Suspended Animation: 1975 Porsche 914 1.8l
If you look at a running/driving example of a Porsche 914, it really doesn’t seem that old…but consider a few facts from the year this Porsche left the factory; the Watergate scandal was running its course through the defunct Nixon administration with jail sentences being handed out to various cat burglars and cover up artists, the Vietnam War ended with the total evacuation of US forces from Saigon, Mozambique/Angola/Timor gain independence from Portugal, Jimmy Hoffa goes missing, the Louisiana Superdome opens for business, British Leyland Motor Corp becomes nationalized by the British government, Francisco Franco relinquishes his spot as head of state in Spain…all of these things sound so far in the past that NOW this car seems ancient. Find this 1975 Porsche 914 offered for $4,500 in Tahoe City, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.
Automobiles are little time capsules from the era which they were conceived and the 914 is no exception. It combines the focus on geometric style that you get from art of the early 70s with a focus on fuel economy instead of outright power. With a sticky set of tires, they will handle better than just about anything from the early 70s and could be driven everyday if you are into old cars.
See another cheap classic? tips@dailyturismo.com
I can't believe all the hate these get for being "ugly." They're art in motion as far as I'm concerned. If I had scads of money I'd send one off to Singer and have it turned into something truly incredible.
I can't believe all the hate these get for being "ugly." They're art in motion as far as I'm concerned. If I had scads of money I'd send one off to Singer and have it turned into something truly incredible.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I'm not really in the car scene so I don't know if these get hate but they're certainly more interesting then the yaris' of the world. Though I'm partial to my AW11 MR2.
That's another cool car I've always wanted to drive on a twisty back road. A lot of similarities between the two. I wonder if any Toyota engenders aged with a 914 during the mr2's development.
I think the story is that they were collaborating with Lotus engineers regarding the suspension; though I have no idea if that's true or not.
Nick, pick up an AW11 for a few grand and you won't regret it. It is the dirtiest little driving secret nobody knows about, except other AW11 owners. Everyone waxes poetic on the AE86 Corollas, but I think the MR2 is an even greater driving achievement.
I used to watch the 914 6 cylinder cars race at a local road circuit. They sounded great and went great. But when I told a friend who owned a 911 that I liked the 914/6 he said I am sorry to hear that…. The Rodney Dangerfield of the Porsche family, don't get no respect.