This ClassicCars.com Marketplace featured listing is a 1972 Porsche 914 for sale in Corona, California. This is ready for the track, not the street. You can think about it, but don’t do it!
In 1969, the Porsche 914 came to market and began a seven-year sales run that left the 911 far back in second place. This Porsche inception was due to the ongoing relationship Volkswagen had with Porsche. VW contracted Porsche to develop new products, and the 914 was the last in the contractual obligations at that time.
The VW / Porsche relationship strained prior to the debut. The solution resulted in Porsche selling the 914 in America, and VW would have its badge on other markets.
The 914 didn’t have much in the way of power. The initial VW sourced 4-cylinder motor was rated at just 80-horsepower, and the Porsche 2.0-liter, flat 6-cylinder was good for 109 ponies sitting behind the driver in a mid-engine layout.
On the other hand, the Porsche 914 weighted in at 2,072-2,194 pounds, allowing this to provide a sporty ride. The handling and braking also vastly benefited from this, taking a page from Lotus’ Colin Chapman’s playbook.
This 1972 Porsche 914 is not your typical 914. This is a tribute car to honor drive, mechanic, and innovator Ritchie Ginther. Both Phil Hill and Ginther connected in Southern California prior to Ritchie being drafted for the Korean conflict. Ritchie became the protégé of Phil Hill, due to his mechanical skills. Ultimately, Ritchie Ginther became a successful racer in his own right.
In 1972, Jo Hoppen, the director of Motorsports for VW and Porsche | Audi, approached Richie Ginther (Former Formula One driver and mechanic, sports car racer, and Carrera Pan America winner) to prepare a Porsche 914 for the ’72 American Road Race Championship, and to develop a kit to help club racers build a competitive car.
Ginther, and his ace mechanic Harold Broughton, built three cars taking their knowledge from their C production 914-6’s raced by Elliott Forbes Robinson and Alan Johnson. As a result of the project Elliott Forbes-Robinson got his first paid ride of his hall of fame career.
Elliot dominated almost all the races with the 914, including 7 wins, 8 poles, 5 track records, and 1 DNF.
This track-ready car has an extensive list of new or rebuilt parts totaling $25K. Considering the sale price of this 1972 Porsche 914, the updates are beyond impressive.
Just a some of the numerous updates include: Rebuilt 2.0-liter engine, Rebuilt Dual Weber 45 carburetors with performance linkage, Front Oil Cooler, Rebuilt 901 Transaxle with new clutch, All nylon shift linkage components replaced, 911 SC Suspension, New Front Bilstein Struts, New Fire Suppression System with fire suppression nozzles in the driver’s compartment, engine bay and fuel cell area, Massive weight saving parts (see ad), 911 SC Brakes (just rebuilt with a new Master Cylinder and wheel bearings installed), Full roll cage with full chassis reinforcement making this 1972 Porsche 914 very stiff with minimal roll.
To view the listing on ClassicCars.com, click here.
