Barn find 914, thoughts and help, new to classic air-cooled Options

[zimba179]

Hello everyone

After spending a few days browsing this page, I'm convinced this is the most informative group of enthusiast online. Thank you in advance, and I hope to be a part of the community soon.


So a distant family friend has a 1976 914 that they now want to sell. It was their car that passed away suddenly in 1996, so it has been in the garage(along with a 944 Turbo) even since. Unlike the 944, the 914 had the battery removed and hasn't been touched for 18 years.

car appears all original and stock. Exterior is solid, didn't find any Bondo or rust. No rust in the trunks or under the carpet. Only the battery pan is rusted out. Interior is excellent with no rips or tears, factory steering wheel, shift knob, and gauges.

They decided to finally part with it a few days ago, and I was the first person they notified so nobody else has taken a look yet. They need it gone so they aren't looking to hold onto it very long. I am very interested, but want to know what I'm getting into.

Also, my background. Bought a 1985.5 944 back in 1996, owned it for 6 years and probably logged over 50 hours myself doing repairs. I'm familiar with German cars, had several BMW's over the years, own 2008 E90 right now. However I have never owned a CLASSIC vehicle before that needs to be restored. I eventually want to get it running as a weekend car, and it will always be garaged. Not looking to gut it for track or anything like that. Keep it to the original specs. My main concern is the engine (aside from the seals), what would it be like to attempt to revive a 38 year old engine that hasn't been touched in 18 years?


I don't know any aircooled, or classic VW/Porsche guys in my area. I'm a member of the BMW CCA but that's not helping! Thank you everyone

[zimba179]

thank you everyone for the infomation!

Initially I was interested in the 944 Turbo so I didn't spend a lot of time with the 914, other than looking for rust and seeing if it was a 6 cylinder. Almost all my time was on the 944, didn't get to the 914 until after. Spent maybe 15 minutes giving it a lookover. I didn't realize it had been stored in a mostly climate controlled area, I was expecting a rust bucket. I will take pictures when I go back in a few days. So peering through the rear hatch I did notice the battery tray was very rusty, but didn't open the access to look directly down into the 'hole'. I assume I'm looking for rust everywhere, much like when inspecting an old Beetle.

I received the phone call the night seeing it, so I've only had 3 days to research the 914's. I'll be going back in a few days and I'll report back when I get pictures and more info.