One of the few Porsches left that hasn’t become an absolute rocketship value-wise is the mid-engined 914. Of course, there are obvious reasons for that, stemming from the fact that this has always been considered an entry level model, and its blatant ties to Volkswagen. But a rising tide does indeed lift all boats, and while you can find trashed 914s for $500 or less, buying a nice one is going to cost you real money these days. This particular 914 comes with its original 2.0L fuel-injected engine and the factory paint color – but it’s hard to tell whether it’s a respray. It also left the dealership with factory A/C.
The paint code is known as Marathon Blue, and it’s quite pretty. The seller believes those are factory Fuchs wheels we’re looking at as well, so needless to say, this is a very well optioned car that incredibly has held onto these components after all these years. While the A/C compressor is missing, all of the original plumbing and A/C-specific center console remain in the car. The paint looks a bit too nice to be original but who knows – given all that remains intact on this 2.0L 914, it’s possible that a longtime owner kept it looking this spiffy. The mufflers are clearly aftermarket, however, and a very typical period upgrade.
The interior presents well with no signs of significant sun damage or other trademarks of neglect, and it has the desirable accessory gauge package as seen with the upright cluster in the center stack. Seriously, I think the original owner checked every option box there was when building this 914; grabbing the certificate of authenticity if for no other reason than to see how loaded it up it was would be a priority for me if I were the seller. The seats, carpets, and dash pad all appear to be in equally good shape.
The 2.0L engine is sought after by most all 914 enthusiasts, especially those with an earlier model equipped with the smaller, carbureted model. The 2.0 came equipped with the Bosch D-Jet fuel injection system that offered respectable performance out of the box, with right around 100 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque. Those are healthy numbers for a car this size, but upgrades exist that put 125 b.h.p. within reach on a still street-able car. This 914 2.0 looks like a honey of a driver and an easy car to bring all the way back. Find it here on craigslist for $22,500. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Matt H. for the find.
Couple of points… There never was a carb version of that engine. Even in the late ’60s VW switched from the dual carbs to the fuel injection on their cars. Our ’77 camper came with fuel injection while the earlier versions had twin carbs.The ACs were dealer installed units and according to the label on the AC in our ’72 they were made in the US. Nice car here.
our 76 p27 camper had fuel injection as well
Bob, I always enjoy your comments—and usually right on the money. As far as I know you’re correct the US 914s all came with fuel injection. I think, however, they were all delivered with dual carburetors in the European markets?
We were in Europe from early ’74 to mid ’77 and did autocross events with the Porsche Club of America Germany Region. Visited the factory several times and finally bought a 912E direct from the factory. At that time Germany wasn’t as hot on emissions as we were but they were hot on fuel injection as they got more power out of their engines and better gas mileage. That was a big factor as regular fuel was $3.60 and the 100 octane was $4.80. That didn’t stop the hot rodders from building really fast cars out of everything including the PCA event cars that showed up with modified engines and suspensions. Several 914s showed up with engines putting out twice the power and most had carbs as the fuel injection was limited in how to handle the big engines. Never saw a street 914 with anything but fuel injection. One VW Beetle passed us on the Autobahn while we at 100mph going at least 140. Followed him into the next gas station to see what it was. He had a 3 ltr 911 six in it midships and kept the original fuel injection because he said the mileage was better! Go figure.
My ’73 camper has carbs … AND smog equipment. But wait — VW didn’t introduce smog until ’74. I felt queasy thinking my “matching” #s weren’t. Maybe order a pricy factory birth certificate on the off chance that it’d solve the mystery? Maybe I’d won the VW lottery, the automotive equivalent of an upside down bi-plane postage stamp? Maybe it was reverse-engineered by a very old school “environmentalist?” (A VW bus in the ‘70s. What are the odds?) Too many research hours later I found my answer: I’m the proud owner of a “Tourist Delivery” model. (Buy, pick up and tour Germany, then ship your “used’ car home, saving import taxes/fees. VW still operates the program to this day.)
Haven’t seen any for 500 in any condition now day..
I haven’t seen anything anywhere for $500 in quite some time
Where is this car located for sale?
Why is there a giant gap over the engine lid?
That’s a big screen for the intake air for the air cooled engine. It’s part of the total lid.
Front and rear deck lids don’t seem to fit well . . . worth investigating before making the plunge at $22,500
It doesn’t look like the button is there for the lock. It looks like an empty hole?
Washington State
The Craigslist map shows it west of Portland Oregon, near Beaverton and Hillsboro.
Another car I’ve always wanted to own.
That color just doesn’t look good (to me),& that
luggage rack would have to go away.