1974 Porsche 914

• The Porsche 914 (also called the 'VW-Porsche 914') was a joint effort between the two companies to produce a modern sporting car to replace the four-cylinder 912 
• This is a delightful, fully restored example of the last affordable air-cooled Porsche
• Comprehensive history file covering the car's entire backstory
• Restoration included an engine rebuild, new interior and upgraded 1974 alloy wheels
• Mechanical works completed by experts Williams Crawford and Roger Bray Restorations
• Full photographic record of the restoration to its original period colour of Sunflower Yellow

By the late 1960s, both Volkswagen and Porsche were in need of new models; Porsche was looking for a replacement for their entry-level 912, and Volkswagen wanted a new range-topping sports coupé to replace the Karmann Ghia. At the time, the majority of Volkswagen's developmental work was handled by Porsche, part of a set up that dated back to Porsche's founding. Volkswagen needed to contract out one last project to Porsche to fulfil their end of the deal, and decided to make this that project so Ferdinand Piech, who was in charge of research and development at Porsche, was put in charge of the 914 project. It was originally intended to sell the vehicle with a flat-four cylinder engine as a Volkswagen and with a flat-six engine as a Porsche, however, Porsche decided during development that having both companies sharing the same body would be risky for business in the American market, and convinced Volkswagen to allow them to sell both versions as Porsches in North America. On March 1, 1968, the first 914 prototype was presented, however development became complicated after the death of Volkswagen's chairman, Heinz Nordhoff, on April 12, 1968. His successor, Kurt Lotz, was not connected with the Porsche dynasty and the verbal agreement between Volkswagen and Porsche fell apart. However, in the end it didn't really matter and over the seven years of the model's life, the 914 would outsell the 911 and eventually find over 118,000 homes.

Presented here we have a charming, well restored Porsche 914 finished in striking period Sunflower Yellow with a Black interior. The body plate confirms it was built at the Karmann factory in Osnabruck West Germany in January 1974 and the comprehensive history file provides a complete timeline through to various Porsche magazine features in 2020.

This story begins with the car being delivered to Porsche of Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. The comprehensive accompanying history file notes that the final US owner was Mr. Ewbank, who as a younger man had been a test driver for Porsche USA. The plan was to completely restore the 914 but ill health prevented him, and his wife ended up selling the car (letter on file with a copy of US Title).

RRT 141M was first registered in the UK in 1996 and owned by a Mr. O’Rourke and his family for the next 12 years. It was under the ownership of the next owner, a Mr. Nie, that the Porsche finally got the restoration it was promised  including a full bare-metal respray in its original seventies colour of Sunflower Yellow. The works included a new interior, new wiring harness and new upgraded (1974-stamped) alloys. There are receipts detailing all the other work undertaken in the truly impressive history files which also includes a full photographic record  of the renovation. An enormous amount was spent at 'Raw Speed' engine builders to increase the capacity to 2000cc but retain the original engine number(013124). Further mechanical works have been completed by Williams Crawford and Roger Bray Restorations and full details of this are in the file alongside multiple invoices, two magazine features and a full album of photographs.

914s are now the last of the affordable air cooled Porsches and combine period charm, uncomplicated engineering and versatile fun motoring. A ready to enjoy turn-key German classic.