1975 Porsche 914

Highlights

• Matching-numbers example with Porsche Heritage Certificate
• Original fuel injection adds to the car’s originality
• Supplied new in Arizona, US
• Dry-stored last 15 years in the UK
• Recently re-commissioned for the road

Overview

On paper, the Porsche 914 had everything going for it. A mid-engined, two-seater with a removable targa top hits all the right notes, but it’s fair to say that the 914 didn’t prove to be as successful as Porsche originally planned. The 914’s unique styling means that it’s a Marmite car, so, as the famous advert says, you’ll either love it or hate it. And if you’re in the former camp, there’s a lot more than quirky styling to whet the appetite here.

For a start, the reason the 914 didn’t burst onto the scene in 1969 and take off like Usain Bolt (in terms of sales figures Porsche sold just under 120,000 until it went out of production in ‘76) is not all down to the styling. It was more a reflection of the state of the market at the time and how the car was positioned within it. The 914 was a properly engineered Porsche, no doubt about that. Indeed, this was the last development project to be carried out under the contractual agreement laid down between Volkswagen and Porsche, and the 914 project was overseen by none other than Ferdinand Piëch.

It came about because Volkswagen was in dire need of a replacement for the Karmann-Ghia and Porsche needed an entry-level model to plug the 912-sized hole that opened up when the four-cylinder 911 died. Originally the 914/4, with the flat four, would be marketed as a VW, while the 914/6, with the flat six, would be sold as a Porsche. But then Porsche got angsty about the VW association with its brand over in the US, so a verbal deal was done to brand both versions Porsche.

However, Volkswagen’s chairman then passed away, a new chairman was appointed, and he said, “Deal? What deal?” and the 914 ended up a VW/ Porsche after all, which rather confused buyers and arguably devalued its appeal. The car also ended up significantly more expensive to build than was intended. The 914/6 was very nearly the same price as an entry-level 911, and the 914/4 was a fair chunk pricier than the 912 it replaced.

So that’s why the 914 wasn’t rated as highly as some other Porsches, which makes cars like this tidy-looking red 914/4 a relative bargain in a world where classic Porsche prices are typically beyond stratospheric. And those who know, know how good the 914 can be with its better-balanced, mid-engined layout. Back in the day, the motoring press raved about the way it drove, too, with Autocar writing that ‘no mid-engined car selling for less than £5,000 begins to compare with it’.

That’s why, in some respects, the Porsche 914 is rarer even than cars like the fabled 2.7 Carrera RS. Rare because it’s one of the few classic Porsches that’s still massively underrated by the market, even today. So get in quick!

History and documentation

• First registered in US (Arizona) on 27 February 1973
• Date registered in the UK 01 April 2024
• It should be noted that the V5 document is incorrect – according to the owner this car still has its original 1.7-litre engine with its original Bosch fuel injection and according to Porsche was registered in 1973
• Matching numbers example with Porsche Heritage Certificate to prove it
• Reportedly this car was imported to the UK around 15-years ago, but kept off the road as part of a collection and dry stored for most of that time
• The owner tells us that the previous owner recently spent around £1,000 having the car’s electrics sorted in 2024
• The current owner also tells us that he spent £500 with a ‘senior Porsche 914 club specialist’ to have the car re-commissioned for the road
• Two owners since arriving in the UK
• Current mileage (when photographed) 98,029 miles – believed to be correct
• MOT exempt
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear
• London ULEZ exempt

Interior

• For its age, the interior is in very good condition looking at the pictures
• The only obvious issue is some wear and tear to the vinyl trim – mainly the stitching on the driver’s seat, which a good trim repairer should be able to deal with easily
• Door cards and dashboard present well with no major marks or cracks
• Black interior carpet and pedal rubbers look tidy for the car’s age
• Inertia reel seatbelts
• Upgraded centre console with additional storage tray, clock and auxiliary dials
• Classic ‘70s Porsche four-spoke steering wheel
• Interior courtesy light, hazard lights, cigarette lighter and ashtray
• Classic Porsche instruments, including the centrally-mounted rev counter
• Retro-look Jenson R405 stereo AM/FM radio cassette
• Front boot shows no obvious signs of corrosion and contains a full-size spare
• Rear boot also has no apparent corrosion and the boot carpet is present and in good condition

Exterior

• From the pictures the car looks in great nick bearing in mind it’s nearly 50-years old
• The solid Malaga red paintwork still looks shiny
• The owner describes the bodywork as in ‘good condition’ with only ‘very minor areas of bubbling’ in places
• We’ve also noted some expected minor imperfections, such as stone chips, and a few letters missing from the ‘Porsche’ script on the engine cover
• Classic black ‘Porsche’ decals on lower doors and sills set this 914 apart from the crowd
• Driver and passenger chrome door mirrors
• The vinyl targa top looks free from major UV fading with no obvious marks
• Like the roof, the rubber safety bumpers also retain their black colour with no obvious fading or major damage
• The chrome brightwork seems to be generally good, with just light pitting on the door handles
• As you can see from the pictures, the pop-up headlights are functioning as they should
• No notable defects to the light lenses of the glasshouse
• The 15-inch alloys, with polished rims and black centres, all look in good condition with no major signs of corrosion or damage
• In the main, this 914 is very tidy underneath. The owner says that there’s some corrosion on the inner sill but describes it as non-structural

Mechanical

• VW Type 4, 1,679cc, air-cooled, flat four, naturally aspirated, fuel-injected petrol
• Originally rated at 80bhp
• This car is believed to have slightly more power than a standard US-spec car thanks to running similar emissions control to European-spec cars
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive
• Disc brakes front and rear
• Engine bay needs a clean but there’s no evidence of anything untoward
• The owner says the car was recently re-commissioned by a Porsche 914 Club specialist, who reported that the car was structurally sound
• £1,000 reportedly spent by the previous owner on the car’s electrics
• The owner tells us that the hand brake is not functioning
• Otherwise there are no mechanical faults reported and the car goes and stops well

Summary

As we said at the start, you’ll ever love or hate the Porsche 914’s looks, but objectively you it’s hard to argue that it’s not a great car drive and every bit the classic Porsche. The fact that some people don’t get the 914 simply means that for those that do, there’s a bargain to be had.

So if you are a ‘believer’ then this is your opportunity to pick up a car that’s spent a large part of its life in a warm and dry climate - hence it appears to be solid – with the authenticity of a Porsche Heritage Certificate to add some provenance.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in North Weirs, Brockenhurst.