The Porsche 914 is a question mark for many enthusiasts: is it a tarted-up Volkswagen or a true corner-carver with copious amounts of Porsche DNA? The answer often lies in the middle, as the car’s mechanical bits reveal the nature of its humble origins, yet the mid-engine handling qualities reflect the influence of the more sporting side of the partnership. A later model year may be more desirable, but there are more than a few reasons to take a look at this 1971 Porsche 914 for sale in Florida. Find it on Collector Car Nation.

This 914 comes with the factory 1.7L engine and is an original two-owner car, and was in the last owner’s possession since 1973. After sitting in storage since 1992, the car has emerged with its orange finish still glossy and black body decals intact. The black buckets and dash are likewise in minty condition, as the car’s primary use was limited to commuting to the owner’s job at Pratt & Whitney. Although it seems a shame that a 914 didn’t spend more time carving cones at a local autocross, driving through the Florida sun with the targa roof removed doesn’t seem so bad either.

In 1971, you could order a 914 with the standard four-cylinder with 80 b.h.p. or upgrade to the 914-6, packing a 2L flat-six and a noticeable bump in horsepower to 110 b.h.p. Other options were minimal, and this 914 still wears the standard steel wheels with chrome VW hubcaps instead of the more desirable Pedrini alloys. Given the weight and power-robbing qualities of the factory A/C unit, we’re guessing this example avoided abuse on the track unlike so many other 914s of the era.

The seller doesn’t say much about the car’s mechanical history, but a few photos showing it missing the black side stripe along the lower rear quarter panel make us wonder if the stickers simply lost adhesion or a respray occurred. Regardless, the paint appears consistent from end-to-end and the chrome trim looks bright. Underbody shots show a straight chassis with rust-free floors and sills. Although Florida is known for its humid climate, the car’s storage environment has seemingly kept it dry and amazingly rot-free.

Although are not sure, the YouTube clip below appears to show the same car driven after emerging from storage. If it is, the car sounds healthy enough to back up the seller’s claims of long-term care and maintenance at the hands of its second owner. With plenty of lesser cars available for project-money budgets, it may be difficult finding a buyer to pay a premium price for the non-premium Porsche of the era.