Stored Survivor: 1971 Porsche 914

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Usually, when you hear the term “project Porsche”, it’s related to a 356 or an older 911 or 912. The Porsche 914 has the distinction of being maybe the first model that was always a bridesmaid, never a bride, in that it may have been Porsche’s first punching bag. The seller has this survivor 1971 Porsche 914 listed here on eBay in Minneapolis, Minnesota and they’re asking $8,500 or offer.

This 914 has been in storage for the last eight years, according to the seller, who says it ran great when it was parked but now needs the usual routine in order to get it on the road again. Willow Green is a lush color for the 914, not that they offered a bad color. I prefer the crazy bright colors, but that’s just me. This car is only four feet high and with 99.99999999999999999999% (approximately) of drivers texting and/or otherwise not paying attention to their surroundings while driving 14 mph over the speed limit, the brighter the color the better so you’re seen. The seller says there “is little discernable rust”, so that’s good, right?

The Porsche 914 was made from early 1969 through 1976 and Michelle showed us a very nice example a little over a year ago here on Barn Finds, in the same color, no less. You can see some paint issues in the photos here, which aren’t the best. It’s somewhat unusual to see vertical photos in an eBay listing, but these photos were mostly just that. Porsche and Volkswagon were originally going to offer a different version of the 914 for North America: VW getting the flat-four version and Porsche getting the flat-six version that’s all the rage today. In the end, it was decided that both versions would be badged as Porsches.

As Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year in 1970, the 914 was on its way, or so it would seem. In the end, just under 119,000 were produced, and before the Porsche 924 came out, the 914 was arguably the least-loved model for this company that now counts over half of its sales as being SUVs. No, really. The interior photos are also vertical and a couple of the overall photos are a bit blurry and dark, but it appears pretty nice inside.

There is an engine photo, and even though it’s vertical and fairly dark, there’s an engine photo! That’s no small task on a 914 as the engine is behind the seats. It’s a Volkswagon-sourced 1.7-liter OHV flat-four with 79 (net) horsepower and 98 lb-ft of torque. As mentioned, this one hasn’t been started in eight years so the next owner will want to drain the gas tank and check the oil and all of the usual tasks before starting it. A five-speed manual sends power to the rear wheels and Hagerty is at $10,000 for a #4 fair-condition example. What’s your offer for this 914?

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Comments

  1. mrobin

    914’s compared to modern cars,not so hot. Compared to the competition back in the 70’s they were awesome. MGB, Triumph, etc back then didn’t have 5 speed transmissions, 4 wheel disc brakes, and mid engine with neutral handling.

    Like 4
  2. Rw

    No such thing as a non targa 914

    Like 7
    • bobhess bobhessMember

      No such thing as a 914 Targa either.

      Like 6
      • Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

        It could be worse, I originally had, “1971 Four Wheels, Green, Two-Seat Porsche 914 Targa With Engine”

        Just kidding, you’re right. Thanks for the correction.

        Like 2
    • justpaul
      • PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

        A 914 breadvan – cool!

        Like 0
  3. Howard A Howard AMember

    These always seemed to be the “poor persons Porsche”. With the cost, about $3565 new, it was almost half the cost of the 911, but a grand more than a Karmann Ghia. and many overlooked the kooky styling, just to say they have a Porsche. I like the green on this car, thought of painting the Jeep green with black fenders( crickets), and I’m sure these are still FANtastic cars to drive. I heard the 1.7 was a bit anemic, and a tall SUV will surely back over it, but a Porsche is a Porsche, farm tractor not included.

    Like 5
  4. TVRpaul

    My 73 Lotus Europa Spl with the Big Valve Twin Cam ate this car for breakfast, lunch & dinner

    Like 2
    • rustic39

      Let’s compare showroom prices.

      Like 0
  5. peter havriluk

    So get it running. Risk equals money. Asking buyers to take a risk lowers the price a bunch. And there’s more to worry about besides bad gas and corroded gas tanks.

    Like 2
  6. Malcolm Boyes

    The crucial check on this is the so called “hell hole” under the battery tray.Those 70’s batteries leaked acid and, if it get down into the chassis below the battery you can be in for some $$ work. Also the longs, hidden by the black riveted sill should be checked if they can.If those are good..this is a steal.Even with the 1.7 these are terrific cars..I did over 100,000miles in mine and still miss it..had it up to 105 mph, got 42 mpg a couple of times and it made it cross country without a hiccup. And they handle like a go kart.I have a couple of P cars now..but still miss my simple 914..

    Like 9
    • Stu PrestonMember

      We’ve had a pretty good range of the Porsche models over the years: 356, 911, 912, 914, 987. The 914 is still the one that comes closest to feeling like driving a go-kart, although the Cayman is a close (but heavier) second.

      My most glorious 914 memory is being at Hallett for a DE track day. A friend was there with his 650 hp Ferrari and we were in the same run group–all the oddball cars. I could actually PUSH him in the corners. Not bad for 95 hp. Of course, once we straightened out he ran away from me!

      Like 2
    • Jonathan Green

      Go Kart – 100%. I was like it was on rails. We had one my dad bought new. I was on Maple road, in Troy, near the Troy Motor Mall, and a dump truck crossed Maple, was headed right into me and my dad. I was doing maybe 50, and executed a 90 degree turn to the right into a lot or a sidestreet (Can’t remember) to avoid the crash. After getting our bearings, my dad told me “Good Driving!”

      And there will be a hell hole. Our car was never driven in the winter, stored in a garage, and got a hell hole…

      Like 1
  7. Car Nut Tacoma

    Lovely looking car. I’ve always loved these Porsche 914. It’s too bad they didn’t sell well, at least compared to other Porsche cars.

    Like 1
  8. Robbo

    Worked for dealer back in 1972 when these were new cars.The 1.7 couldn’t get out of it’s own way, also lots of warranty work on engines and transmissions.Early cars had lots of problems with body and panels and doors and bonnet not fitting well,poor workmanship, not a Porsche trait at all. The really big problem was engine compartment fires, they had plastic fuel lines coming up to engine from under chassis, well they melted, and voila engine fire that usually burned fuse and relay box in right side of engine bay, so complete new harness , as well as body panels and paint damage.Was major recall by feds and Porsche itself.Oh yeah engine pull and complete check and replace as needed, all made under warranty so got paid book value and no chance to make more money for faster work, so nobody wanted to work on them.Only one we all wanted to work on was 914 /6 just to take it for test drive.LOL

    Like 1
  9. mick

    In 1973 I saw a 914 for sale in the local PennySaver. I called for the location and went to look at it. Very nice black on red. I asked to take it for a drive and the owner was skeptical about my shifting abilities (I drove over in a 65 Impala w/PG). He said he’d drive first and if I wanted to drive after seeing him shift he’d be okay. We went out around town and then to the outskirts (45mph). It felt like it handled super nice from my seat as passenger. He headed to an on-ramp and nailed it (I know, hahaha). Suddenly, the guy in front of us hit his brakes hard enough to smoke the tires skidding to a stop. The 914 owner was looking at me when that happened. I thought we were cooked and crashed but he slammed on those brakes and we stopped straight and true, 10′ before that guy’s rear bumper. At that point I knew I had to have that car!

    Like 2
  10. chrlsful

    1/2 of porsche sales now is suv? WoW !
    I remember all 3 of the hated on: that (suv), the 924/8 and the above.
    I myself, all ways the contrarian, like only the latter 2. It could be due
    to the 911 (its variants over the yrs) always being next door. Loved the
    neighbor, not those cars.

    Like 0
  11. John Frazier

    Little discernable rust, but what about rust that isn’t discernable?

    Like 0
  12. PRA4SNW PRA4SNWMember

    SOLD.
    Best Offer Accepted.

    Like 1
    • Scotty GilbertsonAuthor

      Thank you, sir!

      Like 0
  13. Robert Atkinson, Jr.

    My high school gym teacher drove an orange one, and one day, as a gag, my best friend and our chemistry teacher stole all of the knobs from his 914! The gym teacher was also famous for entertaining a very buxom senior redheaded girl in his office! You could always count on spending your gym period in the weight room when the music was playing in his office with the office door locked, LOL! IIRC, he wasn’t our gym teacher the year after that!

    Like 0
  14. Malcolm Boyes

    I always say that those who knock the 914 have never driven one..especially on a twisty country road. The thing that amazed me was how much room there is inside and how comfortable my 914 was on a long drive..in 5th, cruising at 80..Underated at first, appreciated now..
    I fell in love with them when I saw a gorgeous brunette exit one in Biarritz, France in1970..Less than 5 years later I had mine and……

    Like 0
    • rustic39

      We’re not short on twisty hilly roads in the Cincinnati area, and my 914 shined there – absolutely glued to the pavement.

      Like 0
  15. Dan55

    Niece car and not a bad price. However being in Minnesota no undercarriage pictures is disturbing.

    Like 0

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