The Porsche 914, introduced in September 1969, was a sporty, mid-engined two-seater with a targa top and a  4 cylinder boxer engine.

The idea for the 914 originated in the mid-sixties, when the presidents of VW and Porsche collaborated on an idea to produce a new sports car for each of their companies. Volkswagen wanted a new, sportier model to replace the Karmann-Ghia and Porsche would also use the car, but with all the components coming from the 911 series.

VW would take 914 bodies and finish them as 914/4s, and Porsche would take their portion of the body shells, and build 914/6s. When sold in North America, however, all 914s would be considered Porsches.

When looking at a 914, you don't see the likeness of any other Porsches. The big round headlights and long, sloping rear were gone. 914's have the pop-up headlamps, and a vertical rear windshield, with a flat deck lid covering the rear trunk and engine. The 914's have absolutely NO backseats--the firewall is pressed against your back. When you sit down, you're practically sitting on the floorboard, which is practically the road.

The interior is rather spartan, quite simple, but with all the necessities. The big tach is still there, as in all the 911/912's. The transmission is like the 928's with 1st down and to the left. The steering is pretty tight, and the suspension is hard--the car rides so low. Other than the passenger seat, there's not much more in the cockpit. The 914 has a targa top, and like 911's, it stores in the trunk.  Take off the top, roll down the windows, and you've got a nice little roadster.

Horizontally opposed flat-4 cylinder, mid-mounted 1.7, 1.8, or 2.0L engine
Bore and Stroke: 90x66mm; 93x66mm; 94x71mm
Displacement:1.7L (1679cc); 1.8L (1795cc); 2.0L (1971cc)
Horsepower: 80 (1.7L), 79 (1.8L), 95 (2.0L)*
Compression ratio: 8.2:1 ; 7.3:1 ; 7.6:1
Cd:
Fuel system:

5 speed manual transmission
 

Independent front with lower control arms, spring struts, anti-roll bar
Independent rear, with semi-trailing arms, transverse torsion bars, anti-roll bar
 

Curb weight: 2,892 lbs
Wheelbase: 94.5"
Length: 170.9"
Width: 68.3"
Height: 50.2"
Track front/rear: 58.2"/57.1"
Ground clearance: 4.9"
 

 mpg (city) mpg (hwy)
 

0-60mph: seconds
0-1/4 mile:
Top Speed:
 
 

The 914-4 (boxer 4) has a nice little engine.  My favorite is probably a 1973 2.0L. Over the years, Porsche offered 1.7, 1.8, and 2.0L engines. The 2.0 has good power and a good rpm band.  It's a lot of fun to wind that little engine out in each gear, the sound is great, too.

The 914-6, assembled almost entirely at the Porsche factory, had a very short life with only about 3360 examples produced between 1970 and 1972. All base sixes came with a 2.0 L  flat six motor, similar to that found in the 1969 911T.

Porsche went with the 2.0 liter motor as opposed to the new 2.2 found throughout the 911 range in order to maintain a distinction between the "cheaper" 914 model line and the upscale 911s. Additional characteristics unique to the sixes included: larger 911 brakes and five-bolt wheel hubs; a larger brake master cylinder; front suspension transplanted directly from the 911 model line; gauges calibrated to the higher performance six cylinder engine; a 911 based steering column; dual Weber carburetors; electric windshield washer; different gear ratios in the transmission, and an assortment of smaller details.

A handful of 914-6 GTs were also produced in this time period, the actual number of which is still uncertain. These cars typically were given higher performance 911 - based engines and corresponding suspension tweaks in order to compete on the race track.

Most also had the fender flares similar to those of the 916. A high point was a class win at Le Mans in 1970 and 6th overall in the race. The performance of the 914-6 can best be described as agile. They are quick in acceleration and exhibit handling and braking characteristics considerably superior to those of the 911 of the period due to the mid-engine design. Driving feel is very similar to that of the 914-4s but with an extra punch especially in the upper r.p.m. range.

The 914 is a cool little Porsche to own, but you MUST be careful about the condition of one if you're buying. The #1 problem of the 914 is it's battery. It tends to corrode quite easily, since rain comes in right on top of it through the engine vent. Acid will drip down, eat up the battery tray, and then fall right onto the chassis. Rust damage will be abundant in un-cared for 914's.
 

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