FRUNKenstein’s ‘75 914 2.0

[FRUNKenstein]

Bought the car yesterday from a local collector, Bernhard Arnold. He had owned it for 4 1/2 years. He bought it from a man in Lee’s Summit, who bought it in 2013 from a man named Bob in Terre Haute, IN. Bob bought it in 2009 from someone in Panama City, FL. In 2008, the engine was rebuilt and changed to dual Weber carbs along with a matching camshaft. Between the engine rebuild and 2013, the car was driven approximately 10,000 miles. Bernhard said he only put about 150 miles on it during his 4 1/2 year ownership.

Bernhard had an extensive file of receipts for work done back to 2008 that he handed off to me. I haven’t had the chance to go through the car yet to make a “to do” list. At present, it needs the rocker panel covers put back on. There are some cheesy mods that need to removed (windshield tint across the top, some paper miniblind thingies mounted to the inside of the A-pillars). It needs a replacement for the crappy, aging aftermarket stereo.

Although not many miles on the oil, Bernhard said it has been at least 2 years since it was changed.

The car does backfire some when coming off the throttle at high RPMs. Bernhard said he was advised to try smaller venturis.

[Cuda911]

And so the journey begins.... congrats!

[FRUNKenstein]

Thanks Mike! This is the 6th car in my hooptie fleet. Other than the 996TT, all of them are worth less than $20,000 per. So, I won’t worry about putting on miles or getting rock chips. That being said, I want them all to be solid, well-maintained, good looking cars that would look at home in the museum. I’m not sure I’ll ever get this 914 up to the standard of your Olympic Blue car.

This morning, I installed the rocker panel covers. I am missing a couple of screws and some of them are rusty, so I’ll swing by the hardware store to get some new stainless steel ones.

The passenger side door doesn’t open from the outside, so I need to get in there and connect or repair whatever linkage isn’t working.

[FRUNKenstein]

I was able to strip off the goofy carbon fiber sunshade across the top of the windshield, then removed the paper miniblinds from the A-pillars today.

11C2A609-E69E-4F2F-82CE-9E7A5F4E8E8E.jpeg (103.81 KiB) Viewed 3062 times

Last night I ordered 2 new roof holder clips for the broken ones in the rear trunk ($7 each). Part number 914-559-219-10.

I found out that I don't need to scoot the seat all the way back - I was more comfortable moving the seat forward an inch or so. Made the reach to the gearshift knob, steering wheel and parking brake more comfortable.

Now, what to do with the tires and wheels. I found a DOT date stamp on one of the tires today - 2008. So, they are over 12 years old and need to be replaced. Their size is 195/45R15. I see from the ebay ad from 2013 that it previously had 205/55R15. So, that means it had 1 cm wider tread and 2.5 cm taller sidewalls. I'd like to get taller tires as these look too small to me - the car looks like it is riding on temporary spares. I think it is mainly the wheels, which the car has had for quite a while. As for the wider and taller 205/55R15 tires, I'm not sure how they fit in the rear wheel housing though. Here's a look at the current rear wheel:

You can see how close the tire comes to the wheel well. And you can also see that the lip has been rolled already. The car's ride height has been lowered and sits on Konis. There are no wheel spacers either front or rear. The fronts are fine, but the back wheels sit out further, which is odd because all of the wheels are the same size and offset. Hmm, not sure what to do. I think I will get a new set of wheels and tires. Tirerack sells no wheels for a 914. I guess I will search around. No autocrossing on 12 year old tires, though.

[32wildbilly]

I was able to strip off the goofy carbon fiber sunshade across the top of the windshield, then removed the paper miniblinds from the A-pillars today.

Last night I ordered 2 new roof holder clips for the broken ones in the rear trunk ($7 each). Part number 914-559-219-10.

I found out that I don't need to scoot the seat all the way back - I was more comfortable moving the seat forward an inch or so. Made the reach to the gearshift knob, steering wheel and parking brake more comfortable.

Now, what to do with the tires and wheels. I found a DOT date stamp on one of the tires today - 2108. So, they are over 12 years old and need to be replaced. Their size is 195/45R15. I see from the ebay ad from 2013 that it previously had 205/55R15. So, that means it had 1 cm wider tread and 2.5 cm taller sidewalls. I'd like to get taller tires as these look too small to me - the car looks like it is riding on temporary spares. I think it is mainly the wheels, which the car has had for quite a while. As for the wider and taller 205/55R15 tires, I'm not sure how they fit in the rear wheel housing though. Here's a look at the current rear wheel:

You can see how close the tire comes to the wheel well. And you can also see that the lip has been rolled already. The car's ride height has been lowered and sits on Konis. There are no wheel spacers either front or rear. The fronts are fine, but the back wheels sit out further, which is odd because all of the wheels are the same size and offset. Hmm, not sure what to do. I think I will get a new set of wheels and tires. Tirerack sells no wheels for a 914. I guess I will search around. No autocrossing on 12 year old tires, though.

Here's what Wiki says were the original tires sizes for the car:
1.7: 155 SR 15
6: 165 HR 15 or 185 HR 14
1.8: 165 SR 15
2.0: 165 HR 15

I realize those are different wheels, but those tire sizes are much different than original. Just an observation.

[Cuda911]

In case you aren't aware, super easy to adjust ride height. A simple few bolts to turn. I run stock tire sizes on both 914s, but mainly to keep them as original as possible.

[FRUNKenstein]

In case you aren't aware, super easy to adjust ride height. A simple few bolts to turn. I run stock tire sizes on both 914s, but mainly to keep them as original as possible.

I did not know that. Thanks. Here’s what I plan to do. After looking at the available options, I am going to keep the ATS wheels, but have them refinished to look like this:

D879B966-F256-4E61-B045-CE6CFB02B1EF.jpeg (86.01 KiB) Viewed 3037 times

Then I’m going to add some all season performance tires, like a Goodyear Eagle RS-A or Sumi HTR-AS in 195/60-15. I was worried about the taller tire rubbing in the rear, but if you can raise the ride height easily, then that should eliminate any potential problems. Also plan to get spacers for the front wheels, probably ~1/2”.

Lastly, I am missing 2 center caps, so I will order some black blank generic ones and Auto Atlanta sells Porsche crest center cap stickers for $12.40 per set. That way you guys can give me a hard time if they don’t point to the valve stems.

A couple of pics in the early evening light:

[32wildbilly]

In case you aren't aware, super easy to adjust ride height. A simple few bolts to turn. I run stock tire sizes on both 914s, but mainly to keep them as original as possible.

I did not know that. Thanks. Here’s what I plan to do. After looking at the available options, I am going to keep the ATS wheels, but have them refinished to look like this:

Then I’m going to add some all season performance tires, like a Goodyear Eagle RS-A or Sumi HTR-AS in 195/60-15. I was worried about the taller tire rubbing in the rear, but if you can raise the ride height easily, then that should eliminate any potential problems. Also plan to get spacers for the front wheels, probably ~1/2”.

Lastly, I am missing 2 center caps, so I will order some black blank generic ones and Auto Atlanta sells Porsche crest center cap stickers for $12.40 per set. That way you guys can give me a hard time if they don’t point to the valve stems.

A couple of pics in the early evening light:

It is great to hear the excitement in your words! I am glad you are enjoying this journey.

[FRUNKenstein]

Smell of oil.jpg (104.52 KiB) Viewed 3026 times

[theprf]

I'd paint those wheels matching blue with polished accents. They almost disappear with the blacked out treatment. Looks like the 914's levitating.

I get the huge bumpers, too, I have a 1978 Datsun Z with huge bumpers. But since I've had it for 35 years I am used to it now and it looks "right". At least the Z bumpers are chrome.