To Not Devalue...
 

I have a numbers-matching '70 914/6 resto project I'm considering getting started over the winter. I plan to restore it well, properly refinishing categorically, with correct parts, etc - a no-round-corners effort and end result worthy of near top-dollar sales. BUT, I really love wider cars and am duly tempted to add steel GT flares and wheels accordingly. Since body and paint are a significant part of the investment, I don't want that to turn around and bite me some years later down the road when I decide it's time for someone else to enjoy, and sell. So, if today's market is at approx. $50K for a truly original resto, would it be less if it had GT flares? If so, how much $$?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Flares unless a real GT are for conversions and big motor cars. Leave it narrow if doing a correct resto. I don't think there would be a huge $ difference but you would limit your pool of buyers having a flared car that is otherwise stock.

DON'T DO IT

Flare a regular 914 if you really, really have the urge. To flare a stock 914/6 would be crazy in my opinion. The car is an icon, incredibly rare, and incredibly desirable. A stock 914/6 that has been restored is a $100K car in 10 years. Don't do it.

+1.

If you want to have a flared 914, take a 4 cylinder and flare to your hearts content. But it will be very hard to sell a flared original six for anywhere near the value of an original six with quality restoration.

That's what I thought you guys would say. But, it is the undeniable smart move.

I guess I'll throw another one at ya': color? This car is originally Signal Orange and tho I'm an orange fan, I much prefer Tangerine. OR, go a different direction like silver. Bad move??

Original color is a much bigger deal for a 914/6, especially a "unique" color like signal orange. Personally I think you're hurting the potential value if there is a color change

It sounds like you have a specific car that you want to build. Why not sell the sixer and put the money towards creating what you really want. I would trade my pair of 4's for a real six. Some of us dream at night of owning one

On flipside it is your car. If you are gonna drive it for 5 or 10 years why not build it how you want and resale and purism be damned.

Keep it the original orange. You can't get a better color for a 914/6.

Modify for fun or keep original for top dollar.

If it was me I would keep a real six totally original and buy a conversion car to modify and play.

I'm going to echo the "sell the 6" sentiment. If you want a flared GT style car with a big motor, sell the 914-6, buy a solid 4, flare it, and add a 3.2. You'll have twice the car you hoped for originally.

Metalracer, you need to buy a 914 'toy' so you can do all the fun modifications you want. 1.7 cars are pretty cheap. Start there. Keep the Sixer unmolested.

This right here. I recently abandoned my painstaking search for the perfect M491 or 930 and decided I wanted a car I wouldn't be afraid to drive/park anywhere. Now I'm eyeballing much cheaper car's bodywork and engine swaps. Horses for courses, and all that...

This is the right approach, my 77 911 used to be pretty ratty and I could drive and park it anywhere. I was also not afraid to run it at the track and had numerous offs with it while learning the car and variuos tracks. Now it is a little bit too nice to race competitively with but despite the lack of overall driver comfort, i can drive and park it anywhere.

I now have a dedicated beater race car, my 73 911. I dont care if it gets rubbed, scraped, or if one of the other drivers has an incident (it has a nice dent in the driver's floor from an off track excursion at the last race) and paint from other cars on all 4 corners. This is chump car so some rubbing will happen.

Then I got the 86 930, that thing is pretty modded including a slant conversion and ~ 400 HP. It is really nice but I wouldnt park it just anywhere.

The 76 930 is a car I dont think I'd be too comfortable letting out of my sight. It is close to prestine and all original, and has an neat history. This is the one car that I intend to pamper and pass on as part of my estate. I would not modify this car in any way. The only deviations from original is that the engine got carerra tensioners when it was rebuilt and the front stripes were removed by the dealer at the 1000 mile service (documented on the work order).