Porsche history · 1969–1976
Porsche 914: History, Specs & What to Know
By CarWhere Research · Updated
The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine, Targa-roofed two-seater developed with Volkswagen and shown at the 1969 Frankfurt show. Porsche built 115,631 four-cylinder cars with Volkswagen engines and 3,338 914/6 models with a 2.0-liter Porsche flat-six. It replaced the 912 as the entry Porsche in 1970 and gave way to the 924.
The 914 grew out of a mid-1960s agreement between Ferry Porsche and Volkswagen chief Heinrich Nordhoff: Volkswagen wanted a successor to its Karmann Ghia, and Porsche needed a lower-priced model. After Nordhoff died in 1968, the two companies set up a joint sales company, VW-Porsche, to market the car. Porsche says it made the company the first German manufacturer to sell a production mid-engine sports car.
Two engines defined the range: Volkswagen four-cylinders, starting with a 1.7-liter rated at 80 PS, and the 914/6's 2.0-liter flat-six from the 911 T with 110 PS. The 914 also raced — a 914/6 GT won its class at Le Mans in 1970 — and in the US it was voted Import Car of the Year for 1970.
914 history: what changed, year by year
- 1969 — Public debut at the Frankfurt IAA; production of the 914/4 and 914/6 begins.[1]
- 1970 — The 914 replaces the 912 as Porsche's entry model and is voted Import Car of the Year in the US. A 914/6 GT from Team Sonauto wins the GT class at Le Mans.[1],[2]
- 1972 — 914/6 production ends after 3,338 cars.[1]
- 1973 — A 2.0-liter four-cylinder joins the range.[3]
- 1974 — The 1.8-liter four replaces the 1.7 (fuel-injected in US cars).[3]
- 1976 — The front-engine 924 replaces the 914.[2]
How many 914s were made?
| Model / variant | Years | Units | What the figure counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 914/4 | 1969–1975 | 115,631[1] | total built |
| 914/6 | 1969–1972 | 3,338[1] | total built |
| 916 (six-cylinder prototypes) | — | 11[1] | 914s fitted with 911 S and Carrera RS engines |
More model-by-model totals: Porsche production numbers.
914 variants and engines
| Variant | Years | Engine | Power | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 914 1.7 | 1970–1973 | 1.7 L air-cooled VW flat-4 | 80 PS[1],[3] | 0–100 km/h in 13 s; 177 km/h; 900 kg dry. |
| 914 2.0 | 1973–1976 | 2.0 L air-cooled flat-4 (1,971 cc) | —[3] | Power not stated in our Porsche sources. |
| 914 1.8 | 1974–1976 | 1.8 L air-cooled flat-4 | —[3] | Fuel-injected in the US. |
| 914/6 | 1970–1972 | 2.0 L air-cooled Porsche flat-6 (from the 911 T) | 110 PS[1] | 940 kg dry; 3,338 built. |
Full trim-by-trim figures (US hp, torque, 0–60, weight, launch MSRP): Porsche 914 specs.
914 engine and drivetrain facts
- Mid-mounted engine ahead of the rear axle, with a removable Targa roof panel.[1]
- Four-cylinder cars used Volkswagen engines; the 914/6 used Porsche's own 2.0-liter six from the 911 T.[1],[2]
- Two one-off 914 S cars were fitted with an eight-cylinder version of the 908 race car's 3.0-liter boxer engine.[1]
What to check before you buy a 914
- Structure first: the 914 predates the galvanized bodies Porsche introduced in 1976, so have a specialist inspect the floors, longitudinals and the area around the battery tray for corrosion.[2]
- 914/6 claims need proof. With only 3,338 built, conversions from four-cylinder cars exist; the Certificate of Authenticity and matching chassis and engine numbers settle it.[1]
- Confirm which four-cylinder engine is fitted (1.7, 1.8 or 2.0) against the factory record; engine swaps are common on cars this age.
- Original 914 chassis numbers are not 17-character VINs, so title paperwork should match the chassis number stamped on the car.
How to verify a 914's factory options
The 914 was built before the 17-character VIN standard, so VIN build data does not cover it. Porsche's Certificate of Authenticity (now the Production Specification) is the factory's own record of how a 914 was built, including its original color and engine.
Confirm how a 914 left the factory.
Every Porsche 914 predates the 17-character VIN, so a VIN build sheet cannot cover it. Porsche's own record for these cars is the Certificate of Authenticity, now called the Production Specification. The guide explains what it shows, what it costs and how to order one.
Porsche 914 FAQ
How many Porsche 914s were made?
Porsche counts 115,631 four-cylinder 914s built from 1969 to 1975 and 3,338 914/6 models built from 1969 to 1972, plus 11 six-cylinder 916 prototypes.
Is the Porsche 914 a Volkswagen?
It was a joint project. Volkswagen and Porsche developed it together and sold it through a joint company, VW-Porsche. Four-cylinder cars used Volkswagen engines; the 914/6 used a Porsche flat-six from the 911 T.
What engine is in a Porsche 914?
Four-cylinder cars used air-cooled Volkswagen flat-fours of 1.7, 1.8 or 2.0 liters; the 1.7 made 80 PS. The 914/6 used a 2.0-liter Porsche flat-six with 110 PS.
What years was the Porsche 914 made?
The 914 debuted at the 1969 Frankfurt show. The 914/6 was built until 1972 and the four-cylinder car until the 924 replaced it in 1976.
Why is the 914/6 worth more than a 914?
Rarity and its engine: only 3,338 914/6 cars were built, each with Porsche's own 2.0-liter six from the 911 T, compared with 115,631 four-cylinder cars.
Related Porsche history
Specs, production and buying research
Sources
Production counts, power outputs and dates on this page come from the sources below. Where sources disagree, the page says so or uses Porsche's own figure.
- 50 Years of the Porsche 914 — Porsche Newsroom
- Porsche Historical Background: 1948-2025 — Porsche Cars North America (Porsche Newsroom)
- Porsche 914 specs (each figure sourced on the page) — CarWhere Research
Independent reference published by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Porsche, 911, Carrera, Targa and Boxster are trademarks of their owner.