'74 914 2.0L estimate for value?
 

I have been enjoying a nice little 914 making small improvements to the car by addressing some minor issues and bringing it to a higher standard than when I bought it. The 'project' (if it could be called a project, it started in pretty nice condition when I bought it) is nearing a point of completion from my perspective and it may well be time to find a new owner. That said, I'm not looking for a fire-sale type scenario and I first would appreciate an honest assessment on the value of the car as it is and if there are additional items which should be addressed which would both increase the fun factor in ownership and potentially make it that much more appealing in the marketplace.

Background:
Car has had a repaint in original Marathon Blue color. Appears all over to be a quality job. Not without flaws from driving, the paint work is 10+ years old. No bubbles, anywhere. The car is solid. It had some perforation in the battery tray so I removed the engine and removed/replaced the battery tray. While I was in there, I cleaned up some minor surface rust in the hell hole under the battery tray, coated with POR-15 and repainted the engine bay with color matched Marathon Blue. At the same time, I cleaned the underside of the car thoroughly. It is as clean as you will find as an un-restored 914. The body is a no excuses car.

Wheels are Mahle OE wheels in really nice condition, bright and with only minor imperfections.

Original fitment front and rear sway bars.

No fog lights, center gauges and black (not chrome) bumpers indicate this wasn't an appearance package car but is otherwise optioned well for the enthusiast with the sway bars and a 5-spd gearbox.

Interior has appropriate patina (not perfect) with a single dash crack and minor carpet wear on original carpets. At some point, someone put a DIN sized CD player in the car. It works well and sounds nice if you ever turn it on. I recovered the driver's side seat bolsters (keeping the good condition centers original) to repair a small tear in the corner of the vinyl bolster. It matches well and is nearly indistinguishable from the passenger seat. Gauges work, I pulled door panels apart and preventively greased mechanisms, etc. and things work well as a result. Doors close excellent and targa top is in good condition as well. Glass is in good shape too and with the exception of a crack in the aftermarket rear reflector, the lenses are all in good condition as well. At some point in life it had a dealer installed A/C system which has been removed many years ago.

The engine in the car is not the original (engine is from a '75 2.0L by number) and has been converted to carbs and headers. I do not have the original heat exchangers nor the FI components but I do have what is believed to be the original engine (I haven't received a COA for the car yet) in complete, as-removed (and running) condition). That engine was in the car when I bought it and ran well but leaked oil and smoked on decel. The current engine in the car was reported to be a low mile, refreshed 2.0L. By performance, inspection and how well it behaves, this is believable as a very low mile refresh. I don't have receipts or other documentation on the engine build however just superficial inspection (removal of crankcase vent/fill cover, etc. reveal an exceedingly clean looking crankcase. No smoke on start-up, under power or decel. The engine seems very healthy indeed.

Gearbox shifts well and no rattles/squeaks or issues with the suspension.

Could probably use new tires, those on the car are 'well aged'.

Thoughts on value? It isn't often I can find examples which are representative of the condition of this car so please fire away.
Thanks,
Chet

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Looks like a nice little car. Somewhere around $12-13k.

Thanks Matt.
About where I would expect I suppose. Any major detractors aside from the carbs/headers (vs. FI/heat OE type exhaust)?
Would it be better to reinstall the original (but tired) engine or keep a non-original engine in great shape in the car with the original on a pallet?
The 911 market really seems to value originality first and engine swaps take a hit. Unsure that with the correct engine included but not installed if that somehow affects things significantly. It is a ~4 hour job to swap and the original runs/drives.

I am less optimistic than Matt, $9-11000.
Install matching # engine, re-install heater parts and fuel injection to get top dollar
All that being said, that is very nice example. and values are on the rise!

My $.02

It doesn't matter if the original engine isn't installed as long as you have it and it comes with the car. I'm not putting my original engine to my '72 T back in it. Why run the original motor and risk destroying the case and taking a hit on value?

x2

This. Just include it on a pallet.

start at $15000 and go down from there. keep it as is but offer the original parts- looks like a great clean car

For an example, I saw my old 914 just sold for about twice what I sold it for last spring. I sold it to a guy in the bay area, he had it for about 1 year and put a little money into it, sold it for $1000 more than he bought it for, and the dealership he sold it to recently sold it for $16900.

Here is the back story if you're interested: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=251568&hl=

I think $12-13k is low if you're patient, more like $15k+.

Thanks all for the kind words. Drove the car today and it sure is fun......will be a difficult sell if it comes to that.
The original engine stays with the car either way! The same is true for my 911T. The numbers match motor goes on a pallet and the twin plug hot rod 2.7 goes in. Nothing wrong with the 2.2T except it isn't as much 'fun' and is too valuable to subject to track use (why the 2.7 is being built!!).

I agree with the ask $15k approach. I would expect it to sell at $12-13K but no harm is asking more. Only way to find out if you can get it is to try.

On that note - why run the car at all and risk destroying it? Much better to leave it in the garage and buy a Miata instead. Even Manly Man Ronnie and Lisping Leno drive red Miata´s so it is all good!

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There's a very large and distinct line drawn between driving your car with a different motor and not driving the car at all. How can anybody look at one of these cars in their garage every day and never drive it?
The Miata's do seem to have some kind of flavor that many enjoy. I very much enjoy the show that you and Ronnie put on. Always entertaining.

I appreciate that buddy, but I sure hope that ourshows are not on the interwebs!?

Nice car 15k fair price for this car.

I guess I am out of touch with the 914 market.
How would you value this same car with original engine running with original fuel injection?
More than $15000?

About the same. On a 914 rust is the killer. Chassis is king. Take a 1.8 car and put a 2.0 in it and it is more fun.

The injection is another story. So few of them are really well sorted. Why is my bumble bee parked? I don't know how to sort it. I spent $400 with a "specialist" to sort it. Still didn't run well. If you have one all original and running well, yeah you can ask more. And if the buyer is a VW or Narp guy you might get it. 911 guys looking at 914s don't know the difference. In fact often "Weber carbs" in the ad help, not hurt you.

Pop open the AFM and do this carefully.

Air Flow Meter (AFM) - from "The 944 Motronic DME" by FR Wilk* ©2001 www.the944.com

Christian, I would not drive a Miata even if it was rocking an Eddie Bello engine. In fact, I would not be seen in one, period, even if I was wearing a "Christian" mask on my head!

Ya', it seems like quite a few people strangly enjoy the "Richard Simmons" flavor for some reason. Poofties one and all right thar!!!:)

Only on the bestiality websites, my friend!!!

GET SUUUUMMMMM!!!

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