Looking at a 914 - Newbie

[t6dpilot]

Hi all. I have not posted with the 914 group before, being an early 911 guy. That said, I am looking for opinions from you experts. I just love vintage cars and especially well kept survivors. Well, it seems that a really nice 914 has fallen into my lap that I could acquire for what I am told is way below market money. Here is the description:

It is a 1970 914-6. It has 112,000 miles. I can't tell if it is original paint or not. There is no rust that I can see from the pictures. New tires. Koni shocks. It has a front oil cooler that is non-factory. Non-original steering wheel. Otherwise, it seems like a pretty decent car... just a coupla chips, and that's it!

I don't know jack about buying and valuing 914's so am seeking help from the experts. What do you guys think? Here are a few photos.



The car is a southern car and I believe has been there all its life. I am told that there is not a speck of rust or rust repair on it at all. I think the car can be had for $17ish - what do you guys think? What is the market on a really clean 1970 914-6? Thanks.

[hardflex]

I wouldn't pretend to know a value, but I will say my jaw dropped when I saw it was a 6er. I know I would be tempted too.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I haven't kept track of Six values either. My gut feeling is that $17K is a fair price for a good to very good car, not a steal unless it's a really excellent one.

Remember, the rust that kills is not what's obvious from the outside! You need to look in front of the battery, down toward the bottom of the engine bay in the right-front corner. This is known as the "hell hole" in some circles, because it tends to rust on most 914s to at least some extent and is not any fun to fix! Also check under the black covers on the rocker panels--you should be able to remove the screws on the bottom and swing them outward to look at the longitudinals. Rust there is also not uncommon and expensive to fix.

The car seems to be a looker, sure enough! I probably would give it some thought, too.

Anybody know what that thing sitting on top of the center tunnel, in front of the hand throttle, is? Looks kind of like a headlight switch that's been removed? Perhaps a brake bias knob?

The passenger seat on that car has been replaced with a later-style movable one. Nice in a driver, but less original that way. It still has the non-inertia reel seat belts, which are original but not as convenient. The oil cooler is of dubious benefit in a Six with a stock motor, except possibly if the car was tracked. The original Six motor was the tamest 911 motor the factory made, and it didn't usually run hot unless there was something wrong. (Larger ones can run hot even if there isn't really anything wrong.)

--DD

[t6dpilot]

Thanks for the detailed response Dave. Very helpful. Being more of a 911 guy (but loving all things automotive), I will think hard on this one. I am currently looking for a clean E, S, or RGruppe car, so unless this is a steal, I may pass on it. I am still waiting on more information on the car and will post as it becomes available. What is the best place to research 914-6 specs, factory correct options, and values?

Thank you.

[t6dpilot]

Oh, and how can you tell that the passenger seat is not original? I thought the knob in question was a choke or throttle. Anybody have any ideas?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I'm not sure about researching values. Excellence magazine has a 914 valuation article once per year, so that might be one possibility. You might also look at the classifieds over on the 914club site, as they are pretty active.

Brett Johnson's "restorer's guide" is a good source for info on options and so on.

All the 70-71 914s had fixed passenger's seats. That includes almost all Sixes. Very few 72 Sixes (which do have movable passenger's seats) made it into the US. And this one is specifically stated as being a 70.

--DD

[Joe Bob]

Originally posted by t6dpilot
Oh, and how can you tell that the passenger seat is not original? I thought the knob in question was a choke or throttle. Anybody have any ideas?

A 914/6 has an extra knob in the middle of the seats...one is for heat...on/off and the other is a "fast idle"....

The fast idle assists the weber carbs in warm up as they do not have a choke. It can also be used as a poor man's cruise control while on the freeway.

The heater/defroster adjustments are on the dash.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I was wondering about the white knob, in front of the hand throttle.

--DD

[Joe Bob]

Looks like an adjustable proportioning valve....or fire suppression....

[914]

Scott,
Excellence, Nov.2006 1970 914-6 Values
So-So-$16983.00
Good-$19310.00
Excellent-$25850.00
I hope this helps, Good Luck
914

[914]

Scott,
Here's A shot of mine, 76k orginal miles paper work to prove it,Ive been looking for one like this for 15+ years.
Its a keeper,Thanks for the plane shots !
914 914

[t6dpilot]

Great information guys. Thanks a lot. I will post more when I actually see the car. 914 Niiiiccccce! She would be a keeper in my garage also.

[Patrick3000]

Scott,

One more thing the wheels look like 16” Fuchs. I believe that 14” Fuchs wheels are original for that car.

Regards,

[914]

Scott,
Did you ever get the six ??
914

[t6dpilot]

914,
I did not. I was with my technician this past weekend and asked him about when/if it was coming. He said that they decided it was priced too low and raised the price to $32k. Crazy price, if you ask me! He thought so too, so it will remain with the current owner. Besides, I am finalizing a deal on an RGruppe style of 911, so that will be the next one in the stable.