Tuesday 25th February 2014

Porsche 914/6 3.2: You Know You Want To

The original six-cylinder 914 had 110hp. This has rather a lot more...

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It's easy to forget that the 924 wasn't the first Porsche to be derided for using a VW engine and therefore not being worthy of the badge. The 914 first appeared in 1970 and, like the 924, it was a pretty and capable car designed to sit under the 911.

Fuchs yes

The success of both was undermined by the undying popularity of the rear-engined car and the perceived inferiority of the four-cylinder engine. But as the 924 range was bolstered by the Turbo and various specials that improved its reputation, so a six-cylinder 914 soon arrived.

With 110hp and a top speed of beyond 120mph, using the 911T's engine certainly made the 914/6 a proper Porsche, or was at least perceived that way. It had become expensive now though, with Road and Track magazine suggesting an actual 911 T at just $431 more was probably a better bet.

Wonder what they would make of this 911-engined 914? Reputedly subjected to a $100K conversion over 12 years, it uses a 3.2 Carrera engine. With 250hp. Given a regular 914/6 would hit 60 in under 9 seconds with 110hp, this car is presumably Very Fast Indeed.

"Buy me, drive me"

Other elements of the drivetrain have been uprated to deal with the power too, as well as 911 brakes and some Bilstein suspension parts. Sat on a set of delicious Fuchs rims and painted a fabulously 70s Delphi Green, this 914 looks magnificent.

But would you have it over a 911? That was the conundrum 40 years ago and it would be now. It's probably not an entirely fair comparison given this car's modified status, but £27K buys a lot of classic 911. The 80s are covered by this 3.2Supersport and the 70s by this US 2.7 (quite a lot less) and this UK 2.7 S (a little bit more).

It would be hard to refuse the orange 911 but there's something intangibly cool about the 914. Giving a baby Porsche the performance to beat a 911 has been done before and will certainly continue, but this kind of 914 conversion must be unique, or at least very rare.

According to the garage selling this 914, the price 'represents fabulous value for an extremely exciting car'. We wouldn't argue with that for a second.

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PORSCHE 914/6 3.2
Price: £27,995
Why you should: It's a sweet mid-engined roadster, now with proper performance
Why you shouldn't: Are you sure a 911 isn't more tempting?

See the original advert here

[Source: HowStuffWorks]

[soad]

Strong money, not keen on retro looks either. I'd rather have a classic 911 myself.

[chelme]

Er, actually I know I don't want to...

[TaRD]

I'd like a standard one please.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...

[iva cosworth]

I've seen this in Classic mags for sale.

Lovely but dont have the cash required.......

[Mithras]

Mine has a short stroke 2.5ltr 6. 270bhp at 8200rpm and an 8700rpm redline. It's quite fun and will pull 5th (172mph). Wonderfully balanced car and at ~1900lbs it's around as fast as a 996 turbo.

[365daytonafan]

Love it, although think it needs some 914/6 GT box arches to finish it off.

[Dr Interceptor]

I'd rather have a standard one too please

[BBS-LM]

I think this is the first time I have ever seen a Porsche 914, and I really do not like it, at all.

[slk 32]

DK have a silver one with a 2.7rs engine. Still prefer the green one

[anonymous-user]

Yes please, regardless of 911's at a similar or lesser price. Love it - modified or otherwise.

[Raph C]

"Ironically enough, the additional weight of the 3.2 probably makes the 914's balance quite 911-like"

Matt, can you please think technically a minute before you write things like this? This is the level of motoring writing seen in the Sunday Times. I don't think it should be allowed on PH.

[Hammerhead]

Gets a thumbs up from me

[Ozzie Osmond]

I just love mid-engined cars!

Very few of those VW/Porsches in UK. IIRC they were built LHD only, although Crayford may have converted a few to RHD. (Much like Bell & Colvill converted a few Alfa Spiders).

[Beefmeister]

Raph C said:

"Ironically enough, the additional weight of the 3.2 probably makes the 914's balance quite 911-like"

Matt, can you please think technically a minute before you write things like this? This is the level of motoring writing seen in the Sunday Times. I don't think it should be allowed on PH.

Oooh, meow.

(True though)

[Galsia]

Probably one of the worst-looking cars ever made. No thanks.

[Ali_T]

Am I alone in thinking they look hideous?

Next to their peers, the Fiat X1/9 and Lancia Beta Monte Carlo, these are an eyesore.

[Galsia]

Ali_T said:

Am I alone in thinking they look hideous?

Nope. If I had the money I'd buy every 914 in existance just to crush the buggers.

[VladD]

Small, light and fast. Lovely.

I'd never buy a 911 anyway, don't like the J Lo arse. Don't understand why it's so popular myself.

I know, it's just me.

[Matt Bird]

Beefmeister said:

Raph C said:

"Ironically enough, the additional weight of the 3.2 probably makes the 914's balance quite 911-like"

Matt, can you please think technically a minute before you write things like this? This is the level of motoring writing seen in the Sunday Times. I don't think it should be allowed on PH.

Oooh, meow.

(True though)

Got it, apologies.

[aka_kerrly]

I like that a lot.

The 914 has appealed to me for a while which is odd since I have never even seen one in the metal. The idea of having a modified 200+ hp motor would make it perfect.