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914s have been on my mind again for the first time in a long while. One of my first attempts at misguided car purchase was well before I even had my license, was a call to a guy on a forum advertising a $950 914 project. “Yeah, I’ll save and fix it up by the time I can drive!” I thought. “What the hell is my seventh-grader doing on the phone discussing buying cars!?” my poor mom asked. Well, the basest of Porsches seemed like a fun way to tinker, and the go-kart from Stuttgart had my mind working over time. Now again, I’ve been longing for a weight-free tossable treat, and some choice 914s in the area have them back in my consciousness. None are as sweet as this though, which had just one owner and covered less than 70k miles in the first 40 years of its life. A beautiful repaint and cared-for interior have it looking like a showroom example. There aren’t many out there like this and it’s going to command a commensurate price, but as vintage 911s rise beyond the reach of many, the 914 is still a quick and fun option available to most.
Rob is on holiday this week, so I’m going to take it upon me to throw a few Porsches out there in his absence. The 914 was the predecessor to the 924, itself another close collaboration between Volkswagen and Porsche. Offered in both four and six cylinder trim, this 1975 1.8 liter for sale in Florida represents the second to last year for this model, one which is often forgotten in the annals of Porsche history. Kermit the Frog said once “it ain’t easy bein’ green.†Perhaps the same is true on being a 914.
Porsche fans can be, at times, a curious lot. No matter what new model the company unveils, those into the marque will always judge it against the almighty 911. The Cayenne SUV has been their sales savior, the Panamera sedan has been deemed ugly and the Boxster is for those who can’t afford a real Porsche. We’ve heard all the stereotypes. Back in the 1970s, Porsche devised an entry level car with the help of Volkswagen in the form of the mid-engined 914. Powered by a flat-4, these were badged both as VWs and Porsches, and later on exclusively as Porsches. This 914 in astoundingly original condition is for sale in Florida and a perfect runabout for soaking up that state’s rays.
In the Porsche world the 914 has become, I don’t want to say forgotten but, a bit of an afterthought. The 914 served as the replacement to the 912 as Porsche’s entry-level automobile and like the 912 it primarily came with a flat-four engine delivering power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission. However, that is where their similarities would end. While the 912 was basically a 911 with a smaller engine, the 914 was an entirely different design altogether: a 2-seater mid-engine Targa. While Porsche eventually ceased production of the 914 in order to make way for the 924 (an entry-level coupe that went in an entirely different direction), the 914 was well regarded, and sold well, due to its simplicity and balance. During the first few years of production, the 914 was also available with the 2.0 liter flat-six of the 911T, but due to poor sales that model was discontinued prior to the 1973 model year. Its replacement was the car we have featured here: a 1973 Porsche 914 with a 2.0 liter flat-four, rather than the standard model’s 1.7 liter engine.
When the Porsche Boxster arrived on the scene in 1997, it brought Porsche ownership to a lower price point. After the disappearance of the 924…