Were you out and about in your 914 today?

[den 912de]

It was fantastic driving weather today, we drove down from north London to Guildford (A40, M25, A3). We have yet to meet another 914 on the road, but was stopped by a motorcyclist whose parents used to have a 914, and photographed by a couple of other passing cars.

A lovely drive out, car really purring:



Just look at that beauty:




Eat my dust:


A steady hand on the wheel


Just love those pop up lights:

[Canarydelia]

Great pics! I went out too today with my neighbour - first time he'd been in my 914. Having asked him if he fancied going for a spin...we duly did. 3 times to be precise after exiting a roundabout. Driver, passenger and car all intact thankfully. We took a good look to see what had happened and the best excuse I felt that was valid was a nasty clump of wet greasy leaves that it appears we drove over.


I've absolutely loved the handling of the car to date but today gave me a reminder that even the hero status I have apportioned to its handling, can let you down if you don't take that bit of extra care at times.

Lesson learned.

[914 KEV]

Great to hear you are both out enjoying the 914 again.
I know that feeling of not seeing another 914 on the road… if it was the weekend before I was in the Guilford area on the A3 on both Saturday and Sunday! We need to get our timing better planned!!!

I went out too today with my neighbour - first time he'd been in my 914. Having asked him if he fancied going for a spin...we duly did. 3 times to be precise after exiting a roundabout. Driver, passenger and car all intact thankfully. We took a good look to see what had happened and the best excuse I felt that was valid was a nasty clump of wet greasy leaves that it appears we drove over.

Oh… I know that twitching or spinning feeling on roundabouts…

When this happens it is a tell-tale sign that the 914 is in need of new rear tyres!

[Canarydelia]

Hi Kev, actually the tyres are less than a year old and with very little wear at all (Yokohomas).

Describing it as a "twitch" - I'm sure my neighbour will laugh at that

I checked the seat cushions after he got out - somewhat surprised the black vinyl hadn't been dyed brown...

[ollieg]

Glad the 'spin' ended well. I also had a similar lucky escape at the Nurburgring in my 914 a few years back. I came to rest a foot or two away and nicely parallel with the crash barrier after taking a corner too fast. The 914 has a high limit of grip until it just suddenly lets go with little if any warning. I guess that's why the 911 made for a better Rally car.

There was a freshly restored yellow car on here a couple of years ago that wasn't so lucky after a dramatic roundabout exit…it was written off.

Be careful out there fellow teeners, especially at this time of year!

[Mr Pharmacist]

Sounds like a scary moment you had there - glad all was ok though.

The 914 has a high limit of grip until it just suddenly lets go with little if any warning.

i havent noticed this even when racing mine - mine always grips very well and then goes into a a nice controlled slide. maybe i'm just not pushing hard enough!!

[914 KEV]

Spinning your 914 three times makes me think that the 914 has an issue. This is not normal. And less you were pushing it to the limit on a very slippery road.

Glad to hear the tyres are new.

There are a few thinks worth checking on the rear suspension that can affect the handling.

One of the rear suspension consoles has a crack in it. Inners do crack as they are weakened by rust.
The inner nut on the swing arm is loose and/or the hole on the console has gone oval. Also check all the nuts for tightness on the swing arms, they are known to loosen!
Bushes on the swing arm.
Wheel alignment.

One of my 914s ended up having a crack in the rear inner suspension console; it really affected the handling and it spun once at low speed on a roundabout in the wet right in front of middlefour1 in a covey of 914s at an Int. 914 Meeting in Holland!

As Olliey pointed out “Be careful out there fellow teeners, especially at this time of year!”

[Canarydelia]

Thanks for those wise words Kev. A fairly quick inspection showed nothing untoward, and indeed driving "felt" fine afterwards. However, I'm looking to get it up on a ramp later this week so can check it out more fully then.

[DaveW]

The handling on mine wasn't right despite changing wheel bearings etc. Agree with Kevin - I bought new swing arm bushes to fit and realised that the nut on the near side swing arm was loose! Ended up replacing the bushes anyway but tightening the nut made a surprisingly big difference...

[Canarydelia]

Thanks Dave. I'm desperately trying to squeeze in some time during a busy work week to get a good look...but may have to wait until next week or Christmas break to do something now.

[DaveW]

I took my 914 out for a 120 mile blast into the Peak District and Derbyshire today with some friends in 7 other Porsches.

The 914 looked quite at home at the lunch stop parked next to a 928 with a car bra fitted. I decided to fit the bib that I found in the boot amongst various spares when I bought the car for restoration. Doesn't do anything for its aesthetics, however served a purpose by giving the paint work some protection given the grit on the roads. Can't make up my mind if the bib is specifically for the 1975/6 impact bumper cars or a generic one? I think the former even though the fit isn't wonderful.

We ran a route from Knutsford out to Whaley Bridge, across to Lady Bower reservoir and round various back roads to Monsal Dale for a pub lunch. Then headed off to Ashbourne and Uttoxeter prior to returning home. First proper run out amongst other cars whilst pressing on. The 914 isn't quick off the start-line but once moving I was really impressed at how quick it was in much more powerful company. Handles better in the snow and ice too

Anyway, despite slippy conditions, we got back in one piece having seen plenty of sun and had a lot of fun. Back to work with a bump tomorrow.

[Adrian.Tyldesley]

I must say that black thing on the front ruins the look of your otherwise lovely car.

[DaveW]

I must say that black thing on the front ruins the look of your otherwise lovely car.

Like I said...served a purpose given the weather. Won't be staying on the car though as I completely agree.