1971 Porsche 914 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

I loved my 1971 Porsche 914! It was the introduction poster car when the marketing of the then Porsche/VW 914 in Germany was introduced to the US market. It was the bright, vivid yellow with black interior. I was the third owner of this car. Ihad about 30,000 miles on it when I bought it and was in almost mint condition. The vehicle was a great driver. With only the 1.7 L engine (the same engine found in the VW 411/412, but with roller bearings instead of tapered bearings). While not the fastest off the line, the car held the road and felt wonderful all the way up to 125 MPH and cruised beautifully at 110 MPH. The other amazing trait that I miss dearly is the handling and cornering of the car. Because it is mid-engine and not too much longer than it is wide it cornered like no other car. Now for the challenges with the car. The design of the vehicle's engine compartment caused a vapor lock to occur at the most unpredictable times. When this occured you had to pull off the road, open the engine compartment and wait until it got enough air and decided to start again. The demise of the car came because of the next challenge common to all early 914s. The battery is mounted in the engine compartment up high. As the battery developes corrosion, it drops down onto the cloth/rubber hoses for the fuel injection system causing the possibility of fire. But even more dangerous to the health and well-being of the 914 was the corrosion that the acid residue causes weakens the frame of the vehicle. In the case of my dear car, the frame actually broke/cracked, and the car began to sink between the wheels. there was nothing to do, but part out the car before it broke in half! One sure way to discover if this is occuring or has occured in the past and is now hidden is to look carefully around the jack points on the frame. The majority of the deterioration occurs just behind the jack point on the same side as the battery mount. I would love to one day own another 914, a 914-6 would be the dream or maybe a conversion with the 911 engine in the 914. The 914 is a great entry car or less expensive alternative to 911, but with many of the same mid-engine characteristics. Great vehicle.Apr 02, 2010

I have what is known as the performance conversion. 71 body, 73 Trans, 74 2.0 liter engine. This is a great car. It drives like everyone says: an adult go-cart! The power is my only gripe. 100 hp is just not enough. I am doing an engine conversion to either Subaru wrx sti 300hp of LS6 from renegade hybrids out of Vegas. This is my 2nd 914. When I sold my first one because it was my only car and I needed a truck. I was told that I would kick myself everyday till I got another one and ten years to the day, I did. Not letting this one get away. I plan to rebuild it so I will have it forever. You just can't beat the overall package in a sports car, dollar for dollar, pound for pound, only the lotus Elise comes close. But boy is that an ugly car.Jan 12, 2010