[aj88cab]

I was 21, it was 1979, and the car was a 1972 914. While I was in college I had a summer job at a Scott Paper factory in Chester, PA. I did preventive maintanence vibration testing on the paper machines. BIG fricking machines, 20-30 feet tall, 25-50 yards long (at least that's what I recall). It was hot nasty work crawling in and on the operating equipment, checking the bearings on dozens of rollers. It was quite dangerous now that I think about it, but payed well for a summer job. Every cent went to pay for college. But the last summer I started looking at 914's. Found one that looked good and I got the OK from Dad to divert some of the "college fund".

When I went to look at the car the owner was earily 30's, just had a kid, and had bought a Mercedes, 230C I think. He was impressed with what I knew about the 914, and was honest. The car had been in a accident and had the front clip replaced. In retro spec it actually was a good repair, but I was clueless then. He also said he thought there was something wrong with the transmission. Did I care? Hell no, I was blinded by lust! I would have probably walked if I looked at it today, but not that day. I took a test drive and it felt good, no shifting problems. I had $2200 and offered it all. Negotiation skills I had not developed! He was really cool and reminded me of the transmission and suggested $1800...when was the last time that happened? Sold!

But on my way home the transmission started acting up. It would not shift into 2nd or 4th. I was sick. I spent the next couple days figuring out what it was going to take to remove the transmission. Then I noticed that the long shift shaft had a coupler in the middle, and the gears that didn't work were both when the shifter was pushed forward (first is left and down). When I took off the access plate, I found found a loose coupler bolt. Tightened it and never had a problem again!

Brought the car to Atlanta in the back of a UHaul truck. Drove it for several years. Finally decided I needed something with AC in Atlanta, but I kept the 914 for fun drives. Rust and a few minor dents (not my fault) have sidelined the car, but it ran when I parked it many years ago. Still have it. Sitting under a tarp in a shed, waiting to be restored I guess. I'm a sentimental sap, I probably should have got rid of it. Maybe it will be a nice project to do with my grandkids in a few years.