Shed Find: 1976 Porsche 914 2.0

Storing a car away for a short-term sojourn is something most of us have done at one point. The motivations range from going on a longer trip or deployment; time/space/financial needs determining it needs to be out of the picture for a bit; or simply caught between phases of work, where the project hits a point where a pause is necessary. This 1976 Porsche 914 looks like it was treated well and had the right parts thrown at it before moisture problems crept in and caused some unfortunate damage. It is now listed here on Facebook Marketplace for what seems like a reasonable price of $3,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Lothar… of the Hill People for the find.

The 914 has been enjoying some renewed appreciation in the marketplace over the last few years. I’ve heard more one-off conversations about Porsche fans considering a nicely prepped 914 as a new hobby car lately than any other time, likely due to long-hood 911s becoming so expensive. You can get into a 914 with the right upgrades for still-reasonable money and an absolute pittance compared to a 911 or 912 from the same period. The trouble is if you own a project-grade car like this one, you’re competing with the rational of simply spending a few bucks more and getting a turnkey example. This 914 does look like it was a tidy car when parked, at I see reasonably fresh seals, clean lenses, and paintwork that appears consistent from top to bottom.

Here’s where things go sideways in a hurry: the rust in the rockers, which appears to have been hiding beneath the covers that sit over them. When you look at a 914 with all of the trim pieces still installed, the carpet and weather-stripping curl up and over that lip right alongside the driver’s seat. A cover goes over the outside of the bottom edges of the door, quarter panel, and fender. In mentioning that the “…interior was very wet at one time,” the seller may be pointing to what happened when the car went into storage. If there was a water issue in the cabin, or the shed it was stored in either was damp or had water actively coming in, this was recipe for disaster if left in long-term storage. There are other photos showing additional rust and a compromised battery tray.

As a 2.0L-equipped model, this 914 has a lot going for it. 91 horsepower may not seem like a lot, but it was nicely matched with the light and tossable 914. When you combine the attractive colors with the engine spec and what otherwise looks like a car that was truly decent at one time, you begin to see the possibilities for revival. Unfortunately, with driver-grade cars out there that have little to no rust outside of the battery area selling for $7,000 – $10,000, it becomes a harder sell for anyone who lacks the ability or desire to do their own welding. What do you think the future holds for this shed-find 914?