The Porsche 914 is a vehicle Porsche enthusiasts would like to forget. The car resulted from a collaborative effort between Porsche and Volkswagen to produce a small, entry-level sports car for the masses. To do that, they stuck with Porsche’s winning formula of a car that is lightweight and has the engine rearward. The result was the 914 model. 

The 1969-1976 Porsche 914

The Porsche 914 was a small, targa-top, two-seat car that had mid-engine placement and pop-up headlights. Most people remember this car having a four-cylinder engine that pumped out 80 hp. There was, however, also a six-cylinder version available with the 914-6 model that pumped out a zippier 110 hp. The Porsche newsroom says the car had a low center of gravity that made it “an agile, sprightly driving machine by the standards of the day, pressed to the road like a board.”

Today, these Porsche models are hard to find, but still around. According to Hagerty, the four-cylinder base models are valued at approximately $15,000 for a sample found in Good condition. That price, however, shoots up considerably for a 914 with the six-cylinder in the GT trim. In that case, the value in Good condition is expected to be in the $200,000 range. 

The Porsche 914-8

There is another model trim of the Porsche 914 that many are unaware of. The forgotten 914-8 is an exceedingly rare eight-cylinder model created before the platform was put to bed. Horsepower in that model is disputed to be 300 or 360 horses. So, the targa-top roof was welded shut to add more rigidity to the structure for the extra power. But, the extra horses meant that the lightweight car (under 2,000 lbs) could seriously move. Ferry Porsche was given one of these units on his 60th birthday. Only one other sample exists. That was given to Ferdinand Piëch.

Both 914-8 models were eventually acquired for Porsche’s corporate collection. This means that they will likely not become available for sale anytime soon. Regardless, they are certainly extremely valuable from a historical perspective. Also, Hagerty has no value available for the units. 

A mid-engine car would not return for decades

A mid-engine sports car would not return to the Porsche lineup until 1996 with the world debut of the Boxster. Ironically, that would also be considered an entry-level sports car. Like its predecessor, a four-cylinder powerplant is available for motivation in the Boxster. 

The very first Porsche ever created was a mid-engine vehicle. That car never made it into production. However, years later, the 914 model became the first production mid-engine car for the automaker. As such, the 914 has cemented its place in history for the brand. The car has also proven that the manufacturer figured out a formula early on for concepts that work well, that of a lightweight sports car with the engine behind the driver. But, sadly, what is almost forgotten is the greatness that is the extremely rare 914-8 model.