Porsche is a company that makes vehicles to suit all your luxury needs. The automaker has created some of the greatest sports cars of all time, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, it has both SUVs and sedans that come highly rated. Porsche has been making cars since 1948. Although it has had some significant failures that could have ended the company, yet Porsche models are seen today as some of the best examples of what luxury vehicles should be; fun to drive, reliable, and full of legacy.
Porsche has many iconic rides, but one of the best ones for gearheads, in particular, is the Porsche 914. This car was a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen, which is why it’s often referred to as the VW-Porsche 914. It hit the market in 1970 and lasted until 1976. The car came out for two simple reasons. First, both automakers needed new vehicles for their respective lineups, and secondly, there was a contract between them, so it made sense. For Porsche, the 914 was to become its new entry-level vehicle.
This sporty little car from Porsche brings a great deal to the table and serves as the perfect purchase for gearheads worldwide. It may not be the most talked about from the automaker’s lineup, but it’s still pretty awesome.
The Porsche 914 Is A Quick Little Roadster
Despite the year model in question, the Porsche 914 is a car that needs to be driven to be understood. Although we know roadsters can be fast, they are not often thought of as vehicles that pop and make a lot of engine noises, but this one does. This little car, born from the collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen, makes a real impression on the road. Many people will probably hear it before they see it, which is perfect for gearheads who love the melody of music from powerful engines. The first Porsche 914 came with two engine options. The first is a 1.7-liter flat-4 engine with a max output of 80 horsepower, and the other option is a 2-liter flat-6 that makes a max output of 110 horsepower, according to Porsche.
The engine options for the Porsche 914 were later upgraded to a 2-liter 4-cylinder with an output of 100 horsepower and a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder with a max output of 85 HP. These numbers surely aren’t powerful by today’s standards, but it must be remembered that the Porsche 914 is a roadster, which means the drivetrain goes further than it would in a much larger vehicle. One of the things gearheads love about this car is that it has shortened third and fourth gears, which helps a great deal with acceleration. Of course, the downsides to shorter gear ratios are a lower top speed and decreased fuel efficiency. However, cruising down the road in a Porsche 914 will make anyone forget the miles per gallon used.
The transmission used in this car is a 5-speed standard shift, and it’s a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
The Porsche 914 Is A Simple Car
Another reason that the Porsche 914 is a car every gearhead should buy is that it’s simple. Of course, we know gearheads also love the bells and whistles, but the world of ultra-simple cars also has its place. This love of simplicity is because these cars capture a time when people connected with their vehicles without all the interior features to distract them.
For the first model of the Porsche 914, buyers got things such as pop-up headlights, a removable roof, and chrome-plated bumpers. The automaker later changed the bumpers to matte black. Each Porsche 914 also features recessed auxiliary headlights in addition to the pop-ups.
The Price Varies For The Porsche 914
Often the price of a classic car dictates the buying public’s interest level. For the Porsche 914, you can find one for relatively cheap, but the cost can also be more than many of the newest luxury rides. According to Classic, the highest a Porsche 914 has been sold was $995,000. However, the lowest price was just $1,700, and the average cost was $43,101, which is a respectable amount to pay for a classic Porsche. The good news is that many of these cars are being sold, so you won’t have to search far and wide to purchase one.
Porsche is one of the most prominent luxury car companies, and for great reason. Not only does the automaker produce awesome cars that hold their values, but they have a nice balance between super-advanced rides and simple options like this one. However, we’d be willing to bet that if Porsche ever brought back the 914, it’d at least have a couple of touchscreens as things have changed drastically since the 1970s.
