are cheaper then a 911's. But I've upgraded to 911 suspension and brakes so I guess I installed 911 cost

I have a 83SC that is setup quite nicely and I really enjoy it. But having a mid-engine car with aprox. 500-600 less lbs. to haul around has my heart pumping

vesnyder · vesnyder's Garage

I picked up a 914 several years ago after I got my 911 sorted to my liking. I wanted a car that I could tweak inexpensively, was fun and had some curb appeal - all traits of the 914. I just recently rebuilt the motor - for less that $4k - and it actually performs like a sprts car now. It is raw compared to my SC - reminds me of my '67. Highly recommended!

Zeke · 11-24-2008, 03:10 PM

I've had 2 914's. They require a lot of maintenance. If you build one up yourself, you will catch all the bugs. If not, they can't be trusted to go on and on like a 911. Mostly electrical issues and fuel injection issues. Convert to carbs and one problem solved. They don't like really hot weather, but that won't be your problem. As Grady says, look and continue to watch for rust. If the battery ever puked, you've got significant rust directly below.

How do you think I got started welding?

village idiot · village idiot's Garage

I still regret selling my 74. I traded off between that and my E30 BMW every week. The 914 definately drew the most attention. Very easy to work on in my opinion, and hilarious fun to drive

BK911 · BK911's Garage

I bought mine pretty cheap. Then dumped a little $ and a couple of weekends for new suspension, brakes and tires. Kept her stock so the parts were relatively cheap. Dropped the engine and cleaned it up a little, fixed some misc electrical issues. Now a nice dependable daily driver that's a blast to drive around. Vroom vroom!!

hasaramat · 11-24-2008, 06:52 PM

I purchased a 75 914 and I can't wait to start fixing it up. I have owned several 914's over the last 20 years and they are a very fun car. Everyone should have one parked next to there 911.

DarrylD · 11-24-2008, 07:33 PM

My driveway, '74 model year... the entire product line.

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

+1. I miss it too.

morgan_harwell · 02:19 PM

The 914 will rust just as fast or faster as your 911.

My 914 is my DD, except when there is rain in the forcast.
When there is rain in the forcast, like today, the 914 stays in the garage.
I drive the 911SC on rainy days.
I have no wish to be 914-less.

If you keep up with the regular maintenance, a 914 will last a long time. Mine has ~340K miles on the chassis now. It's engine, donated by a 73.5 911T, has 290K miles on it. I doubt the original VW engine would have lasted so long between rebuilds, especially if the FI was replaced with carburators.