About five years ago, we set out on a quest to find a Porsche 914. We really wanted a 911, but prices were already skyrocketing. After reading about the 914, we realized they offered a lot of that Porsche flavor at a lower cost. So, we went on the hunt to find one. After finding and purchasing a group of three projects, we learned the hard way that these cars have a tendency to rust badly. After learning our lesson with those, we started looking for a more solid example, a task that turned out to be a real challenge. We eventually found this very solid 1973 Ravenna Green example parked in a garage. The bright green paint was oxidized and the seller hadn’t been able to ever get the 2.0-liter engine running after giving it a rebuild. While it’s a sweet car, we are ready to move on to a new project, so we are auctioning it off right here on the site!
We’ve done a huge amount of work to make this car a driver again. The engine was together and in the car when we got it, but the fuel injection system was removed and sitting in a box. After discovering that the previous owner had hooked the fuel pump up wrong, I was able to piece the fuel injection system back together and get the engine running. We then discovered that the fuel tank had some rust issues and plugged up the fuel injectors. So, we ordered a brand fuel tank and set of new Weber 38 IDF carburetors and all the needed parts to make them work. While we had it all apart, I ran new Tangerine Racing stainless steel fuel lines through the shift tunnel. Both lines are present, so if you’d like to return it to fuel injection, the lines are there to do it. Speaking of stainless steel, we also installed a used pair of stainless steel heat exchangers. They have a few small dents but are otherwise in very nice condition.
Once the engine was running, we discovered that one of the rubber motor mounts was broken, so I dropped the engine cradle and replaced the mount. Doing that job requires removing the shifter selector rod, so while it was out I replaced all the bushings for the shifter and all the seals for the gear selector (it was weeping at the transmission). With it all buttoned back up, we found even more leaks. The transmission was also leaking from the speedometer drive gear, so I removed the leaking drive gear guide unit and upgraded it to an improved dual seal drive gear from 914Rubber. The engine was leaking oil from the push rod tubes as well, so new o-rings went in. Unfortunately, after adjusting the valves and starting the engine, we discovered that the tubes were still leaking, so we replaced all eight tubes with brand new tubes and Porsche seals. We haven’t found any additional oil leaks since. We’ve given the car a full tune-up, with all new plugs, wires, coil, 20-50W VR1 oil, and the transmission was flushed and refilled. While the oil temperature gauge doesn’t provide an exact temperature, the engine runs in the correct temperature range and doesn’t overheat.
With the engine running like a top, we set about the task of getting the rest of the car ready for the road. We installed a new brake master cylinder, brake hoses, and flushed the system. New Porsche 911 Turbo tie rods were installed up front and an upgraded adjustable front swaybar went in. We have a stock rear swaybar that comes with the car for those seeking more oversteer. The windshield had a nasty crack in it, so we had it replaced and a new gasket installed. Once that was done, the car was treated to a full polish, which brought the striking Ravenna green paint back to life. To add even more flare, we installed black sail panel vinyl and the Porsche rocker graphics, which really round out the ’70s looks. This car originally had white headlight bins, but one had been replaced with a newer black bin. We happened to have a spare black bin in the parts we’ve collected over the years, so since taking the photos of the car, I’ve switched the white bin out to make sure they match when the headlights are up.
On the inside, this 914 originally featured a tan interior which looked dingy no matter how much we cleaned it. We also felt that a black interior might go better with the green exterior so we swapped the seats and trim from another 914 that we had. Rather than put worn-out carpets in it, we opted to install brand new high-quality carpets, as well as brand new door cards. The original dash is in beautiful shape, with only one small blemish (which is pictured below). Included with the car is a fitted dash cover, which while not our style does do a good job of protecting the dash from the sun. The center console is in beautiful shape as well and all of the gauges are in working order, including the clock!
The underside of this car is what really impressed us when we first found it. While not in perfect shape, it retains its original undercoating and doesn’t show any signs of decay. Of the five other 914s that we’ve owned, this is the only one without visible rust issues. If you’ve ever owned one or done any research on the 914, you’ve likely heard about the “Hell Hole”, which is an area in the engine bay directly below the battery tray that is known to rust away. This one’s Hell Hole is in incredible shape, without any signs of rust. That alone is amazing, but what’s more impressive is that the areas directly below the jack points are solid. This area doesn’t get the media attention that the Hell Hole does, but rust down there can have devastating consequences. The longitudinals can rot from the inside out if water is allowed to enter those little tubes on each side of the body. This is the first and only 914 we’ve owned that isn’t rusted through in this spot and is in very nice shape. Heck, you can still jack this car up from jack mounts. There are a few spots of surface rust in the front trunk from where the spare wheel scratched the paint off, these areas have been treated to ensure it doesn’t develop into anything serious.
While it’s now a very fun-to-drive car, it still needs a little work to really achieve perfection. The passenger front fender appears to have been replaced and while it lines up alright, whoever did the work didn’t clean up their welds where the inner and out fenders meet prior to painting it. If we were going to keep the car longer, I would file the welds that are visible in the front trunk down and touch the paint up, but honestly isn’t something you see if you aren’t looking for it. There are also a few dents on the car that I would eventually address as well. And the last area that could use some attention are the interior pads around the roof panel, as they have cracks around the screw holes and we are missing a few of the plastic filler plugs. New pads and plugs are available if you are so inclined, but this is a purely cosmetic issue that you only notice if you take the roof panel out. I’ve spent hundreds of hours going over and working on this car, so I’m honestly very critical of it, but now that it’s done I’ve been able to step back and appreciate what an amazing 914 it is.
After owning so many of these cars, we’ve managed to acquire quite a collection of spare parts, which will be included with this car. There are far too many small trim bits, bolts, gaskets, carb jets, and lenses to list. We even have a spare 1.7-liter engine block (missing cylinder jugs and heads but turns over) and a side shift transmission. We’ve provided pictures of the included spare parts, so be sure to take a look to see what is present.
We never ordered the Porsche Certificate for this car, so we don’t know its original configuration. The engine block numbers are correct for a 1973 2.0-liter engine, but the cylinder heads appear to be remanufactured 1.8-liter units. We believe the car was originally a 1.7-liter car, but it now has all the features and looks of a 2.0-liter with the appearance package (vinyl roof, Fuchs, sway bars, center console, chrome bumpers, fog lights). Having owned both 1.7 and 1.8-liter cars, this one is more lively and pulls far better than either of those. Unfortunately, we don’t have any receipts for the work that was done to the engine by the previous owner, but it has great compression (150 on all cylinders) and runs wonderfully throughout the RPM range. The Weber carbs are dialed in nicely, giving it great power throughout the powerband, but most importantly they make this car sing!
I could honestly write a book about this Porsche after spending so much time working on it. So I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about the car, just leave them down in the comments. I’ve got a few small things that I will finish on it before the car ships off to its new owner. Overall, this car is very well sorted and we are going to be sad to see it go, but we are downsizing and we feel it’s finally time to let someone else enjoy it!
- Location: Boise, Idaho
- Mileage: 75,286 miles shown
- Engine: 2.0 liter flat-4
- Transmission: Manual
- VIN: 4732913814
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
DK bid $21,070.00 2022-09-18 17:55:11
denizen224 bid $20,000.00 2022-09-18 17:42:01
MotorCoop bid $10,500.00 2022-09-18 08:40:59
gabbyaol bid $10,100.00 2022-09-18 07:03:39
Justthenutz bid $10,000.00 2022-09-17 10:22:02- MotorCoop bid $9,000.00 2022-09-08 09:29:15
hudinero bid $3,750.00 2022-09-08 07:17:03
papalou67 bid $3,600.00 2022-09-07 15:19:49
Jrad bid $3,200.00 2022-09-07 11:46:57- gabbyaol bid $3,100.00 2022-09-07 10:48:32
dosperros bid $3,000.00 2022-09-07 10:25:32
AZguy bid $1,000.00 2022-09-07 09:34:07
Beautiful car. After doing a year and a half total restoration on a ’74 I can really appreciate your efforts on this one. The fun factor on these cars is very high and worth the effort to keep them fresh and on the road. Yanking your chain here but how do you grind back the welds on the RF fender from the engine compartment and what is your name again? Picture is a ’73 autocross car we built for a customer and shared rides with on track days. Loads of fun.
Haha thanks for catching that Bob! After spending so many years playing with front engined cars, I’m still not use to having a front trunk, rear trunk, and engine bay.
Had the same problem when we bought our first 924. Again, nice job!
I love the looks of this 914.
Going from memory weren’t they dismissed by Porsche-ophiles back in the day as being expensive VWs? I personally don’t care what the bones are, as I am head-over-heels in love with this style.
GLWTA.
If I wasn’t on the non-left hand side of North America I would love to look at it in person and dream.
Beautifully done!! If there are any admirers looking at this and wanting to get into a 914 and aren’t all that familiar with them yet: This is the Best year, Best motor, Best tranny, and a really great color that is not seen very often. This is the one to collect! (PS: all the spare parts are great for trading stock or backups when needed =added value)
GLWTA
Well done! Beautiful results.
VERY VERY nice !!! I can’t imagine the amounts of fun this one will bring someone.
Had a roommate in college that had a orange one. A Porsche with a Volkswagen engine
Always liked these. Will get one some day. Drove a green 75 in college owned by one of my detail customers. Fun factor 1,000 times better than new junk cars.
I think the 73 2 liter is best year for a 914. Great color really works with this car and the graphics tops it off nicely. Also nice to see one that isn’t dying from terminal cancer. This car should bring good money and if I was in the position to purchase one I would certainly bid to own. I will never forget missing the opportunity to own a 73 2.0 when I was in Cali. only problem is prices have quadrupled since the early 2000’s. Good luck with the sale.
I’ve noticed that when it comes to 914’s,people either
love the looks of them,or hate it.I’m in the first group,& should
have bought one when it was offered to me for cheap.But,
as always,I had either too many cars,or too little money.
Hope this goes to the right person!
I seem to have missed the pictures of the spare parts, or did I misunderstand?
@Paul – I’m uploading photos of the 914 parts now.
👍
Thanks!
Paul
As I understand it switching to carbs requires a different profile cam or else there will be a flat spot in acceleration. Was the cam changed?
Not true. If the carbs are tuned correctly, a 914 will run just as well. This one accelerates better with them. You just don’t benefit from the added power a high lift cam could provide with carbs. This engine may have a different cam but we don’t have documentation to prove it.
Bingo Jesse! If that engine had one of the street cams available you’d really know it.
We will post a driving video so you can see for yourself.
Ok, thanks!
I owned a 2003 boxster for a few years and REALLY loved it
This is a mini ancient version of it
This must handle like a gocart on rails
Beautiful color
Glwa
Yolo
I missed where the car is. Where is it
Boise, Idaho. The specs are all listed right at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
Way back in the mid ’70s I had the best teenage job in the world – airport valet parking, where I got to drive a few of these, and wow – perhaps the best handling vehicle I ever had the privilege of driving. As many have described it, it really is like a go kart, with the wide, low stance, the wheels out there on the corners, and the mid-car engine placement. Kinda ticked off at myself at the age of 65 for not having obtained one over the years, but there ya go. Beautiful specimen here – good luck with the sale!
Hello,
Do you have a walk around and running video of the car?
Thanks.
We just uploaded a video to the listing. Here’s a direct link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO3JjJL87CU
For those of us who’d need to have the car shipped, can you palletize the trans and short block to ship (separately, I’d expect) at buyer’s expense? The bins of spares might fit in the trunks and passenger footwell for shipping, the drivetrain parts not so much. :-)
Yeah we can do that!
Pronounced POR SHUH
Maybe in German, but we speak English. ;)
Why was the bidding up to $15k and now at $9k? It was also at $13k earlier in the auction.
Yeah, was wondering the same thing. Retracted bids? Why isn’t that mentioned.
We canceled the $15k after the bidder let us know they purchased a muscle car they found and they didn’t have the funds to buy anything else. And the earlier bidder thought they were bidding on a Corvette. Not sure how they confused a 914 for a Corvette.
Thanks for the explanation. ;<)
1970 Porsche 914/6 GT | Jay Leno’s Garage:
https://youtu.be/Ukn4liRG88I
Is there a reserve?
Yes there’s a reasonable reserve set.
Hey Guys, why is bidder ID not visible on recent bids? Transparency important.. who’s bidding? After the withdrawn bid from deadbeat, even more important to know.. thanks
We just noticed that and will try to get it fixed. Thanks!
Nobody here is a deadbeat. You are free to retract your bid given enough time before end of auction with a reasonable excuse (like error in amount bid, I thought it was a proxy auction) If you win the bid and don’t pay as promised that’s when a bidder becomes a deadbeat. Moderator, correct me if I’m wrong.
That’s correct. Obviously, we would prefer bidders to take the auction seriously and only place legitimate bids. Thanks.
Why in the world would one bid against himself…?
He was bidding against the reserve.
The reserve has been met so the car will sell. Good luck to the high bidders!
Congrats to the buyer and sellers. A nice price for what looks like a very honest car. Maybe next time for me.