For a while, I was checking out Copart pretty much weekly, going so far as to attempt to bid on a late 80s BMW 3-Series. For a litany of reasons, I’ve not paid much attention to the site – largely due to reader concerns expressed in various comment threads about the baked-in costs – but cars like this 1974 Porsche 914 here on Copart Auctions get me itching to try and find a diamond in the rough. Thanks goes to Barn Finds reader JamestownMike for the find.
JamestownMike points out that this is a Phoenix Red example, not to be confused with the Signal Orange. The 914 is a desirable 2L example, but is listed as having mechanical issues as the primary source of damage. That’s the fun with Copart listings – plenty of vagueness and no real answers unless you can check out the car in question in person. I do like the 5-spoke Riviera wheels the car is sitting on, along with the seemingly rust-free bodywork.
Now here’s where it gets interesting: the listing says it’s an automatic, and the shifter assembly looks all the world like the stick you’d find in Sportomatic cars – but it’s very similar to manual transmission cars in appearance. The Sportomatic was found in several 914-6 cars but I can find next to no data about how many 2L cars had them. If any of our P-car experts can weigh in and confirm whether that transmission stick is a Sportomatic or a conventional row-your-own, let us know in the comments.
Fortunately for prospective buyers, this 914 looks quite tidy in other areas that normally don’t get much love on true basketcase examples. The interior could benefit from a good cleaning but otherwise looks intact; likewise, this shot of the forward trunk space shows matching paint underneath and clean carpets. Aside from the aftermarket amp seen here, there’s not much that doesn’t appear OEM correct. The big question is whether the “mechanical damage” mentioned in the listing makes this possible Sportomatic 914 worth the risk.
OK I’m NOT a 914 guy but I used to work on them. I don’t recall the headlight motors being painted car color. Maybe they were, but I’m thinking “over spray”. Also, I understand that there WERE 914 sportomatics..maybe FIVE of them. I don’t see vacuum lines/AFT tank for the transmission. I see the MAP sensor as used on earlier 1.7 cars and now I don’t remember if they went BACK to that system on the 2.0 after they’d introduced the air flow system on the 1.8 or not. 2.0 engines had different spark plug angles and the tin ware to allow for that. Those heads were actually “Porsche only” on what was, of course, a VW engine. Those do appear to be Riviera wheels and not the similar “2.0” aluminum that the car might have come with. So..Net evaluation? IF the thing is really rust free and not been hit too badly, the current bid MIGHT be a deal if someone wanted a 914 project. If it IS the slush-pump auto-manual transmission and there were only 5 built, that’s rare… but rare because..who’d want one???
1.7L & 2.0L were Bosch D-jetronic (MAP based) and the 1.8L was L-jetronic (MAF based).
:)
The 914 Sporto was as expensive as the 911 T. This was the reason why they did not sell more than about 25 cars. Today it is quite different. A 914 sportomatic is extremely attractive and expensive.
With the amount of dirt in car makes u wonder if it’s flood damaged
Phoenix is a dusty place (I know, I lived there 32 years)……..ESPECIALLY a mostly dirt Copart yard! NO it ISN’T a flood car. If you read the Copart description, you’ll see it’s a DONATION and has a CLEAN AZ TITLE. Just because it’s at a Copart yard, doesn’t mean it’s salvage. Copart lists, Primary damage “mechanical”, which is very vague indeed. Most likely the person that donated it, informed them of something mechanical, which could be minor or major, who knows!?! I’m not a P guy, what do you think it’s worth as-is, with what appears to be rust fee and with a good title? Currently pre-bid to $3,550. Auction starts tomorrow, Monday at 2pm Eastern.
That dirt is typical Az dust that occurs when a vehicle has sat outside for a period of time.
Assume it doesn’t run. If it ran and drove before it was donated it will say that, or at least “engine start program”. So it could just need fresh gas, or a full overhaul.
Also it looks like the driver front wheel is different.
Be ready for about another 800.00 in “fees” to get the car out. Gofart is the greediest salvage auction out there. This is also an enhanced vehicle which means they throw lots of dirt and dust on it, and take special photos with a blurry out of focus photos. I wish Barnfinds would not promote them.
I agree, Copart “buy fees” are CRAZY HIGH! I’m a “Premier Member” (at a cost of $200 one-time and $150 annual renewal) and get a discount on buy fees (if you can call it that). IF $3,950 was the final price (unlikely), the PREMIER MEMBER “buy fee” would be $565 + $75 “internet fee” + $50 “gate fee” = $4,640! Copart isn’t the only greedy salvage auction out there, IAA (Insurance Auto Auction) has crazy high buy fees too! An “Enhanced Vehicle” on a donation, typically means they clean out the inside of junk OR they rinsed it off. I also agree on the quality (or lack thereof) of their pics, they SUCK!…….big time! But at least they give you 10 pics, more than A LOT of other sellers posted on this site!
One picture of the driver’s side has Riviera wheels and another picture of the same side has the stock steelies.
No, there is a stock wheel on the front and the customs wheel on the back.
It is hard to see but it is there.
I test drove one back in the seventies out of curiosity. Noisy and go-cart like handling. Sounded just like my friends WV bug. Needless to say, no sale.
High pre-bid closed at $3,950. Curious to see what the high bid will be when the auction starts in 10 minutes! By the way, it looks like a manual transmission to me!
Sold to a bidder in Alabama for $6,200 (plus fees) on approval.