Search For a 914

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5chn3ll
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by 5chn3ll » Wed Jun 24, 2020 4:39 pm

You must be mistaken - the ad clearly states "Interior is flawless."

No battery tray photo...hm...
Cuda911 wrote: Tue Jun 23, 2020 2:19 pm There are no clear answers on the carb issue, but I'm only interested in cars with original FI. The interior of that car is a mess!

Understeer: You will hit the wall with the front end.
Oversteer: You will hit the wall with the rear end.
Horsepower: How hard you will hit the wall.
Torque: How far you will move the wall.

Gone hunting with Alec Baldwin and Dick Cheney. Back soon.

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:16 am

Copied from a post in the carsandbids.com thread so that I can document my thought process when later I look back and wonder "what the hell was I thinking when I did that?":

. . . it seems that 914s with a reasonable list of needs can still be had for under $10,000. There's a yellow one down in Arkansas that's not half bad that the owner seems desperate to unload (which makes me nervous). He's asking $8,500, but I'm pretty sure I could get it for some number that starts with a 6. There's another guy up in Nebraska that has a blue one that needs quite a bit more work, but I believe it is a '73 2.0 (best year & engine other than a 914/6) and he's asking $5,000. I'm waiting to see how the color change on the X1/9 comes out. If I can get a decent color change done for $4,000, then both of those cars become candidates because I can do the color change to Ravenna Green, fix up some other stuff and still be in them for well under $15,000. I'm convinced that it's going to take close to $20k to buy an original Ravenna Green car in decent shape. Plus, the $4,000 or $6,000 buy-in cost is a LOT easier to sell to the Bride of FRUNKenstein than $20,000. Sort of the frog in the pot situation - easier to sell her on a low buy-in cost with additional money spent over time later. I just don't want it to be too much of a project. The yellow car down in Arkansas seems to be a pretty good candidate for this approach. It's presentable and supposedly in decent driving shape as it was brought back from the dead over the past 12 months mechanically. A color change ($4,000) and new interior (I don't know, but I assume $2,000 or so) and a few other baubles would give me a great looking car, albeit a color changed car, for around $12,000 or $13,000.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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Cuda911
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by Cuda911 » Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:37 am

Just be careful to check any car in person. The vast majority are crap, even though they may look good in pix and description.
Mike

'68 Ford Custom 500; '70 Plymouth Cuda; '71 Ford Econoline; 73 Porsche 914 1.7, '74 Porsche 914 1.8; '74 Suzuki TC185; '86 Suzuki GS450L; '88 Subaru GL104WD Turbo Ltd Edn;; '88 Subaru XT; '91 Lexus ES250; '93 Jeep Wrangler, '99 Porsche Boxster, '03 Turbo VW Beetle; '03 Porsche Boxster; '03 Porsche Carrera C2; '07 Porsche Cayman, '11 BMW 328i, '12 Porsche 991 S, '14 Porsche Cayman, & a mishmash of other vehicles.

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:10 pm

Cuda911 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:37 am Just be careful to check any car in person. The vast majority are crap, even though they may look good in pix and description.
Concur. I'm not in any hurry, and the little red flags are waving furiously in the back of my mind. I seriously doubt I buy anything in the next 6 months unless it's just a deal I can't refuse or exactly, exactly what I'm looking for. We just started down the remodeling slippery slope with our house, so pretty much all of the disposable cash is getting sucked away by that.

I'll keep my eyes open, but it's got to be a helluva deal to make me pull the trigger. Case in point, I'm currently the high bidder on an orange '73 2.0 with functioning R134 AC on BaT at $9,914. I might go up to $12,000 on that car. That would be a great deal. But I suspect that car will top $15,000 rather easily.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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32wildbilly
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by 32wildbilly » Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:17 pm

FRUNKenstein wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:10 pm
Cuda911 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 10:37 am Just be careful to check any car in person. The vast majority are crap, even though they may look good in pix and description.
Concur. I'm not in any hurry, and the little red flags are waving furiously in the back of my mind. I seriously doubt I buy anything in the next 6 months unless it's just a deal I can't refuse or exactly, exactly what I'm looking for. We just started down the remodeling slippery slope with our house, so pretty much all of the disposable cash is getting sucked away by that.

I'll keep my eyes open, but it's got to be a helluva deal to make me pull the trigger. Case in point, I'm currently the high bidder on an orange '73 2.0 with functioning R134 AC on BaT at $9,914. I might go up to $12,000 on that car. That would be a great deal. But I suspect that car will top $15,000 rather easily.
Cept for maybe a 40th 911... :roll:
Never gonna make you cry...

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:28 pm

32wildbilly wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:17 pm Cept for maybe a 40th 911... :roll:
That 40th Ann car on carsandbids.com at my current bid would be a good example of "a deal I can't refuse." That's a beautiful car.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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32wildbilly
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Posts: 5758
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:46 pm
Location: Kneebraska

Re: Search For a 914

Post by 32wildbilly » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:30 pm

FRUNKenstein wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:28 pm
32wildbilly wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 1:17 pm Cept for maybe a 40th 911... :roll:
That 40th Ann car on carsandbids.com at my current bid would be a good example of "a deal I can't refuse." That's a beautiful car.
Only seen one in person. The paint is interesting.
Never gonna make you cry...

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by FRUNKenstein » Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:56 pm

32wildbilly wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:30 pm
FRUNKenstein wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:28 pm

That 40th Ann car on carsandbids.com at my current bid would be a good example of "a deal I can't refuse." That's a beautiful car.
Only seen one in person. The paint is interesting.
And just like that, I'm out of the pool. It's now at $13,500.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: Search For a 914

Post by FRUNKenstein » Tue Jul 07, 2020 3:11 pm

Well, my opinion of BringATrailer.com as a way to get top dollar for any Porsche has not changed. Today there was an auction for a nice, unique '73 914 2.0 liter car:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973- ... 14-2-0-25/


I threw in a couple of bids on it early in the auction, but I knew it would sell for $15K plus and I just wasn't that excited about it. The year, color and engine were all good, but it was one of those "preservation" type cars. In other words, it was pretty beat up. But, the seller had still replaced the seat inserts and carpets, so it really wasn't a true "preservation" car.

Bottom line is that it got bid up to $23,500 and then was a freaking no-sale! The seller, who was the 2nd owner, kept hyping this 10 minute video that Porsche had supposedly commissioned to tell the story of the car and the original owner. I watched the video, and it was well done. But, it really didn't chronicle that great of a story. Here's the takeaway: Guy goes to medical school. Graduates in 1973. Buys a 914 because he can't afford a 911 due to the German currency getting strong. Keeps the 914 and drives it for many years. Moves to Arizona and lives at the end of a 1 mile long dirt road. Still drives the 914. It gets dents and scratches and beat up. His friends tell him to just keep driving it and don't worry about fixing it up. So, he doesn't fix it up. That's pretty much it for the video.

The guy in the video sells the car to a person who lives in Florida. That person has kept if for a couple of years. Replaced the carpet and the seat inserts because they are cracked. Doesn't really clean the car up any. Takes the car to the Amelia Island Concours this winter, which is local to him, and displays it there because it is the 50th anniversary of the 914. Then, puts it up for sale on BaT.

I'm sorry, but the car itself is kind of crappy. I know it is mostly original, but this isn't some kind of rare or pedigreed vehicle. It isn't in as good of shape as the one that was for sale in Panorama earlier this spring that the guy was asking $10,000 for and ended up bumping his price to $15,000. That car had a similar story - the guy had owned it for 28 years and hadn't really done much to it. The video is a nice little add to the package, but it ain't worth $10,000. Frankly, I'm surprised BaT took it with a reserve above $15,000 or so. I'm surprised it was bid above $20,000. And then to decline the $23,500 bid seems like lunacy to me.

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www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

User avatar
32wildbilly
Never gonna run around and desert you
Posts: 5758
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2018 2:46 pm
Location: Kneebraska

Re: Search For a 914

Post by 32wildbilly » Tue Jul 07, 2020 5:04 pm

FRUNKenstein wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2020 3:11 pm Well, my opinion of BringATrailer.com as a way to get top dollar for any Porsche has not changed. Today there was an auction for a nice, unique '73 914 2.0 liter car:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973- ... 14-2-0-25/


I threw in a couple of bids on it early in the auction, but I knew it would sell for $15K plus and I just wasn't that excited about it. The year, color and engine were all good, but it was one of those "preservation" type cars. In other words, it was pretty beat up. But, the seller had still replaced the seat inserts and carpets, so it really wasn't a true "preservation" car.

Bottom line is that it got bid up to $23,500 and then was a freaking no-sale! The seller, who was the 2nd owner, kept hyping this 10 minute video that Porsche had supposedly commissioned to tell the story of the car and the original owner. I watched the video, and it was well done. But, it really didn't chronicle that great of a story. Here's the takeaway: Guy goes to medical school. Graduates in 1973. Buys a 914 because he can't afford a 911 due to the German currency getting strong. Keeps the 914 and drives it for many years. Moves to Arizona and lives at the end of a 1 mile long dirt road. Still drives the 914. It gets dents and scratches and beat up. His friends tell him to just keep driving it and don't worry about fixing it up. So, he doesn't fix it up. That's pretty much it for the video.

The guy in the video sells the car to a person who lives in Florida. That person has kept if for a couple of years. Replaced the carpet and the seat inserts because they are cracked. Doesn't really clean the car up any. Takes the car to the Amelia Island Concours this winter, which is local to him, and displays it there because it is the 50th anniversary of the 914. Then, puts it up for sale on BaT.

I'm sorry, but the car itself is kind of crappy. I know it is mostly original, but this isn't some kind of rare or pedigreed vehicle. It isn't in as good of shape as the one that was for sale in Panorama earlier this spring that the guy was asking $10,000 for and ended up bumping his price to $15,000. That car had a similar story - the guy had owned it for 28 years and hadn't really done much to it. The video is a nice little add to the package, but it ain't worth $10,000. Frankly, I'm surprised BaT took it with a reserve above $15,000 or so. I'm surprised it was bid above $20,000. And then to decline the $23,500 bid seems like lunacy to me.
It is crazy to set the reserve above $23,500 and even crazier that someone bid that high. That car is pretty much junk. Of course nothing an additional @$40k wouldn't make better.
Never gonna make you cry...

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