The San Fernando Valley, California, version of craigslist features this 1971 Porsche 914/4, on offer for a very precise $28,953. Should you buy it? Well, the old saw “go find another” might be part of your answer here. It’s super original, with authentic paperwork from way back. You’ll wait a while before you see its like, let’s just say. Let me thank Pat L for another nice find and get to the business of figuring out what we have here.
This one’s coming out of long-term single ownership. The person whose name is on the original Florida certificate of title is the one whose name appears on the current California title, and the registration is paid up until this fall. The car was moved from the Sunshine State to the Golden State in its birth year, so you can bet there’s nary a speck of rust to be found (almost). The one oddity about the car is that it has a relatively recent California tag number (8BLSXXX), which indicates the plates are a reissue. Of course, that could be from something like these being theft replacements, rather than because of long-term storage, but you should get to the bottom of this.
If your body-style recognition software (your brain) wonders why this Porsche looks so much like it could have VW emblems on it, that’s because it was a joint venture that saw the companies share in the creation of these targa-topped, rear-wheel-drive roadsters. The original idea was to sell cars with four-cylinder engines as VWs and those with six-cylinders as Porsches, but that was scuttled as a potential marketing mistake. The cars thus came out branded as Porsches, as you can see by looking at the emblem on this one’s steering wheel, for example. The series ran in total from 1969-76. Nearly four decades on, perhaps the VW taint has washed away. It was very real some years ago, if unfair.
The engine in this example is a 1.7-liter four-cylinder, which is why the model name is indicated as 914/4. “Horsepower?” Did I mention you’ll love the handling? “Horsepower?” you say again. Under eighty. But it should drive like it’s on rails. This one has lots of miles left with just a shade under 70,000 on the clock. The indication is that there have been no modifications made and that the car is “ORIGINAL,” the seller using caps for emphasis. That doesn’t say how much it’s driven now, nor whether it has had a reconditioning if it has been sitting. Is it OK to assume that you could pilot it away from the Left Coast instead of having it flatbedded to its new home? Maybe, but it’s also worth asking a few questions, and perhaps sourcing a few photos. What’s the engine look like? What about underneath? Why are the steelies looking rusty? That aside, you’ll also want to engage the original owner in a long discussion about where the car has been and what part it played in his or her life. That kind of history will otherwise be lost, and you never know what kind of nuggets you’ll preserve.
About as basic as it can get. In ’70 we drove over to the Reno, NV to look at the first 914 they had. We had a ’59 356 coupe as our basic transportation and wanted a second car as we were working in two different locations. Walked in, looked at the car, and went outside and bought the ’65 C coupe they had on the used car lot. Couldn’t handle the looks of the car. In the late ’70s we got in the same situation and bought a ’72 with the alloy wheels and AC as a go to work car. Wasn’t fast but the 1.7 never burped and we actually drove it cross country to a Christmas family get together. Later on we wound up as the go to shop to build race and autocross cars out of them. Go figure.
What did u pay for the 65 356c back then?
Need parts? You will very quickly find out it is NOT “ just a Volkswagen”, it’s a Porsche.
The most expensive components are the engine and trans axle… but those are primarily VW Type II Bus parts…
Not cheap but nowhere near the cost of a Porsche six cylinder.
Sorry, but you’re wrong about the transaxle. Yes, the same engine was used in early ’70s VW vans, but the trans is the same 5-speed used in the 911/912 models of the same years the 914s were built.
Suspension and body parts are the only things that are truly Porsche. Most of the other stuff is cheap and a lot of VW parts fit just fine. I owned a ‘75 for a while. I’m a major airhead but honestly a Miata is a better car for a lot less money. Unless you can find the 6 cylinder of course.
Is this missing the B-pillar black vinyl, or were there versions without it?
The black vinyl was part of the “appearance group.” If I remember correctly from when I was selling them (1970-1971), the option included a leather shift boot, nicer steering wheel, and chrome bumpers.
Thanks for the clarification.
The seller just wants his money back. The car’s ~$3600 MSRP adjusted for inflation is in the ballpark of the $28k asked.
No, It’s a rebadged Karmann Ghia. First ones only had Porsche on a decal on the rear window. I like them fine- but it is what it is- and it ain’t what it ain’t.
Sorry Binky this is mid engine ,Karmann ghias are rear engine, don’t know where your got your info.
Has nothing to do with a Karmann Ghia other than the fact it was built in the same plant in Osnabrùck Germany. Different motor in Karmann Ghia, different suspension and not on a pan like a Beetle.
The Karmann Ghia Wasn’t A Mid Engine Vehicle Or Have A 1.7 Litre Engine?
I think what he is getting at is there were plans with Volkswagen for the 914 to replace the Karmen Ghia….but it never happened.
Hence the vw hubcaps on the early years.
This guy is dreaming. You can buy a lot better Porsche for that money.
Frank, I’m in the market for one, please tell me where I can buy a lot better Porsche for $28,953.
“… but that was scuttled as a potential marketing mistake.” This was originally a handshake deal between Ferdinand Piech (yep, that Ferdinand) and his father-in-law, Heinrich Nordoff (chairman of VW). Nordoff died in April of 1968 and his replacement was like “Ummm, Porsche you’re going to have to pay us more money for these.” So with MSRP of a 914-6 nicely equipped being almost as much as a base 911…it was only a matter of time before they killed it. Or course it also didn’t help that at LeMans in 1971 a 914-6 finished 6th AND in front of all the 911s in the race.
I think this was featured here some time ago.
My brother in law had this same car. My sister didn’t know how to drive a manual transmission and tried to move it into the driveway and ran through the garage door. We still laugh about that one.