During the past decade, the prices for most air-cooled Porsches have gone through the roof. This is sad if you are new to the Porsche part of the collector car hobby as even the lowest-priced 912E is likely to cost around $30,000 and an entry-level 911SC with needs will take somewhere from $38-40k to buy.
Happily, though there is still an air-cooled Porsche model that you can buy for considerably less than the 911 and 912 counterparts, the mid-engine 914.
The Pick of the Day is a 1975 Porsche 914 finished in Laguna Blue with a black targa top over a black interior. The Costa Mesa, California, dealer advertising this 914 on ClassicCars.com describes it as being completely rust-free and with paintwork that exhibits a fair amount of patina but is thought to be mostly original.
The Porsche is powered by its original 1.8-liter engine with manual 5-speed transmission, and fitted with factory-optional 15×5.5-inch Riviera wheels, an aftermarket shifter, JVC AM/FM Stereo and factory VDO instrumentation.
The 914 was originally conceived as a joint Porsche/VW project to replace the aging Karmann Ghia. During the planning phase, VW decided that while the car would be sold as a VW Porsche 914 in Europe, it would be marketed as the Porsche 914 in the U.S.
For years, Porsche fans derided the 914, calling it not a genuine example of the revered marque, despite it being designed under Butzi Porsche. Then as happens, opinions changed as more Porsche fans bought and drove 914s, and people began to realize just how great these cars really are. Around 15 years ago, the stigma started to wear off.
The 914 is tremendous fun to drive, and it offers a true air-cooled driving experience in a car that is inexpensive to buy and quite inexpensive to maintain. The 1.8-liter models are usually not recommended because of fuel-injection problems, but this car has been converted to twin Weber carbs, making that a non-issue.
The extensive number of pictures in the ad show what appears to be a very nice driver-level 914 that you can drive and enjoy immediately.
The asking price of $23,500, which is in line with today’s market for these cars.
To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Andy: These were cool, but the version to own was the 914-6! With such tiny curb weight and mid engine configuration, they must’ve given even TVR Tuscans and Sunbeam Tigers a run for their money….back in the “good old days” when such rides were within reach, financially.
Would the dealer take any interesting trades? As in the first post war production sporty car?
Can AC be added to that little air cooled engine
The 914 was my first true love. I started by replacing the clutch which was worn out prematurely by a faulty clutch cable tube. Then came a rebuilt 1.7 liter that was hopped up to 2 liters. Things became simpler once the fuel injection was replaced with one big carburetor and a 009 distributor with electronic “points”. The fuel pump needs to be replaced with one from a 70’s Ford Courier, just run a lead to the coil for power.
Only persistent problem was the exhaust manifolds coming loose all the time causing nasty leaks that seemed to rob power. This car was made for drivers that like some over-steer with their drive through Topanga Canyon road. I drifted this car around any corner I could with only about 120 bhp. Loved it.
Had a ’73 914, 1.7 in Porsche Red, 40 years ago…had lots of fun in that car. Got rid of it, because I had a mechanic that nearly drove me to the poor house, putting painted over used parts on the car.
If I were to get another 914, I’d seek a ’75 2.0 because it was designed for unleaded gas…and I know lot more about cars these days.