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Low Mile Survivor: 1976 Porsche 914 2.0

This 1976 Porsche 914 is described as a low mileage survivor with none of the typical rust you find in 914s of almost any vintage. It sports the larger 2.0L engine and has under 80,000 original miles. The color combo is sharp, too, with an interior the likes I can’t recall seeing in any factory brochures, but the seller is adamant this is one 914 that hasn’t been altered since new. The bidders certainly seem to agree, as the 914 is up to over $16,000 here on eBay with less-than-stellar photography. The 914 has been rising steadily as of late, so buy one now before it ends up cresting $20K.

I used to think the 914’s price was rising solely because the 911 market had gone so crazy, but as of late, it seems more likely that enthusiasts are just waking up to the fact that these are great options for a sporting model that won’t break the bank. As anyone who has followed the collector car hobby knows, 914s have seemingly always been cheap and in abundant supply, but that impression is changing – especially as it gets increasingly hard to find good cars. Rotted out projects are a dime a dozen, but specimens like this come along far less frequently. The 914 looks sharp with red paint and a targa top that appears to be in great condition.

The interior is the highlight for me, with a tartan cloth pattern inset on the nicely bolstered factory seats. Perhaps a 914 expert can confirm if this upholstery was listed as an option in the factory brochures because it does look nice enough to be factory. The seller claims the carpeting is original and has never been wet, and that the 914’s fragile dash shows no cracks or other sun-related damage due to careful care and storage since new. Actual mileage is noted as being 78,193, which isn’t obscenely low but is definitely a value-add if it’s been documented with registration documents and other paperwork.

This shot of the exceedingly clean factory carpeting and unused tool kit lends further evidence to its pampered existence, along with a shop manual that isn’t covered in oil and grease stains. The seller doesn’t specify any major mechanical needs but does note that the brake master cylinder was replaced and the 914 sports fresh calipers at all four corners. The 914 has always been an approachable classic car without the big-ticket expenses of a 911, but finding one without rust in the typical trouble spots like the battery tray can be a chore-and-a-half. This one looks like a solid survivor, and likely deserving of the current bid.

Comments

  1. Avatar Chas358

    This is amazing!
    I love clean old cars whatever they are.

    Chas

    Like 8
    • Avatar Lowell Peterson

      Absolutely agree! Positive comment appreciated. Everyone is a critic! Not many have actually done any hands on restoration.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Bigcat Member

    Not a 914 expert but found pic of period factory brochure on Pinterest that shows 9 different plaid interiors. Person in my area owns several 914’s including a 6, I have examined closely, none as clean appearing as this one based on photos.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar 8thNote

    I owned a 914 with the base engine several years ago. They are incredibly fun to drive. I’d like to own another, but I can’t afford one now days. I paid $3500 for mine in 2005. It was a presentable driver grade car (not near as clean as this one).

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Phlathead Phil

    I already have one. 1971. White. 100 % original. I even have the window sales sticker.

    Can you imagine a guy that’s a Phlathead dude being an air cooled man too?

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Mike

    I have a ’75 same color but with a white interior. I wonder how many color variations of the tartan seats?

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Raymond Keck

    My ’76 2.0 is Light Ivory with tan interior but, unfortunately, not quite as clean as this one, despite only 58K on the odometer. It’s encouraging to see 914’s retaining some value. I’m hoping to parlay mine into some American steel in the near future.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Mike

      White and tan is a good color combo. I’m looking to sell mine too. Need a little $$ to finish off a Fiat Campagnola 4×4 I imported a while back. Here’s a pic. The white is almost blinding.
      https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=1585016

      Like 2
      • Avatar Stan Marks

        Very nice, Mike.

        Like 1
      • Avatar Raymond Keck

        Looks awesome, I like the white. I had Mahle wheels on my ’75, but my ’76 has its original Fuchs.

        Like 1
      • Avatar FMW

        Hi Mike, I’m a big fan of the white interior. Would be interested i speaking with you about the car. How can we connect?

        Like 0
  7. Avatar Stan Marks

    I had one identical to this one. Only my seats were black.
    Back then, Porsche enthusiasts looked down on us 914 owners.
    That car was lots of fun. Especially with the top off.

    https://www.classiccarsseller.com/media/uploads/cars/2014/5/7/1975-porsche-914-redblackred-plaid/0.jpg

    Like 1
    • Avatar Raymond Keck

      Stan-

      I had a Nepal Orange ’75 and had a ton of fun with the 914 Club here in California back in the 90’s. Did an occasional rally with the Porsche Club and 914’s couldn’t be beat for handling and quickness, but they still looked down on us. 914’s are a blast to drive.

      Like 3
      • Avatar Stan Marks

        I owned my 914 during the 70s, while I still lived in L.A., from ’62-’83.

        Like 1
  8. Avatar Car Nut Tacoma

    Awesome looking Porsche 914! I’d prefer this any day over the rear-engined 911. I find it way more attractive than the 911.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Horace Morris

    My 74 was a 2-liter with A/C and Houndstooth seats and doors from the factory.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar jbocmau Member

    Always loved these! In 1976 I worked at a Porsche-Audi dealer in Boston. The last new 914 to come into the dealership was bright yellow with tan interior. The day it arrived, a mechanic took me out for a wild ride in it. Less than a week after it sold, I saw it sitting by the side of a nearby intersection with the nose and tail badly crumpled. Week or so later, saw the same 914 at a Brookline body shop with the hacked off nose and tail from an earlier 914 next to it. I presume it was made into a frankenstein. What a shame!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Raymond Keck

      My orange 1.8L ’75 was bare bones when I bought it. I spent years adding options: Mahle wheels, console, fog lights, sway bars, air dam, big bore kit, etc. When I was relocating to Seattle I sold it to a friend who promptly ran it into a ditch and totaled it. Bonehead.

      Like 0

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