• US import from California
• Amazing rust-free condition
• Original L-Jetronic fuel injection
• Mechanically perfect

By the late 1960s both Volkswagen and Porsche were looking for new models. Porsche to replace the 912 and VW to replace the beautiful but ageing Karmann Ghia. 

But with both manufacturers having extremely limited budgets, a completely new model for each wasn't necessarily viable, so a collaboration was formed using an existing arrangement whereby a contract existed for Porsche to help develop new Volkswagen models.

The head of the 914 project was Ferdinand Piech, who would later go on to great things as the chief executive of VW Group.

The original plan was to sell two models: one a Volkswagen and one a Porsche. The former would have a four-cylinder engine and the latter a flat-six. But the plan was changed on the request of Porsche’s North American importer, which claimed that having a VW and a Porsche sharing the same body in the USA would have a negative effect on the sports car brand.

As a result, the car was sold exclusively as a Porsche in the States and as the VW-Porsche in all European markets, between 1968 and 1976.

This example is a late production car from 1975, featuring a 1.8-litre flat-four with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection and developing 109bhp.

This 914 was acquired in 2019 by the current owner who imported it himself from California. The car is UK registered with the UK V5 and all of the official import processes have been completed, so it's ready to go.

Aside from that, not a huge amount is known about its history. It's an original and rot-free car that hasn't been restored, but it did have a respray a few years ago as a previous keeper wanted to change the colour from its original white to its current Guards Red.

The vendor has a collection of classic cars, but he is currently in the process of downsizing so the 914 is one of a handful of vehicles he's chosen to get rid of. The current displayed mileage is just under 14,500 and it's in very good order, but there is no way of proving if this is genuine.

As he imported the car himself, the vendor is the only UK keeper registered with the DVLA, so it shows up as one owner vehicle.

It has a V5C in the current owner’s name, but all of the import paperwork was completed when the car arrived in the UK. Otherwise there is no paperwork in particular.

Guards Red is one of the most popular Porsche colours and it really suits the 914. It wasn't this car’s original colour - it was white - but it has been red for quite some time and was repainted to a previous owner’s tastes back in the States.

The finish is good overall and there are no obvious flaws, whilst the paint mostly retains a really good shine.

But it’s the structural condition of this car that impresses the most. There is no rot to be found anywhere at all and the areas where 914s are normally really bad for corrosion, such as the front and rear boot floors, lower valances, sills and panel edges are all in really good condition. The owner has also provided photographs of the car on a ramp that show the underside is in really solid condition.

The lift-off targa top is also in great condition with no signs of any damage, while the owner has renewed almost all of the car’s rubber seals, which had perished and deteriorated in the California sun.

Naturally, this is a left-hand-drive car, but it's also a small and nimble one, and having the steering wheel on the left-hand side is not really a problem.

It's also surprisingly comfortable and spacious with an open and squared-off cabin and clear, logical controls. 

There are a few cracks on the vinyl in the dashboard that have been caused by sunlight, but all of the seat fabrics and bolsters are superb, as are the carpets and all the major controls. 

This car also has the optional appearance package, with an extra three dials and a centre console - a sought-after addition among 914 enthusiasts.

Cars don't come much more mid-engined than the Porsche 914 - the 1.8 litre flat-four sits almost exactly centrally in the car, chassis giving it near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution, something that gives the car remarkable balance and delicate handling.

The 1.8-litre unit develops 109bhp, which may not sound a lot but this is a very light car and as a result the performance is really impressive. It sounds fabulous too, runs beautifully and starts on the button. 

The original Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system is in perfect working order and is another of the desirable features on this car.

The seller says that the 914 drives absolutely perfectly, goes in all gears smoothly with good brakes, plus extremely direct and rewarding steering.

With prices of Porsche 911s going through the roof of late and 912s following suit, it's no surprise to find that the 914 is also starting to really gain in value. This example is well worth investing in, as it has been a dry state car for most of its life and is therefore in the most solid condition imaginable and needs no major body repairs - quite rare for one of these.

What you have here is a 914 that you can simply jump into and enjoy, which looks absolutely terrific and is in great mechanical health. There's a lot to like.

Notice to bidders