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.
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.
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.
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
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