Porsche celebrates two half-century anniversaries at the extreme ends of the spectrum this year, that of the all-conquering 917 endurance racer that transformed the Le Mans 24-hour spectacle, and that of the innovative but controversial 914 entry-level sports car.
While the 917 has been lauded and praised innumerable times for its many achievements, the 914 has been disrespected as something less than a real Porsche.
The mid-engine, targa-topped two-seater was shadowed from the beginning by its origin as a joint project between Porsche and Volkswagen, and it has never reached the level of acceptance in the collector car community as the Porsche 356, 911 or, in recent years, the 912.
The early 914 at Porsche’s Stuttgart museum
That low tide of appreciation is reflected in how its 50th birthday is being commemorated – nowhere. That is, other than a special exhibition announced by the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Granted, museum shows and such marking last year’s 70th anniversary of Porsche are still overflowing into 2019, but you’d expect at least some sort of homage to the 914 at either of the Porsche Werks Reunions in Monterey, California, or Amelia Island, Florida. Maybe a little something coming out of the Porsche Club of America.
As one dedicated Porsche guy, concours judge and former 914 owner noted, “There is no excitement about the 914’s 50th anniversary.”
Part of the display of 914s at the Amelia Island Concours in 2015 | Andy Reid
There had been some feeling that recognition for the 914 was forthcoming when, in 2015, the prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance had a special class honoring the sports car, including competition versions. But that seems to stand as an unrepeated high point. At the Amelia Concours this year, apparently nada. Same for Pebble Beach Concours or any other major events in the U.S.
The air-cooled 914 was introduced to the world in August 1969 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, to replace the four-cylinder 912 as Porsche’s lowest-priced car. It remained in production until 1976, when the 912E reappeared for a single model year until being replaced with the front-engine/transaxle 924, which had issues of its own.
From the get go, there was resistance as the 914 was powered by a modest 1.7 -liter boxer engine from the VW Type 4 – it was sold in Europe as a VW Porsche.
The removable roof is stowed in the rear trunk | Bob Golfen
The 914 styling also strayed widely from Porsche tradition. The targa roof B-pillar design was seen as ungainly, and the removable panel was rumored to leak as the seals dried out all too quickly.
But it was Germany’s first mid-engine production car, the unique look was pretty cool, it handled great, and it established a sports car trend. The interior was notably roomy for such a small vehicle, and there were two fairly large trunks, one in front and one in back.
A more-powerful 2.0-liter engine was added to the mix, which improved performance considerably, and the 914/6 model brought the flat-6 engine from the 911 into the space just behind the seats.
Porsche focused on youth and adventure in its 914 advertising | Porsche archive
The 914 was discovered to be a competitive mount for amateur racers on a budget, mostly because of its well-balanced handling, and professional teams built quite a few winning entries.
Yet the 914 remained branded as a lesser Porsche, and when priced cheaply as used cars, they often fell into the hands of owners who cared for them shabbily. That made their reputation and desirability slip another notch. Deferred maintenance for these cars proved disastrous, particularly in the area of rust mitigation.
From this mixed bag of appreciation and value, things are very slowly improving for Porsche’s red-haired stepchild as auction prices for exceptional examples gradually climb, although you can still pick up a nice one privately for Corolla money.
The Porsche 914 does have its fair share of enthusiast owners | Porsche
Hagerty’s value guide pegs the average price of a ’73 914 2.0 at $19,500, topping out for an absolutely perfect one at $72,500. A 914 with the base 1.7-liter engine fairs even worse, at $13,500 average and a high of $55,000. Gooding & Company sold a very nice, low-mileage 1973 914 2.0 for $58,240, including auction fee, at its recent Arizona auction.
The Gooding sale was heartening to 914 enthusiasts not just for the price achieved but because a 914 had been accepted in the first place into such a high-level auction venue.
Porsche groups now welcome 914s into their shows and club meets, but they are still way down in the well-established pecking order. The 914/6 is the exception, the six-banger placing it on a higher playing field of value and collectability.
For those who are 914 owners, fans and collectors, it’s up to you, then, to have your own celebration of the half-century mark. Those 917s might be worth millions, but your 914s are certainly worth having.