Mid-Engine Driver: 1970 Porsche 914-6

Collaborative efforts are not a new phenomenon in the automotive world. Sometimes these can be between a car company and an external supplier. However, given their close ties, it is unsurprising that Volkswagen and Porsche worked closely on the 914 range. Buyers could choose between a four-cylinder version and a six-cylinder variant. Our featured 1970 Porsche 914-6 falls into the latter category, presenting well as a turnkey proposition. It isn’t cheap, but the marque’s reputation for reliability means it should ply our roads for decades. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Porsche listed here on eBay in Austin, Texas. The seller set their price at $85,000 with the option to make an offer.

I have never considered the 914 as the most elegant vehicle to wear the Porsche badge. However, it is distinctive, and its low-slung stance is extremely aerodynamic. The seller indicates that a previous owner repainted the car in its original shade of Gemini Blue. It is a striking color, and the shine it retains suggests that the shop performed the work to a high standard. The panels are straight, and penetrating rust appears to be confined to a small spot on the lower front fender on the driver’s side. Underside shots reveal areas of surface corrosion, but it appears that this Porsche is structurally sound. The top is in good condition, and the beautiful 14″ Fuchs wheels are spotless.

Porsche marketed the 914 as its most affordable model, although a dispute between Porsche and Volkswagen meant that the 914-6 was more expensive than originally envisaged. However, by bolting in the mid-mounted 2.0-liter six-cylinder motor that had previously seen action in the 911T and fitting a five-speed manual transaxle, the 914-6 represented a significant step up from the four-cylinder variant. With a curb weight of only 2,070 lbs, the engine’s power and torque figures of 125hp and 131 ft/lbs delivered fairly impressive performance. Although brutal acceleration wasn’t its forte, Porsche confirmed that the 914-6 could hit 125mph on the open road. The seller believes that this Porsche is numbers-matching. They indicate that it runs and drives well, ready to provide the buyer with immediate classic motoring pleasure.

Apart from the new carpet, this Porsche’s interior is believed to be original. Its condition is impressive if the claim is accurate. Trimmed in Black leatherette, there is no appreciable wear or evidence of abuse. The wheel is in good condition, and the gauges feature clear lenses and crisp markings. It isn’t perfect because the pad sports a pretty large crack above the heater controls. That’s disappointing for a car within this price range, but with replacements retailing for under $750, addressing this fault should be relatively straightforward. Someone installed an aftermarket radio/cassette, but since they haven’t cut the dash, replacing it with a factory radio should be easy to return the interior to its original form.

The seller emphasizes the rarity of the 1970 Porsche 914-6, and they are right to a certain extent. Only 2,760 of these classics rolled off the line that year. However, it is also worth noting that it was the badge’s most successful model year. The tally slumped to 306 cars in 1971 and 237 in 1972. Porsche effectively retired the 914-6 at the end of that year, although one final car rolled off the line in 1975. Apart from the repaint, this 914-6 presents nicely as a survivor-grade classic. It isn’t a cheap proposition, but the seller’s price looks realistic when compared to recent successful sales. The listing statistics are modest, but it is worth noting that this Porsche has only been on the market for a few days. Do you think it will find a home at $85,000, or will the seller have to consider lower offers?