While a project car can occasionally be ugly, the patchwork of paint and rust can also tell a story. Given the limited details provided in the listing, you’ll have to piece together what happened to this 1970 Porsche 914 listed here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $499 and, shockingly, a reserve. The widebody fenders, the “Supercharged” badge on the engine lid, and the intriguing two-tone paint job all suggest either a massive stalled project or an intentional bit of humor applied to a forgotten sports car.
It seems like every Porsche model was subjected to cruel modifications once they got cheap enough, so it wasn’t solely the 911s getting the turbo-look fenders back then. This 914 is certainly modified, but done so in a way that you’re left wondering if there was ever a plan once the builder got a welder and a paint brush. It doesn’t appear that the fenders are made out of bondo – it would be difficult to match the proportions from corner to corner – but it does look like the 914 was hastily painted with Rustoleum, to the point even the horn got sprayed. The two-tone paint job leaves a lot to be desired.
We do have an aftermarket steering wheel and speakers, so someone had their priorities in place when they began this build. The rare and desirable accessory gauge package at the top of the center console is a nice find, and probably the single most valuable part of the interior. The seats and dash are otherwise standard and in rough shape. While 914s are on the rise, they haven’t become so desirable (yet) that the truly rough cars are sought after for parts. There’s a business out on the west coast that specializes in parting out 914s; perhaps this car is one they’d consider keeping on the lot.
The engine bay is a mess. It would have left the factory with a 1.7L flat-four, rated at 80 horsepower. The stock 914 transmission couldn’t possibly hope to handle the power of a supercharged engine, so it seems likely the badge was placed on the lid in jest. The yellow paint below the engine is possibly the most desirable part of the car, showcasing an attractive original color. Sadly, this battered and widened 914 is likely ready to be put out to permanent pasture, unless you think the widebody conversion deserves a chance to live on.
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