Finding two forgotten project cars in a barn has to be an exhilarating experience for the discoverer, especially if the vehicles in question are at all compelling as projects. This seller in Petersburg, Virginia, has a pair of Porsche 914s up for grabs, with one car a complete example and the other one missing its engine. The listing here on Facebook Marketplace indicates you can grab both cars for $1,500, which seems like a fair deal to make one solid driver.
The green 914 is the better of the two, said to be “complete” which we infer to mean an engine and transmission is included with the sale. The color is pretty great as well, but I have no way of knowing if it’s original. The pictures show the back of the green car with its original 1.8 engine badge still in place, so if it was a quick respray car, I suspect that badge would not have been put back. Regardless, it’s clear both of these 914s have been sitting for ages.
The yellow car looks far better once out of the barn but the paint behind the missing front bumper suggests that it was at one time orange. Anything in Porsche-speak that left the factory with an orange paint job is generally sought-after, so there’s potentially a compelling reason to bring this one back to life as well as opposed to treating it as a parts car for the green 914. The optional alloy wheels shown on this one are also desirable, so hopefully whichever car survives, these wheels go along with it.
The seller doesn’t provide a ton of detail, but for the asking price, I can’t blame him. I do think there is sometimes a congruent relationship between how cheap a vehicle is and how much the seller is obligated to tell you up front. Given he’s looking to unload these two 914s for $1,500 or best offer, the listing is just fine the way it is. The green car also has an attractive tan interior, which looks to be in decent shape – so there’s lots of value overall here to consider.
Someone is going to grab these quick at that price. Transmission is worth a lot more than the asking price and if the engine is a 2 ltr it gets better by the minute.
Those engines wouldn’t be the six cylinder versions?
No. The 6 cylinder cars would have the 5 lug wheels.
Kurt, These have 1.7 and 1.8 VW Type IV 4 Cylinder Engines in them.
Agree with Bob Hess, I would seriously consider a punt on these two, I like what I see.
These are a blast to drive hard, and restoration would/should be pretty straightforward.
👍🤓
These are a steal. Even with the 1.7 and 1.8 Engines if they are original drivetrains. Even better if they have their original EFI on them. How to turn $1500 into $10,500 in parts.
We pulled 135 hp out of the 1.8 that came with our second 914. Hydraulic lifters, cam, ported heads and a 2.0 ltr fuel injection and we had an 8,000 rpm runner. The west coast gurus are pulling over 200 hp out of these engines now.
Bob are these true Porsche quality engines?
The only “steal” with a 914 stored like these is the one pulled off by the seller. A lot of chit-chat here about engine and wheels. That will probably be the only things worth talking about after the structural rot is revealed.
The wheels on the yellow car are aftermarket, not factory options; even so, they have value. These cars would be a good project for a DIYer.
Get the complete one running and sell it to finance the other one without an engine and do an LS Chevy swap similar to the Orange one from the 15th
https://barnfinds.com/350-v8-powered-1973-porsche-914/
I find it interesting that someone would put the money and time into fixing old cars, the green is correct, my neighbor had one, buy a new Miata!
I ask this respectfully: John, with your new car comment, I am wondering why you are a Barn Finds reader?? Your question seems so out of place for this crowd??
Yep, you’re on the wrong site John. Car & Driver might be more up your alley.
Those 914’s that were looked down on back in the 70’s. The 1.8 and 2.0 are climbing in price these days.
A new Miata, how much does the new owner lose driving it off the lot? A mid-engine 914 will run circles around the Miata in a Gymkhana. I see this at Porsche Club meets all the time.
914Shifter – I think Mr CLARK is taking the mickey :-)
Had to look that one up. I like it.
I could see someone turning those into one go vintage race car. I have a some auto art clients, that race Porsche 914s with the Vintage Auto Racing Association (VARA) and Sport and Vintage Racing Association (SVRA). At that price it would be a good start, if one has the expertise, time and space. I don’t.
I’ll pass, but I could use the seats!
Maybe Mr Clark is a car salesman for a Mazda dealership, lol.
The 914 was pretty common in the 70s and 80s so I heard the “not a real Porsche” mantra often. They were tainted with beetle blood according to those experts.
I learned to drive stick in our Jetta and took those type comments as an insult to VW.
GLWS