How did you get into 914's? Options

[dw914er]

i came home in the hospital in it (i think, or a sentra wagon, but a porsche always sounds better)


my mom has owned the car since new, so it has seen 4 kids grow up, and has always been the family car i guess (and was at my parents wedding, and pretty much everything else)



for me, it was when i was a little kid, and my dad would take me up to oak glen or the mountains, and just cruise i guess, and i thought it was one of the most fun things to do, so at like age 4 i claimed the car to be my hs car/project, and now im 18, and that is exactly what it became, and hopefully i can do the same for my kid one day

[jtf914]

My father managed the body shop at Stoddard through my childhood, and the boneyard there was my playground.

My 914-6 was restored at Stoddard in the early 80's before I bought it from my father. Is your dad Richard Brown? I have some letters/pictures from him giving my father updates on the cars progress.

-Justin

[scotty b]

Built my first show car at 17 y.o. ( Baja Bug) Wanted to put disc brakes on the rear, contacted the local Porsche guru, long story short I ended up working for him and got hooked on all things Porsche. Still in touch with my VW and Am roots though (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[twoskinuts]

Always loved VW's as a kid I built a bug model with a V8 in the front trunk with tilt nose!! I got my first 62 bug off my brother who put a 1600 in it an made it 12 volt I drove the thing in till the floor boards fell out!! Found a 68 ghia roller took the motor out of the bug put in the ghia ran that till I found my 75 914 witch I fell in love with at first site when they first came out!! In 79 I finely got my 914 drove it till 86 then I started to restore it to fine out it was wrecked pretty bad thats when I decided to go V8 chalon so I got the body kit cut the car up sandblasted the hole bottom of the tub built my motor. Then sh#t happen's an it sat for 20 years just this past summer I finely got to drive it again V8 power!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) I'm even deeper in love (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) now and my childhood dream a reality!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[96740]

I grew up on the Big Island of Hawaii and was very much influenced by VW's. My dad had owned two Carmen Ghia's before we moved from Malibu, and always talked about them. I was a Haole' boy there, and not living the rich "Mainland" import boy lifestyle. I moved to the Islands in 1969 and went through the low income housing public school BS. The guys who had the money for the HOT VW's were the Asians or Mokes. I almost ended up with a Pacer! God was with me that day. That's all I needed. Lucky for me I ended up with a Toyota Tercel.

My love of VW's drove me to the history of PORSCHE. Boy would I love to have a Porsche to take down to O.A's! I think there was maybe 1 or 2 914's on the island. Even less 911's. Hawaii back in the 70's and 80's was not a place to find a German sports car. To us, a decked out accord was cherry.

A 914 was a treat to see. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[jcd914]

I just vote "Watching 914's in racing" but that's not really true.
I got into 914's by working on them. I had been working for Porsche/Audi dealerships for 9 years. At the dealerships we did not get a lot of 914's and if we did there was usually another tech that had experience on them, so I did not get many to work on. I had kind of a NARP attitude and did not like trying to do anything in the engine compartment so I was quite happy to let others deal with "those" cars.
In the late 80's I went to work for an independent shop in Sacramento (Autosport Technology). At Autosport we did a lot of 914's and a lot of Auto-x and time trial cars. I started doing the suspension set ups at the direction of Dwight Mitchell and I learned not only how to set these up but I also learned how good they could go. That got me hooked on 914's and the mid-engine concept.
I bought my first 914 from a customer that bought a 911. I scrounged and bartered anything I could to make the suspension work and I started Auto-X.

Jim

[techM471]

I have always liked Porsches & motorsports. In 1983 at the age of 15 I bought my first car a 73' 914 2.0 cost me $500. Before I got my license I would sneak out and go for a drive. Drove it through out high school year round even in heavy snow. Was a great first car and the envy of my classmates. Bought my 2nd 914 a 75' in 1988 still have the 75'.
Would love to still have the 73'.

[yellow914]

I'm 46 and have owned many sports cars. I always like the look and style of the 914 in particular the 914-6 which I drove one once in 1981 it was $11,000.00 at he time...nope too steep for me. I've owned (2) 240Z, 1967 Jag E-type ford V-8, Alfa Spider, (2) 1966 Mustang Fastback...but the car I fell in love with was my 1974 911 Carrera black with red graphics...I smiled everytime I started that car...but alas kids grew up...and we needed money blah blah blah...it sold in 45 minutes on craigslist!

My youngest turned 13 last year and we wanted a project so we bought a beater 1975 914 1.8...and I fell in love...it needs more power but all around just fun fun fun....it cerainly will NOT be my last 914. BTW the 13 year old....lost interest quickly and now wants an El Camino?....apparently he takes after my wife...pathetic!!

[Geezer914]

Test drove one in 1974 just before graduating colege. in California. Got married and bought a Triumph TR4. Drove that around until a guy ran a stop sign and totaled the Triumph. Along came the kids (3 boys) and life went on. Just finished building a 1964 Cobra replica which I can't use as a daily driver. Subscribed to Vintage Motorsports Magazine and began reading articles on the 914. Picked up a 1975 with very little rust and I am in the process of rebuilding the suspension and interior. Can't wait to get it on the road! The 914 has so much potential from bone stock to turning it into a vintage racer.

['73-914kid]

Let's see... year 2007. I was 13, and for Christmas I got GT Legends for computer and a racing wheel. Went through the game, and loved how this little 914-6 could beat any other high HP car around the track. This was only a game, but it was my first real exposure to the whole "go-kart" handling. Didn't think much of it then, as I thought it was ugly. Just didn't have the sexy lines like the corvettes.

September 2008. My 15th birthday. My dad and I knew it was time to look for a car, so I'd have a year to build it (it wasn't supposed to be driveable. that was the deal we had) My dad had always wanted a Datsun 510. Independent rear supsension, and sedan handling. I guess there was some guy he saw while racing SCCA thatjust thrashed and killed at the track in a dark green 510. Went and looked at what I thought was going to be my first car. a Beautiful light blue '72 L20B 510 with dual webers. the guy wanted 5k, and my dad said the car was only really worth 4,500, so no go. I was not happy...depressed, and felt deprived of what I thought was supposed to be my first car. 2 days later, I was looking around on craigslist at random cars I thought would be cool. Vega's, el camino's, more 510's, and then the 914 came into picture. Found an add for a 1973 non-option car with a problemed 2.0l motor with a rod knock and spun bearings. Tjhe car was complete and in good condition. 2k. worked him to 1,900 and took it home the next day.

The rest, is history. One parts car, 3 sets of wheels, and 3k $$$ later, It's still not done, but I love this thing.

[neil30076]

Bought a 72 1.7 on Martha's Vineyard in 1980. Already had a 924, wife wanted a 914. It had blown out a spark plug, lots of rust in the kick panels on both sides, no hell hole yet - pulled teh engine and di a complete rebuild, then resprayed it dark blue. Drove it in Boston, wife put a dent in front left fender, fixed that - moved to SF Bay area and sold it in 82. Sold 924 and bought a 928 - still have it - fast forward 25 years to 2007 - saw a 72 1.7 for sale, in a sorry state but little rust, bought it, rebuilt most everything, repainted same (almost) blue - still have it.
1982

2009

[Todd Enlund]

I voted "Love at First Sight" because it is the closest fit... I learned about the mid engine and handling, the low polar moment... and it was a Porsche. I've wanted one on and off since I was a teenager. My art teacher in 1977 had one, but that really wasn't a factor.

I wasn't looking for one when I got mine... I took it in trade for services as a wedding photographer.

[jmill]

My neighbor had a siver 914-6 in the 70's. I always loved the look and sound of it. He put on just the rear flares in late 70's early 80's. It looked even better. He ended up getting killed in a house fire shortly after that trying to save the car. Sad story. Anyhow I always loved the car and it took 40 years for me to actually bite the bullet and get one. I've spent tons of money and time on other cars I didn't care for as much. I might as well do it with a car I actually want to keep.

[914werke]

I dont know about "love at first sight" but it WAS pure happenstance.

[porschecb]

Let's see... year 2007. I was 13, and for Christmas I got GT Legends for computer and a racing wheel. Went through the game, and loved how this little 914-6 could beat any other high HP car around the track. This was only a game, but it was my first real exposure to the whole "go-kart" handling. Didn't think much of it then, as I thought it was ugly. Just didn't have the sexy lines like the corvettes.

September 2008. My 15th birthday. My dad and I knew it was time to look for a car, so I'd have a year to build it (it wasn't supposed to be driveable. that was the deal we had) My dad had always wanted a Datsun 510. Independent rear supsension, and sedan handling. I guess there was some guy he saw while racing SCCA thatjust thrashed and killed at the track in a dark green 510. Went and looked at what I thought was going to be my first car. a Beautiful light blue '72 L20B 510 with dual webers. the guy wanted 5k, and my dad said the car was only really worth 4,500, so no go. I was not happy...depressed, and felt deprived of what I thought was supposed to be my first car. 2 days later, I was looking around on craigslist at random cars I thought would be cool. Vega's, el camino's, more 510's, and then the 914 came into picture. Found an add for a 1973 non-option car with a problemed 2.0l motor with a rod knock and spun bearings. Tjhe car was complete and in good condition. 2k. worked him to 1,900 and took it home the next day.

The rest, is history. One parts car, 3 sets of wheels, and 3k $$$ later, It's still not done, but I love this thing.

Great story! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Porcharu]

Other! I got into 914 because of the after market support of our cars. I had a 75' VW Scirocco and could not buy a windshield gasket (or the windshield) I also found out that I could not get gaskets for the rear windows either. Ended up just cutting up the car and tossing it.
Steve

[azbill]

Had a 1.7 in about 77 in Houston Tx. used as daily driver. It was a rust bucket but a fun car. Sold the car when I was transferred to Saudi Arabia. Never frogot the fun. When I retired I need a project and bought my 73 2.0 from a friend. Its done and a kick in the pants to drive.

[JimmyG]

In 1982 when I got a drivers license I had a 73 bug and liked the car but it was missing the responsiveness of my go cart. I had a neighbor that had a 914 and drove it and the rest is history. In 82 you could get a 914 pretty cheap so I bought a 71 canary yellow car with leaking push rod tubes and drove proudly around in a plume of smoke. I have had 20 or so since then in, I think, every year made and have not been without one at anytime. If I could get the three I have now finished life would be complete!

[turboturtle]

First love voter here. Strolled the Porsche lot when I was a teener myself. Drooled on all of them. I still had the hots for a 911T however. I finally got a chance to work on them in 1980. We had some fast ones through our shop. It was then when knew I would own one.
Fast forward a dozen years or so. One of my kayaking buds married into the one his new bride had. After just a short while, he wanted Jennifer in a more reliable late model car. It just happened that I had been the last person to ask for the car if it ever went up for sale. Jennifer called me one day and asked if I was still interested in purchasing the car, of which I said I would love to. She even passed along a notebook of all the names and numbers of any and everybody who had ever offered to buy it if it ever came up for sale.
It's been in my hands now for the last seventeen years. I can't see me ever parting ways with it. Even today, the only non original parts consist of a Petronics, steering wheel, shift knob and paint color. I added the petronics igniter assembly. No regrets! Ever!

[Cupomeat]

Great thread, thanks for resurecting it!

When I was 12 - 15 my school bus used to go past this one house and in the front yard was a 914, tucked up against the wall and looking VERY abused.

I would look at it and wonder what it would take to get that car. At the time I was known for dragging old beetles out of peoples back yard around the town and then either parting them, or sometimes reselling them for barely the parts it took.

When I went to high school, I walked to school so no more bus trip past the car, but duing my Junior year, I started to go by the car again and as I was almost allowed to get a license, the mind went wild.

SO, i stopped by one day and asked if the car was for sale after looking to find the engine out on a bench, the transmission under the bench and the car in pretty good shape overall, for a NE car. It also hadn't been driven for 7 years and had only 33k miles.
The wife answered and was clearly eager to get rid of it. I was young and offered $900 (about twice what I should have) and dragged it home.

Within a month, the engine was re-ringed and running (had to go carbs for a while until I had the money to fix the FI) and the car was mine for my Sr. Year of HS.

That was all in 1987 and I still have it. I am often thankful that 914 were not the loved cars that 911s were, otherwise, I would never be on this forum.