Help End the Endless Search...914 Wanted

[rdvnac]

I am looking to buy an excellent or concours condition '73 or '74 914 2.0--either an original "survivor" car or a well-done restoration.

Having had 914s on and off since 1976, I know what I want this time. What I want is an exceptional car and a real "keeper."

I have been *actively* looking for a car since last Fall, and have yet to have any luck. Besides constantly combing all the various Internet sites, I have run “wanted” ads in Pano, and on the 914club and PCA websites. Brad Mayeur, my mechanic, and Perry Kiehl, who I bought my last 914 from (dumb to have sold it) have also been keeping their eyes open for me. But, still no luck. At this point, I am out of ideas....

So, I am posting here to see if anybody might know of a car that fits what I am looking for, or has any other ideas about where to look. Maybe I am being too fussy, but what I am hoping for is a yellow or orange car, stock FI, no rust and outstanding cosmetics. (I would much rather have a car with perfect cosmetics and tired mechanicals than vice-versa.)

I can not afford the $20,000 museum-quality cars that I’ve come across, but after 6 months of drowning myself in 914 classifieds and sales prices (move over Bruce A.) I think I have a good idea of the market and am very willing to pay appropriately for the right 914. I am in Chicago, but location is unimportant. If I find the “right” car I will use some frequent flyer miles, or bribe one of you guys to check it out for me. ;-)

Any help/leads/advice out there?

[jabb]

Call these 2 guys.... They might be able to help you

Perry Kiehl 731-847-9146
Brad Mayeur 309-694-1797

[Pillow]

This is not helpful on the 914, but do you have information about the C2 FS? The C2 is not for me but for a friend.


Thanks,

[rdvnac]

Adrian, as of tomorrow I hope to be able to change my sig. There is somebody coming into town to look at the C2 and he seems pretty darn sure he wants to buy it. As we all know, however, the deal is never done until the dollars and title change hands....

FWIW, it is a Tip (a much maligned trans that is every bit as fun to drive as a 5-speed--when shifted manually) with 19k original miles. Guards Red. As close to perfect as a non-trailered car can be.

Now back to our regularly scheduled 914 programming. Thanks for the leads that have been emailed to me so far, please keep them coming, they are much appreciated....

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Hey, Joe--reread Bob's note. You'll see that Brad and Perry have been looking for him for a while...

--DD

[jabb]

Doooohhh !

Thanks

[rdvnac]

Well, the Carrera 2 was indeed sold, and the new owner is an extremely happy camper. Now if I could only have the same experience as a thrilled new owner, but of a 914....

Any more leads out there? Keep 'em coming, something has got to work out.

With the 911 gone, I am now officially Porsche-less for the first time in many years. This is my only vice. Don't make me go cold turkey....;-)

[Bleyseng]

Here's a link for a 75 914 that has been restored.
http://www.914club.com/wantads/wantadscurrent.html
If you want I could go look at the car as it's not to far out of the way maybe 20 minutes north. Asking $8300
Geoff

[rdvnac]

Thanks very much for the offer, Geoff. I am pretty much set on sticking with my personal preference for the looks and mechanicals of the '73/'74 cars, though. It's just what I'm used to....

BTW, this thread has taught me that CA is not the only 914 mecca. Texas teener owners (especially members of the Lone Star and Maverick regions of the PCA) and northwest 914 owners like Geoff have been incredibly helpful with suggestions and leads.

A "public" thank you, guys. And keep it up! So far several cases of "close but no cigar," but with all these extra eyes and ears something has gotta turn up....

[sharper]

Here is one that I have seen advertised a few times. The car looks great in the picture.

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/9/8/19930298.htm

[Otto]

Why don't you try me. I am in the process of rebuilding a limited edition, can-am, 914S, bumble-bee. It has a rebuilt engine, trans, clutch, new flywheel(balanced with new pressure plate), new w/s, paint, rubber, correct and done in the OTTOS tradition. You can purchase the car for $1000.00, then pay me for all the work already done on him.

[Kevin Powers]

otto, i sent an email to your site. this maybe faster. what is the approx total cost going to be to get the key in the ignition? ksp

[DrEBerg]

let us not forget a loyal band of purists here in the rust belt.
i pay homage to my guru Andy Ratto, also very accomplished in the feild of restoring old trucks

[rdvnac]

Just an update to the PP 914 community, who has been so helpful in my search: I did *finally* find a great 914!

As you can see from the previous posts in this thread, I was originally looking for another 914 2.0 4 cylinder, like others I have owned previously. I was also, however, keeping my eyes open for a nice factory 914-6 (see my other post, "914-6 Ownership Experiences?" for good comparisons other posters made between the cars), and that's what I ended up buying.

The good news: the car looks bone stock but is actually a sleeper, with nicely tweaked engine, brakes and suspension, and has a few concours wins under its belt, so I'm not the only one who thinks its a beauty. ;-) The bad news: it is 2,000 miles away, and I have to wait up to 5 weeks to have it shipped here to Chicago! ;-(

Special thanks to Dave Darling, Mike Z., Phil S., Brad R. (oops, wrong list), Tod W., Riley R., Jabb, JP Stein, Tom W., and many, many others who gave me LOTS of advice and leads during my seemingly endless search for an excellent "keeper" teener. There are many others, but I am already sounding like Sally Field at the Oscars, so I'll stop here....

Pictures to come in a few weeks, once the car is in my hands.

[J P Stein]

I'll be watching with interest when you sally forth ( I crack myself up ) in your new car.

FIVE weeks?..........auggh.

JPIII

[jabb]

Great good luck.....
Where is it coming from....

Maybe we could get each member to drive it a couple hudred miles until it finds you..... Kind of like a relay accross the country

[rich]

I like that idea, Kinda like the old pony express. Count me in. I'll take over at the MN border...

[rdvnac]

I kind of like the Pony Express idea, high points for creativity.

I also was sorely tempted just to drive it here myself, but it's the "sorely" part that concerned me...2,000 miles in a lowered car with 140 lb springs and R-compund tires...I don't think so. Plus, this is a pretty car, and I don't want to cringe every time a passing truck kicks up some gravel, or worry about a late Winter storm materializing.

A couple of years ago I drove an '88 BMW M5 from Bellevue, WA to Chicago. Left on a Friday night, was sitting at home at my kitchen table, somewhat dazed, by early Monday afternoon. Cruise control set at 110 through much of the Great Plains. Cop in Fargo, ND LET ME GO WITH A WARNING after I whipped by his hiding spot, leaving about 2/3 of my brake pads on the road after I finally spotted him. Will always love Fargo for that.

The 5 week wait is driving me crazy, but that's the deal with the only enclosed shipper that I trust. If they get more shipments headed east, it'll happen sooner. How 'bout some of you guys send some cars from the Pacific Northwest this way, and fill up that truck a liitle quicker for me? ;-)

[anthony]

I just bought my first 914. It took 2 months to find this nice 74 2.0L. I wasn't looking for a concours condition car but I also didn't want a big project. I just picked it up yesterday in Reno and drove it home in snow flurries over Donner Pass. Here's a few pics:

http://www.well.com/user/siino/914s/silver/

[Kevin Powers]

hate to be nosey. how much did it set you back?