As a Corvair owner of almost 20 years, I can say that the number of Ralph Nader comments I’ve had to endure have dropped off significantly as of late. Does that mean that it’s safe to own a Porsche 914 without having to hear endless Volkswagen jokes? Many of us know that Volkswagen and Porsche worked together on the 914, which led to its reputation as something less than a “real” Porsche, but it’s a neat car based on its own merit (hey, it was good enough for Beth on The Rockford Files). Also, few things are as distinctly “seventies” as an Orange Porsche with bold, black “PORSCHE” stripes plastered just above the rockers; immediately, I am transported to old, bleached-out road racing films showing Porsches in action around the world. If you find yourself liking the crisp-handling 914, this 81,000-mile, one-owner survivor is for sale here on eBay in Clermont, Florida, and its high bid is currently $5,200.
As with most collector cars, the most important thing to watch out for on 914s is rust, and this one seems to pass the magnet test, as it has all-original paint and has not been restored. In fact, it’s spent the last 25-odd years in storage and was recently “revived” for sale. The seller says that the only visible flaw is “minor rust inside the driver’s side rocker panel,” which is shown here at an angle that may be too low to judge.
The front trunk is immaculate, and this is as good a time as any to mention the color, Nepal Orange, which replaced Signal Orange for the last two model years of 914 production. I think it’s the perfect color for a 914; in fact, any 1970s Porsche looks best (in my opinion) in a bright, neon color such as orange, yellow, or green.
While most buyers want to see what’s under the “hood,” it’s a fairly tough go in a 914 due to its mid-engine architecture. This car, being from the final year of 914 production, has the 2.0-liter flat-four, which was (close your ears if you don’t want to know) based on a Volkswagen engine. In US trim, the four put out 84 horsepower and ran it through a five-speed manual transaxle, enough to ship the 914 to sixty in about 11 seconds. That’s really not bad at all for 1976, and when combined with the 914’s excellent handling and four-wheel disc brakes, its no wonder that so many 914s saw track time. Can you imagine autocrossing one of these? It would be a blast.
The ad says that this one runs and drives as it should, with no smoke, odd noises, or leaks, but “a light tune-up would take it to the next level.” In the posted video, it seems to run and drive pretty well, but the speaker says that it could use new tires and some brake work. Also, the fuel gauge is showing very empty, so either there’s no gas in the tank or that system also needs some work.
The interior also has that 1970s charm, with its neat plaid upholstery; the seller says that the driver’s seat shows “light wear,” but I’d say it might be a little worse than that. The passenger side, however, looks almost mint, and the upholstery material itself (Black and Gray Tartan) appears to be readily available at reasonable (for a Porsche) prices. The dashboard has a few minor cracks as well.
I’d have no problem cruising around in this 914, and I’m already set up to hear the same old jokes due to my Corvair experiences, so a couple Volkswagen comments wouldn’t bother me a bit. Since 914s have been appreciating over the years, especially when they’re in pretty nice original condition like this one, what do you think the final hammer price will be?
I have pined for a 914 for many years and in this part of the world I am familiar with the normal rust issues. I imagine it would handle a bit like the X/19 Bertone that I owned (saying Fiat is quite like using VW on this Porsche).I’m OK using VW with the Ghia that I have owned for 36 years, yet I still would like to tinker with a 914 and since it’s my birthday perhaps a kind soul can have this one shipped north just for me. Thanks.
You are quite right about the Fiat badge on the X1/9. Once someone in a gas station insisted to me that my X1/9 (1.5 lt, 5 speed) was a Ferrari in disguise and not a Fiat. The great diference between the 2 cars was in the wind entering strongly in the 914 (which in Europe had above the rockers a strip with VW on it, instead of Porche in the USA). Impossible to talk in the Porsche above 50km/h, whereas in the X1/9 with the top off it was business as usual at any speed. It could also almost reach top speed with the top off, a further proof of an excellent streamlining.
Don’t have a clue what the hammer price will be but this is a good looking 914. Aaron, having owned a ’65 Corvair and two 914s you won’t get any smoke out of me. If I survived the business of restoring or making race cars of the 914s I can ward off any comments on their lineage thrown at me. They were made for fun and do a great job of it. Upgrade the suspension and engine, take off some weight by swapping out the rubber bumpers for the pre ’75 ones and go have some fun. Love the color too. My ’74 was the Signal Orange.
that is one nice ride sir! do you have an instagram with more pictures of the car? if so, I’d like to add you so I can see more of this machine!
This is the only other shot of the car as I lost 75% of our photos in ’17 hurricane IRMA. One thing, paint on every interior and exrerior panel.
Thats really nice Bobhess!!! Love the stance too. Looks like it would be a blast to drive. ( I’m guessing it was)
It’s a blast alright. 130 hp, tuned suspension, AC, and presently with a 911 engine put in buy the present owner.
I had one of these in “Lime Green” and it fell victim to the rust issues that plague 914’s. I told myself never again…until I saw this one! You are correct – the market is steadily climbing on well cared for 914’s so there is no telling what someone will pay but if I had to guess it’s going to be north of $8k given recent sales on BAT for similar vehicles in this condition. It should be more but without the benefit of good photographs “it is what it is!” Still for someone looking to enter into the “Porsche” arena this looks to be as good be a candidate as any. If only it were in Lime Green!
The vehicle is up over $8k already so the market has spoken. Wouldn’t be surprised to see $10k for this classic.
Had a lime green one myself. It was a revelation to me how well it handled and braked. I had a 74 Beetle convertible too, so saying it’s a VW doesn’t bother me in the least. That’s a beautiful car!
yeah ‘not a real porsche’ along w/ the only other (here w/the 6) ones I like: 928/44/68/28.
Glad they’re affordable. Well, still not for me as ‘sports cars’ were for my young life (14/44 y/o).
No room for one in life now.
May B again, if I ever retire…
(yeah, dream, I cant even fit in some like the TT aahahahaa)
I think the harder part is finding one that hasn’t been turned into a racecar or done it’s fair amount of cone damage!
My ’76 2-liter sold for $20K a few years ago, with 59,000 miles. This one should go for about that, being a nice, unmolested specimen. Not sure if those are aftermarket wheels or painted Fuchs, but the originals weren’t painted. Wish mine had had the plaid interior!
Lovely looking car. I think Ralph Nader is crazy! He blamed every bad thing on the Corvair, he thought the car alone was to blame for the accidents that happened. I disagree with him. I think as a driver, we’re the one’s responsible for what the car does.
It is up to 10 grand, and I have to congratulate the seller, this is what an ad should look be. Good video, great photos and nice write up. Good luck!
A side note: Attorney Beth transitioned to an MB red convertibler. I think we are in the middle of season 3 or 4 of The Rockford Files and the transition just happened. The producers usually had a few interesting cars parked in the lot or on the street and Jum’s dad drove a nice Jimmy. The gangster bosses usually had Mercedes and they used various American 4 doors to chase Jim in his Firebird. I have wondered how many Firebirds they used in the series since they have wrecked them several times, usually a short car chase every 3 or 4 episodes.
I’ve read they got a new one every year. And he kept the earlier front until the 77 and wouldn’t get 79/81 grill.
Slightly more on topic. I’m starting to wonder what European car has Bob Hess NOT owned
Had a buddy in college that got a gold Firebird, and was told it was a Rockford car by the seller. No proof was provided. That would have been around 84. Not sure how that would have got to Kansas…
The show had new Firebirds every season from 1974 to 1978, and then they kept the ’78 models for the last season because James Garner apparently didn’t like the 1979 restyle.
The 1974 cars were actual Esprits, but every year after that, the production company got Formulas and replaced the hood, removed the spoiler, and repainted the cars. I believe they had three or four cars each season for various duties (and so they didn’t have to hold up filming if one of them was getting repaired). I’m a big Rockford fan, (I even own a ’74 Esprit), so I’ve gathered this from watching interviews with James Garner, reading his memoir, etc.
Never had a Wartborg.
Former 911 owner here. I used to turn up my snoot at these. No more. Beautiful piece of history. Deserves to be carefully driven and cared for like the iconic, classic, desirable bit of automotive history it is.
Buddy of mine is now watching this auction. He’s the 2nd owner of a 76 914 (1st owner was my neighbor, who sold it after 6 months due to divorce). His is black, and has just over 40k miles. Currently at $13,160, might get a better price on BAT or Cars & Bids.
Sold on 4/08/2026 for a high bid of $15,800, there were 35 bids and 15 bidders.
Steve R