1974 Porsche 914 2.0 California Survivor Rebuilt Engine

1974 Porsche 914 Additional Info:

1974 Porsche 914 2.0 with numbers matching engine and Certificate of Authenticity. Very original three owner and well cared for survivor. Clean title in my possession.

Additional pictures and videos of the entire car from top to bottom are available at: 914 Pictures and Videos

This 914 was delivered to its first owner on January 15th 1974 at Mesa Porsche Audi in La Mesa California. Three owners (all known and documented). First female owner 1974-1983 (9 years). Second female owner 1984-2018 (34 years). I am the third owner and have owned multiple classic air-cooled Porsche's over the past two decades.

Second (passionate) owner had the car restored around 1994-1996. She (and her husband) indicated they had the engine and transmission rebuilt by a professional German car mechanic. Although they no longer had the receipts from the restoration, I have tested the engine compression (cold). The results are as follows: #1 @183psi, #2 @186psi, #3 @185psi, #4 @185psi. Although I don’t know for sure, it is possible that this engine has a slightly larger bore and mild cam given it has reserve power even at 80mph and pulls away going uphill. The engine doesn’t overheat.

Due to it having sat mostly unused for a decade (or more) the engine did develop a small oil leak at either the right side push rod tube or valve cover and thus that side of the engine, gearbox and heat exchanger are oily and dirty. The drip is minimal and doesn't restrict use or reliability. The engine does not burn any oil and shows no signs of ring wear on either start up or deceleration. I have no reason to believe the engine hasn’t been rebuilt. The previous owners indicated the engine rebuild had less than 2000 miles on it when I purchased the car last year. I’ve added no more than another 2000 miles mostly driving it up and down the California coast. It’s never let me down.

Engine oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs were replaced in 2018.

Gearbox oil was changed in 2019 with no unusual metal bits or particles found in the old oil. Gearbox works great. I replaced the clutch cable and clevis in 2019 just for peace of mind. The clutch is estimated to have less than 5k miles on it.

The original D-jet Bosch fuel injection has been completely checked and refurbished including new vacuum lines. The car idles smoothly and accelerates enthusiastically.

Timing and dwell angle have been checked and set properly. A gas analyzer was used to check the rich/lean balance. The valves were adjusted 1,800 miles ago.

Fuel lines, injector boots and intake sleeves are all new. Throttle position sensor was replaced even though the original is in excellent condition and will be included with the car. The ECU, Auxiliary Air Valve, Deceleration Valve, Fuel Pressure Regulator and Manifold Pressure Sensor all appear to be functioning correctly.

Heat exchangers are original and in very good condition. The heat system is fully functioning and completely intact. The right side heater control box rattles a little on deceleration and should be re-secured.

Brakes are of the original configuration (4 wheel disc with original type master cylinder) and are fully functioning including the parking brake. Both front and rear rotors are still of serviceable thickness with the rears nearing minimums. There’s no pulsing in the brake pedal and the car brakes straight ahead. The pads appear to have plenty of thickness on them.

Hankook Optimo 195/65R15 tires are new with about 1,000 miles on them.

Suspension has been freshened with new Bilstein struts in the front, KYB shocks and 100lb. springs in the back.

Original battery pan is still intact and fully serviceable with minor corrosion.

Rare European Blaupunkt Koln Stereo with ASU Stereo block, AM/FM/Weather/Short Wave and OEM dual DIN connectors with iPhone/Android wired connection which allows for use of GPS navigation and hands free phone. (A Bluetooth module can be purchased separately and added to this system.) The hands free phone functions very well even with the targa top off. A modern amp and speakers have been added to improve the sound quality. I routinely stream music on my phone which provides great sound quality.

The center console is in excellent condition and fully functioning with the exception of the clock. The shift knob and boot are in excellent original condition as are the hinged arm rests.

The dash pad is a Porsche factory OEM replacement from 1995 and is in excellent condition along with all other dash trim and knobs. Both sun visors are in very good original condition. The carpets were replaced in 1995 and are in excellent condition. There are no cuts or tears in the upholstery and all trim plugs are present. Keys are non-matching.

The front windshield was replaced in the 1990’s but all other glass appears to be original and in excellent condition. Window seals are all good with the exception of the lower rear window seal.

All lenses are free of cracks. Headlight high and low beams work great as do the driving lights.

The targa top shows some typical (minor) outer wear but the inside lining, seals and latches are all present and in very good condition. The targa top trunk clips are new.

The original Dunlop spare, mounted to the original Fuchs alloy spare wheel, is still in the car and shows little use. The original windshield washer tank and air pressure fitting are present and in good condition.

Integrity of the body/chassis is excellent throughout with the single exception of a small rust hole in the trunk due to water having accumulated during the period in which the car was not used. Otherwise the trunk is solid. The Hell Hole was checked from above and below. It had only minor surface corrosion in the engine compartment and is dry and definitely solid throughout. There is a small amount of paint bubbling ahead of the passenger door that appears to be stable and nothing more than a cosmetic blemish at this time. There is no paint bubbling around any of the other windows, doors or wheel wells. The floor pans are dry and original. The car is otherwise a very dry original California chassis throughout.

The car does not appear to have ever been in an accident. All panel gaps are very straight. The doors open and close perfectly with no sagging whatsoever (even when the car is jacked up, meaning the longitudinals are solid).

All wiring, lighting and wipers function as per original specification. A new battery was installed in July 2019. The alternator is rebuilt and was checked and verified good in July 2019. A new voltage regulator was installed and the original is also included.

Original tools, jack and manuals are present and included.

The car was originally a special order ‘Paint to Sample/9990’ (L98) brown special order color. The second owner had the car repainted to what appears to be Malaga Red. The repaint is now twenty-five years old and shows well with some chips, scratches, dings and touch-ups from normal use and aging.

I’ve driven this car on three 500 mile trips with absolutely no problems and would trust it for many many long drives in the future. It cruises easy and smooth at 80 mph with a wonderful throaty note from the exhaust.

A new car cover is included in the sale along with spare points, clutch and accelerator cables.

Additional pictures and videos are available at (copy/paste): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8m5nmm6gg6i06ow/AADbXT-zHwOxZwAJ6LOO7XUta?dl=0

I welcome inspections of the car, either private or third party professional. Shipping is the buyer’s responsibility. Please do not bid if you don’t intend on completing the purchase. I require a $500 deposit within 48 hours of auctions end and full payment via cash in hand or wire transfer within 7 days.No PayPal for both the deposit and final payment unless you’re paying the fees upfront. Finally, the car is obviously sold as-is with no warranty implied or expressed.

Prepare to LOVE this mid-engine air cooled Porsche!