First time buying advice - gearbox etc Options

[mabbo]

Hi,

Im finally looking for my first 914 after considering one for ages. Im trying to do some research into what year etc to go for. I have seen a few for sale but wanted to get some advice before I buy.

I prefer the look of the earlier chrome bumper cars but have seen a 1975 1.8 thats never welded, solid and had a repaint. It looks really original and still on the factory fuel injection with dealer air con. I like the idea of the late gear linkage, air con (I struggle in the heat) and factory fuel injection, but not sure if I need educating:

1) Id like to build a bigger engine at some point and not sure if the injection system would need replacing with carbs anyway. Min of 1911cc. Id like a big crank if i can afford it but probably not.

2) Does the later gear linkage really make that much difference over a earlier tail shift when everything is in good order?

3) Is the dealer air con (this is the VW style apparently) actually any good? I have read the dealers didnt do the best job installing them and hack the body around quite a bit.

4) How difficult is it to find and fit original air con to a car without it? I know nothing about air conditioning.

5) Im aware of the hell hole but reluctant to buy one thats had it repaired previously as Im really fussy with metalwork - I restore classic cars, mainly 50s/60s Volkswagens, for a living and I have seen A LOT of really poor quality restorations / bad metalwork covered with nice paint come through work and I dont want to buy anything like that.

6) Ideally Id like to find an original solid car that hasnt had any welding and doesnt need any, but they seem to be few and far between. Do any ever come up for sale? I dont want a big project because I wont find the time to get it done but also not sure I want anything previously restored. Something needing recommissioning or paint would be way better for me than something needing or had a load of metalwork.

Thanks for any advice. Random pictures of my 58 Beetle I built in case any of you are interested:
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Thanks, Neil

[mepstein]

5) Im aware of the hell hole but reluctant to buy one thats had it repaired previously as Im really fussy with metalwork - I restore classic cars, mainly 50s/60s Volkswagens, for a living and I have seen A LOT of really poor quality restorations / bad metalwork covered with nice paint come through work and I dont want to buy anything like that.

6) Ideally Id like to find an original solid car that hasnt had any welding and doesnt need any, but they seem to be few and far between. Do any ever come up for sale? I dont want a big project because I wont find the time to get it done but also not sure I want anything previously restored. Something needing recommissioning or paint would be way better for me than something needing or had a load of metalwork.

These are 50-55 year old cars. The above is a big ask without spending a lot of money. Maybe $40-60K. What's your budget? Do you come across many VW's with the same criteria you listed? I'm sure it must be rare. Good luck with the search.

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[930cabman]

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There are less and less of the "original cars" out there. I have been lucky to have found a couple, but buyer beware. Do your research and take your time. My most recent purchase was an original paint (with many smallish dents) car from Oregon little to no rust example without engine/trans for $8k. This was in 2021

best of luck in your search

[914werke]

YES! The late side shifters make a recognizable difference over early tail shifters.

[Cairo94507]

What a beautiful VW bug! Welcome to the World. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Take your time and search for a clean chassis. If it were me, I would be searching '73 & '74. That way you avoid the big bumpers you do not desire and you get the side-shift transaxle.

Once you find one, the fun begins. Fortunately, more and more parts are being made new for our little cars these days. I will say that finding a brand new wiring harness would be on my list. 50+ year old wiring is bound to be brittle and modified, creating problems down the road.

A 2056 with a mild cam and factory fuel injection with a nice SS exhaust would give you a great running car. Not sure about the weather where you are, but I would definitely consider adding an external oil cooler to the project list to keep the engine cool in hot weather or slow traffic.

Cheers,
Michael (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[JeffBowlsby]

These are 50-55 year old cars. The above is a big ask without spending a lot of money. Maybe $40-60K. What's your budget? Do you come across many VW's with the same criteria you listed? I'm sure it must be rare. Good luck with the search.

^^^ this. Or more, the best condition 914/4s can go for more. If that is the criteria those 914s exist, but be prepared for a long search, with a large budget, or in doing all the work yourself. And bring $$$.

[mabbo]

Thanks for all the replies (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Didnt expect so many so quick.

I worded my original post wrong, sorry.Point 6 was supposed to say 'much' instead of 'any', my mistake. I suppose thats what you get for rewording it about a million times (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

"Ideally Id like to find an original solid car that hasnt had any welding and doesnt need much, but they seem to be few and far between. Do any ever come up for sale? I dont want a big project because I wont find the time to get it done but also not sure I want anything previously restored. Something needing recommissioning or paint would be way better for me than something needing or had a load of metalwork."

A small project would be OK so dont mind buying something that needs a bit of metalwork, but dont have time for anything that needs a lot of metalwork.

I also have a fairly big project at the moment - Im building a Manx style buggy with my son, so dont have time for another one.

Maybe Id be better accepting one that has been repaired before so I can to use / enjoy it straight away.

Thanks again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[mabbo]

What a beautiful VW bug! Welcome to the World. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png) Take your time and search for a clean chassis. If it were me, I would be searching '73 & '74. That way you avoid the big bumpers you do not desire and you get the side-shift transaxle.

Once you find one, the fun begins. Fortunately, more and more parts are being made new for our little cars these days. I will say that finding a brand new wiring harness would be on my list. 50+ year old wiring is bound to be brittle and modified, creating problems down the road.

A 2056 with a mild cam and factory fuel injection with a nice SS exhaust would give you a great running car. Not sure about the weather where you are, but I would definitely consider adding an external oil cooler to the project list to keep the engine cool in hot weather or slow traffic.

Cheers,
Michael (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Thanks Cairo - Yeah 73/74 sounds be ideal... Iv seen a few now that I like. There are 3 that I like, two of them are 75s, the other a 71.

One of the 75s has been converted to carbs, the other is still on injection. I believe the injection system is different on the 1.8 than the 1.7. Would either system work ok with the 2056 with a decent cam and exhaust do you know?

Thanks again

[Krieger]

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There are a good number of people that like the look of the rubber bumpers. Get what you like. The modified Djet on my car has ran my 2276 since 2001. Car was originally a 2.0. There are differences between 1.7 and 2.0 d-jet.

[Ninja]

Actually, some of the best buys are on here.

You have to be patience.

This active for sale add looks interesting...

Might be worth looking at.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=378683

But, there was recently another, I can't find it now, even Mepstein noted "hidden gem" in this price range (20-25K).

It was excellent IMO.

Most of what I see outside of this forum are near perfect restorations at big bucks or roaches that need 20K worth of work.

The best "bang for the buck" cars end up here!