By the mid-1960s, the leadership at Porsche was looking into a replacement for the Porsche 912. A worthy successor would be needed within a few years, preferably an all new sports car with a Porsche's patented Targa top and an air-cooled four-cylinder Boxer engine. It had to be affordable for those who wanted a new Porsche but had to work for their money. Oh . . . there was one more thing: it had to outperform the venerable 912, of course!
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The Porsche engineers in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen knew exactly what they had in mind: a mid-engine road rocket with impeccable handling, evoking Porsche's legendary race cars, such as the 550 Spyder, the RSK, or the 904 GTS!
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Thus, the "People's Porsche" was born. Built between 1969 and 1976 in numerous versions, with 1.7, 1.8, and 2.0 liter modified Type 4 engines, the most desired variant today is the 1973 914-2.0.
- It has the largest four-cylinder engine fitted to any 914
- It is the most powerful four-cylinder 914
- It is the purest 914, since it has none of the power-robbing smog devices nor the protruding all-black plastic bumpers of the later models
- It is lightest 2.0 liter 914
- It is the fastest four-cylinder 914
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Alas, the yellow '73 914-2.0 presented here, VIN *4732916264*, is special in more ways:
- Built in March of 1973, it is smog-exempt in the State of California and most other States of the Union
- Owned by a doctor for the past 31 years, its ownership and service history is fully documented.
- This Porsche has never been involved in an accident; it is guaranteed accident free
- The car's undercarriage has not been attacked by corrosion; it is guaranteed rust free
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Sold new in California, the 914 lived in sunny Santa Barbara for the last 31 years with its caring owner, a PhD. The good doctor was a stickler for paperwork, holding on to most of the registrations and all of the invoices for parts and servicing. The California "small pink slip" still shows the original 6-digit license number 985JAQ, which was subsequently replaced by a set of vanity plates.
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Eighty-seven receipts, totalling $14,799.81, preserved in clear sheet protectors, chronologically tell the full story of this amazing survivor since 1977, when the Doctor acquired the car, showing 67,841 miles on the odometer. Eight years and 90,000 miles later, the owner decided to turn his daily driver into a fun weekend car and proceeded with a comprehensive engine and transmission rebuild. In the 23 years since this mechanical restoration was completed, the car was driven less than 15,000 miles, and that's irrefutably documented!
Let's have a closer look at the car now, shall we?
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Being a mid-engine car, this Porsche has two trunks: one in the front, and one in the back.
The front trunk is surprisingly spacious.
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For safety reasons, Porsche placed the fuel tank amidships.
Note how tidy everything looks, even hidden crevices are toothbrush clean.
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Beneath the carpeted cover rests the factory spare wheel. The vulnerable trunk floor is perfectly rust and accident free and still displays its factory finish.
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The car is equipped with the desirable "Appearance Group," consisting of chrome bumpers with fog lights up front, FUCHS light alloy wheels, vinyl-covered roof "basket handle," and a center console with three VDO gauges.
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The car has been repainted once in its original color, Signal Yellow, a great period hue, many moons ago. The finish has aged gracefully over the years, is still lustrous and smooth, and there are only minimal signs of use; nothing to lose sleep over.
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The interior is in excellent condition. Dash top is original and has but a few small hairline cracks; door panels and the black Schlingenware carpeting are also original and marvelously preserved.
Transmission is Porsche's legendary Type 901 5-speed manual unit, with its racing-derived shift pattern.
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All instruments work, including the VDO gauges that are mounted in the "Appearance Group" center console. Alpine head unit and under-dash equalizer are nice additions.
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Seats are the correct high back sport seats. The black basketweave upholstery is in perfect condition, free of rips or tears.
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Rear spoiler is a nice period accessory that can be easily removed, if so desired. We happen to like it!
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German engineering genius: Lightweight Targa top is designed to stow away safely inside the trunk, still leaving plenty of space underneath!
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Rear trunk floor is clean and dry. Spending your whole life in California has its advantages!
Note factory tire jack.
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914's engine -- remember, it has covered than 15K miles since a complete rebuild -- is in a perfect state of health. Factory equipped with BOSCH fuel injection, this 95-hp power plant starts easily and revs willingly from idle to redline. There are no untoward noises, no fluid leaks, no surprises. Reasonably priced spares make the 914 a real bargain for those who desire a Porsche for Volkswagen money.
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A 914's Achilles Heel would be the battery tray and its surrounding sheet metal, where acid spills can wreak havoc. We removed the battery and took a close look before purchasing the car, and we are happy to report that there's no rust to be found in this critical area!
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Engine's dry and clean, top and bottom. No oil drips here! Records reveal that this 914 had three exhaust systems installed during the past 30 years: an ANZA, a MONZA, and, finally, a MANTA!
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Perfectly original, rust free undercarriage has never seen a salted road.
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Details of the car's unibody chassis. Again, check out the beautifully preserved factory paint peeking through here and there. Fabulous!
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Tuesday, October 7: another nice day in Southern California. Sunshine and temperatures in the mid-80s provided the perfect reason to go for a topless drive in the 914.
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Piloting the little Porsche is a delight!
914's seating position is low, like that of an Alpine A110, Mini Cooper, or monoposto, but there's plenty of room, even for tall drivers. Steering, shifting, brakes: no problems at all to report.
The car feels very docile but as enough power to turn every drive into a fun experience.
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914's mid-engine configuration provides very neutral handling characteristics. It's the perfect road and track synthesis!
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Chided during its seven-year production span as a junior Porsche, the 914 is finally being recognized as a very collectible model; it's still the most affordable air-cooled Porsche one can buy.
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This particularly appealing 914, being a rust free California native of the preferred 1973 vintage, sporting a highly desirable color combination and a richly documented history, will most certainly accelerate in value during the coming years while supplying its proud owner with many miles of unbridled automotive passion.
Addendum:
We sold this Porsche 914 in October 2008 to a customer in Maryland.
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