Early vs late styles Options

[andreic]

Hello,

I currently own a 1975 914 1.8L which has some rust (not a lot, but some) which is bothering me. I have the option to buy a very nice, almost completely rust free 1971 1.7L. If I buy it I would sell the '75, I can't keep two toy cars.

I am trying to decide if the disadvantages I know of (see below), and the ones I don't know of, of the early models, make up for the difference in rust.

Here is what I know is worse on the early models, please let me know if this is accurate, how important these issues are, and if there are other things I forgot about.

1) No sway bars -- does this affect handling a lot? I love the way my 914 handles, but I don't know if without the sway bars it will be the same.
2) Tail versus side shifter -- is this a big difference? I guess I could upgrade to a side shifter if needed, I saw the parts on craigslist all over.
3) 1.7L engine less powerful than 1.8L
4) No retractable seatbelts -- can one install the newer style?
5) Passenger seat does not move (for me that's not a biggie).
6) On the plus side, nicer bumpers on the early cars.

Please let me know what your experience is with these issues, and how important you think they are.

Thanks!

[ConeDodger]

Hello,

I currently own a 1975 914 1.8L which has some rust (not a lot, but some) which is bothering me. I have the option to buy a very nice, almost completely rust free 1971 1.7L. If I buy it I would sell the '75, I can't keep two toy cars.

I am trying to decide if the disadvantages I know of (see below), and the ones I don't know of, of the early models, make up for the difference in rust.

Here is what I know is worse on the early models, please let me know if this is accurate, how important these issues are, and if there are other things I forgot about.

1) No sway bars -- does this affect handling a lot? I love the way my 914 handles, but I don't know if without the sway bars it will be the same.
2) Tail versus side shifter -- is this a big difference? I guess I could upgrade to a side shifter if needed, I saw the parts on craigslist all over.
3) 1.7L engine less powerful than 1.8L
4) No retractable seatbelts -- can one install the newer style?
5) Passenger seat does not move (for me that's not a biggie).
6) On the plus side, nicer bumpers on the early cars.

Please let me know what your experience is with these issues, and how important you think they are.

Thanks!

1) the sway bar thing is pretty big. My car didn’t have factory sway bars when I got it and after sourcing and installing, it was one of those changes that you can’t believe the difference.
2) even the side shift cars don’t really shift all that well. Heck, I have a Rennshifter and I’m not completely satisfied. So, I’d say the tailshifters are a step back from a step back.
3) not necessarily true. The dJet 1,7 performs pretty well.
4) I think the cup behind the seatbelt mount isn’t deep enough for the retractor setup.
5) if that’s not a biggie, what are you whining for? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)
6) this isn’t a problem since backdating takes a couple hours on a Saturday...

The late Bruce Anderson had the following advice in almost every valuation article he did for Excellence. “Buy the best example you can afford.”

The only thing I can see that might be an issue is the seatbelt retractor. Even that probably could be solved by someone like McMark at Original Customs.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif)