by Mike –
The latest in our series of the under $50,000 collector car is the Porsche 914 2.0 model. There are other 914 models that will cost less and some that will cost more. I think the 2.0 version is just right.
Porsche 914 2.0
A silver Porsche 914 was the first Porsche I ever rode in. It was owned by my first boss who took me out for rides on the way to and from lunch. Even though I have never owned a 914 (I drifted to the 911 model) I have always thought the 914 was attractive and provided an excellent sports car experience for the price.
The 914 was a joint effort between Porsche and Volkswagen. It was sold in Europe with the VW badge, or VW-Porsche, and in the US as a Porsche.
For VW it replaced the aging Karmann Ghia and for Porsche it was hoped to replace the low end 912 (which had a 911 body style with the 4-cylinder engine).
The 914 is a mid-engine two-seat layout with a 4-cylinder air cooled 2 liter engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. The 2.0 version delivers 99 hp. The 914 was manufactured by Karmann for VW and Karmann supplied Porsche with a rolling chassis for Porsche to complete.
The Porsche 914 is a reliable, fast and fun sports car that is also economical and that’s good!
Number made: 114,479 from 1970 through 1976 (includes other model variations).
Hagerty Price Guide value for a condition 2 example: $26,400 for a 1976 Porsche 914 2.0.
Sports Car Market Pocket Price Guide median price: $12,500 for 1973 through 1976 Porsche 914 2.0.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
I drove the 914 when they were new. But though it was a nice car to drive
it has the styling of some sort of kitchen appliance. I can just see a large piece of toast popping out of the rear grate area. I think a couple Italian designers used them as a basis for a much better looking one off, proving you could build a good looking body on that chassis.
Still the engines are so good that some 356 owners are using them now rather than rebuild their original engines.
Sports car makers have to remember that we want not only practical but sensuous otherwise what’s a heaven for?
The over-square 914 engine was originally designed for use in the heavier VW 411 (VW Type 4 in enthusiast parlance). For some years it survived VW’s change-over to air-cooled engines in the Vanagon transporter, so is in plentiful and cheap supply, making the 914 a great choice today in classic sports cars. Specialists such as Jake Raby can build one into a 200 HP street missile.