Possible new 914 owner + 700 mile drive home tips Options

[1973tii]

I'm strongly considering buying my uncle's 914. It's a green 1975 1.8L garaged California car in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition.

We're 700 miles apart and if I got it, I'd fly down and drive it home. That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that this car, as lovingly maintained as it is, could demonstrate a gremlin or ten on a long, sustained drive in warm weather. The 914 is currently taken out very infrequently, for short drives.

As knowledgeable 914 owners, what sort of recommendations would you have for this trip (other than a AAA membership -- (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )? A reasonable amount of tools will be carried. Beyond that, should I have a few electro-mechanical switches "in stock", along with a belt, etc, etc...? Any notorious parts that should be carried? I'm competent with the diagnostics/wrenching, but have no experience with these cars and don't know what breaks.

Thanks!

[rick 918-S]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

[bembry]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

[iamchappy]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

[PBC914]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

I'll bite-how do you know?

[rick 918-S]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

I'll bite-how do you know?

Because Chappy knows I have been all over the country in a home built euro V8 hot rod and had my share of break downs. I think it's part of the experience and makes for great stories. I don't view it as the worse thing that ever happened. Ya, I'm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)