Porsche 914, rebuilt 1.7L with NOS Mahle high compression piston set (1972)
Sale price: US $15,000.00 Make an Offer
| Used |
| “This 914 has had extensive mechanical restoration to a car that had been previously set up for auto-cross by the prior owner. Mechanically sound but with several typical rust areas (photographed) that do not compromise handling or reduce enjoyment for the next owner in the way of curious squeaks or rattling noises. `” |
| Year: | 1972 | VIN : | 4722900729 |
| Mileage: | 53722 | Model: | 914 |
| Model Year: | 1972 | Vehicle Title: | Clean |
| Make: | Porsche |
Naples, Florida, United States
Vehicle description
On offer is my 1972 Porsche 914, 1.7L.
Mileage listed is estimate as I try and drive this car every day that the weather allows me to do so in the sunshine of SW Florida which has been every single delightful day of an exceptionally fine "Season".
The car is also advertised for sale locally.
I purchased it to be a commuter car for the last year of my mid-life crisis induced graduate degree. I thought what is better than a 914 for fuel efficient yet rapid commuting across "Alligator Alley" to and from Coral Gables? Unfortunately I never had the opportunity. Brakes, electrical gremlins and an engine rebuild were necessary for the car to be a trouble-free commuter and when the work was finally completed, I had already finished my degree.
In the process of creating the ideal driver or autocross contender, I rebuilt the engine, replacing the 2.0L pistons and cylinders with the ultra-rare 1.7L, NOS Volkswagen-labelled, high compression piston and cylinder set designed and built by Mahle. Original parts worth retaining after the conversion are included.
The resulting torque band is now truly impressive, and engine revs far more freely. To further enhance performance the Del"Orto carbs were replaced with a dual Weber set up and an "ANSA style" exhaust installed. Once engine rebuild was complete, my mechanic turned his attention to tidying up the gearbox for more positive shifting, addressing all age-related electrical issues, rebuilding brake calipers, resurfacing the rotors and addressing the emergency brake issue with a new handle. He was successful with everything but emergency brake and a turn signal that fails to blink when the brake is depressed. It may simply be a bad filament in a rear bulb. Headlight mechanism works as it should, and new Hella high-intensity headlights have been installed.
I introduced a MOMO steering wheel to compliment the MOMO five point harness already installed, sourced and mounted new Pirelli P6 tires (strangely difficult to find as it seems P6 design has been licensed to Korean manufacturers)
Once the build was complete, I began to put on the necessary and joyous "shakedown" miles. Now that I have covered a few hundred miles, only an intermittent high-idle issue remains.
I have just had an oil change and a tune discovering to my delight that no metal shavings were present in the oil from top end rebuild. In this last stage of the process, I replaced the stock distributor with an electronic set up and the performance upgrades are now complete to fully enjoy this wonderful vintage Porsche as Dr. Porsche intended because even he felt that the larger displacement 914s, 914-6, and the beast of a V8 version presented to him by his "skunkworks" team (with only one other example ordered by Dr. Porsche"s sister) compromised the purity of the mid engine design.
Now that I have driven a 2.0L and my high compression 1.7L, I can more clearly see his point. The soul of this 914 lies in the 1.7L high compression engine configuration which is likely as rare or more rare than that in 914-6. My knowledge of the Mahle kit for the 914 is that it was available between 1973 and 1974 and could only be sourced through Volkswagen of Brazil. The included OEM box does reflect the date and that origin. So unless you own a South American sourced pre-1974 914 or its drivetrain, or raced Carrera Panamerica during those years, this particular 914 will be a uniquely rewarding driving experience. I find unique experiences are far more valuable than restoration candidates.
This is a 914 that has clearly been enjoyed, and should remain so but is also suitable to be autocrossed or raced, and is not suited to become a "trailer queen".
It is a 914 with the soul of a Porsche, and so where my 914 lacks the unibody necessary to recreate it as an award-winning restoration, all changes and elements necessary for autocross or SCCA use are present, except SCCA mandated tow hooks.
The interior components are in remarkably fine condition with only minor wear on seats and doors. There is minimal rust in the usual spots found on a 914, but none in what has been referred to as the "hell hole". None of the rust effects structural integrity or handling which makes this example a particularly fine "driver".
Photos of typical rust areas are included. The Ferrari Rosso Corsa paint is attractive at 5 feet and the interior is remarkably clean, with a near-perfect dash with only one small crack near the ashtray. The panel gaps are generally excellent outside of the trunk which may have been simply overstuffed. The only remaining issue for the next owner is to repair the damage caused to the front chrome bumper when "bumperettes" were removed. An auxiliary plug allows use of a your smartphone as a music source through the existing original Becker stereo. It is not the most effective stereo or interface I have encountered, but it does work with the headphone jack adapter for the iPhone. I have two sets of keys with leather Porsche crest fobs, and a set of cocoa mats which are so nice that I also purchased a set of rubber "foul weather" mats that I have placed over the cocoa mats to preserve them and provide some extra sound and thermal insulation on the hottest days.
Many spares are included. These include the original del"Orto carbs, OEM steering wheel, US style turn signal lenses, exhaust and other original elements so as to not foreclose a complete restoration of the car with its original parts, or simply a desire to return it to slightly more stock set up. But the question is why would anyone want to do so when this 914 is about as much fun as a "driver" can be with its freely revving high compression motor and wonderful boxer orientation?
Feel free to send any questions that I may answer to assure the new owner that this particular 914 is uniquely set up for many more miles of sunshine and pleasurable driving.
Please direct all inquiries through the website and NOT THE APP or I won"t be able to respond since I do not use the app.
Bidders with no or little transactional feedback MUST contact me before making and offer or they will be blocked from any further bidding.
Unrealistic offers will also result in having your access to further bidding blocked. I expect potential buyers to display the same level of courtesy and respect for my time as I have for their time, attention and interest in creating a mutually beneficial transaction for this 914.
I greatly appreciate all those who try to connect with me through the app but I am only interviewing potential new owners through the website and DO NOT USE the app, mostly because it demands that I have my reading glasses with me wherever I go and I am not yet willing to cross that bridge just yet. .
Thank you for that interest and I look forward to discussing a future of 914 ownership with you. On Dec-05-20 at 09:55:38 PST, seller added the following information: I DO NOT USE APP. PLEASE DIRECT ALL MESSAGES THROUGH WEBSITE ONLY! !
Mileage listed is estimate as I try and drive this car every day that the weather allows me to do so in the sunshine of SW Florida which has been every single delightful day of an exceptionally fine "Season".
The car is also advertised for sale locally.
I purchased it to be a commuter car for the last year of my mid-life crisis induced graduate degree. I thought what is better than a 914 for fuel efficient yet rapid commuting across "Alligator Alley" to and from Coral Gables? Unfortunately I never had the opportunity. Brakes, electrical gremlins and an engine rebuild were necessary for the car to be a trouble-free commuter and when the work was finally completed, I had already finished my degree.
In the process of creating the ideal driver or autocross contender, I rebuilt the engine, replacing the 2.0L pistons and cylinders with the ultra-rare 1.7L, NOS Volkswagen-labelled, high compression piston and cylinder set designed and built by Mahle. Original parts worth retaining after the conversion are included.
The resulting torque band is now truly impressive, and engine revs far more freely. To further enhance performance the Del"Orto carbs were replaced with a dual Weber set up and an "ANSA style" exhaust installed. Once engine rebuild was complete, my mechanic turned his attention to tidying up the gearbox for more positive shifting, addressing all age-related electrical issues, rebuilding brake calipers, resurfacing the rotors and addressing the emergency brake issue with a new handle. He was successful with everything but emergency brake and a turn signal that fails to blink when the brake is depressed. It may simply be a bad filament in a rear bulb. Headlight mechanism works as it should, and new Hella high-intensity headlights have been installed.
I introduced a MOMO steering wheel to compliment the MOMO five point harness already installed, sourced and mounted new Pirelli P6 tires (strangely difficult to find as it seems P6 design has been licensed to Korean manufacturers)
Once the build was complete, I began to put on the necessary and joyous "shakedown" miles. Now that I have covered a few hundred miles, only an intermittent high-idle issue remains.
I have just had an oil change and a tune discovering to my delight that no metal shavings were present in the oil from top end rebuild. In this last stage of the process, I replaced the stock distributor with an electronic set up and the performance upgrades are now complete to fully enjoy this wonderful vintage Porsche as Dr. Porsche intended because even he felt that the larger displacement 914s, 914-6, and the beast of a V8 version presented to him by his "skunkworks" team (with only one other example ordered by Dr. Porsche"s sister) compromised the purity of the mid engine design.
Now that I have driven a 2.0L and my high compression 1.7L, I can more clearly see his point. The soul of this 914 lies in the 1.7L high compression engine configuration which is likely as rare or more rare than that in 914-6. My knowledge of the Mahle kit for the 914 is that it was available between 1973 and 1974 and could only be sourced through Volkswagen of Brazil. The included OEM box does reflect the date and that origin. So unless you own a South American sourced pre-1974 914 or its drivetrain, or raced Carrera Panamerica during those years, this particular 914 will be a uniquely rewarding driving experience. I find unique experiences are far more valuable than restoration candidates.
This is a 914 that has clearly been enjoyed, and should remain so but is also suitable to be autocrossed or raced, and is not suited to become a "trailer queen".
It is a 914 with the soul of a Porsche, and so where my 914 lacks the unibody necessary to recreate it as an award-winning restoration, all changes and elements necessary for autocross or SCCA use are present, except SCCA mandated tow hooks.
The interior components are in remarkably fine condition with only minor wear on seats and doors. There is minimal rust in the usual spots found on a 914, but none in what has been referred to as the "hell hole". None of the rust effects structural integrity or handling which makes this example a particularly fine "driver".
Photos of typical rust areas are included. The Ferrari Rosso Corsa paint is attractive at 5 feet and the interior is remarkably clean, with a near-perfect dash with only one small crack near the ashtray. The panel gaps are generally excellent outside of the trunk which may have been simply overstuffed. The only remaining issue for the next owner is to repair the damage caused to the front chrome bumper when "bumperettes" were removed. An auxiliary plug allows use of a your smartphone as a music source through the existing original Becker stereo. It is not the most effective stereo or interface I have encountered, but it does work with the headphone jack adapter for the iPhone. I have two sets of keys with leather Porsche crest fobs, and a set of cocoa mats which are so nice that I also purchased a set of rubber "foul weather" mats that I have placed over the cocoa mats to preserve them and provide some extra sound and thermal insulation on the hottest days.
Many spares are included. These include the original del"Orto carbs, OEM steering wheel, US style turn signal lenses, exhaust and other original elements so as to not foreclose a complete restoration of the car with its original parts, or simply a desire to return it to slightly more stock set up. But the question is why would anyone want to do so when this 914 is about as much fun as a "driver" can be with its freely revving high compression motor and wonderful boxer orientation?
Feel free to send any questions that I may answer to assure the new owner that this particular 914 is uniquely set up for many more miles of sunshine and pleasurable driving.
Please direct all inquiries through the website and NOT THE APP or I won"t be able to respond since I do not use the app.
Bidders with no or little transactional feedback MUST contact me before making and offer or they will be blocked from any further bidding.
Unrealistic offers will also result in having your access to further bidding blocked. I expect potential buyers to display the same level of courtesy and respect for my time as I have for their time, attention and interest in creating a mutually beneficial transaction for this 914.
I greatly appreciate all those who try to connect with me through the app but I am only interviewing potential new owners through the website and DO NOT USE the app, mostly because it demands that I have my reading glasses with me wherever I go and I am not yet willing to cross that bridge just yet. .
Thank you for that interest and I look forward to discussing a future of 914 ownership with you. On Dec-05-20 at 09:55:38 PST, seller added the following information: I DO NOT USE APP. PLEASE DIRECT ALL MESSAGES THROUGH WEBSITE ONLY! !