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2018 Shannons Melbourne Spring Classic Auction
Lot
52

1970 Porsche 914 1.7LT Coupe (LHD)

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Specifications

Engine 1.7 litre four-cylinder
Gearbox Five-speed manual
Body Work Targa
Colour Black
Interior Black
Trim Vinyl
Wheels Alloy
Brakes Disc/Disc

Description

This lot is no longer available

Originally announced in 1969 as an affordable sibling to the 911, the 914 was a sales hit - particularly in America, where the fashionable Targa styling and mid-engined layout captured the imagination of a generation of sports car enthusiasts. Although the 914 handled brilliantly, some criticism was levelled at the relatively mundane performance afforded by the 1.7-litre (and later 2.0) Volkswagen sourced four-cylinder engines, and Zuffenhausen answered by dropping in the flat-six from the 911T to create the 914/6 in 1970. However, the resulting price increase - the new model cost the same as a 911 and around 50 percent more than a Jaguar E-Type - resulted in poor sales and the 914/6 was killed off after just three years in production. Just 3318 914/6s were built compared with 115,597 four-cylinder models. Although it suffered a stigma at the time because was jointly-developed by both Porsche and VW, to be sold by the latter as a four-cylinder and the former as a six-cylinder, enthusiasts have warmed to the Porsche 914 over the past 20 years or so. It’s now seen as something a bit different from the ubiquitous 911 and all the more sought-after as a result.