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Original Nepal Orange: 1976 Porsche 914 2.0

Although rust can sometimes be a turnoff for buyers, the right look can quickly make one forget about the cancer lying underneath. Take this 1976 Porsche 914 2.0: it wears an awesome factory color known as Nepal Orange, which the seller believes remains mostly original. It has the killer Porsche script going along the bottom of the doors. The optional factory alloy wheels have been color-matched to the wicked period color. And it sports the larger and preferred 2.0L engine – plus, it has the hard-to-find factory gauge package in the center stack. Yes, it has rust, but it also has a lot going for it. Find this 914 listed here on eBay with no reserve and bidding at $1,825.

The rust question is a highly subjective one. I see some folks act like they’ve never even seen rust, in any form, and the level of disgust they have for a car simply because of some corrosion is remarkable. Sure, I wouldn’t pursue a car I was only mildly interested in if was cancerous, but I’ve never walked away from a car I truly wanted simply because of some body rot. Now, I tend to avoid issues that have gotten into the frame, so I have my limits as well – but anyone looking for a 914 in a rare factory color would have to consider that the rust in this example is easily repairable, and hardly a deterrent from owning a car in the color  you’ve been searching for.

Plus, all of the other areas of the car that could represent a considerable expense if found in poor condition are quite tidy. A biscuit-colored interior is a recipe for stains and discoloration, but it’s a non-issue here. The sport bucket seats are in great condition, and the carpets look way too clean for a car of this vintage with a removable roof panel. The dash looks complete, although the later aftermarket radio is a distraction, and the optional factory gauge package is a desirable feature to have. This 914 had to belong to an enthusiast when new given the options and colors the first owner selected. As an added bonus, the seller has confirmed this is one of the last 100 914s ever made.

Finally, the engine still runs and the 914 does drive – but the seller recommends towing it home. The list of features, the colors, the larger engine, and the fun tidbit that this is one of the final 914s produced make it a winner in my book. Yes, it has some battery tray rust, but most 914s do. The totality of the package make it well worth the time to restore, especially since there are numerous shops that can do the battery tray rust repair in their sleep. The engine is confirmed as the numbers matching unit, and a box of new and spare parts will come with the car. Come on in, you anti-rusters – the water’s fine.

Comments

  1. Avatar angliagt Member

    It’s located in Richmond,California.
    Once again,it really irritates me that people
    won’t reregister vehicles in the state that they
    live in.

    Like 3
  2. Avatar alphasud Member

    One look at the pictures on eBay and you can see why they call the area under the battery the “hell hole” What this car has going for it is the D-jetronic is all there and it runs and the interior looks presentable. This rust can be repaired but at what cost? One can always assume there is more than meets the eye. Personally this amount of rust scares me off. Just think of what would have happened if Porsche had a AGM battery available when they made these or they put it up front where the 911 had them. That would have surely helped.

    Like 0
  3. bobhess bobhess Member

    You’re not talking minor rust here as the majority of it is in the area of the rear suspension mounts. If the price stays down it’s worth buying and restoring. It’s a great color, the rubber bumpers are easily replaced with the early versions, the 2.0 liter engine can be tweaked to put out some serious horsepower and the suspension looks to have been set up for maximum handling. Picture shows our last 914 with a 124 hp 1.8 with battery moved to the front over the AC condenser. Great balance and great fun.

    Like 6
  4. bobhess bobhess Member

    Click on picture for full view…. Forgot to center this one.

    Like 5
  5. Avatar Ike Onick

    If this car has ANY rust, either light your money on fire or throw it out the window. It just gets wor$e and wor$e.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Richard

    Those are not factory wheels they are Rivera or something like that

    Like 3
    • Avatar Graham Line

      Yep. Rivieras. Available in Porsche fit hub-centric as well as flat-backed VW varieties, and often a Porsche shop dealer-installed option. They can become porous in their old age.

      Like 2
      • Avatar brian kiernan

        Pacific Italia Carrera Rivera IIs. They need constant attention as they age..

        Like 0
  7. Avatar Sean Daw

    yeah but man- if your willing to pull this all apart and rebuild those rusted out rails this would be a great car-

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Malcolm Boyes

    Sadly that is serious rust under the hellhole and ,if its not structural already, soon will be . That requires immediate and serious work.I would not want to drive it round the block like that. Great paint color but in bad shape on the trunk hood..this has the less desirable rubber bumpers and they are not that cheap to backdate..and, finally, its a 1976 and that means it has to be smogged here in Ca. There are still enough solid driver ready 914s out there ( like the one you just parted with) for $10,000 to $15,000..especially if you are fine with the smaller motor ( I certainly am). I could see fixing the car to really be a money pit..and those “Porsche” side stripes are readily available to put on any car..

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Raymond Keck

    I feel lucky to have bought my relatively clean ’76 before prices went nuts. Keep an eye on this space in Spring, I’m looking to upgrade to a classic that I can get into and out of without sucking my gut in.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Steve Clinton

    If the description is accurate, I’d snap this one up…if I had the cash and my wife’s approval.

    Like 1
  11. Avatar Terry

    Well, rust does go with that orange color.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Raymond Keck

      My first 914 was Nepal Orange…. and not rusty. This poor car needs a savior and I am flabbergasted at the bidding on it.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Daniel Gavin

    Always a big fan of 914’s….especially 914-6’s. Great handling, two trunks, pop the top and enjoy. They were always the ugly duckling with the Porsche snobs, but I think they were a great buy for the $$. Love to have a 914-6…prices have gotten a little bit crazy for them however……just like the air cooled 911’s.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Raymond Keck

    For $5 grand or whatever this goes for? This car has stage 4 cancer. I am on my second 914, have gone deep into restoring the first one, and I wouldn’t touch this car. This one will be lucky to not end up as a parts car.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      Rust repair is like peeling an onion on these cars. Every layer reveals more issues. Not for the faint of heart.

      Like 0
  14. Avatar Mike Saucier

    I second what everyone else said. Bought a ’74 many years ago that had a great body and interior but ohhhhhhh, the floorpan soon revealed its ugly head not long after I bought the fun car. Of course I should not have bought it but it just looked so cool and was a fun driver.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Frank Sumatra

      I have a 914 “buddy” story. An engineer I worked with is very knowledgeable about these cars and a good mechanic. He spent a lot of time looking for one and passed on a lot of mis-represented junk cars presented to him. He finally found one with a mint “Hell-Hole”. Then he started the project and found the hidden rusted components. It was parted out. A hard lesson learned.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar George

    I got lucky a year ago and found a 73 2.0 S with no rust in Florida. Yes, there was an S for a very short period of time (11/72 – 2/73). I would not touch this one with the rust in the hell hole. Good color though. Mine is Sunflower Yellow.

    Like 0

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