HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: 1973 Porsche 914 that has grown in recognition,...

Pick of the Day: 1973 Porsche 914 that has grown in recognition, value

The mid-engine targa-topped sports car seems bargain-priced

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Two of the special things about Porsche is that there is one for every purpose and a Porsche for every budget. If you need a 4-door sedan, you have the Panamera; if you need an SUV, there is the Cayenne or the Macan; and if you are looking for a sports car, there is everything from a vintage 356 to a modern GT3RS.

The prices for a used Porsche ranges somewhere between $6,000 up to millions of dollars. All of them have that special Porsche feel.

The Pick of the Day is the last of the bargain air-cooled Porsche sports cars, a 1973 Porsche 914.

Porsche 914

The 914 used to be the red-headed stepchild of the Porsche world due to its ties with VW as it originally was intended to be a replacement for the Karmann Ghia. It was sold as the Porsche 914 in the US and as the Volkswagen-Porsche in the rest of the world. This led people to ridicule the car, with many diehards stating that it was not a “real” Porsche.

Then air-cooled 356 and 911 cars started getting expensive and people started to see the 914 for what it was, a terrific 2-seat mid-engine Porsche roadster offering performance beyond any 356 and crisp handling due to its near-perfect balance.

Almost overnight, those same skeptics welcomed the 914. I’ll let you in on a secret: any car bearing the Porsche name has always been a real Porsche.

Porsche 914

This 914 is a 4-cylinder model with the 1.7-liter engine, finished in Sunflower Yellow with a black vinyl interior. Being a 1973 model, it features the much-improved side-shift 4-speed gearbox which is much-better shifting than the original gearbox the 914 had through 1972.

This is not a concours car but looks and sounds to be a nice driver-condition example. The Camarillo, California, private owner advertising the 914 on ClassicCars.com states that the mileage on this car is only 59,800 and that the car had a single California owner from new until February of this year, and it always has been garaged-kept.  

Porsche 914

The photos with the ad show a nice 914 that has no rust in the trouble area under the battery and no serious apparent flaws. The car has an interior in the correct materials, original-type carpets, a non-working radio and a Momo Prototipo steering wheel. I am betting that it has received some paintwork in the past, but nothing jumps out as having been poorly done.

This car looks to be a bargain as 914s have been increasing in value, and this one with an asking price of $15,995 seems to be more than reasonable.

I have owned three Porsche 914s and they offer a lot of fun on a budget. They are classic mid-engine Porsche sports cars from the 917 era and are great for vintage car rallies or just to drive and enjoy. At this price, this 914 will not stick around long.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Great little cars. My wife’s first car was a 73 914 1.7. Bought it in the early 80s from the original owner here in SoCal. Daily drove it until 96 when it was retired from that duty. Still have the car though it’s in need of some TLC to get it roadworthy again. This one should sell quickly at that price.

  2. Owned a 76 914..lots of electrical problems but so fun to drive..every day commuter thru downtown traffic. .good till the kids got to big to ride with me after school. .wife told me might be a good idea to get rid of the overgrown skateboard and get a van..it’s been boring ever since..Wish I could find one!!

  3. I owned a 72 Orange 914 for several years. I got out of college and started working, had some money to buy a car but a limited budget. Ilooked at a Lotus Europa, TR6 and the Porsche. I’m glad I got the 914. It was bulletproof, never failed me mechanically, minimal maintenance, awesome handling, targa top made a simple and fast convertible. Front and rear trunk stored everything I needed for long camping trips. Definitely could have used a few more ponies but like a gocart though the country roads of New England.

  4. With the exception of a very few 914-6 Sportmatic gearbox cars, all 914s (4+6 models) had a 5-speed manual gearbox. The comment on the side-shift is correct.

  5. I still have my Dad’s 1972 914 in my garage. Have kept it since he passed in 1987. I remember driving with him to the Porsche/Audi dealer to do maintenance checks after he brought it home new in the fall of ’72.. Will be converting the points to electronic ignition. But it still has that iconic 914 smell it originally had. Sound is memorable too shifting through the 1679cc engine’s gears

  6. My Son bought the 1972 914 4cyl he literally talked original owner at a stoplight asking how much? It was pristine and my Son drove the car for about nine years with a passion. He garaged it while away at Medical School. He passed unexpectedly. It’s still in my garage parked for over 25 years. It was restored somewhat and engine work done by expert Porsche shop. Try Needs a few things TLC due mostly to sitting. I want to restore the entire dash, radio panel, upholstery, and paint (black).

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