CUDA 911's 914 Thread ! ! ! Options

[Cuda911]

Hey all,

Today, June 10, 2014, I bought my first 914. It is a 1974 1.8, silver.

My first posts on 914 world were in a thread dedicated to my hunt for a 914. It can be found at the following link:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...p;#entry2048714

Many, many people here provided a massive amount of fantastic information. I have studied, read, and (hopefully) learned the very basics of 914s.

Now that I own one, I will have a million more detailed questions, and I hope to keep things documented in this thread.

First, a few photos for you:

[Cuda911]

Thanks guys. Here are my first questions, basic though they are:

1. Driver's side door needs new lock cylinder, or current one fixed. Do I see a lock smith or a car restoration guy?

2. The radio antenna is black. Is that original? I prefer chrome if it should be chrome.

3. It has what appears to me to be a 1973 front bumper, from the repairs conducted in 1998. But, it doesn't have the chrome from the appearance group. Is the chrome a metal overlay piece I can buy? Or did they just chrome that metal portion of the bumper? Also, I really like the fog lights of the 1973 appearance group. Can they be added to the bumper that I currently have?

4. That bit of rust inside the trunk... should I spray it with Rustoleum to stop it from spreading? Should I sand it down first? Or should I take it to a body shop?

5. What is that grommet for in the middle of the carpet in the rear trunk?

[dlkawashima]

5. What is that grommet for in the middle of the carpet in the rear trunk?

It's for the spare tire hold down bolt, which you can use if you remove the foam rubber pad and (if you still have it) the plastic cap that covers the threaded hole in the trunk floor.

Seems like there were a lot of dealer-installed items that were put on various 914s, including the passenger side-view mirror, and Porsche crest on hood. Any other dealer-installed items I should be aware of?

Air conditioning was also a dealer only installation. Check out Jeff Bowlsby's list of accessories ... it's very thorough:

https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/Accessories.htm

1. What do 914 folks think of those "steelie" wheels? None of the other cars I have looked at had them. I get the impression it was at the low end of the various wheel options?

The wheel was made by Lemmerz and is called the Sport wheel. I believe the wheel was first seen on the VW Super Beetle, and then in '74 became the stock wheel for the 914. I prefer an aluminum wheel myself ... Mahles were a popular choice for the '74 model year ... but obviously you should choose whatever you like. If you go with an aftermarket wheel, offset or backspacing will be a factor. A stock 15x5.5 wheel will always fit a 195 width tire and usually a 205 will fit as well. Not necessarily so with an aftermarket wheel.

2. I love the "PORSCHE" stickers that many 914s have along the lower door panel. Where would I get those? Were those dealer-installed? I have seen quite a variety of styles. Is there an "official" one?

The one that immediately comes to mind is the Limited Edition side stripe seen on the Bumblebee and the Creamsicle but you can get them in other colors, too. There is also a positive stripe that comes in several colors. Back in the day both were available from the P+A dealer. Jeff Bowlsby used to have a stash of original negative stripes, and repro negative and positive stripes are always available on ebay.

Yours would look good in black:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-4283-1148263857.jpg)