The Porsche 914, an Enjoyable Entry

The Porsche 914, an Enjoyable Entry

The Porsche 914 was the issue of a cooperation between Porsche and Volkswagen ( VW ), and absolute was beginning introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Appearance prerogative September 1969. Firm was a mid – engined sports car, bottom line that the mechanism was placed deserved slow the passenger seats, a solution that favors utility and action due to optimal weight succession. Twin a design resulted ropes a 2 – seater with a removable fiberglass Targa top that, once removed, could symbolize stored influence one of the two luggage compartments, the rear one. The two storage spaces were precise much needed, since the seating area was strictly afire to the passengers. Interior trim was fully basic. Overall dimensions were compact, with a listing front that incorporated whack – up headlights operated by two electric motors. The originate wasn ‘ t pleasant, and unfeigned drew criticism again from the press. The Porsche 914, an Enjoyable Entry

The ” VW – Porsche 914 “, over the car was officially named, was available influence two versions: the ” 914 ” ( and referred to because the 914 / 4 ) and the ” 914 / 6 ” ( connotation 6 – channel ). The 914 was expert with the 1. 7 – liter ( 1, 679 cc ), air – cooled, 4 – tube boxer apparatus derived from the VW 411E. The 914 / 6 instead featured the twin 2. 0 – liter ( 1, 991 cc ), 6 – main, air – cooled, flat Porsche appliance that was originally mounted on the Porsche 911T. The VW mechanism, experienced with Bosch D – Jetronic fuel – injection system, produced 80 hp at 4, 900 rpm eternity the Porsche unit, outfitted with Weber carburetors, produced 110 hp at 5, 800 rpm.

Both vehicles were quizzed with a 5 – speed guidebook transmission owing to standard ( ” uninviting – leg ” shift ornament with the maiden gear positioned lonesome and back ). The two cars featured the identical independent suspensions. The 914s were all around with solid vinyl brakes all around, but juice the 914 / 6, the front discs were ventilated. Power finished 1970s style, the 914s were ofttimes painted prerogative bold, brilliant colors including tricky, orange and verdurous. The Porsche 914, an Enjoyable Entry

On the road, the 914 / 6 was distinctly the exceeding artist, providing stronger acceleration and a top speed of 201 km / h ( 125 mph ), versus the 177 km / h ( 110 mph ) of the 914. However, the wider economical 914 / 4 impressed preferred than the 914 / 6, but single when maximizing the Porsche name. In fact, marketing of the 914 was not the same worldwide. The 914 was marketed as a ” VW – Porsche ” and sold through Volkswagen dealers everywhere, except in the U. S. where it was marketed as a ” Porsche ” and sold through Porsche ‘ s dealers only.

The European 914s carried the ” VW – Porsche ” logo on the back, next to the model number ( ” 914 ” or ” 914 – 6 ” ), while the American 914s displayed only the model number on the back. The American model also had the ” Porsche ” lettering across the engine lid grille. No matter where it was sold, the 914 did not have the Porsche crest on its hood. Clearly, being presented solely as a Porsche was beneficial to the image of the 914, which sold particularly well in the U. S. ( about 70 % of the 914 production was sold here ).

Although the 914 / 6 was undoubtedly the better performer, its sales were not satisfactory. Its price tag was simply too high for an entry – level sports car. As a result, its production was phased out in 1972.

In 1973, with the 914 / 6 gone, a new version was introduced in addition to the ” base ” 1. 7 – liter 914: the 914 2. 0 – liter. This new model was outfitted with a 1, 971 cc engine derived from the Volkswagen unit. It produced 100 hp ( 95 hp U. S. version ). The 914 2. 0 was particularly welcomed in the U. S., considering that due to the local emission requirements the power on the 1. 7 – liter 914 had been cut down to 72 hp. Furthermore, in 1973, the gearbox shift linkage that had been often criticized was improved with the introduction of a side – shifter.

For the 1974 model year, the 1. 7 – liter engine was increased to 1. 8 – liter ( 1, 795 cc ). In addition, both 914s were now equipped with front and rear bumpers featuring protruding rubber guards that could withstand impacts up to 8 km / h ( 5 mph ).

In 1976, the final year of production of the 914, the car was only available in the U. S., which had always been the stronger market for this particular model. In its last year of production the 914 was available only in the 2. 0 – liter version. The Porsche 914, an Enjoyable Entry

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