What would you pay for this 914? Options

[Cuda911]

New poster here, but far from new in terms of reading the forums on this site. I am an avid participant on Rennlist, and the Rennie guys highly recommend the 914world folks. Isn't this great? Our love of Porsches overshadows any competition between web sites. I have an '03 911 (ok a 996), and an "07 Cayman. But, I have a big time 914 itch that needs scratching. I need to add a 914 to the stable.

OK, guys, some armchair quarterbacking requested.

This weekend, I read EVERY thread on the 914 forum here. I have my 914 requirements narrowed down to the following: 1973 2.0, or 1974 2.0 with appearance group. Any color except black.

With that said, it narrows down even more the slim field of cars on the market.

So, I have a car I am considering... 1973 2.0 .... it meets the criteria, but is in worse shape than I had hoped for. I didn't really want a "project" car, but maybe that's the best way to go to end up with what I want.

A friend (fellow Rennie CP.... THANKS CP!!!!!!!) looked at the car for me today (it's about a six hour drive from me). The seller arranged to leave the keys for CP. Alas, seller also neglected to tell CP that he took the battery out recently and forgot to re-install it.

So, I am working with limited information so far. Seller says car is in good running condition. I'll get that verified. So, ASSUMING the car runs, what do you think of it based on these photos?

You will note items like that goofy antenna, crappy side-view mirror, wing, etc. Those are minor fixes. Also, that doesn't look like a 1973 front bumper to me.

What would you think is a fair price for this car, based on the pix?

Per seller:

"Battery tray is not great but suspension member is solid as is body under the battery tray. Surface rust on edge of trunk lid and driver a pillar."

"I bought the car from an older couple who spent a ton of money on new clutch, tires and other stuff then just let it sit. I got it, got it running and here we are. Odometer says 23,xxx but it's a 5 digit odometer. Engine runs strong, no idea on mileage. Has stock fuel injection."

"New clutch, ignition coil, tires, fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator"

http://postimg.org/image/8v6f2v8mx/66cc4a11/
http://postimg.org/image/vsbmuwvuv/8037d872/
http://postimg.org/image/fctzt6s89/a3bde0b2/
http://postimg.org/image/vh1kxdf4h/

[Cuda911]

OK, here's some poop on the white car:

The seller bought it about 8 months ago. He was going to retire, but then decided he needed to continue working. He owns several vintage Porsches, and is a long time member of PCA. He wanted this car to autocross, but now has no time to autocross (he never did end up autocrossing it at all).

It was built by a guy in Temecula, CA (not far from here). It's the original 1.7 block, but displacement has been stroked to 2.5.

Seller says the car is immaculate. Paint looks perfect. The only flaw anywhere (so he says) is a loose thread on one seat. It was originally yellow, repainted white. Not a frame-off repaint, but high quality nevertheless. He says that when he bought it, he looked at numerous 914's, and he never saw one in as good a condition as this one. He does seem like a straight-up guy, based on my conversation. Apparently no rust at all.

Overall, looks to me like a sweet car.

Now, here's an interesting twist.... I was at a PCA event this evening. I was showing the pix and info of this car to some people, and came to realize that one of the guys is a 914 "guru". He spent many years buying and selling 914s and 914 parts, for a living. He currently owns a local Porsche (and other German cars) parts business. His wife was the president of our PCA region last year. He and his wife have won numerous awards, and are very active in many events, including concourse, which they are both judges for. You couldn't ask for a better person to recommend a 914.

So, he tells me of a 1973 1.7 for sale that is immaculate... a 9 on a 1 to 10 scale, from a concourse judge's perspective. He knows the seller and the car extremely well.

Given the info I have provided, which of those two cars would you guys choose (for argument's sake, let's say they are the same price.

All opinions welcome. Thanks guys!