This 1973 Porsche 914 2.0 was supposedly a runner when it was parked many years ago, but it may not matter much based on the current condition. The later 2.0L cars are generally desirable for their improved performance over the smaller displacement examples, but the desirability is rarely enough to overcome the perceived work involved in reviving a project like this. The seller doesn’t tell us much other than it’s currently not running and that it will be sold with a clear Connecticut title. Find it here on craigslist in Hopewell Junction, New York, for $2,500.
Hopewell Junction is a town near and dear to my heart, as I attended elementary school there, along with attending church, and my mother was a teacher in the same school. While my memories may be fond, that doesn’t change the fact that it snowed here, and road crews used salt to increase roadway traction in winter time. Since this 914 came from Connecticut, it has been exposed to all of downsides to four-season climates, so I find it unlikely there are any floors left in this mid-engined sports car. The paint has certainly seen better days, but the body looks reasonably straight.
We have to play detective with the little information we have to go on, but I can see this 914 has the optional gauge package that stacked vertically behind the shifter. This part alone commands a decent price, but it’s not enough to change the value trajectory if this 914 is rotten underneath. However, the 2.0L engine, the gauge package, the yellow paint, and the accessory alloy wheels all do combine to make this car worthy of rescuing if not hopelessly rotten. In the first photo, take note of the Fiat 500 in the background – I have a suspicion I know where this car is.
In this Google Maps image, you’ll see the building affectionately known as “Geek’s Place”, which is across the street from the old Hopewell Inn. This property has been home to legions of project cars over the years, and my school bus used to pass it daily. I always wished I had stopped in, as he clearly had a preference for old European vehicles. The 914 looks like it could be parked on site here, and it would certainly fit the bill as the kind of project Mr. Geek would like to own. I may be wrong, but regardless, it was fun trip down memory lane. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Mitchell G. for the tip.
I’d like to have a 914 someday,but would pass on this one
& spend the extra money & get one that isn’t majorly rusty
underneath,or in other hidden places.
“Will not reply to ” still available ? ”
…but will post many out of focus pictures.
Did care enough to put a sheet of plastic under it while stored. No rust in the trunk is a good sign. Price is low enough to take risk as it is close to what you’d get parting it out.
Jeff, love the story about knowing where this yard is. When I was a kid in the 70s I lived in upstate NY. Riding on the school bus just before you got into Poland NY, there was a huge junkyard up on the road. Had to be at least an acre of cars, with cows. What was so cool about it was that it showed the timeline of cars, starting with brass cars, early 1900, all the way up to early 70s. So, the old man dies, the kids sell the property for like 20k. The new owner had a car auction that brought in 250k. One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.
I heard that restoring a 914 can get expensive as restoring a 911. They were treated badly in the 80’s & 90’s because they were considered not real Porsches. Owned a ’72 and a ’75. Was always looking for a 914-6, but they were always just out of my financial reach.
We had a 914 for over 40 years, my dad bought it new. Never driven in the winter. Only had about 40,000 miles on it. Had the rustproofing.
It still had the 914 “Hell Hole”. For those that don’t know, there’s going to be a rust hole where the firewall meets the rest of unibody. It’s like there was a laser of rust that went straight through the car.
So you will remove the engine (not such a big deal) but you’ll have to fix that hell hole, and the rest of the rust that traveled along the rear of the floor pan. And that’s not cheap…
Owned a ’72 and ’74. Fortunately both of them were cared for and made sure the battery didn’t overflow into the “hell hole” and had covers on them. I put the battery on the ’74 in the front trunk. Nothing expensive about restoring one except the very expensive paint these days.
Porsche can give you any spare part for 911 or 914 (VW-Porsche in EU) from any year but the price is very high.
This looks like something California Car Club would have for sale.
I’ll take it only if the 500 is thrown in.
Ran when parked and I’ll bet it was originally bought new
Selling for $2500 with a clear title but not a clear conscience.
We bought a ’76 Porsche 914 new, and I have ever since regretted trading it in for a ’78 BMW 320i.
Back in the day, 1973, I was trying to chose between a 914 and a 240z. I went with the 240z and never looked back.
For once I think I made the right decision.
Of course I made the wrong decision in 1974 when I sold the z for a 74 GTO.
My problem is that I live but I never seem to learn.