Need input from a Porsche 914 guru

[MrNvgtr]

I'm trying to research the value of a 1970 Porsche 914 (with a 1.7 L). I met the owner and the car today. The one in question is extremely clean, free of any visible rust, and very original. Interior is good with no visible tears or cracks in the upholstery. If I were to rate it, I'd say it would be a 7 out of 10, with 1 being a rolling shell run by hampsters and 10 being a museum piece. The main deduction goes to the engine which looks pretty dirty and warn out. However, the car sounds and runs fine. One notable upgrade is a side-shift transmission.

Basically, the one in question is a cherry example of an early 914 with the lesser valued 1.7 L motor. Sorry, no photos at this time. What's a good value for such a car?

[jgerock]

The 914 is an overlooked Porsche that handles extremely well. You would be lucky to find one in excellent condition. I would think the later 2.0 litre model would command more money, especially with the Mahle brand alloy wheels which were optional. Make sure the targa roof section fits well, the battery area isn't corroded, the floor pan isn't rusted out, the doors don't drop when you open them, etc. Most F.I. engines were converted to either a single progressive or dual Webers.

I cannot guess at the value - maybe some PCA folks could assist you.

Here is one I found at a Beckely, WV small car show

[RIMSPOKE]

I'M NO GURU BUT I DID HAVE TWO OF THEM .

I REALLY DIDN'T LIKE THEM WHEN THEY WERE SELLING THEM NEW

BUT THE DESIGN STILL IS ONE THAT I FIND INTERESTING .

I WOULD SAY THAT THE DESIGN HAS AGED VERY WELL .

THEY HAVE SOME SERIOUS GOODIES FOR A CAR OF THEIR TIME .

EACH ONE CAME WITH A 5 SPEED TRANNY , 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES

AND IF YOU WANT IT TO BE A CONVERTIBLE , THE TOP COMES OFF AND STOWS QUITE NICELY .

IT YOU WANT IT TO BE A HARDTOP , IT BUTTONS UP ALMOST AIR TIGHT .

( THE BLACK ROOF CAN MAKE IT UNBEARABLY HOT IN THE SUMMER )

THE HANDLING IS CRISP , TAUGHT AND PREDICTABLE .

THE BALANCE & ROAD MANNERS ARE REMARKABLY GOOD .

IT WILL CORNER LIKE A ROLLER COASTER !

YOU WOULD BE AMAZED TO FIND HOW MANY OF THE PARTS ARE SHARED WITH THE 911 .

I FOUND THE BRAKES TO BE ADEQUATE BUT NOT MUCH MORE THAN THAT . LIKE SO MANY THINGS ABOUT THIS CAR , IT CAN BE UPGRADED .

I CHANGED THE FRONT CALIPERS TO BMW E-21 GRABBERS AND THIS SIMPLE SWITCH NEARLY DOUBLED THE PAD SIZE !

IT IS GREAT ON LONG TRIPS . THE FUEL TANK IS AT LEAST 50% LARGER THAN THE 2002 AND 30+ MPG IS NO PROBLEM .

THE DRIVING RANGE IS AMAZING .

TWO PEOPLE CAN PACK AN AMAZING AMOUNT OF STUFF INTO THE TWO TRUNKS .

IT CAN CRUZE ALL DAY ON THE OPEN ROAD AND YOU BARELY NEED TO STRETCH WHEN YOU GET OUT .

THE HEADROOM IS POOR . I AM 6'2" AND WAS NOT COMFORTABLE

SO I TOOK OUT THE DRIVER SEAT AND CUT OUT THE MOUNTING BRACKETS .

I LOWERED THE REAR PART OF THE SEAT BY ALMOST 3/4"

AND THIS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD .

THE 1.7 MOTOR IS THE LEAST DESIRABLE . MY CAR WAS A '75 WITH A 1.8 MOTOR . 2.0 MOTORS ARE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER .

THE 2.0 PARTS ARE MUCH HIGHER PRICED THAN THE 1.7 OR 1.8 .

WHILE THE VW TYPE 4 MOTOR IS LONG OUT OF PRODUCTION ,

THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT HAS NEVER STOOD STILL .

KITS ARE AVAILABLE TO BUILD IT INTO A 2.4 LITER THAT HAS

BAGS OF TORQUE , IS COMPLETELY RELIABLE AND WILL BLOW THE DOORS RIGHT OFF A GENUINE 914-6 .

IF YOU GO THAT ROUTE , YOU PROBABLY SHOULD LOOK INTO 911 BRAKES .

SOME MAINTENANCE CAN BE A BIT OUT OF LINE WITH REGULAR CARS .

FOR EXAMPLE , YOU HAVE TO DROP THE FRONT PART OF THE MOTOR TO

REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR .

CLUB SUPPORT IS A CRAPSHOOT . IT MAY BE 1/2 PORSCHE AND 1/2 VOLKSWAGEN BUT THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO HELP EITHER CAMP TO LIKE THEM .

I REALLY ENJOYED DRIVING MY ZAMBEZI GREEEN 914 , INFACT I WOULD

STILL BE DRIVING IT IF SOMEONE HADN'T REAR ENDED IT WHEN I WAS

SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT ONE DAY . SHU HAS THE CAR NOW , IT IS

REBUILDABLE AND MYA HIT THE STREETS AGAIN ONE DAY .

NO RUST IS A HUGE PLUS ! BE SURE TO LOOK UNDER THE BATTERY BOX .

RUST THERE IS ALMOST A GIVEN AND CAN BE SERIOUSLY STRUCTURAL .

MY CAR CAME FROM SOUTHERN CAL . AND IT HAD RUST THERE .

I MISS THAT CAR . IT IS ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE ONE ON THE ROAD !

[MrNvgtr]

Thanks gents. Sounds like a great car. The one I saw recently in person was an amazing example too. Though I decided to pass that one up for now due to bad timing with some other things going on, I'll keep these cars in mind.

[jgerock]

My '71 VW Beetle has rear disc brakes made up of 914 parts (including stock 914 rear rotors).

Back in the '80's, I pirated the large VDO tachometer from a wrecked 914 and installed it in my '75 VW.

If you want a Type IV air cooled engine built, see Jake Raby in Georgia for some "good stuff".

See here for some good info and great videos of MASSIVE Type IV VW power.

http://www.aircooledtechnology.com/