If you’re anything like me, you enjoy uncommon variants of less popular – to collectors, anyway – models from otherwise popular makes. That’s what we have here. This 1970 Porsche 914/6 was sent to us by an anonymous Barn Finds reader who found it here on eBay in Oakland, California. After 40 bids the price has been pushed to $37,990, but the reserve has not been met.
Introduced the same year as the all-new 4-cylinder 1.7L 914, the 914/6 borrowed its 2.0L 6-cylinder from the 911T. Six-cylinder sales were sluggish, so Porsche discontinued the 914/6 after the 1972 model year. During it’s 3 years of production, only 3,351 cars rolled off the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen assembly line. Perhaps things were different in the early 1970s, but a low, light, 6-cylinder, mid-engine, manual transmission, Targa top car sounds like quite the recipe for driving enjoyment. I don’t know if it’s that combination of features or the low production numbers, but there seems to be a healthy appetite for the 914/6 these days.
The exterior of this 914/6 is painted in a special-order color – Colorado Metallic Red. This car did receive one repaint to its original color in the late 1980s, but poor prep work has left some of the paint bubbling with assumed rust underneath. The body does have its share of bumps and bruises, but the photos make it look at least driver quality. The original Fuchs wheels complete the 1970s Porsche look.
The black interior has been very well cared for. All upholstery is in excellent condition, carpet has only minor discoloration, the dash is free of cracks, and all glass is original. You can consider me a fan of that short console that leaves the shifter floor mounted. The bare bones dash keeps with the simple theme of the 914.
Under that tiny hood is the mid-mounted 2.0L flat-six. Original mileage is unknown, but the seller says the car is mechanically sound. The engine was rebuilt under prior ownership and a recent checkup showed all cylinders with good compression. Minor oil leaks are noted, but the seller says nothing is needed urgently. This 914/6 has been equipped with cross-drilled rotors all around and 911S calipers on the front, so stopping should be easy work.
The seller tells us “this 914/6 is a pleasure to drive.” I’m sure it is. As mentioned earlier, this seems like a complete package with a perfect recipe for driving enjoyment. Does this 1970 Porsche 914/6 have the right ingredients for you?
You know, thanks to Barn Finds, I’ve seen more 914/6’s here than I’ve ever seen in real life. Plenty of the 4 bangers, but not a one /6 on the street. Fact is, the only time I ever saw one was during a brief interest in Road America back in the 70’s. They have a neat sound. From what I saw on the track, I’d say the seller is mistaken, not a pleasure, but down right exhilarating. I still think they are odd looking, however. Wanna go for a ride in one? Thanks to this wonderful machine, ,,,hang on! ( a bit long, but you get the idea. Clearly a traction issue)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv8IBjPuH_4
Two things:
1. That’s not a 2-litre 6. Based on the sound, 2.7 or larger.
2. Rookie driver. Good thing he is cautious enough to keep the car well below it’s actual speed capability.
Gotta love that motor music!
hate the black shade…
watchin OR drivin.
The first of two 914s we have owned was a ’72 originally painted this color. Owner told us he just couldn’t stand it any longer and painted it silver grey. Sort of agreed with him at the time but the color on this car doesn’t look that bad. The second car was a ’74 that got a bare shell up rebuild and now has a 300 plus horsepower 2.7 six in it and was a blast to drive. More power and brakes on these are good. You can add power to the original engine easily without ruining the originality of the car.
Not much footbox or legroom in these, but fund drivers.
And “fund” drainers also.
A little surprised seller didn’t go to PCAR Marketplace of even BaT for something like this listing.
Not much foot room? You clearly haven’t vendor driven one. 914s have an enormous amount of room in the cockpit, tons of headroom and foot room. Way way bigger than a Miata or anything else. There’s nothing like that 2 liter pulling through 5k rpm, carbs sucking and car hunkered down. Love them.
No headroom or recline possible for this 6’4″-er.
Lovely looking car. I’ve always preferred this over the Porsche 911. I’ve always found it more attractive.
OK, I commented on a previous auction but this time I’m sure that this is the six that the late Alex Buller bought in Hawaii. It’s obvious from the description that his wife, Barbara, is the seller. I had the pleasure of driving this car and it’s a world apart from my 2.0 four-banger. It’s sad to see her let it go, as I have so many fond memories of the days the Bullers led the 914 Club and organized so many fun club trips and outings. Those were the days. There’s nothing like driving through the country with 20-odd other 914’s!
Ended RNM @ $55,700.00
A lot of cabbage. Just a couple of years ago, would it have brought that level of bids?