Contracted 914 fever— is this the car to cure it?, What do you think of this ‘73 914 2.0 on Bat— pass or play? Options

[trylon]

You got a peach of an example; no wonder that you're having so much fun with it.

As for the headlights, there are LED upgrades that make it more usable at night. Personally, I put in Halogen H4s about a decade ago, and I still don't love driving it at night. I'm probably due for the LED upgrade too.

Nice upgrade in fruit, my first classic was a lemon.

The night drive would have been pleasant if not for the hurry around me. I so prefer stock that I would rather not put that glare on the front. Don’t do much night driving, will have to weigh all options.

[trylon]

Here is the most glaring bit in the interior:



Such an odd wound in such a clean car.

Unobtainium?

Buy a parts car?

Roll your own?

[930cabman]

914 Rubber? or parts car, I am sure this is available

[trylon]

914 Rubber? or parts car, I am sure this is available

I see the piece below it at 914Rubber:

https://914rubber.com/upper-roll-bar-pad-for-914

But I don’t even see the piece in question in the exploded diagram:



Or am I missing something?

[trylon]

I think I found it!

[trylon]

ChatGPT4 handles image input.
Unbelievably well.

[trylon]

Saw these 2019 in Wolfsburg.



I think that is when the seed was replanted…

[trylon]

Replacement for the damaged part came:



Came with no screws and the originals are too short. Need to be twice the length to project the same amount. Found some that worked at Home Depot.



‘course, missing three of these:

[trylon]

“Turn on, tune in, drop out”
Estate where Timothy Leary had his psychedelic epiphany.

[trylon]

First up — gonna see what’s going on with that front bumper.

[trylon]

So is this a tire that might have been on the vehicle originally?

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/michelin-xa...ial-n-code.html

[Porschef]

I think the XZX were, if not an option.







Hecho in Francaise

[trylon]

Well, they would certainly be less expensive:

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/165sr15-michelin-xzx.html

[930cabman]

I would guess either one, XWX or XAS would give the closest to original feel. Got to love the skinny ones

[trylon]

Leaning towards the XAS— 165mm tire width work with the Fuchs on the car?

[930cabman]

Leaning towards the XAS— 165mm tire width work with the Fuchs on the car?

IIRC, the wheel width needs to be 4.5

[flipb]

Leaning towards the XAS— 165mm tire width work with the Fuchs on the car?

I have 165s on my stock Mahle wheels. That should be the correct size for a factory 914/4 wheel.

(For what it's worth, I bought Vredestein T-Tracs -- modern tread and compound but vintage size. Excellent grip.)

[trylon]

Well, the Fuchs wheels seem to be 6.5 inches wide!

Closest match for that width seems to be:
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/180hr15-michelin-xas.html

It’s a tube tire— didn’t know they made such a thing anymore.

Here’s what’s on the vehicle now, at their expiration point:



Pulled it. You can see what was done to fit the 5 bolt wheels.



Was surprised at the light nuts used. Any idea what to torque them to?

[trylon]

So I am assuming that these light lug nuts are aluminum and should therefor be torqued at 94.

[trylon]

BAT requested a story to post on their “Success” page.

A Happy Mistake
————————

I made a terrible mistake.

It might have been the glow of the dash-lights or that of the beautiful young girl driving it but my first ride in a sports car was a heady experience. “It’s an MGB” she said.

In 1971, I drove my first new car off the dealership lot, a shiny new white MGB-GT. A friend admonished me, "You should've bought a Porsche 914," but the model wasn't even on my radar. The car of that romantic night drive had beckoned me. But I wondered— had I made a terrible mistake?

It wasn't until years later, long after the MGB-GT was gone, that I found myself behind the wheel of a Porsche 914, my mother-in-law's.

Another romantic night drive ensued, this time with my new wife. Astonishingly, I didn't "get it" at first. Even after a drive in the mountains over L.A the car didn't leave a lasting impression. But time has a way of altering our perspectives.

Fast forward to the present day, when an opportunity to own a 1973 Porsche 914 2.0 presented itself on BAT. I had come to really appreciate its lines and, well, “my friends all have Porsche’s, I must make amends.” Didn’t know what to expect but this time was profoundly different. Each turn, each acceleration, felt like a revelation—this was the driving experience I'd been unknowingly seeking all my life.

Looking back, I see that what felt like a missed opportunity had actually paved the way for this belated epiphany. The years, the circumstances, and even my own changing tastes had conspired to make this a moment worth waiting for. In a twist of fate, my initial "mistake" and the circuitous journey that followed had led me to a deep and genuine appreciation for something I'd once overlooked.

As I ready myself for a drive on the long and winding road that awaits, I reflect on how my supposed misstep was actually a necessary detour. It was a journey that taught me that some things in life need to be revisited to be truly appreciated. And as the engine purrs to life, I know that this isn’t just a drive; it’s a pilgrimage to celebrate the roads traveled and the paths yet to be explored.