Highlights
- Beautifully presented - having been lightly restored and recently detailed
- Desirable one-year-only paint colour: Berber Yellow
- Stunning interior with bespoke tartan seat centres which complement the exterior
- Said to run and drive impeccably, with strong performance and great handling
- Cherished in recent years and carefully stored when not in use
The Appeal
Born out of a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen, the 914 is one of the most curious German sports cars of the twentieth century and is one of our firm favourites.
Where cars like the 912 had used four-cylinder power in a body that otherwise resembled the 911, the 914 was an entirely unique chassis. It played to the strengths of a smaller engine, mounting it amidships and spreading the wheelbase into the four corners of the car’s footprint. The result was a brilliant compact sports car, revered for its excellent handling, while the low overall mass meant that there was plenty of power to go round.
Here we have a delightful 1974 example, imported from the United States to Great Britain in 1979. It has since been cherished by a series of owners and has recently been treated to some light mechanical and cosmetic restoration work. As a result, it’s an immensely well presented example that cannot fail to attract attention whether it goes. It oozes ‘70s style from everywhere you look and we particularly like the Berber yellow paintwork and colour matched interior. The vendor reports that it’s as great to drive as it is to look at, so be sure to make it yours if you’re yet to scratch that 914 itch.
The History and Paperwork
- Left-hand drive US import which came to the UK in 1979
- The MOT expired in March 2023, although the car is exempt from testing and road tax due to its age
- Imported from the USA in 1979
- 1975MY car, built in late 1974
- We’re informed that the car is accompanied by a Porsche certificate of authenticity
- A large stack of paperwork is said to be included with recent history at a specialist garage as well as invoices going back many years for services, respray and restorative work on the engine and body
- User manual, repair guides, info books, magazine articles and engineering specifications booklet all apparently included
- The odometer currently reads 89,984 miles
The Interior
- Custom tartan seat centres
- OEM centre console
- All carpets and vinyl panels in very good condition
- Immobiliser fitted
Inside, you will find that the seats have been re-trimmed to replace the factory plaid pattern with a new, colour-matched Scottish tartan design that looks much smarter inside the otherwise all-black cabin (a sample square is included with the car’s paperwork should you ever need more of the fabric).
The black vinyl outer panels are all smooth and plush as well, making it a comfortable place to sit. Everything inside is said to work except for the trip meter and cigarette lighter. A period-correct Grundig radio sits in the dashboard, while the factory-option centre console with three gauges (battery voltage, oil temperature, clock) are positioned vertically within the centre console.
There are boots front and rear, both of which are in very good condition with equally well presented carpets and linings in place. Up front you will find the spare wheel beneath the carpet, the air inside whose tyre is used to power the windscreen washer jets, while in the rear boot the toolkit and jack are present and correct as well.
The Exterior
- Berber Yellow with Fuchs alloys
- Partially restored bodywork in recent years
- Recent respray with fresh paint correction as well, freshly undersealed
This 914 beams like sunlight on the street thanks to its one-year-only Berber Yellow paintwork, which was re-applied in 2018, with a further paint correction on the rear boot lid completed subsequently to ensure it is immaculate from nose to tail. Before this, bodywork refurbishment was carried out on the outer sills, sail panels, door jambs, jacking doughnuts, scuttle and windscreen surround. The fresh bodywork was then topped off with new door handles, mirrors and windscreen trim which all remain in as-new condition, whilst the sides are adorned with black Porsche side stripes from specialist Design 911. Elsewhere, the pop-up headlights work correctly and the pop-out roof section clips in and out easily, with fresh plastic mounting clips fitted in the rear boot so it can be stowed ready for rain showers.
Being a US-market car, large circular side marker lights are fitted from the factory – although these have been replaced with clear-lens units for a subtler look (the orange originals are included with the car). Unlike many a hot-rodded 914, this example also features original all-silver Fuchs alloy wheels on correctly sized 165/SR15 tyres, with a fresh Michelin XZX on the spare wheel in the front boot as well. The large rubber bumpers demanded by US safety regulations are seemingly unmarked front and rear.
The Mechanics
- Overhauled engine with twin-carb conversion
- Refurbished braking system
- Said to be running and driving well
The new-for-1974, 1.8-litre flat-four engine originally featured an early electronic fuel injection system (Bosch L-Jetronic), but it was common for owners to swap the system for a time-honoured carburettor setup and this is true of the car you see here, featuring twin Dell’Orto carbs.
The engine was overhauled in 2019 and we’re informed that it received fresh cylinder pots, pistons, camshafts, oil seals and a new clutch. The braking system has equally been refreshed with new callipers and handbrake cables, whilst the car also features an aftermarket immobiliser for extra security.
The vendor informs us that they have recently carried out some adjustments to the carburation, improving the idle speed, and the car is said to run well as a result. The vendor reports that it drives well with no issues to report besides a slight engine oil leak.
Summary
We love this 914. We’ve always been big fans of their styling and in this colour with that tastefully enhanced interior, it looks absolutely fantastic. With a recent mechanical and cosmetic overhaul, this is clearly a well-sorted car and we’re sure its next owner will be very pleased with it..
