How did you get into 914's? Options

[Jeffs9146]

I had a 67 Mustang Convertable that I restored from the ground up. When I moved to Hollywood, CA I wrecked it on Mulhulen Dr (that V8 was pushing the front end in funny ways) and almost died. So I went out in search of a car that would make it around the corner that almost killed me! Low and behold I found my first 914 and it was a 6....wow what a car! Well after many years of pleasure my pride and joy was totaled by some drunk driver in a Lincoln Town Car. So I just keep buying them and trying to get the original feeling back with my first one. Some day my current 6 will be better than the old one!!

Photo Proof:

[black73]

My 914's original owner was a good friend of my wife. In fact, she was a passenger in the car on the day we met. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)
She always loved the car, so when it became available, about 5 years later, I bought it!
The rest ...shall we say... is history. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

[Garland]

In 1971 a buddy sold his Bug, and got a new 914. In 1976 I got it, and it got me! I then owned many (10 or so) as street, race, and parts cars. I learned about cars when I was young. I am 50 now and been bulding (playing) with the 914 for 30 years. I love the look of the car, the way it drives, and great handling. Right now I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) own 4 914.

Great car, great club.

Thanks to all of you, for being 914 lover's.

[project-914]

I was at a local track (Hallett in OK) with my dad, and saw a guy with one and he had a saab turbo engine swap...I said "an MR car that was cheap and easily raceable"...so we bought one...my other car is a subaru wrx so I thought I would do a subaru swap into it...the perfect racecar...for a boyhood dream...I turn 18 in May...and I'm building a racecar with the pops...I'll be the driver...and he'll be my bitch haha love him...the father/son relationship I've always wanted

[highways]

I had a 67 Mustang Convertable that I restored from the ground up. When I moved to Hollywood, CA I wrecked it on Mulhulen Dr (that V8 was pushing the front end in funny ways) and almost died. So I went out in search of a car that would make it around the corner that almost killed me! Low and behold I found my first 914 and it was a 6....wow what a car! Well after many years of pleasure my pride and joy was totaled by some drunk driver in a Lincoln Town Car. So I just keep buying them and trying to get the original feeling back with my first one. Some day my current 6 will be better than the old one!!

Photo Proof:

WOWSERS! That's incredible! I mean a 914 getting hit head on by a Lincoln Town car- and the passenger compartement surviving that well. Any idea what the combined speed of impact was and the circumstances/angle? I've heard that 914's have great crumple zones but your pic looks like proof positive of the best...

[Jeffs9146]

Yes, it is amazing that I survived! I was traveling about 35 and the other guy was going almost 50! I had a full sized spare tire that caught the front of the hood and pushed the car up and away. My car was pushed back almost 50 feet and into the front of a house.

We did not come out without injuries though! My friend received 186 stiches on his face and legs. I broke my neck, back, jaw and nose when I hit the steering wheel. I should have died! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

I was also very surprised at how well the car survived. The body was sold to a guy who put everything into a 4 chassis in Santa Cruz. I think it is still around there somewhere!

Jeff

[porsha916]

Great stories!!!!!!!
My first car was a 356 sc I paid $300 for, The owner said the engine was siezed, I had it running that day, drove it for a couple years. Rebuilt the engine and sold it in 1976 for $1750, and was looking for a 911, and saw an ad for a 914-6, payed $4000, it had 45,000 miles on it, I let my sister drive it and then rebuilt the engine (I think she over rev'd it) Sold it in 1981 when I started Navy flight school, (Big mistake (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ) Got out of the Navy in 1991, and bought a ax 4cyl 914, raced a 914/4 at a circle track in a 4cyl division for 4 years. Built a track car each year! A contact sport! Helped build a 6 conversion, 327 v8 conversion, and numerous other cars. Currently own 12 914's , including an ax and a 215v8 conversion.

I am not sure hooked quite covers it!!!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Rick L]

This is my first 914. I've always enjoyed small cars from triumphs to fieros. My estranged brother intro'd me to his 74 914. It took one ride and 20 mph corner at 60 mph to hook me. Now I own the car and he bought an ass-dragger that he's currently restoring.

Good Stuff! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/thumb3d.gif)

[Rav914]

I've loved Porsche's since I was a little kid. Drove my first, a '62 356B, when I was 15. It was my girlfriend's (she was 16). I was surprised at how underpowered it was and amazed at how absolutely perfect it felt. I knew I was hooked for life. I've owned a few pre-74 911's since then because they were what I could afford to buy. But I sold them all, even my '67S Targa, these past couple of years due to escalating values. I bought a '74 911S and called it good. But I've kept my eye out for a nice 914.

I've always thought 914's were so sleek looking and the sparseness appeals to me. I bought a '74 1.8 Ravenna Green a few weeks ago. I haven't driven it yet, been refurbishing it ya' know. But I've driven a few others and love the feel. It's enough for me just to look at them. Beautiful Porsche!

Now if I could just locate that barn find LE (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[JPB]

So I drives this 914 in PA and gets it. The drive stayed in my mind and only drove it from the paint shop to home and one spirited run on my street. Then, I gets this second one just recently. Am i hooked? Hell no but convinced its the only car I want to afford, work on and get more of. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[HalM]

Back in 1973 I was in the Marine Corps stationed at Quantico. We needed a new car and a buddy convinced me to go look at the "new" Audi Fox. So we drove up to Fairfax one evening to the Porsche-Audi dealer (HBL???). So I am standing there getting the pitch from the sales guy about how wonderful the Fox is. I look around for my wife so she can hear this stuff and she is practically making love to a new 914 2.0. Needless to say, we drove it home that night. Sunflower yellow, brown leatherette, no appearance group, steel wheels and caps. Today she drives a 993 and I just took delivery of my 3rd 914.

A funny follow-on story is that we take the 914 back a few weeks later for its 500 mile inspection. I am standing in line at the cashier to get the keys and the lady in front of me goes absolutely hysterical when she is handed her bill for a major service on her Audi 100LS (as best I remember). The 914 service was part of the purchase or very reasonable because we didn't bat an eye and why I remember the story.

We sold it a year later when she was too pregnant to get in or out. So we did the responsible thing: Bought a Pinto Station wagon!!! Young and dumb, for sure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

No pictures of the yellow car, but here is a link to my 2nd 914. Wish I still had it!

[fitsbain]

What about, "Someone gave it to me for free"???

[fitsbain]

What about, "Someone gave it to me for free"???

[GWN7]

I lost a bet...........now I have 7 of them

[charliew]

I always thought they were uuugly and underpowered. I've had a couple of bugs still got the first, a 58. In 1970 I put a isky hydraulic camed 1500 in it with air conditioning. Oh yeah I made it into a pickup. I've been building a manx style fiberjet cobra with a wrx and 901 and decided mid engine wrx would be really neat and a lot quicker build. My son hot rods a wrx sti. I 've got lots of suby parts and have found a really clean 74 1.8 air cond. car from colo. and wyoming with very little rust. Sooo it's slowly getting started. I've nearly broke the bank with parts orders. Still gotta get guages. Haven't decided on wheels. I've got some repro. 15 fuchs, I think they're 7 and 8 inches, they were for the buggy but originally for a speedster thats still waiting on me to caress it. I also got a good deal on some 02 911 chrome 18 turbo wheels but they're really wide 8 and 11 inches. They were a really good buy though. They'll probably end up on the buggy. I can't seem to keep up with all the conversion threads, they all have something new to pick up on. So many ways to skin a cat. I will do all my own fabricating, wiring, painting and whatever. I have nerve damage in my left arm and hand (no grip) from a motorcycle accident a few years ago but it only makes me think a little harder and slows me a little. I love building gas powered vehicles. May try a diesel tow truck before long. My drivers are a 86 lifted 2 inches blazer with a 350 ram jet, 700r4 and two fieros, a 86 v6 gt and a 88 3.4 v6 5spd gt. the 86 is painted porsche guards red. Thats probably the color I will paint the 914.

Charlie

[PeeGreen 914]

Lol... It is great reading how you all got into 914s. I got into them because the tech in the bay next to mine AX his. I was AXing an RSA, and he let me drive his 914. I liked it so much I had to get my own. Then I had a very bad experience with the first one I bought. The guy fuched me. However, I didn't let that get me down. I learned a lot about 914s because of that pile O chit. Now I have a great 914, and I try not to look back.

[derekdenman]

I grew up racing go karts so when it came time to buy a car it was the only way to go.

[Todd Enlund]

My Junior High art teacher in Oak Harbor, Washington 1977-78 had an Orange 914. I thought it was cool. I've been through various Z-cars, and finally got my first 914 last month. I traded my services as a wedding photographer for a 1971 Tangerine roller. Needs a drivers side pan and work in the hell hole. Hoping to put an STi engine in it, but I am open to anything interesting.

I believe this would be my ultimate choice:

http://www.h1v8.com/page/page/1562068.htm

It's a bit beyond my means, though... and at 3000 miles between overhauls, not exactly a daily driver.

[Johny Blackstain]

My Dad bought the LE new & I was w/ him & rode shotgun in her May 01, 1974 right off the lot. 2 years later I snuck her out for my 1st drive, while he was away on a business trip, 3 yrs before I got my license (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) . I bought the six last January.

[fiid]

I wanted an Elise and they weren't available at the time. The 914 seemed like the next best thing. I also thought it would be awesome with a Subaru turbo engine in it.
Turns out: it is. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)