Free 914?

944 fanatic · 08-22-2002, 06:55 AM

Hey there guys, as you can see from my screen name, I'm a 944 guy. I have to say I've always dug the 914 and said that if one should present itself to me, I would consider picking it up.
Well, one presented itself to me.
The car is free (1970 914) if I tow it away. It does not run right now, but I think with some TLC and a large amount of wrench turning, I could get it to work...
What are your thoughts on this? I know all about the '44, but practically nothing of worth about the '14...
It's got a little rust (really not that bad for a somewhat neglected 914) and the battery tray has leaked onto the suspension mount.
I wouldn't be looking for a perfect example anyway, so maybe starting from scratch with a free car is the way to go...A ground up resto doesn't really scare me too much as I wouldn't be on any kind of timeline and this car would just be a project to work on. I'm selling one of the 944's and the other might gte lonely, so I figured, hey, free 914, what the heck?!
Am I foolish to think I can do this? Really I think I just need a good solid push and I'll jump right in....anyone?
Just for my info, what does a decent 914 engine go for? I would want a 2.0..
Thanks in advance for any info you can give me.

Paul
84 944
87 944
70 914 (?)

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Well, some things scare me about the 914 you speak of, even if it will cost you nothing to get. Don't forget the old saying: better off paying more up front for a car in decent shape, than paying less for a lesser example.

That said, here's what scares me:
1. The 1970 models have a trail shifter, which at best has a very vague shift pattern to it. I believe in '73 they converted the shifter to a side shifter, which offered much better shifting.

2. Little rust? There is no such thing as little rust on a neglected 914! If you remove the outer rocker panels below the doors, you should see more rust.

3. Battery leak on the suspension: this is a major problem with the 914's, and you will probably have to completely rebuild the rear passenger side suspension! (Hint: how good are you at welding?)

I'd say hold out until you can find one that's in better condition.
Just my $0.42
-Z.

Verruckt · 08-22-2002, 10:02 AM

Run away. I bought a 914 as you described in my youth. It would be cheaper for you to buy a 3500 dollar 914, then to get one for free in this case. That car will require at least 6,000 to 10,000 to make it into a car you would want to drive. Trust in me, I know, oh how I know! Welding suspension parts is not for the weak. You mess up, you are going to die.

scottmandue · 08-22-2002, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Z-man

That said, here's what scares me:
1. The 1970 models have a trail shifter, which at best has a very vague shift pattern to it. I believe in '73 they converted the shifter to a side shifter, which offered much better shifting.

Just my $0.42
-Z.

Interesting!
Many years ago a friend let me drive a 914 he had and I liked the ride but the transmission absolutely sucked!

In fact it reminded me of driving my brothers '58 beetle.

Gave me a very bad impression of Porsche automobiles, fortunately I got over it.

John_AZ · 08-22-2002, 10:20 AM

I owned a 1970 914 1.7 from 1973 to 1998. Ownership ended when I slid under a Toyota pickup. The Toyota had no damage. I flipped the bed 45 degrees. This is a good example of why 18 wheelers have the rear bar below the back doors.
Engine-typically a 1.7 rebult numerous times with 1.8 pistons-conclusion you will need an engine. Gaskets leak forever. Tail shifter sloppy even with a short shift kit. FIREBALL-gas hoses prone to leak and must be checked daily. This car required constant attention and nickle and dimes you to death. Get a 1975. Read boards and posts.

Ric (IL) · 08-22-2002, 10:22 AM

A free 914? I am all about free stuff! Wouldn't it be worth getting for free if nothing else to make a few bucks parting it out or maybe saving the usable parts when he did get a decent 914?(Not saying that one is not decent, just if) Why let it end up being hauled to a scrap yard and gone forever when it could be used for something? He!!, the body would look great mounted on the outside of the garage. Or how about cutting the back end off and making a couch with tail lights that flashed with the beat of music?

Ric (IL) · 08-22-2002, 10:27 AM

and/or make the front end into a cooker like the lemans in Gone in Sixty Seconds?

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Ric (IL)
snip...Wouldn't it be worth getting for free... or maybe saving the usable parts when he did get a decent 914

That's putting the cart before the horse! Get a decent 914 first, then worry about a parts car!

-Z.

justin · justin's Garage

Damn, I know somebody who needs a free 914,not me by the way.

Eturbo924 · 08-23-2002, 05:39 AM

If it was free and I could get it I would take it. Free is free. You can then take your time and evaluate it. If it turns out to be a rust bucket and a danger to your life... part it out and make some money.

Here is one test I read about when I was playing with the idea of a 914. How much do you weigh? If you are around 200lbs open the drivers door remove the targa top and sit in the drivers seat... then slowly close the door. Does it latch or even close properly? If the rust is real bad under the car it will sag and the door will not close. In this case think about parting it out right away :-)

I would take it... just as a romatic that wants to save the old Porsches if I can.

Eric

kenny · 08-23-2002, 06:04 AM

I learned a long time ago:

Sometimes when someone gives you something for free... it's still not worth it!

I would recommend Eturbo924's suggestion (914's are NOTORIOUS for rust!) -- one other thing, see if there are any parts on there worth parting out -- there may not be much; or, there may be a set of Fuchs etc.

The early trans can be convertied over to the 'side shift' configuration (I've been told). Likely Verruckt is right and this car could be a real 'time-whore'.

944 fanatic · 08-23-2002, 07:35 AM

Well I think I decided I'm going to take the car. I know that if it's a rusty POS that I can't fix, I can always part it out, and yes it still has original Fuchs, so I will definitely make some cash off of it. And I can throw that cash towards the '44...
On the other hand, I really enjoy wrenching on cars, and this would be a great learning experience...I'm not too concerned about the time it would take to make it roadworthy, mostly because it would just be a "fun" (tongue firmly in cheek, as I'm sure parts of it would be quite frustrating) project, and I wouldn't care if it took me 3 years to get it roadworthy. I figure, hell, at least I can get this thing, get to know a 914, and at the least, know exactly what to look for when I decide to actually buy one. In the meantime, I have a car I can mess around with and work on when I can, and to me, there's not much I enjoy more than working on a Porsche...
Plus, if I was able to restore it, it would give me much satisfaction to know that I put this old neglected Porsche back in working order.
Thanks for the advice everyone, and I may be getting in over my head here, but I figure, I can at least part it out if I don't want to restore it...

Paul
84 944 (Going to my Girlfriend)
87 944 (runs like a top -knock on wood)
(Tomorrow) 70 914 (new-to-me time-whore)

Jodi · 08-29-2002, 03:05 PM

I had a 71 914 several years ago. The car was a total money pit but I loved it anyways! I say go for it, they are a lot of fun to drive when they do run. I think mine spent more time in the shop then on the road. It was quite rusted under the seats when I got it but my husband is a welder/machinist so he fixed that for me.

08-29-2002, 05:03 PM

Hey, a toy is a toy. There is always potential and enjoyment from any car/motorcycle/whatever project you undertake. I say go for it. If it doesn't end up working for you, another one of us is out there to take it off your hands.

There's nothing like the enjoyment of a new task untried, a little time, and a cold beer and friends to harass/help you with hte next task.