Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

18 Pages V  1 2 3 > »   
Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Optimusglen's build off challenge, 6-cylinders of goodness. Ready for my next cross-country trip.
Optimusglen
post Feb 26 2016, 09:35 AM
Post #1


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 901
Joined: 26-February 16
From: Minneapolis
Member No.: 19,709
Region Association: Upper MidWest



Hello everyone, it was recommended I come here by a member on another forum I'm a part of. I'm new to the 914 world, well... the Porsche world really. This will be my first life-size Porsche.

A tiny bit about me: I'm a mechanical designer at a major Medical Device company, I've owned roughly 30 cars in the 15 years I've been driving, the majority of which were VW, Audi, BMW, and Volvo. I am a major DIYer, I do paint, welding, bodywork, upholstery, glass, mechanicals etc. Only had a few carbeurated cars though, and one motorcycle. I'm also an artist and create high quality vector based and 3D rendered car illustrations as a hobby and to help pay for other hobbies. I wrote an article a few years back for a contest sponsored by Porsche and won a 2-day driving school trip to the Porsche Sport Driving School in Birmingham Alabama, this further cemented my goals of owning a Porsche.

Most notable cars/projects: I've had a few MK1 VW Rabbit's, two were major builds including engine swaps. Just recently sold a 2001 Audi S8 that was wonderful.

Current stable: 1998 Jeep Cherokee DD/tow/winter truck, 1974 BMW R90/6 cafe racer, my wife drives a 2014 VW Jetta (manual too!) and tonight I will be picking up my newest project and the reason I joined here, a '71 914.

On to the meat and potatoes.

I had been missing having a project car, something old that I could work on and drive in the summer. That lead me to selling the S8 and buying a DD plus a project. I was interested in 914's, 924's, and 944's and even had a few 944's lined up that fell through only days before I found this 914.

On the morning of the 25th I saw a message from a friend in my inbox, with a link to a 914 that had been posted locally around midnight. Price was very low, and details put the car right in my comfort zone. It's a project for sure, but not too much of a project a'la a past Locost build. I emailed them immediately, toothbrush dangling from my mouth. Explained I have cash ready, would like to see it at their earliest convenience, etc. I imagine at that moment several others were doing the same, they got a lot of interest.

QUOTE
This was a California car for most of its life, and was my daily-driver during the late '80s. When I moved to MN I garaged it every winter, it is rare (for a 914 in MN) in that the frame is not rusted out. The original Targa top still mounts without trouble/binding! It has surface rust in a couple spots. There's a little bubble where the driver-side fender meets the apron in front of the windshield, and there's some where the passenger-side jack mount is. Oh, yeah, I still have and can use the weird/creepy jack that came with the car.

The way I bought it the car's fuel injection had been removed in favor of dual-webers and a more aggressive distributor. It also has a stroke/bore kit on it that took the standard 1.7L up to a 2.0L. This was a fairly common mod to these back then. I still have both the fuel injection+input manifolds and the original distributor.

My brother got it in a fender-bender that last year that I drove it, and the driver-side fender needs replacing or some serious TLC. The interior is pretty old/dried/cracked. The exterior needs a new coat of paint.

I parked it in the winter of 95/96 planning to do my normal thing of starting it monthly all winter long. (I never "put it away" entirely, opting to go this route instead.) However, life intervened and pretty soon I'd let it sit several years without starting or anything...so at this point it's safe to assume that it'll need some TLC to get it running again.

This car really deserves to have someone bring it back to life, one of the most fun cars I've ever driven! I've had to face facts that it's just not going to be me.

Don't pass up this great deal!


The sellers wife replied later during the day, said that I could come see it around 6:15 if I wanted, but warned that there was a lot of interest. I expressed my interest as best as I could, I was super excited about it and was in love with the prospect. I went against all of my conventional car buying wisdom and offered to send a deposit immediately to lock it down for me and save them from having to schedule a bunch of showings. My thought was that if it was structurally too far gone, that I could probably weld it up enough to drive, put GT flares on it, and make it a rat. Or part it out, or sell it again. It was a risk I was willing to take at that price.

They agreed to the deposit, and were very happy that I was so enthusiastic about it. That evening my wife and I drove down, I got to meet the sellers and look over the car. If you've ever played the Forza Horizon video games where they have these "barn find" cars, there's a cut scene where some character comes and opens the garage or whatever it is to see this dirty faded car with a few dents. It was exactly like that, to a tee. I got to check the car over, could have dug deeper but honestly didn't feel the need. We went inside and exchanged money for the title, and arranged for me to return tonight (Friday) to pick it up and tow it home.

In all there were about 2 dozen inquiries on the car, and after they accepted my deposit there were 4-5 offers with several hundred above asking price. They were great people though, and were true to their word. They knew the car was worth much more than their asking price, but were just happy that it was going to someone who was ecstatic about it.

For now I only have the pictures from the ad, but once I get her home I'll snap some better ones.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c2.staticflickr.com-19709-1456500948.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c2.staticflickr.com-19709-1456500948.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c2.staticflickr.com-19709-1456500948.3.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c2.staticflickr.com-19709-1456500948.4.jpg)

The ad claimed it was a '70 but upon inspection of the title it looks to be a '71. Not a big deal, there weren't any major changes between those years as far as I can tell.

Plans depend a lot on how much rust is hiding in there. If it's stuff that I'm comfortable welding up or replacing sheetmetal to stock, then I'll lean more towards restoration. I'll do wheels for sure, but otherwise focus on replacing old seals and rubber bits, see if I can get someone to bring the luster out in the paint again but if that fails I would paint it and keep the original color. It will be a driver, but aiming for a clean, OEM driver. Very unlikely it'll get GT flares at this point, don't want to bastardize it if it's a good example.

The 914 was $1,100
Yes, eleven hundred.

Ok, that's it for now. Looking forward to spending a month looking through old threads trying to learn as much as I can. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
76-914
post Feb 26 2016, 09:38 AM
Post #2


Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 13,455
Joined: 23-January 09
From: Temecula, CA
Member No.: 9,964
Region Association: Southern California



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
LowBridge
post Feb 26 2016, 09:47 AM
Post #3


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 370
Joined: 10-August 15
From: Lunenburg, MA
Member No.: 19,045
Region Association: North East States



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) nice to see a new teen owner, welcome to the community
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Optimusglen
post Feb 26 2016, 09:49 AM
Post #4


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 901
Joined: 26-February 16
From: Minneapolis
Member No.: 19,709
Region Association: Upper MidWest



QUOTE(LowBridge @ Feb 26 2016, 09:47 AM) *

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) nice to see a new teen owner, welcome to the community


Haha, I'm 33. Thanks though!

Or by teen owner do you mean 914 owner? I'm new to the slang too, if you couldn't tell.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
stevegm
post Feb 26 2016, 09:49 AM
Post #5


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,111
Joined: 14-July 14
From: North Carolina
Member No.: 17,633
Region Association: South East States



Welcome! I think you will find a lot of useful info here. And the members are a great group. You might consider coming down to Hershey in April for the Porsche-only swap meet and Mid-Engine Invasion. But from Minneapolis it might be a bit of a drive.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
JeffBowlsby
post Feb 26 2016, 09:50 AM
Post #6


914 Wiring Harnesses
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 8,439
Joined: 7-January 03
From: San Ramon CA
Member No.: 104
Region Association: None



1970-Early 1971 were the same. Some wiring changes happened late 1971.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Chris Pincetich
post Feb 26 2016, 10:01 AM
Post #7


B-)
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,082
Joined: 3-October 05
From: Point Reyes Station, CA
Member No.: 4,907
Region Association: Northern California



Great to hear there are still some good deals out there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
I'm having a ton of fun in my 1.7. With headers and extreme "lightening" of the car, my "cafe racer" 914 has beaten plenty of 2.0s at autocross events.
Good luck (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
iwanta914-6
post Feb 26 2016, 10:02 AM
Post #8


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 718
Joined: 26-June 09
From: Minnesota
Member No.: 10,510
Region Association: None



Welcome!

There was a little discussion the other day about this car. Also being from MN, I also saw it hit craigslist early in the morning and I knew it wouldn't last long at that price. If I had the time and money to work on a project I would have jumped on it myself.

I still don't have a 914 myself (yet) but I enjoy living vicariously through all of the members here on the world.

User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
maddog
post Feb 26 2016, 10:20 AM
Post #9


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 200
Joined: 19-May 03
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
Member No.: 710
Region Association: None



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) tons of info here
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Optimusglen
post Feb 26 2016, 10:26 AM
Post #10


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 901
Joined: 26-February 16
From: Minneapolis
Member No.: 19,709
Region Association: Upper MidWest



QUOTE(iwanta914-6 @ Feb 26 2016, 10:02 AM) *

Welcome!

There was a little discussion the other day about this car. Also being from MN, I also saw it hit craigslist early in the morning and I knew it wouldn't last long at that price. If I had the time and money to work on a project I would have jumped on it myself.

I still don't have a 914 myself (yet) but I enjoy living vicariously through all of the members here on the world.


Thank you! Yes, I was a bit shocked if the condition was as the seller described. I've yet to dig into it deeply, but I'm excited to do so. The downside is I feel like everyone else that contacted them are also online in all the groups I'm in, and they all despise me. eek.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
napasteve
post Feb 26 2016, 10:38 AM
Post #11


914 driving winemaker
***

Group: Members
Posts: 500
Joined: 2-January 13
From: Napa, CA
Member No.: 15,327
Region Association: Northern California



Optimusglen, your 914 looks like a great deal and it sounds like you have all the needed skills to get it on the road. You were the first to show up with cash so I wouldn't spend too much time thinking about the other potential buyers. It's also nice to read about the sellers being true to their word.

What is the color code for your car? Orange is a great color.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
PanelBilly
post Feb 26 2016, 10:50 AM
Post #12


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,788
Joined: 23-July 06
From: Kent, Wa
Member No.: 6,488
Region Association: Pacific Northwest



I was looking at that ad and thinking that the car might be a diamond in the rough. For your sake, I hope it is. Like your attitude that even if the car turns out to be a dog, it will be a good parts car. It never hurts to have an extra car in the garage. Teener a seem to enjoy company.

Welcome to the madness
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Optimusglen
post Feb 26 2016, 10:54 AM
Post #13


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 901
Joined: 26-February 16
From: Minneapolis
Member No.: 19,709
Region Association: Upper MidWest



Thanks guys!

I've tackled a fair share of rust repair. I feel like I can bring it back unless it's really really bad. We will see.

I did a rocker on my wifes old GTI.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c2.staticflickr.com-19709-1456505665.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/c1.staticflickr.com-19709-1456505665.2.jpg)

This wasn't too hard, and it was on a car I didn't really care too much about.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
falcor75
post Feb 26 2016, 11:37 AM
Post #14


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,578
Joined: 22-November 12
From: Sweden
Member No.: 15,176
Region Association: Scandinavia



Nice find and I hope it turns out to be a gem.
Remember that nothing pleases us like plenty of pictures. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
DCJosh
post Feb 26 2016, 11:40 AM
Post #15


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 77
Joined: 22-February 16
From: Mankato, MN
Member No.: 19,697
Region Association: Upper MidWest



That ad caused quite a stir amongst us MN locals. Post pics soon!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
aharder
post Feb 26 2016, 11:41 AM
Post #16


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,359
Joined: 6-September 11
From: Dallas Texas
Member No.: 13,524
Region Association: Southwest Region



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
iwanta914-6
post Feb 26 2016, 11:42 AM
Post #17


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 718
Joined: 26-June 09
From: Minnesota
Member No.: 10,510
Region Association: None



QUOTE(Optimusglen @ Feb 26 2016, 10:26 AM) *

The downside is I feel like everyone else that contacted them are also online in all the groups I'm in, and they all despise me. eek.


Don't worry about anyone that might be jealous. I am a little, but I knew I couldn't tackle a project right now. I am happy that someone like yourself ended up with it. You have a great attitude and obviously the skills to get another 914 back on the road. That's all we as 914 fanatics want, is to see as many saved as possible.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Shadowfax
post Feb 26 2016, 12:04 PM
Post #18


Show us the meaning of haste
***

Group: Members
Posts: 509
Joined: 19-January 15
Member No.: 18,340
Region Association: South East States



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)
Looks like it's in good hands. Congrats!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
rick 918-S
post Feb 26 2016, 12:21 PM
Post #19


Hey nice rack! -Celette
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 20,354
Joined: 30-December 02
From: Now in Superior WI
Member No.: 43
Region Association: Northstar Region



(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Duluth (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Big Len
post Feb 26 2016, 12:32 PM
Post #20


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,746
Joined: 16-July 13
From: Edgewood, New Mexico
Member No.: 16,126
Region Association: Southwest Region



awesome find...best of luck!!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post

18 Pages V  1 2 3 > » 
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 11:55 PM