Now that's a nice car. SmileWavy

Early 914's maybe?
 

Seems that comparing any and all air cooled Porsche's before 77 and after 77 is like apples and oranges in stock form. The earlier the year the more hard core racier it feels, so in that I think the 914 is the closes thing that a practical man can purchase that feel as close or better than a 356.They have the same interior trim and VDO gauges as a 911 long nose but feels different in its own right. Finding a good cheap 914 is not too hard but a good cheap 356 does not exist. I say get one now while you still can. I can see the 914 getting up to the 20k mark next 10 years if everything keeps going good. Their really cool mini exotic cars to me and a little practical to say the least with interior side room to spare, two huge trunks and best of all its a VW Type-4. Its the last of the air cooled cars that's plentiful and cheap right now. I can tell you from a drivers stand point that if you lower a 914 a little, add wheels spacers or wider wheels and tires with some negative camber it is truly like a large go cart for the streets that's un comparable to any so called "sports car"...its a true track car with little effort. Sometimes I feel like I'm driving a 550 spider. They just need the time and effort. I'm convinced you can get $1,000,000 vintage Porsche handling and feel for less than $10,000 with a 914 and that's just the way it is and I don't care what anyone says. I know their ugly to most and they were for me too at first but I tell you when its low to the ground and you get the bugs and rattles fixed it really will grow on you till you think its the best car on the road.

Don't get me wrong I love the looks of a 911 or 356 as much as the next guy but you cant say this looks bad can you? I hate to admit it but I have less than $2000 in this car and its the best handling thing I have ever driven, its mostly an original stock 72 car without sway bars, it doesn't need them for the street IMO It just has billsteins and 16" wheels/spacers few tweeks for upgrades. I would sell my 911 before I would sell my 914 ...THATS CRAZY TALK YOU SAY but thats the way I feel. Its a very emotional car once your hooked. http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1409186199.jpg

I guess I move in different circles. Several times a month I get a guy with a 996TT who calls up with a 2nd gear that won't stay in gear or who shelled 3rd and ripped all the teeth off it.
When I tell them to expect to spend $5k if they got lucky and $10k if there is shrapenal damage there is often an awkward pause. And then a, but I only paid $35k for the car, I can't afford that kind of money to fix it. 996tts are where Midyears and SCs were ten years ago. They are getting neglected, abused and all but the garage queens are going to continue to slide.

Lol
 

Ok I'm just showing it off now but you guys understand:D If you can find a decent one that's at least rolling on all four preferably not totally rusting in half and under $1000 with a title like I did you have to buy it. With parts cars galore even here in Memphis, its a fun fun project all around. An engine you can rebuild for $1000, capable of easily having more power than a 550 spider or 356 if wanted and @ 2000lb. its crazy good with just 80hp. Its no 911 but a 911 is no 914 or the 914 is like a 356 but even better IMO in some ways its more like a 550. I have never driven a 550 but it must be similar. This car gets way more attention than I like compared to my nice 83sc ,its every where I stop people want to ask questions or take pictures, no one ever approach's me in the 911 or seems to want to know more and that's OK I'm cool with that...OK rant over LOL..but seriously get a 914 if you have room and want a serious project that will not disappoint.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1409189353.jpg

I tend to agree that the 914 is next to go up. Cheapest air cooled you can buy. What's not to love, other than looks?

Yes
 

Yeah its like one of those faces only a mother could love. Its so ugly its cool, right?:D I guess people should wake up soon about these cars they are truly amazing and I dont know why their not already the most popular..they will be. Its the most fun car I have ever driven and we all have driven everything Im sure. Come on its a mid-engine Porsche are you kidding me;)

Well according to the wise men this is the most unpopular and cheapest aircooled. I beg to differ.....It is the most nimble P i ever had. And a great low production build. The engine though.....hmmmmmm.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1409250191.jpg

So slam a 6 into that baby, purists be damned, and drive it until you drop.

I'm looking at a completed 914-6 GT Tribute with a new 2.5L in the low $20's, or one of 2 T's that need some work and will end up costing me $40-50K. I'm leaning towards the 914, even though the T's will be original and go way up in value more. I think I'd rather have a balls to the wall car to drive the living snot out of…..or am I nuts?

You won't regret the 914. My '73 has 105-110bhp and it's silly fun to drive.

I would love a 914 in a cool color...but not a car for the family man with a dog too!

What do you mean? My original sales brochure (yes, I have one) says that the center console doubles as a 3rd seat.
http://motorcardigest.com/wp-content...sche-914-7.jpg

Wow Matt, that baby looks sweet.

Wow eye opener. Could you fit a child seat there? When I was a kid in the early 80s my dad made "child seat" to be used between the front seats in his Pajero and his Cherokee.

Car looks great!! Every time I see someone's 914 fixed up I get inspired. I hope to get mine running one day(just no time)! I bought it from the original owner over 3 years ago. He even had dealer install AC(cough cough). Interior is dusty but almost perfect. She needs a paint job because he had it in the garage with paint cans, and wood on top of it.

Not mine. My '73 need a full interior restoration.

One of these days I'll snap some pictures of the Bumble Bee interior. It's in pretty nice shape and uses blue plush seat inserts I haven't seen in any other car. But the exterior was such an embarassment when I bought it that until I can make the outside more correct, I won't ever bother doing a full photo shoot of the car.
http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/IMG_1074.jpg

I need another 914 like I need a hole in the head (I also own a 1970 1.7l that's not in my signature) but I've been eyeing Steve's car.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/826487-74-914-6-conversion-gtlook-roller.html
911 engine (which I have) and 914 gearbox (which I also have) and you've got a turnkey 6 replica. Someone should grab this car.

BTW, those seats in it are the same as my Bumble Bee seats, but black instead of a dark midnight blue color.

Ok, Matt I'm gonna say it if no one else will - that someone who should grab it is you. Really, this 914 in CO needing all the bits you have, and then it's a 6 replica. Looks pretty clean to me, and looks like it would be a blast to drive with your stuff put in. C'mon, you need to come to your senses at least it's in the same state. And on top of this, you know it's really what you want to do. Go over, check it, and bring the cash. I bet there is a little wiggle room - and what can you get for $5k anymore besides a 911E owner's manual, a 904 owner's manual, and a 930 owner's manual. Having that car would be more fun than the three books.

Why do I need 4 914s? What I need more of is time. I'm one of those guys who enjoys the process of the build almost as much as driving the car. I've got everything to build a GT bodies 914-6 except for an oil tank.
I'll get onto it one of these days. In the meantime I offer up this other car to others. Steve is a straight shooter and formerly in the business. He's slowly liquidating his stuff as he is getting a bit older. He's a good negotiator ( so don't expect to go in and walk away laughing at your good deal) and in touch with the market.
If I had more storage I might really consider it, but I already store the '70 eighty miles away from my house. There is a point as which you just need to stop amassing projects and wait until you get some of them done before you bring home another list puppy.

I've had two 914s (still have one of them that is now about 1/2 parted out) - was my intro into the Porsche world back in my early 20s. I've always liked their odd ball looks and excellent handling, but never liked the fact that they are snails in a straight line (much like Eric's thinking processes).

Yes the 914 is no brawny super car and made me realize that if you don't have a place to really drive it crazy testing its limits you will not be impressed. The car is all about momentum in the turns and keeping the speeds up by never slowing down, yes that's right, no brakes needed when hauling ass in the twistys because the car holds its drift so good it does the braking for you. I have entered turns while thinking "I cant believe Im going to do this "but it slides so nice and predictable you want to do it again and again.. It will make a real driver out of you. The confidence levels are among the highest ever for me in a 914. If you crash a 914 on a bend you were not meant to drive cars fast and need to give it up.

I would get the books - that is not a nice 914 imo.

1) The Transsyberia edition 2010 Cayennes are suspect. In the USA probably to use as tow cars for anal retentive 50 year anniversary PCA members to carry their q-tips and tow their 356 concours cars with plastic wrapped tires (to keep the freshly cut grass out of the mint xzx's) to golf courses on aluminum Trailex trailers. I suspect the German millennial age car dealers are already driving around the US in rental convertible Mustangs looking for these (it is august after all)... especially the black with orange... with all their extra lights and belly pan bits. Most likely to ship back to somewhere near Munich and sell to Boomer age black forest Veterinarians wives as retirement gifts for their husbands.

2) 996 gt3's and gt2 have all bottomed out both literally and figuratively. So they are either good deals or not... pending a PPI from a qualified shop for a buyer who probably doesn't have time to actually travel to see the car before he buys it from out of state.

3) Short hood 912E are ripe for the plucking by 20 something ex bicycle advocates for e-car conversions. Most likely to be converted with $15,000 stacks of liquid cooled lithium batteries in the trunk and back seat...120 volt ac motors with modern inverters...and drive-by-wire accelerator pedal assemblies swiped from junked prius's (priui?) in junkyards. All the little E's on the 912E badges will get painted green. (I've been considering quietly cornering the market on all the remaining NOS 912E badges as I think the real financial play is there) These e-cars will show up at R-gruppe meetings and be welcomed by all (except Rolly maybe) as the hot rodders of the future... Freeman Thomas will later include comments on these cars at the next Ford Motors design studio trend forecasting meeting.

Eric M.

On man, hilarious! :D So will the ex-spandex wearing, e-conversion process result in a 912E who's rate of acceleration can be measured with something other than a sundial or 24 hour clock?

funny you should mention this...

In Detroit there is a guild of young mustachioed and tattoo'd men (who seem to be using 1920's era "barbell" musclemen as their style icons)... leasing an old warehouse that was formerly a (insert ironic industry of choice) factory. These fellows are manufacturing analog accelerometers from antique vacuum tubes, cork, hemp... and recycled (insert ironic 20th century icon product). I should also mention that they are promoting a line of t-shirts, hats and an artisanal microbrew under the same name via www.ETSY.com and you can pay with bit coin or google wallet. Their catalog is all shot on film with a hasseblad ... printed as sepia tone on 100% rag cotton paper... and printed by hand with a letterpress from 1840 using lead type fonts from the 1920's.

sigh..

Eric

Well f... you very much guys. But I have to admit that the 912E engine stink! But my oh my it is a pretty car. And still a good mid 70s buy.

I have never been a big fan of water cooleds but the 928 is just amazing. Had a lot of 24 and 44 but the 28 is amazing. Find a good one ad keep it!

Thanks for the offer, Christian, but that's not my thing! Now Eric on the other hand (not Eric M./overrestored, but the other Eric)! :D

Christian

I love the look of the narrow body short hoods... I have been considering buying a 912E and sticking in a Jake Raby massive type four engine... or doing an electric conversion... thus my goofy comments.

I also like the Transsyberia Cayennes and the 996 era gt2 and 3 as far as the topic of the thread goes... all of these cars including the 912E will be collectible!

I'm pretty widely known for building really stupid cars... like a chop top 2110cc, lowered 1942 VW Kubelwagen... and a lowered 356 powered series II 88" land rover. Anyone who knows me or my writing style from Excellence a few years ago will know I was just poking fun at myself... and BTW... I am a bike advocate and cyclist with 12 bikes...

Eric Meyer.

How can you not think this is a totally cool looking car. See attached link. If I didn't already have a 914-6 that I have owned for more than 20 years, I would seriously consider having this guy build me one like this with butt-welded steel flares!

TheSamba.com :: VW Classifieds - 1976 porsche 914 2.0
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1409376405.jpg

[QUOTE=stevesc_us;8237621]How can you not think this is a totally cool looking car. See attached link. If I didn't already have a 914-6 that I have owned for more than 20 years, I would seriously consider having this guy build me one like this with butt-welded steel flares!

Well yeah you install flairs and Fuchs and its way more sexy for sure. Im in love with the looks either way. The handling is what makes these cars and that's what people need to understand before they just totally dismiss it. My older brother who was the first of us to get a 911 wouldn't think of owning one, I tell him "man you have to get a 914" but he will have nothing to do with it. I on the other hand picked mine up as a second car to fiddle with because it was a deal not to pass. I did a lot of normal car work things like fuel delivery and had to pull the engine to replace a valve in one of the 1.7's head, in my drive way with a socket set and jack stands easily enough, it takes about 20min. to drop the engine after a little practice. After a few months of driving and tweeking the suspension with wheels/tires etc. also up grading to a side shift from a $300 parts car I was really starting to get the hang of this drifting thing. I didn't know how to drive fast around a curve till after the 914 trained me and thats what it was doing, training me to drive the 911 better without me even realizing it. Its a slow super car with the original T4 engines that can take your driving to a new level you didn't know you had. A fast 914 with 150-200+hp must feel insanely good and to me would almost be the ultimate racer. I realize that a lot of people, even my brother, have no interest or care about carving up the streets in their Porsche and I can understand that too, its easy to think about crashing a 911, I have spun out in my 911 a couple of times before the 914 but I'm 100% more confident when busting the twistys in the 911 now and know its limits without taking it past them. Either car is equally fun but the 911 does require experience as the 914 can build it. Every drive with the 911 feels better and better.

I believe we should save these cars and need more 911 owners to appreciate them and may also have the means to restore them.

964 RS vs 993 RS?

Which one will be the most valuable. I like the 964 better but my bet is on the 993 RS.

Christian - I don't think you know how hard it is to find a clean, rust-free 914 in the floors and the sills in the USA. Even though they sold close to 60,000 of them here, they are rare and for $5k you won't find a roller in this range, especially from a dry state like CO.

Probably splitting hairs, in the long run.
Both too expensive to be driven (properly) by mere mortals.

I know Count - but even worse here. I have decided to look for a driver 928 81-86. None to find a reasonable price here. Like with the other "cheap" P cars many are now too neglected to be considered.

There is what looks to be a fairly nice red 84 only a few miles down the road from me on craigslist in Collierville, TN. (Memphis) I thought about looking at it but I'm out of room and can't justify it. He's asking 3800 but I bet he will take 2500 and its a driver. Not sure what your range is or how nice of a car your looking for but I would gladly take a look at it for you if your serious and its close enough for you.