Might buy a 914
08-23-2001, 11:29 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Might buy a 914
Hi guys,
A while back I posted asking what you all thought about the 914 versus 924 versus X 1/9 as project cars. I figured the 924 would be best since it related to my 944, but finding an affordable "cheap" 924 is quite impossible.
Today I checked out a 914 I accidentally found behind a barber shop while doing a u turn. The car starts, has a solid engine, and good tranny...but needs bodywork and a cleaned up interior. Dash has no cracks, and seats are the usual leather ones...in good shape as well. It's a 1973 914 1.7L red by the way....with no history. Also, since it's been sitting for a while, needs a new brake job. Anyways...here's the deal. The guy will flatbed the car to my door, include porsche badges and extra lights and manuals, and obviously the vehicle for 800$ CDN. The car has some rust...no holes thought, all the original panels, bumpers etc.. All the electrics work too. So what do you guys think? My 944 needs some tranny work, which will probably cost me about 1500$ CDN...so what do you think? Am I throwing away my money? Any opinions appreciated!
Thanks
Mike
A while back I posted asking what you all thought about the 914 versus 924 versus X 1/9 as project cars. I figured the 924 would be best since it related to my 944, but finding an affordable "cheap" 924 is quite impossible.
Today I checked out a 914 I accidentally found behind a barber shop while doing a u turn. The car starts, has a solid engine, and good tranny...but needs bodywork and a cleaned up interior. Dash has no cracks, and seats are the usual leather ones...in good shape as well. It's a 1973 914 1.7L red by the way....with no history. Also, since it's been sitting for a while, needs a new brake job. Anyways...here's the deal. The guy will flatbed the car to my door, include porsche badges and extra lights and manuals, and obviously the vehicle for 800$ CDN. The car has some rust...no holes thought, all the original panels, bumpers etc.. All the electrics work too. So what do you guys think? My 944 needs some tranny work, which will probably cost me about 1500$ CDN...so what do you think? Am I throwing away my money? Any opinions appreciated!
Thanks
Mike
08-24-2001, 01:14 AM
#2
Pro
Join Date: May 2001
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The 914 is an interesting platform to work on. Check out the availability of the parts you might need (brakes, wheel bearings, that kind of thing). Check the "frame" for rust, especially around the battery tray and associated parts. The rear suspension, given enough rust tends to separate. The 924 has the advantage of the galvanneal body, and stays pretty rust free. The 1.7engine is rugged and virtually bullet proof. Check the tranny and see if it is a side shifter (preferred).
Tough decision, which Porsche to buy to work on...
Bob S.
Tough decision, which Porsche to buy to work on...
Bob S.
08-24-2001, 07:10 AM
#4
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: May 2001
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Just to add emphasis to Bob's point on the rust issue:
The 914 is notorious for rusting under the battery, and that's where the rear suspension attaches on that side. Leaking electrolyte accelerates the normal process of rusting. This is a _structural_ problem, not just a cosmetic one, since it's a stressed area of the unibody.
I've read that it can be quite difficult & pricey to fix this... you might want to check the archives on the 914 board, or ask about it there.
But if the bodywork problems are manageable, it sounds like a real deal, and the relative simplicity of the 914 makes it a great candidate for mechanical learning.
Jim, coffee up!!
The 914 is notorious for rusting under the battery, and that's where the rear suspension attaches on that side. Leaking electrolyte accelerates the normal process of rusting. This is a _structural_ problem, not just a cosmetic one, since it's a stressed area of the unibody.
I've read that it can be quite difficult & pricey to fix this... you might want to check the archives on the 914 board, or ask about it there.
But if the bodywork problems are manageable, it sounds like a real deal, and the relative simplicity of the 914 makes it a great candidate for mechanical learning.
Jim, coffee up!!
08-24-2001, 07:49 AM
#5
Deer Slayer
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Yeah, they're cool little cars and it's possible to do some ungodly mods to them but RUST is a big problem. I don't know if they salt the roads where you are, or if the car has lived near sea air (salt), but I'd make sure there isn't anything structural wrong with it first... if the chassis is shot, it's just not worth trying to restore unless you own a body shop.
Thadddeus
Thadddeus