I've always had a soft spot for 914s, particularly 1973/74 2.0 models. I had one in HS in the '70s, ('73 2.0), and for some reason have fonder memories of it than any other car I've ever owned including several 911s and dozens of other heaps.
I was recently visiting my pal Tyson at his place of employment, (Hergesheimer in OC), and this little gem was sitting out back. For sale? Yes, but possibly already spoken for...the owner had moved out of state and left it behind. He was a good customer and POC racer, this was his little race car in some close to stock class. It had a very well known history around the shop, having previously belonged to the GF of one of the guys.
Good stock, or anywhere near stock and original 914 2.0s are hard to find. There were huge improvements made in the '73 MY and then they were all but wiped-out in 1975 with the added weight of huge crash bumpers and de-tuned smog motors. Any good 914 tub can be the starting point for building a nice car but these 2 years of cars were the "sweet spot" for factory cars. They were really tight and the 2.0 was reasonably torquey in a 2100 lb. car. I compare them to other 4-cyl. sports cars of the day and they rule, IMO.
Anyhow, this car had been sitting for the last year or so with a bad brake MC behind their shop and I wound up getting it for a song. It's a factory black 1974 2.0 with original fuel injection intact, (super rare and desirable), many were converted to carbs. It is completely rust-free, even under the battery, and never crashed anywhere. The original seats and console are MIA but I will find them. It has Konis and several other nice track mods including a rebuild with slightly higher CR sport pistons and a tight transmission. The racing seats are actually quite comfy, it has a harness bar but only stock seat belts at this time. It has 5 original 914 forged Fuchs and a set of 4 replica Fuchs, the tires on the car are shot Kumho slicks.
I'm over the moon happy with this score and can't wait to drive it in the canyons and at the track. It needs a little cleaning up:
