Registration No: TAW 234H
Chassis No: 4712907849
MOT: Exempt

• Significantly improved during current ownership
• Finished from new in special order (two-year only) Metallic Gold paintwork
• Highly original example that was supplied new to California
• Matching numbers example
• Supplied new with Porsche Certificate of Conformity

By the late 1960s, Porsche was looking for a replacement for its 912, while Volkswagen needed a substitute for the outgoing Karmann Ghia. The companies agreed on a collaborative solution and the 914 was born in 1969. A mid-engined chassis was penned and manufactured by Karmann Ghia. Versions to be sold by Volkswagen (914/4) were initially equipped with a 1.7-litre version of the company's air-cooled flat-four unit and other VW hardware, while examples destined for Porsche showrooms (914/6) were sent to Stuttgart and fitted with the same 2.0-litre flat six engine as used in the 911T. Both cars utilised the 911's '901' gearbox suitably modified for the mid-engined configuration. It was felt double-branding would be risky in America, so both versions carried the Porsche badge there. Though the quicker and better handling of the two cars, the 914/6 suffered from slow sales and was discontinued in 1972 after a production run of some 3,350 cars. The resulting gap in the line-up was filled by a second Volkswagen engined model powered by a 95bhp 2.0-litre version of the company's fuel-injected Type 4 unit. 914/4 production ceased in 1976 after in excess of 115,646 examples had been made, making it Porsche's best-selling model of the time.

Chassis 4712907849 was manufactured in December 1970 for the 1971 model year, being supplied new to California. Finished in the two-year only (MY 1971 and 1972) paintwork colour of Gold Metallic with Midnight leatherette with Basketweave inlay interior upholstery, the 914 was specified from new with Green top tinted windscreen. Provided with a comprehensive restoration whilst resident in America (believed between 2010 and 2015), the 914 was imported by a British collector in 2017. A highly original and ‘matching’ numbers example, the 914 has been provided with much further improvement in recent years. The most significant works have been a top-end engine overhaul costing over £2,000 by air cooled engine specialists Aircooled Hut, and bodywork attention including to the notorious ‘hell hole’ costing almost £2,000.

Additional maintenance and improvement work completed over the last few years has included four new tyres, a fuel system refresh with a new fuel pump, renewed starting equipment by Mellors Elliot including 123 distributor, and an inspection by Porsche Centre Sheffield. Starting readily and running well during the recent photography session, the 914 presents on the correct type Mahle alloy wheels with spare and has 99,000 miles recorded on the odometer. Offered with a history file that includes documentation from the Porsche’s time in America, a collection of invoices for maintenance and improvements from here and in America, a Porsche Certificate of Conformity, owner’s manual, 914 Tech Tips guide, Maintenance and Warranty Guide, and a current V5C document, and is also accompanied by a car cover. Notably nice 914 examples such as this are few and far between, and this example finished from new in a two-year only colour and with matching numbers has much to recommend it.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452