The 1974 Porsche 914 is one of those cars everyone loves to hate. It’s been called slow, cheap, and “not a real Porsche” thanks to its Volkswagen roots and modest power. But spend time with one, and the story changes.
Developed jointly by Porsche and VW to replace the 912 and Karmann Ghia, the 914 arrived in 1969 as an entry-level, mid-engine sports car. Most used a flat-four making 75–100 horsepower, and yes, it’s objectively slow. Even the rare six-cylinder version wasn’t exactly thrilling. But what the 914 lacks in speed, it makes up for in balance, light weight, and charm.
Weighing about 2,000 pounds with a mid-engine layout, the 914 feels tossable and eager. It’s full of quirks: pop-up headlights, a removable targa roof that fits in the trunk, two cargo compartments, odd gauges, and wonderfully functional German design everywhere.
Fifty years later, the Porsche 914 proves that a car doesn’t need a massive engine to be rewarding. As highlighted in Doug DeMuro’s deep dive into its “quirks and features,” the 914 is a well-engineered, usable classic that offers a level of charm and driver engagement that many high-horsepower modern cars miss.
Source: Doug DeMuro
