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Volks-Porsche VW-Porsche 914 - and they still loved it

Name: VW-Porsche 914 1974
Brand: VW-Porsche

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Created on June 1, 1988

Text:

Rob de la Rive Box und Bruno von Rotz (2012)

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Balz Schreier

Louis Galanos

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Bruno von Rotz

Balz Schreier

Louis Galanos

Archiv

VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - Joint production by Volkswagen and Porsche - Illustration from a sales brochure

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - on a wet road - Illustration from a sales brochure

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VW-Porsche 914 (1969) - exhibited on the Karmann stand at the IAA 1969

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VW-Porsche 914 (1969) - base model on the road

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VW-Porsche 914 (1969) - Transparency drawing

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VW-Porsche 914 (1969) - strictly two-seater

Bild von Partner Porsche AMAG Mai Foto-Galerie 2026

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VW-Porsche 914 (1969) - what exactly is this picture supposed to tell us?

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - the basic model with steel wheels and hubcaps

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Transparent drawing of the six-cylinder version

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - the targa roof is stored in the top of the trunk

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - the trunk swallows a lot

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Demonstration of wet driving characteristics

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - the accessibility to the mid-engine is mediocre

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Folding headlights folded in

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Folding headlights folded out

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - minimalist interior

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Steering wheel and dashboard

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Presentation with attractive support

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Door handle and seat with headrest

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Porsche 914 (1970) - racing version of the 914 6 without war paint

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Porsche 914 (1971) - racing version of the 914 6 with extensions

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Porsche 914 (1971) - shown on the 1971 sales program together with the 911 T

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - arouses a lot of interest

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - the six-cylinder 914 6 compared to the Porsche 911 T

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - See-through drawing of the four-cylinder engine

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - available with five-speed gearbox and Sportmatic - Illustration from a sales brochure

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - Storage space in the front and rear - Illustration from a sales brochure

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VW-Porsche 914 (1971) - Advertising illustration

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VW-Porsche 914 (1972) - the two luggage compartments add up to a volume of 370 liters - enough for a lot of luggage

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VW-Porsche 914 (1972) - also looks good in front of your own home

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VW-Porsche 914 (1972) - innovations in the interior - adjustable passenger seat, wiper lever on the steering wheel and air intakes

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VW-Porsche 914 (1973) - the joy of driving and riding along

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Porsche 914 (1972) - the interior was refreshed for 1972

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Porsche 914 (1972) - together with 911 Targa and Coupé

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Porsche 914 (1973) - Basic version with roll bar in body color - Illustration in a sales brochure

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Porsche 914 (1973) - Trunks front and rear - Illustration in a sales brochure

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Porsche 914 (1973) - smooth and straightforward

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Porsche 914 (1973) - at the cornering limit

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Porsche 914 (1974) - Fresh air fun with open Targa roof

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Porsche 914 (1974) - the installation of starting aids is demonstrated here

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - lots of dynamics in this drawing - concept car by Giugiaro/ItalDesign

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - Sketch of the mid-engine concept car - Concept car by Giugiaro/ItalDesign

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - extremely wedge-shaped design - concept car by Giugiaro/ItalDesign

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - lots of glass at the top, attractive design

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - In a left-hand bend

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1971) - winged wedge

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VW-Porsche 914/6 Tapiro (1970) - Access through the gullwing doors, interior

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VW-Porsche 914(6 Tapiro (197'0) - Dimension drawing - Concept car by Giugiaro/ItalDesign

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VW-Porsche 914/6 (1971) - 'Hispano-Alemán' developed by Frua on the basis of a 914/6 for the Spanish importer

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VW-Porsche 914 (1970) - Count Goertz designed this unique piece of a racy 914

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Heuliez Murène (1970) - French special body based on the Porsche 914/6

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VW-Porsche 914 Heuliez (1970) - This 914 with a special Heuliez body was on display at the Paris Motor Show in the fall of 1970

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Porsche 914 (1970) at the Jochpass Memorial 2011 (start no. 149)

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VW Porsche 914 (1972) - Lenzerheide Motor Classics 2011

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Detail of the front of a Porsche 914 at the 3rd Dolder Classics 2011

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VW-Porsche 914 4 (1972) at the Michaelskreuzrennen 2011 (starting number 322)

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Porsche 914 6 GT (1972) - at the Arosa ClassicCar hill climb 2011 (starting number 132)

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Solitude Revival 2011 - Anniversary Corso - VW-Porsche 914

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Porsche 914 6 at the Planai Classic 2010

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Porsche 914/6 (1971) - The Owens Corning L88 Corvette with Don Yenko (GT class winner) overtakes Erwin Kremer in the Porsche 914 (24 Hours of Daytona 1971)

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Porsche 914 6 (1970) - AVD Historic Marathon 2011

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Porsche 914 6 GT (1970) - AVD Historic Marathon 2011

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Porsche 914 6 GT (1970) - at the Solitude Revival 2011

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Summary

When Volkswagen and Porsche presented their joint venture, the Volkswagen-Porsche, Porsche enthusiasts were disappointed. So were Volkswagen drivers, because the new car was too expensive for them. Nevertheless, the manufacturers' tills were ringing; the new car became - initially - a bestseller. Today, the 914 (914 1.7, 914 1.8, 914 2.0, 914/6) are popular classics and the fast variants are sought-after and competitive racing cars for historic racing events. This report tells the development and production history and is illustrated with many historical and current pictures, sales brochures, price lists and press information. The pictures of the special bodies by Heuliez, Frua, ItalDesign and Graf Goertz based on the 914 are particularly worth seeing.

This article contains the following chapters

VW or Porsche engine
Premiere at the IAA 1969
Modifications and improvements
Significant differences between 914 and 914/6
Unfortunate choice of name
Racing successes should improve the image
One-offs and special bodies
The Porsche 916
End and "successor"
Further information

Estimated reading time: 12min

Preview (beginning of the article)

When Volkswagen and Porsche presented their joint venture, the Volkswagen-Porsche, Porsche enthusiasts were disappointed. So were Volkswagen drivers, because the new car was too expensive for them. Nevertheless, the manufacturers' tills were ringing; the new car became - initially - a bestseller. The connection between Volkswagen and Porsche is as old as the Volkswagen itself. After all, it was Ferdinand Porsche who helped the Beetle get on its wheels. For its part, the first Porsche was little more than an improved Volkswagen. The Wolfsburg-based company had always found a sympathetic ear for its technical problems in Stuttgart.

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