Newbie needs help?

[joemun]

I found a 73 914 roller for $400. The body is straight and complete. The only visible rust is the battery tray. The interior is in decent shape. The car has some minor dents and scratches but the paint is in bad shape. The owner runs a body shop and said he would remove all the moldings, bumbers, handles, trim and fixs all the dents and repaint the car back to it's original yellow for an additional $450. The car runs now, but the motor was sold and will be pulled soon.

a) Good Deal / Bad Deal???
b) How much for a good dependable motor???

[Jim Smolka]

Welcome to the world of the eternally broke.

Nothing like a $400 914 that 'needs a little work'

If you can do your own wrenching, then the car might be OK.

If not, it probably is cheaper to buy a complete car.

Just beware of rust, see if someone who knows 914s can inspect it for you.

[campbellcj]

Your profile shows that you're in Riverside...if so, you might want to talk to Glenn Sager. He is a 914 guru in the San Bernadino area and also has a respectable collection of parts. I believe his email is a914luvr@earthlink.net Would be worth having Glenn or another person familiar with 914's take a close look at the car before you get in too deep.

There's a saying that the most expensive Porsche is a free (cheap) Porsche.

[joemun]

I've been to Glenn's shop in San Bernardino but, unfortunately the car is about 70 miles away from him (South Gate, Ca). I don't know who would have the time to take a look at it?

From what I can tell the body is in good shape now and should be in great shape when he's done with the body work. I tried looking for rust just about every where I could think of.
I've seen some of this guy's work and it all looks pretty good. He's just trying to get rid of it because the city is hassling him about having to many cars on his lot. Does it sound like a good deal?

Thanks

[campbellcj]

With 914's, the body (i.e. no rust) is the most important part. Engines, interiors, and other stuff can be readily obtained with some money and legwork.

$850 for a solid, straight painted roller is a nice deal. The key is what else would the car need (besides an engine) to be ready to hit the road? Does it have good suspension, steering, brakes, electricals, etc? It's the little stuff that can kill ya...

Even if you ended up putting another $3-4K into the car to get it all together, it still sounds like a good bet IF it's not rusty or bent.

Unfortunately I am not even sure where South Gate is, but I think it's pretty far from my neck of the woods, otherwise I'd offer to swing by.

If you have a digital camera you could always shoot a few pics and post 'em here...

[joemun]

My goal is to have a solid dependable car that will be able to share duties with my 944 as my mode of transportation. My understanding is that the car was and would be drivable with just an engine.

Thanks for the offer Chris, but your right. South Gate is kind of out of the way for you (710 & 105 fwys). If I get a chance tomorrow during my lunch, I will try taking some photos and posting them here.

p.s.
My gut is telling me to get it, but I'm not sure how much I should expect to pay for a solid engine?

Thanks

[SteveStromberg]

I drive by South Gate every day Call me and I will check it out for you. I can supply the parts you will need to get it on the road. My DD was an abandoned car parked up in the mountains when I got it. I spent about $2500 on it to get it on the road I need everythind Motor, Brakes, Interior, Glass, Tyres, ect. You have my # give me a call. Steve

[joemun]

Couldn't resist...

I'll post more pics later

[Dave Bell]

In the middle of my own paint prep work...

The guy is willing to strip, fix all dents, paint and put stuff back on for $450.... sounds like a good deal to me.

If you do it, buy some of the moldings and pieces you are going to replace ahead of time and have him put those back on for you too.

I have put at least $450 of even cheap labor into my preparation for painting...

Have one of the guys that offered, check out the car for you and then if it passes inspection... go for it!

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[joemun]

When I said I couldn't resist, I meant I bought it ($400).
If you look at the 2nd picture, you'll notice two guys standing in the background, which showed up separately to look at the car while I was there. One of them was ready to take it if I didn't, so as I explained to my wife, "I just had to get it".

This is the deal...

1) Strip, fix all dents, paint (yellow) and put stuff back on

2) Will include allot of little extras which have been removed
From the car (i.e. hood crest, new front & rear lens covers,
Etc.)

3) 1.5 - 2 weeks time for $450

All said and done, $850 for a nice car I can have my wife push me around in my driveway.

I took some additional pictures that all try posting tomorrow. Thanks for all the input guys.

[campbellcj]

Congrats Joe! Seems like a solid score. I betcha for under 3K you'll be on the road with a good 2.0 motor and nice interior to go along with the fresh paint.

Be sure to keep us posted on progress, and hopefully we'll see you at one of the upcoming So Cal fun runs or track events.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Don't put the hood crest back on. The cars didn't originally have them, they're all post-factory add-ons. And it's a whole lot easier to install if you decide you have to have one than to remove one that's already there!

--DD

[JRust]

They are hard to resist. It sounds like a good deal! Mine cost me $1000 & ran & everything! Well you'll probably find somethings you don't expect. It probably won't be to cheap either. So after you go over your budget by a couple of grand welcome to the club. But hey they are worth every penny & headache they give!
Live it up & keep us posted! Check under the seats for rust!!! I got a nice surprise their.