 Vintage Car and Driver mag 914 test |
|
|
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
|
  |
| bkrantz |
 Jan 22 2020, 10:15 PM
Post
#1
|
|
914 Guru  Group: Members Posts: 7,741 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains 
 |
Many of you have probably seen this, but I found an old C/D issue from April 1973. This is special to me since I was in high school at the time, a dedicated C/D reader, and wishing for my first car. This comparison test almost made me wish for a 914, but instead I fell for the winner, the Fiat 124 Spider. A couple of years later, I got one from an insurance salvage yard. That started me on the evil path of DIY auto mechanics and body work.
Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
   |
 
|
| bkrantz |
Jan 22 2020, 10:16 PM
Post
#2
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,741 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
|
First page. The test considered all the cars eligible for the new SCCA Showroom Stock Sports Car class.
Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
|
|
|
| bkrantz |
Jan 22 2020, 10:16 PM
Post
#3
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,741 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
|
The 914 did pretty well, first in braking and 3rd or 4th in acceleration.
Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
|
|
|
| bkrantz |
Jan 22 2020, 10:19 PM
Post
#4
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,741 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
|
C/D rated the 914 in 4th place, 1.5 seconds down on the Fiat. They suggested that the stock 4.5 inch wheels cost the 914 about 1 second and a higher finish.
Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
|
|
|
| Krieger |
Jan 22 2020, 11:51 PM
Post
#5
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 4,704 Joined: 24-May 04 From: Santa Rosa CA Member No.: 2,104 Region Association: None
|
Ah, the good ole days! I can't believe the Spitfire was that slow. Thanks for posting!
|
|
|
|
| danschy |
Jan 23 2020, 08:12 AM
Post
#6
|
|
Dan Group: Members Posts: 33 Joined: 1-July 17 From: Illinois Member No.: 21,220 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
Oh yeah, I well remember that issue. Probably influenced my decision to buy a brand new 1974 914/2l, which I kept until 1989. I have been 914-less since then, but love seeing all the projects on this site.
|
|
|
|
| JmuRiz |
Jan 23 2020, 09:18 AM
Post
#7
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,424 Joined: 30-December 02 From: NoVA Member No.: 50 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
|
Wow, never seen that test before, thanks for posting!
|
|
|
|
| windforfun |
Jan 23 2020, 02:55 PM
Post
#8
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
IMHO, the only quality car in the bunch is the 914. The others may have been faster, but the build & material qualities were poor.
|
|
|
|
| SirAndy |
Jan 23 2020, 03:05 PM
Post
#9
|
|
Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,608 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
QUOTE(windforfun @ Jan 23 2020, 12:55 PM)  IMHO, the only quality car in the bunch is the 914. The others may have been faster, but the build & material qualities were poor. I don't know about that. The Opel GT was a great car. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) |
 |
|
| DickSteinkamp |
Jan 23 2020, 07:07 PM
Post
#10
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 500 Joined: 27-February 17 From: Bellingham, WA Member No.: 20,876 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 23 2020, 01:05 PM) You mean the "Porvette" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) |
|
|
|
| SirAndy |
Jan 23 2020, 07:15 PM
Post
#11
|
|
Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,608 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
QUOTE(DickSteinkamp @ Jan 23 2020, 05:07 PM) QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 23 2020, 01:05 PM) You mean the "Porvette" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif) I grew up in Germany. There were no Corvettes sold in Germany. Opel had a huge market share, the Kadett was one of the all time best selling cars ever there. So no, i don't mean the "Porvette" or any other "Vette" for that matter ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) |
|
|
|
| DickSteinkamp |
Jan 23 2020, 07:52 PM
Post
#12
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 500 Joined: 27-February 17 From: Bellingham, WA Member No.: 20,876 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 23 2020, 05:15 PM) Opel had a huge market share, the Kadett was one of the all time best selling cars ever there. So no, i don't mean the "Porvette" or any other "Vette" for that matter ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Sorry if I hit a nerve. The Opel was a solid, attractive car. It's nickname here in the US was Porvette due to its resemblance to the 68 Corvette and its relatively low price. |
|
|
|
| Tdskip |
Jan 23 2020, 08:33 PM
Post
#13
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,686 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None
|
QUOTE(windforfun @ Jan 23 2020, 03:55 PM) IMHO, the only quality car in the bunch is the 914. The others may have been faster, but the build & material qualities were poor. I wouldn’t say the Fiat was poorly built, like with Porsche FI these cars suffered in the hands of less than capable/trained care takers. A good comditon 124 is a joy to drive. While this did change over time, MGBs were very robustly built. |
|
|
|
| windforfun |
Jan 23 2020, 09:00 PM
Post
#14
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
I'm a bit closed minded here. 914's are appreciating in value. It was (still is) an amazing design with no real equal (unibody, targa top, mid-engine, & fuel injection with very rugged quality construction). It looks great & you can still get a ton of parts for it. My "73 1.7 doesn't leak anything. It has 48K on it & it's the most reliable car I've ever owned.
How many of these other cars are still weekly drivers without any issues? I guess if they were babied like my 914, then my point is moot. Even still, none of these other cars are as stiff & have that go-kart feel (stock version). Your brakes are disc all around & the suspension is fully independent & amazing. |
|
|
|
| windforfun |
Jan 23 2020, 09:10 PM
Post
#15
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
The 914 is so futuristic in design & handling. It was a true sports car. It was way ahead of its time.
|
|
|
|
| Tdskip |
Jan 23 2020, 10:16 PM
Post
#16
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,686 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None
|
QUOTE(windforfun @ Jan 23 2020, 10:00 PM) I'm a bit closed minded here. 914's are appreciating in value. It was (still is) an amazing design with no real equal (unibody, targa top, mid-engine, & fuel injection with very rugged quality construction). It looks great & you can still get a ton of parts for it. My "73 1.7 doesn't leak anything. It has 48K on it & it's the most reliable car I've ever owned. How many of these other cars are still weekly drivers without any issues? I guess if they were babied like my 914, then my point is moot. Even still, none of these other cars are as stiff & have that go-kart feel (stock version). Your brakes are disc all around & the suspension is fully independent & amazing. Ummm, I daily drove several MGBs and Fiats. Fiat X1/9 are built like tanks believe it or not, and has a near identical design approach (except for cooling), which is not to take anything away from our 914s, but being completely dismissive of any of the other cars referenced is a bit dubious. |
|
|
|
| bkrantz |
Jan 24 2020, 10:49 PM
Post
#17
|
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 7,741 Joined: 3-August 19 From: SW Colorado Member No.: 23,343 Region Association: Rocky Mountains
|
QUOTE(Tdskip @ Jan 23 2020, 09:16 PM) QUOTE(windforfun @ Jan 23 2020, 10:00 PM) I'm a bit closed minded here. 914's are appreciating in value. It was (still is) an amazing design with no real equal (unibody, targa top, mid-engine, & fuel injection with very rugged quality construction). It looks great & you can still get a ton of parts for it. My "73 1.7 doesn't leak anything. It has 48K on it & it's the most reliable car I've ever owned. How many of these other cars are still weekly drivers without any issues? I guess if they were babied like my 914, then my point is moot. Even still, none of these other cars are as stiff & have that go-kart feel (stock version). Your brakes are disc all around & the suspension is fully independent & amazing. Ummm, I daily drove several MGBs and Fiats. Fiat X1/9 are built like tanks believe it or not, and has a near identical design approach (except for cooling), which is not to take anything away from our 914s, but being completely dismissive of any of the other cars referenced is a bit dubious. My 124 Spider was relatively robust, with a few electrical gremlins, and a fussy mechanical fuel pump. Later I had an X1/9 that was 99% reliable. The only weak spot was dirt in the carb jets. It would go from running smoothly to stumbling in an instant. I got used to popping the engine lid, taking off the air filter, and unscrewing the jets. After blowing them clean, the engine ran great again. |
|
|
|
| windforfun |
Jan 25 2020, 07:15 PM
Post
#18
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
I'm sorry, but the 914 architecture is in a class by itself. Engine well water drainage wasn't quite figured out & the fit & finish could have been a little better in places, but the boxer motor is so smooth. There aren't enough o's in smooth to be accurate here. Anyway, the Spit was a piece of crap - you couldn't open the doors with only 3 wheels on the ground. Didn't the window handles break off the Fiats. Oh, & BTW, how quickly did they need a valve job?
|
|
|
|
| Tdskip |
Jan 25 2020, 07:34 PM
Post
#19
|
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,686 Joined: 1-December 17 From: soCal Member No.: 21,666 Region Association: None
|
I think a lot more Fiat 124 and MGBs made it to over 100k miles without requirjngmajor work than 914s....
Our blinders are a bit on here guys... |
|
|
|
| windforfun |
Jan 25 2020, 07:38 PM
Post
#20
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,776 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(Tdskip @ Jan 25 2020, 05:34 PM) I think a lot more Fiat 124 and MGBs made it to over 100k miles without requirjngmajor work than 914s.... Our blinders are a bit on here guys... Yes, you're right. It's a love thing. I love my 914. It's one of those human issues. |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 1st May 2024 - 12:15 AM |
Invision Power Board
v9.1.4 © 2024 IPS, Inc.