If you are a Porsche 914 enthusiast as I am, I hope this will become a source of information for you. I invite you to visit the other side of My Porsche Garage.
When I bought my first 914, I didn't know anything about it except that it was a fun car to drive. With this in mind for you newbies you need to be formally introduced. First lets get acquainted with the history of our Porsche 914. The Porsche 914 was a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. The VW Porsche 914 as it was also known is a two seater, mid-engine sports car, featured a targa top and was introduced in September 1969. Porsche at the time was looking for a replacement for their 912, and Volkswagen wanted a sports coupe to replace the Karmann Ghia. Ferdinand Piech was director of R&D at Porsche at the time and was put in charge of the 914 Project. The Volkswagen edition was known as 914-4 and originally came with an 80 hp fuel injected 1.7 L flat-4 engine which was air cooled. The Porsche edition was know as 914-6 with a carbureted 110 hp 2.0 L flat-6 engine that was used in the 1969 911T.
The chassis were manufactured by Karmann then were either sent to Porsche for installation of the suspension and the flat-6 engine or kept them for Volkswagen suspensions and the flat-4 engine. The 914-6 used suspension and brakes similar to Porsches 911 which gave the car superior handling and braking in comparison to the Volkswagen 914-4. In North America this Porsche/Volkswagen venture were all sold as 914’s.
Also built in 1969 were two prototype 914/8s one with its 300+bhp eight-cylinder racing engine. The second a detuned carbureted version prepared for Ferry Porsche for his 60th birthday. The 914/8 was constructed to prove a concept by Ferdinand Piech then head of the Racing Department.
Now for the goodies. The Porsche 914 has been out of production for over 30 years. Porsche 914 enthusiasts can be easily placed into two categories: The purists who strive to maintain their cars in as close to original condition as possible and then there are the Individualists who enjoy modifying their cars to their own specifications. There are a few who fit into both categories by owning a vintage car and then having their toy. Personally my toy is always in a constant state of construction and my vintage car, well I just maintained it.
My vintage Porsche 914 was a 1973 1.7 L with only 47,000 miles. The primary needs of a vintage car as you know is maintenance. Even though you probably don’t drive it much it still needs attention. Fluids such as oil should be changed annually at least depending on how many miles you drive your car. Brake fluid should be changed at least on average every two years or have your mechanic check the moisture content. Brake fluid is hydrotropic therefore it attracts moisture, not a good thing to leave laying in your master cylinder or brake cylinders to cause rust. Fuel is the next fluid which you should be concerned with. Although you may run it out from season to season moisture also condenses in the fuel tank. There is nothing so irritating than bringing your baby out of the garage after a long winter and it won’t start because of moisture in the fuel line. No your car can’t run on water. I have been told that a molecule of water is larger than that of gasoline and when it collects in the fuel filter it will prevent fuel from getting through. It is a good idea after every season when you put your car away for the winter like we do in the northeast to put in some fuel stabilizer. When you first start you 914 give a quick check to your fuel injectors. Keep in mind that your car is over 30 years old and although the injectors themselves may be fine there is a hose (elbow) at the top of the injector which tends to dry out and leak over time. If this leaks excessively replace it immediately. If there is minimal leaking check with your mechanic, it may stop once the elbow is re-saturated, but follow his recommendations.
My toy Porsche 914 started life in 1975 as a 1.8L and when I purchased it there were modification already done to it. Well, since this was going to be my toy car and I wanted to use it for Auto-X, I also wanted it to look like a Porsche 916. The Porsche 916 never made it to production and only 11 models were produced in 1972. The 916 had a steel roof, instead of a targa top, for added rigidity and fiberglass bumper panels.
I started My reconstruction by installing a big bore kit, and a pair of 40 IDF Weber carburetors. Once I had the engine performance that I wanted I installed the fiberglass bumper panels, and a fender kit that would make room for larger wheels and tires. I changed out the stock front suspension replacing it with the suspension from a 1978 911 SC, replaced the rear wheel hubs with those from a 914-6 and boxed the trailing arms. This allowed me to run wheels with a five lug pattern. I installated 3” spacers front and rear with Porsche 996 wheels, 7” front and 9” rear and Koni adjustable shocks gave me a suspension that was flat in the turns and just perfect for Auto-X.
One last recommendation, in maintenance, modification or Porsche restoration. There is a large Porsche parts aftermarket. In your search for the right Porsche part consider first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts first.
When I bought my first 914, I didn't know anything about it except that it was a fun car to drive. With this in mind for you newbies you need to be formally introduced. First lets get acquainted with the history of our Porsche 914. The Porsche 914 was a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. The VW Porsche 914 as it was also known is a two seater, mid-engine sports car, featured a targa top and was introduced in September 1969. Porsche at the time was looking for a replacement for their 912, and Volkswagen wanted a sports coupe to replace the Karmann Ghia. Ferdinand Piech was director of R&D at Porsche at the time and was put in charge of the 914 Project. The Volkswagen edition was known as 914-4 and originally came with an 80 hp fuel injected 1.7 L flat-4 engine which was air cooled. The Porsche edition was know as 914-6 with a carbureted 110 hp 2.0 L flat-6 engine that was used in the 1969 911T.
The chassis were manufactured by Karmann then were either sent to Porsche for installation of the suspension and the flat-6 engine or kept them for Volkswagen suspensions and the flat-4 engine. The 914-6 used suspension and brakes similar to Porsches 911 which gave the car superior handling and braking in comparison to the Volkswagen 914-4. In North America this Porsche/Volkswagen venture were all sold as 914’s.
Also built in 1969 were two prototype 914/8s one with its 300+bhp eight-cylinder racing engine. The second a detuned carbureted version prepared for Ferry Porsche for his 60th birthday. The 914/8 was constructed to prove a concept by Ferdinand Piech then head of the Racing Department.
Now for the goodies. The Porsche 914 has been out of production for over 30 years. Porsche 914 enthusiasts can be easily placed into two categories: The purists who strive to maintain their cars in as close to original condition as possible and then there are the Individualists who enjoy modifying their cars to their own specifications. There are a few who fit into both categories by owning a vintage car and then having their toy. Personally my toy is always in a constant state of construction and my vintage car, well I just maintained it.
My vintage Porsche 914 was a 1973 1.7 L with only 47,000 miles. The primary needs of a vintage car as you know is maintenance. Even though you probably don’t drive it much it still needs attention. Fluids such as oil should be changed annually at least depending on how many miles you drive your car. Brake fluid should be changed at least on average every two years or have your mechanic check the moisture content. Brake fluid is hydrotropic therefore it attracts moisture, not a good thing to leave laying in your master cylinder or brake cylinders to cause rust. Fuel is the next fluid which you should be concerned with. Although you may run it out from season to season moisture also condenses in the fuel tank. There is nothing so irritating than bringing your baby out of the garage after a long winter and it won’t start because of moisture in the fuel line. No your car can’t run on water. I have been told that a molecule of water is larger than that of gasoline and when it collects in the fuel filter it will prevent fuel from getting through. It is a good idea after every season when you put your car away for the winter like we do in the northeast to put in some fuel stabilizer. When you first start you 914 give a quick check to your fuel injectors. Keep in mind that your car is over 30 years old and although the injectors themselves may be fine there is a hose (elbow) at the top of the injector which tends to dry out and leak over time. If this leaks excessively replace it immediately. If there is minimal leaking check with your mechanic, it may stop once the elbow is re-saturated, but follow his recommendations.
My toy Porsche 914 started life in 1975 as a 1.8L and when I purchased it there were modification already done to it. Well, since this was going to be my toy car and I wanted to use it for Auto-X, I also wanted it to look like a Porsche 916. The Porsche 916 never made it to production and only 11 models were produced in 1972. The 916 had a steel roof, instead of a targa top, for added rigidity and fiberglass bumper panels.
I started My reconstruction by installing a big bore kit, and a pair of 40 IDF Weber carburetors. Once I had the engine performance that I wanted I installed the fiberglass bumper panels, and a fender kit that would make room for larger wheels and tires. I changed out the stock front suspension replacing it with the suspension from a 1978 911 SC, replaced the rear wheel hubs with those from a 914-6 and boxed the trailing arms. This allowed me to run wheels with a five lug pattern. I installated 3” spacers front and rear with Porsche 996 wheels, 7” front and 9” rear and Koni adjustable shocks gave me a suspension that was flat in the turns and just perfect for Auto-X.
One last recommendation, in maintenance, modification or Porsche restoration. There is a large Porsche parts aftermarket. In your search for the right Porsche part consider first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts first.
