Back Across the Pond

By Steve Martin. Republished with permission from the October 2015 issue of Fourteener Motoring Magazine.

This Alaska Blue ‘73 Took an Incredibly Long Journey to its New Home. Oregon and Congleton Cheshire, England are thousands of miles apart. But the distance couldn’t keep this ‘73 1.7 liter Alaska blue 914 from making its way back across the pond to its new home.

Matt Webb searched a long time before buying his first Porsche 914. He owned numerous air-cooled Volkswagens, including a Karmann Gia, a U.S. spec California-look bug, and a T25 Firetruck. He even had a Ginetta G32, which is a light weight mid-engine, 2-seater similar to the 914. But he had never owned a Porsche. So when Matt went looking for a 914 last year he searched far and wide to find the right car.

“I just had to have a ‘73, but with the early looks,” Matt says. He ultimately found what he was looking for . . . in Oregon. He located the car of his dreams on Craigslist, but, the owner didn’t really want to do an overseas sale. Neither person had ever purchased or sold an overseas car. They decided to part ways and look for deals closer to home.

Time passed, and Matt looked at several other cars. Then he contacted a gentlemen who said that a friend of his had a nice Alaska blue ‘73 1.7 liter 914 that he might be selling. It turned out to be the same car that he initially found on Craigslist.

Maybe it was just meant to be. Matt really wanted this car, since it was exactly what he had been looking for. So he decided to go through the process of having the car brought to England, where he lives.

Today, it is commonplace for classic Porsches in the United States to be purchased overseas and shipped back across the Altantic Ocean. But, that doesn’t mean it is always easy. Or fast. To do it right means a lot of leg-work, planning, and hiring a reputable transport company. It also takes a little patience and trust.

After numerous emails, and hundreds of photos, a deal was struck with the owner of the car. As it turned out, the transport of the 914 to England was hassle-free. Matt hired a company to oversee the process of moving the car first from Corvallis, Oregon to Oakland, California, a 560 mile trip on an auto transporter. Once in Oakland the 914 was packed into a container and then it made its way across the Atlantic Ocean to Southampton, England.

After arriving in England the container was unpacked and customs clearances were obtained. Finally the ‘73 was taken to Matt’s hometown of Congleton, Cheshire, England, which was another few hundred miles. In total the car traveled about 5,000 miles, without ever putting a mile on the odometer.

Congleton, Cheshire, England with a population of about 25,000, is known for being located on the banks of the River Dane, and is 20 miles south of Manchester. It provides a spectacular backdrop for open-air motoring.

All-in-all, the epic journey took six weeks. Matt and the seller have remained friends after the transaction, and regularly exchange emails about the car.

Previous to Matt buying the ‘73, the car had a comprehensive restoration, including stripping to a bare tub, full repaint, glass, and engiine rebuild. The 914 runs it’s original 1.7 fuel injected engine. Matt says that although he initially wanted a 2.0 liter, the condition of the overall car outweighed his need for the larger engine. He likes having an original car. And that is exaclty what he got with this stunning 914.

Now, with the original Alaska blue paint, and matching-numbers engine, the car is almost completley original, with the exception of a couple modifications.

Since owning the car, Matt has replaced the seats, which are a mixtur of wool inserts and leather bolsters, headrests, and backs. The headlights have also been converted to righthand drive headlights to meet the legal requirements of the United Kingdom. He also swapped the sidemarkers and indicators. At this time, Matt has no other plans to modify the 914.

The car is driven on dry days, whenever possible. Matt also likes to attend Porsche Club GB, VW, and classic car shows with his ride, where he has already taken home some nice awards. He won joint second place in this year’s regional PCGB Cars, In The Carpark Show. He also took home 3rd place in a regional TIPEC (The Independent Porsche Enthusiats club) event.

But his favorite place to take the car is a nice drive over the Derbyshire Staffordshire Moorlands, which consist of plenty of windy roads to enjoy the classic open-top, mid-engine Porsche. Although this 914 has seen more countries than many people, the drives though the countriside of England are undoubtedly a highlight of its travels.