Billed as a project for summer fun, this 1974 Porsche 914 2.0-liter on craigslist will require plenty of nights and all your weekends to spiff it up by this June. Let’s check the pros and cons in light of the $6500 asking price before deciding to ship out to Burton, Vashon Island, Washington to pick her up. This 914 is one of 119,000 examples built in Karmann’s Osnabrück factory between 1969 and 1976. A joint venture between Porsche and Volkswagen, the 914 satisfied Porsche’s need to replace the 912, and VW’s need to replace the Karmann Ghia. Its initial reception, however, was lukewarm. Early cars had odd ergonomics – the window winders used cables, the passenger’s seat did not adjust – and its balky shift mechanism and oddball styling fell like a thud in the midst of the automotive media. For Porsche fans, the VW imprimatur did nothing for its likeability; for VW fans, it was too expensive. Still, it handled brilliantly, and improvements over the years managed to boost sales beyond those of the contemporary 911. Today, a nice 914 will sell north of $20k – sometimes pretty far north.
This car has rust in the “usual” places – one of which will be the battery box and possibly the hinge area above it. The floors are apparently rusty, as the car comes with several patch panels. In fact, that’s the tip of the iceberg as far as parts are concerned – several photos show trim, new brake calipers, gaskets, gauges, even a spare Targa top. The view above reminds us that the wiring needs to be sorted. The interior also requires carpet, though the original pieces are with the car in case you want a pattern. The seats are in good condition.
In 1974, two flat-four boxer-type engines were offered: the 1.8 and the 2.0, both with Bosch fuel injection. This is the 94 hp (US delivery) 2.0 liter with its D Jetronic injection replaced with dual carburetors – fortunately the injection system comes with the car, no doubt needing to be rebuilt. All 914-4s received a five-speed manual gearbox; the linkage was improved for model year 1973, making for a more positive feel. The car’s light weight helped it make a top speed of about 118 mph.
Sadly, by 1974, the little 914 was burdened with heavy, ungainly rubber bumpers and bumper guards, front and back. Restorers often switch these out for the earlier slender chrome type. The sill lettering was a marketing tactic, employed to create fresh excitement for a car now in its sixth production year. These pressed-steel four-bolt Fuchs are original. So let’s see: we do have a car with most of its original parts, but with significant “rebuild needs”, and some rust repair to perform. Porsche 914s are not simple to work on – the engine bay is very tight – but on the other hand, club support and parts availability are superior. What do you think – repair or move on to a better prospect?
Could be a good one if the price can be backed off a bit. Note: Rubber bumpers didn’t come until the ’75s. What you see here is the bumper guards with the metal bumper painted black. If the proper carbs were selected they should give the 2.0 a bit more power. By now the fuel injection should be a tired puppy but there are plenty of aftermarket units available if you just have to go back to FI. The photo shows our ’74 with the ” appearance package” which consisted of chrome bumpers and a center console with additional gauges. The front chin spoiler also was an option in “74.
BTW, another option was driving lights. The Fuchs wheels are cast aluminum.
Actually the FUCHS wheels are forged aluminum….other offerings from Pedrini and Mahle were cast alloy in AL. and magnesium.
This is a near identical car to my ’74 I found in ’94. Same color and similar appearances except mine came from a dry western area and spent most of it’s life in Montana in a garage. I bought it in ’94 with mechanical needs for $750.00; it also required a new windshield but little else. A zero rust issue vehicle but it did have a few door dings. It had the steel mags, and an extra set of FUCHS alloys. I found an N.O.S. set of Campagnolos and have another set of the cast magnesium wheels as well making total investment right at a bit over $5400 in ’90s evaluation.
It has just a shade over 60,000 miles on it.
GREAT handling momentum sports cars ! And the values for great ones will keep rising as most are soft and rotten. With issues which to do right with proper welding in of much metal, cause concern, labor, and cost
mrgreenjeans is correct on the forged wheels. Hard to be precise at 7 AM.
I would love to tackle this project but I have an entire offensive line staring me down and I’m not getting any younger. Next up for me? an 88 T-bird 2.3 turbo hanging off the back of a THING. who ever finishes this 914 will have a fine little car.
I will always regret missing out on a 73 2.0 in the LA area back in the mid 2000’s when they could be had for 4K. I bought my 71 Super Beetle instead which hopefully I will restore a 2nd time after the previous caretaker left it outside to the South Carolina elements.
Does it run and drive now? The price seems fair, but posted a week ago.
Car ran & drove before stored. Hooked battery up last weekend and motor spins and fires, but no power to fuel pump. New calipers need install to drive. Let me know if more questions.
Send the engine off to Jake Raby for some updates. While it’s under the knife, fix the rust. When it’s all done you’ll have a blast.
I had a ’70 – it was a blast to drive… when it ran. Worked on it during the week so I could drive it on the weekend!
Year’s ago I had a 73 with a 2.0 litre, bone stock. Had the alloys fully polished and ran Pirelli P6 tires,put lowering springs KYB gas shocks and struts. It was the best handling car I’ve ever owned. Lots of fun driving in the mountains of Arizona and California, and I won’t talk about the speeding tickets I was able to collect,that is a story in it’s self.
A college buddy of mine had a ’73 914, blue. I rode in it with him once. He made a 90 degree turn at 55 MPH with almost no perceptible body roll. I have never experienced anything like it, before or since.
Great car for autocross, unbolt some things to lighten it up. Tune it up and race!
Looks like Ohu8one2 already built a great autocross car. Extensively autocrossed both 914s we had with the same upgrades indicated. Lots of fun, lots of wins.
I’ve owned two 914s and loved both,,, still have the second one,,, a ’73 which is rust free. After looking at the pics it is clear this car probably was a “rust bucket” ,,, reference the interior picture ( which is posted upside down. This pic is the passenger side floor board showing replacement sheet metal all the way forward into the footwear. It also shows a new cross support bulkhead which is a “red flag” for any future owner. The infamous “hell hole” is located just behind the tan heat shield. This means that there has been significant structural damage from the engine compartment forward to the passenger side gas tank well. I can only imagine what the right side longitudinal bulkhead looks like. With this much original sheetmetal replaced you have to question if the car is still properly aligned and that its torsional ridgity remains true. If not, then this car possibly won’t meet the handling expectations which are the hallmark of the 914 design. Among 914 owners, and I’ve been one for 53 years, there is common agreement that rust was a “factory installed” option. I won’t even comment on wiring issues, much of which runs thru a central front to rear tunnel which would have been exposed to the floor panel welding rework. Very nice looking car ,,, probably worth $6500 or a bit more,,, but with possible lurking demons. Bj
If one looks closely at the images of the battery tray area, you will note that it is not only non original, but the very side of the inner structure is not flat any longer. It appears it may well have been spread liberally with a healthy dose of bondo to cover over some sins of the tin worm.
It is a car which is not far from a redemptive effort at bringing back to a better life, but it will be costly. Unless done by a competent welder and one familiar with these cars and their nuances, it will be a marginal result at best.
At least it is not sagging and the right rear wheel isn’t kicked out at the bottom, so buyer please use discretion and buy accordingly.
Renegade does LS swaps and Cayman 6-speed swaps on these, making them really quick and still handling well…
My best friend had one of these in 1994. We were JUST old enough to drive. It was in extremely good shape, it had dual Webers not sure about engine size. It was awesome. Not sure if it was mentioned, these things are perfectly balanced weight front to back. It was amazing to drive, cornered like it was on rails was an understatement!