Mein Blutorangen Traum

[John B]

Thought I better post what I've been up to 914-wise..... what to call the post?

Well, we are on Die Deutschen Klassiker hence "Mein Blutorangen Traum", which is supposed to mean "My Tangerine Dream" and refers to the delightful 914 that I am now the proud owner of and also happens to be one of my favourite bands

Technically, Porsche called the colour of my car Blutorange, which literally means Blood Orange but was included in brochure as Tangerine, I understand but hey let's not be picky!

So, here is a 1970 914 that spent over 40 years in California before being imported into the UK and finally being registered here in 2019.

More to come soon

[Bootsy]

Excellent. We love a project thread

[John B]

Thanks. I've learned a lot from the forum posts and hope to repay that with this project as it progresses.

Firstly, I have to thank @Boydyrs (Raymond) whose project this was and for all his assistance in getting to the car to me.

From the records that came with the car, she had only covered about 600 miles since 2016, and as we know cars and Porsches in particular don't like not being driven. So, although the chassis and bodywork was mostly sound, there were many things that either did not work or only worked intermittently. She did drive reasonably well though.

Raymond had already begun the restoration and had concentrated on the usual bugbear of 914s being the battery tray area, and some welding had already been done. He had also commissioned an upgrade of the engine from its humble 1,679cc to 2,056cc by Paul Foreman of Outlaw 718. When I purchased the car, it was halfway through its 600-700 mile running-in period.

Here is a picture of the engine on a test rig prior to being installed:

tn_Engine on test rig.jpg

Here is what the interior looked like:

Car interior.jpg

.... and yes the dash top was cracked and covered with some fabric. Fortunately Raymond had sourced a replacement and this came with the car

[John B]

And here is the engine installed.... you can see the welding in the "hell hole"

tn_IMG_6913.jpg

.... and a picture of the rear trunk area.... at face value pretty good but did have a few holes in the usual areas as I was later to discover... but nothing major.

tn_270759720_1906354346204736_3295931682342750637_n.jpg

[John B]

Excellent. We love a project thread

Just sent a PM but it is held in my outbox.... hope you can help

[hot66]

look forward to the updates

[John B]

Sorry it's been a while....

tn_IMG_6931.jpg

Bit crusty up front but the braided flexible brake lines were reasonably new as I found out later from the guy who had her before Raymond.

tn_IMG_6932.jpg

But I did discover that the brake master cylinder had been upgraded to a 19mm version, which would suit what I have in mind for the brakes

tn_IMG_6933.jpg

[neilbardsley]

Nice engine. I have a similar spec motor with Webers and similar linkage. It goes very nicely. Hopefully, you will enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine

Sent from my 22011119UY using Tapatalk

[stevenery]

Nice to see a 914 project thread! If you are on Facebook the UK914 group is pretty active. We have done 8,000 miles in ours over the last few years - 2,500 on the Austrian international trip this year. No big failures for us. Wise to work through rebuilding callipers, CV joints, wheel bearings, and gear linkage bushings.

The 914 trip next year is to France. If keen be ready to book as soon as the booking system goes live as it always sells out. Great few days and the drives during the days are through the countryside following old style navigation notes - really fun to follow once you have your head around them!

https://www.914-international-meeting-france-2026.com

914 Austrian International by Steven Buckland, on Flickr

914 Austrian International by Steven Buckland, on Flickr

914 Austrian International by Steven Buckland, on Flickr

914 Austrian International by Steven Buckland, on Flickr

[neilbardsley]

I would love to go but it's easier to get Oasis tickets or a GP appointment!

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[Darren65]

Thanks. I've learned a lot from the forum posts and hope to repay that with this project as it progresses.

Good man

What's your ultimate goal with your project John?

[John B]

Nice to see a 914 project thread! If you are on Facebook the UK914 group is pretty active. We have done 8,000 miles in ours over the last few years - 2,500 on the Austrian international trip this year. No big failures for us. Wise to work through rebuilding callipers, CV joints, wheel bearings, and gear linkage bushings.

The 914 trip next year is to France. If keen be ready to book as soon as the booking system goes live as it always sells out. Great few days and the drives during the days are through the countryside following old style navigation notes - really fun to follow once you have your head around them!

https://www.914-international-meeting-france-2026.com

Sounds and looks fabulous. Reliability is not much of an issue for me so far so i don't have an issue with travelling distances.

However..... good as the body work largely is after sunbathing in California for 40+ years, the tin worm has nibbled away at a few minor areas and the seals are largely original.... which is long way to say that she (named Lexie by the family) has leaks, so if it rains, the cabin gets wet

With the best will in the world, i don't think she will be ready for a European tour in 2026.... I have to pick my weather days when she gets driven. I do have all the seals from 914 Rubber though

[John B]

Thanks. I've learned a lot from the forum posts and hope to repay that with this project as it progresses.

Good man

What's your ultimate goal with your project John?

Well.... having been an Audi and Porsche water-cooled enthusiast for as long as i can remember, the time has come for a proper foray into the air-cooled scene and I am smitten properly!

The 914, I thought, was a car that had an unfair life given the VW/Porsche shenanigans at the time. The mid-engine / double trunk layout always intrigued me and it's no surprise that the layout was resurrected for the Boxster and we all know what that car did for Porsche. The 914 has always been in my head since the mid-70s when my uncle bought me a Revell kit of one to build. Secretly I though he really wanted to own one and couldn't afford it so had to go down the MG Midget route (which was an interesting car in it own right). I have since then purchased one to build and reminisce.

The answer to your question is not known yet but as I am now of a certain age where some time is becoming available shall we say. I want the restoration to be as much the experience of getting there as it is the finished car. So the vehicle is going to test me with areas that I have dabbled with like bodywork, engine and gearbox in addition to areas that i am far more familiar with, like brakes, suspension, electrics and interior. The first area of attention has been safety, so the lights for example, have been replaced from the stock candles to LEDs and I can't thank Duncan enough at https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/ for helping me. Welding is a skill to learn properly as is engine building.

I already have the GT flares in stainless steel and I like the look of the Le Mans racer, so that may be the ultimate goal but i want to experience all of the changes in getting there, like going 5-lug, like upgrading the brakes etc and i have most of the parts already to do so but keep the car 'broadly' in period but not specifically in 1970 year. As they say, it is only original once and i am trying to buy original period parts rather than new.

I suppose the big question is whether to install a six-cylinder engine. I do really, really, really want to build one in my time on this planet and the sound is well just sublime. I guess you will just have to watch this space as they say

[Darren65]

Good luck with whatever path you do take John, you may have seen Glenn Stazak's website which is a great resource if going the GT route - https://www.stazak.com/914/

If I wasn't done with restorations a GT might well have been on my list!



Cheers,

[misteralz]

Done with restorations? Get real Dazzer, you'll be restless in no time and I can honestly say that I'm really looking forward to your 914GT thread in 2026.