This 1976 Porsche 914 is for sale out of a collection of survivor-type vehicles, and the seller claims it’s a three-owner car that’s never been restored. The 914 is powered by the later (and preferred) 2.0L engine, and shows no modifications – not even the cheesy dual exhaust that so many of these were graced with. The market for 914s isn’t on fire, but it is appreciating as time goes on. Find this clean example here on eBay with bidding over $9K and the reserve unmet.
While the 914/6 gets much of the glory, there is nothing wrong with a well-preserved 2.0L car. While the black bumpers do nothing for the car’s appearance, they at least present well with no signs of fading. Same goes for the front chin spoiler and targa roof. The seller notes mileage of just 74,000 and no evidence of prior wrecks or rust repair in the car. That’s impressive, especially given how often battery boxes tend to rot out.
The interior looks quite nice, with caramel-colored seating surfaces, tan carpets, and matching Coco mats. I normally don’t love the lighter colors, but given the frequency with which we see white on black color combinations, this interior color scheme is refreshing. Gallery photos show no signs of dash cracks or cloudiness in the gauges, and the door jambs retain stickers indicating previous maintenance and oil changes.
The storage compartment has all sorts of goodies, from a full-size spare wheel to vintage dealer license plate frames and what looks like original tools and manuals. The carpeting in the trunk (before all this stuff was placed in there for the photo shoot) looks spotless, and aside from some of the undercoating failing in the wheel wells, there are relatively few cosmetic flaws to cite. 914s aren’t getting any cheaper; is now a good time to buy the nicest one you can find?
Super Nice car! :-)
I grew up in northern CA & a buddy of mine drove one EXACTLY like this back in the early 80’s. (..perhaps this one was his??)
As noted, the 2.0L engine is the preferred model, as it got the bigger engine and the attractive 4-spoke alloy wheels.
These cars handle great, & personally I’ve always like the body style.
A very underappreciated Porsche model, in my opinion.
I remember when you couldn’t give these away. Cool car, but no way I’d pay 10k for it.
The market is on fire for anything Porsche except the 924 and 944. There are some very high prices being asked for these. I drove and detailed a 75 model for a client in 1978. I loved it. Miss that air cooled sound. The water cooled Porsches sound boring. Wish I had room in my garage because my oh my they rust.
Interesting. Mine is the same color combo, built the same month, but this one is a rare ’76 with no options. VW loaded up on options in ’76 knowing that they would be the last year. Bear, I may have your buddy’s car, which I purchased in Marin in 2009. Receipts show it spent some time in San Francisco. If I get busy, it should show up on Barn Finds next summer.
Bought a ’75 Melaga red/white interior back in the 80’s. It was my DD for years. My dad ended up with it and restored the car. These things are a blast to drive, but getting out of it now takes some time since it’s so low and I’m old. Probably going to sell it soon and get something with easier access.
Mike-
I’m in the same boat. It’s a great little car but I don’t enjoy the go-cart aspects like I used to. Wish I could afford the care and feeding of a 911, but prices these days are nuts. Think I’ll be looking for some American steel.
It appears the passenger door has been repainted. Look at photo 17 on eBay. Around the edge of the door handle and on the edges of the rubber there appears to be evidence of where it was masked and painted. It’s not terrible, but it’s there, and if this car is being represented as unrestored, it should be noted.
I find the body shape and air-cooled sound refreshing, offers a pleasing neutral design that’s missing from anything newer, has a compliant ride and the driver sits right in the center of the action. They stand out and I admire the honesty it exudes.
They certainly can rust and this one seems free of the damage from foul weather with salt added. The price seems on the low side for such a clean example.
Bidding reached $13900 at auction end.
Reserve Not Met.