Listed on craigslist for $3,750 in Kent, this 1975 Porsche 914. According to the seller, the car was originally orange, hasn’t suffered any major accidents, and both the front and rear ends remain straight. While there’s evidence of some older bodywork repairs, the seller is upfront that this is a 50-year-old car that will need rust repair and mechanical work before hitting the road again. Thanks for the tip Barney!
The listing explains that the “hell hole” area, the space under the battery tray that’s notoriously prone to rust on 914s—is in rough shape, with corrosion extending downward from that section. The floorboards are said to be solid enough to stand on but are beginning to show rust along the edges. Additional spots of rust are mentioned along the lower doors and lid edges, while the front trunk pan remains solid. The rear targa storage pan, however, has rusted where it meets the taillight panel.
Cosmetically, the car currently wears a temporary white paint coat, which the seller applied to make it more uniform after the original paint began to flake. They left part of the right front fender untouched to show the previous finish underneath. The rear bumper is missing, but the ignition key is included.
Mechanically, the electrical system powers up on a jump, though the engine only clicks when turned over, suggesting it may be seized or have a starter issue. It’s equipped with dual carburetors—the seller isn’t sure if they’re Webers or Dellortos, and notes that the engine lid cable is broken, though the latch can still be accessed manually. The car rolls and steers easily, making it simple to load onto a trailer for transport.
With a build date of October 1974 and a clean 1975 title, the seller describes it as a solid starting point for someone who’s not afraid to weld in patch panels, or simply stabilize the rust with POR-15 and drive it as-is.
Projects like this are getting harder to find, especially with titles in hand and complete drivetrains still present. Would you tackle the metalwork and restore this 914, or build it into a rat-style driver?
Disclaimer: Information is based on the seller’s ad, which is not independently verified. This ad has some inconsistencies, and information was changed after the post was made.
An honest seller. For $3,750, someone who wants to swap a 6 cylinder into this, it could be a worthwhile investment.
Actually 1976 was the last year of 914 production.
This car looks like it got drunk and then got into a bar fight! (LOL)
Barn Finds states 2.0 but CL states 1.8 ?
The seller has changed the ad since this morning
thanks for you work (write up) and then your work after your work
Elizabeth.
This is one porsche model I like (along w/the 928/44/68 is there more?)
as affordable, and often shunned by the aficionados. I can deal w/the
frame’n chassy issues. Just no room here for ‘sports car’ no matter how
lux (in fact that detracts a bit). I rallied the X one nine as a kid w/energy, time, money… then. Would have to move thru the shop fairly quickly but I’d
sure “test drive” it a few months (the 4 or the 6. An MR2 spent 3 summer months here that way, last yr?). All the RMR-1 cars are fun drivers~
Used to be a bigger-bore cylinder kit to bump a 2.0 to 3.0 liter.
Car is a mess and not worth half the ask.
I’ve owned 3 of these cars and with the amount of rust shown underneath, this would be a parts car. Pull the rocker covers off and check the longitudinal and I’m betting they’re rusted to the point of no return too. Not worth the time, expense and expertise needed save this one. But there’s plenty of parts that could save another one.