1970 Porsche 914/6: It Only Looks Like a Porsche 914

European  /   /  By Jim Motavalli

The six-cylinder Porsche 914/6 is a rare car. Only about 3,350 were produced between 1970 and 1972. If you think the model looks familiar, that’s because it has a much more common sibling: the four-cylinder 914.

One of those rare ones, a 1970 Porsche 914-6, was just listed for sale on eBay.

Many of these cars have been raced and heavily modified. But this one led a sheltered life.

1970 Porsche 914/6

There are only 46,700 miles on the odometer. And there was a full engine rebuild with factory S pistons 15,000 miles ago. The balanced and blueprinted motor puts out 170 horsepower. It was built to the specifications of a 2-liter 911 S.

Other important notes:

  • The numbers match
  • The chassis is straight and dry (the result of 45 years in California)
  • The car has a well-known history of adoring owners, including Porsche Club of America members

Restored to Racing Style

In early 1995, the owner took down the car to bare metal. That when its imperfections and panel gaps were addressed. Then, the builders repainted the Porsche 914/6 in its original Canary Yellow.

The 914 styling has worn well.

The 914 styling has worn well.

Mouth-watering highlights include factory Fuchs flares (See sets of Fuchs wheels on eBay). And there is a very clean interior in black leatherette.

1970 Porsche 914/6 interior

A complete suspension upgrade in the 1990s anticipated racing competition. But that never occurred. The car sat for years before the owner resold it in 2006. The next proud owner restored the 1970 Porsche 914/6 to stock and put 10,000 miles on the clock.

Since then, the 1970 Porsche 914/6 has been serviced as needed and received new brakes, muffler, wheel bearings, Bilstein shocks, and struts (the latter at 38,000 miles).

The glass is all good, and the windshield is original. The pop-up headlights work properly.

History of the 1970 Porsche 914/6

The original idea was to market the 914 as a VW and the 914/6 as a Porsche. But the Porsche name was irresistible for American buyers, so we got them both with that nameplate.

It could have been a Volkswagen 914/6. See the VW logo?

In Europe the 914 was a Volkswagen-Porsche. See the VW logo?

The mid-engine styling was very contemporary. And it has aged well.

The cars were assembled by Karmann—with Porsche itself adding the powerplants for the 914/6. In Europe, the 914 was a VW-Porsche.

Initially, for 1970, the 914 got an 80-horsepower, 1.7-liter VW flat-four, and the 914/6 a dual-cab two-liter Porsche flat-six with 110 horsepower. So the car for sale is a legit German hot rod.

Total mileage is just 46,700. The engine was rebuilt, balanced, and blueprinted 15,000 miles ago.

Total mileage is just 46,700. The engine was rebuilt, balanced, and blueprinted 15,000 miles ago.

The 914 was a very affordable Porsche. It sold well—close to 119,000 through 1976. But the 914/6 was hard to move, and the company killed it off in 1972.

The rarity contributes to its stellar reputation among collectors now. Another positive factor is the proven 911 mechanicals, coupled with readily available 914 panels and parts.

This car is extremely original, with all numbers matching.

This car is extremely original, with all numbers matching.

As of this writing, eBay has about 30 Porsche 914s for sale. but the 914/6 described here was the sole example for sale (until Christmas, when the listing ended). It’s unknown if it was sold or will be re-listed. Or when another one might come along.

Ironically, by 1973 the plain Jane 914 was available with an optional two-liter four producing 100 horsepower. That’s only 10 fewer ponies than the original 914/6. But it’s the rare 914/6 that gets all the attention today.

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About the Author

Jim Motavalli is a contributor to the New York Times, Barron's, NPR’s Car Talk, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, among others. He is the author of nine books, including two—Forward Drive and High Voltage—about electric cars and why they’re important. He is a longtime radio host on WPKN-FM, and a public speaker on environmental topics.