1973 Porsche 914 2.0 - A Phoenix Red time capsule | One-Mile Review 

I've owned more cars than I can count, yet my Signal Orange 914 2.0 (in equally nice original condition) is amongst 2-3 keepers. A joy to drive with a connection you just don't get in newer vehicles. Gets tons of attention and comments. The pretentious NARP crowd does not know what they are missing.

I have owned 4. Started with a 1970 1.7, graduated to a 1974 2.0. Made a mistake and sold it, then bought a 1974 1.8. Loved them all. Now I have a 1975 1.8 that was boosted up to a 2.2 by PowerTech. Great cars.

I owned a twin of this car for 34 years that I bought new in Oct. '72. In many ways, like Manny, it is my favorite of the 10 Porsches I have owned. In fact, I first met Manny at the 1990 Chesapeake Challenge when he was new to PCA and may not have had this car for long. I am still in contact with the present owner of mine in VA. Great road trip car as it was easy to average over 70 mph and over 30 mpg...before the notorious 55 mph speed limits. Also great AX car with many SCCA class wins and a couple of FTDs on rainy days when the open wheel formula cars did not run.

I had a '74 pre- fat bumper 2.0L...mine was ice silver blue. Brings back lots of great memories. 0-30, this car would run with anything. I had the same wheels. Just loved mine. Sold it for a 1980 Corvette with L82 engine. Thanks for the review. Whoever owns that car is a very lucky person. I am 6'1" 180 lbs and fit fine in it. I do not fit fine in a Miata or would own one. A Boxster would be a suitable replacement for the 914. PS. as an automotive engineer, there is a basic minimalism to this car that is so appealing to me. Many Porsche purists never embraced this car but to me it is a masterpiece.

I own a 74 2.0 of the same color, and I always called it orange until I purchases some touch up paint when I found out it’s true name. Wonderful car to drive. It’s not fast by todays standards but it quick and wonderful to drive on non-straight roads. You certainly get the look when it’s parked. Great review

I SO miss my 1970 914-6.. Such a fast little car. I worked at Road Atlanta back then when it first opened up and I could burn that track up.. Scared the daylights out of myself so many times !! Especially turns 5, 9 & 12.Under the bridge and down the hill. whew~~~~~~~!!

Fun fact: Early 73 914s that came from the factory with the 2.0 were fully optioned (f/r sway bars, center console, fog lights) and were marketed by PCNA as the "914S"

My first Porsche. Black/Black 914 1.8 1974 when I graduated from College. Thanks to my roommates 1970 Signal Orange 914-6 ( with the GOLD emblem) I was hooked. The dealer installed extractor and Ronal wheels just had me at hello. Then came the preowned 74 targa 911S 82SC 964..etc! It’s simply a passion that never goes away.

I had a '74 2.0 with a few tweeks, a Chalon body, and 5-bolt Fuchs. It died horribly in a garage fire two decades ago, but I still miss that little smile-making-machine.

I had a ‘73 2.0, and drove it _every day_ from ‘93-‘98. I eventually put on a thick Momo wheel, 55 series A008s, Turbo tie rods, and a 911 master cylinder, all of which made it wonderful on back roads and autocrosses. At the same time, it was very relaxed on trips due to its tall top gear and (relatively!) compliant suspension, and it got 35 mpg on those trips. It had the best steering feel ever, and I miss it mightily. While my ‘98 Boxster was a better car in many ways, I never got over the _heavy_ feeling relative to the 914, because of its power steering and brakes, as well as 700+ more poundage. RIP.

I miss all my 914's First one was a 1.7 L cost me $4k when I was 17 and was a horrible car. I just didn't know how to evaluate used cars. The second one was a 2.0L parts car I bought, which was much better for $1,000 I fixed it, it ran great and it got totaled while parked. 3rd one was great 1.7 and I drove it for 5 years until I burned out the engine and sold it cheap. And the fourth one was a 35k mile cream puff that got a 3.0L 911S engine, suspension brakes and wheels transplant. I loved that thing and it was insanely fast. Not original, but all Porsche. Absolute Corvette killer. I miss them all and my advice to younger people is. Keep every car you can for as long as you can.

Nice review of Manny’s ride

Take the top off and drive it again. I guarantee that the "fun factor" score would go up.

914 - There is no substitute.

Had a '73 2-liter for years and loved it. Cheap to buy (in 1980), but Porsche never really developed it and eliminated some snags, so owners had to do that work. I moved the battery and fuel pump up front to keep them cool (and replaced the lines, too). Most 914s aren't air-conditioned, so his road trip rating is too high for the South and West, though excellent gas mileage helps on trips. Long-distance, high-speed driving in really hot weather heats up the engine oil. I daily drove mine in all kinds of Colorado weather and autocrossed and time-trialed it extensively. Trunk space is more than adequate. Fun factor is higher than he said--he forgot that the top comes off! Parts are easy to get and mostly inexpensive, and insurance is reasonable. Still, I don't see how driving a strange car just a few miles gives him the right to pass accurate judgment on it. Maybe a week or a month would work. Once over lightly doesn't cut it!

I had one for twenty years. It did not need any engine work over that time period. The roof would leak at the drivers side window when it rained. Stowing the roof in the trunk would spring the hinge. I had to get that re-welded several times. It was a lot of fun it had very little power. Mine was phenix red also and the 1.7 instead of the 2.0 engine. The transmission never caused me problems but was sloppy compared to modern Porsches. This would be a great weekend car for a hobby but driving it daily would be way too much work. I am now on my third Porsche, a new Boxer, four cylinder also, but way more power. Everything about it is just better. That being said. I wish I had been able to keep the 914 also, they had such great personality. Mid engine in a light weight car was great then and is still great.

I dearly miss my baby blue '73 2.0 914!💯💔🙏

One of my favorite cars! Thanks for the review. The shift linkage and associated bushings are very straightforward to replace. Judging by the movement in the video they are not in the best shape. My 68 Porsche bushings were completely worn out when I got the car. One was in pieces in the tunnel, much worse than what you show. Amazing difference when they are new.

What a fun car! I had a '75 2.0 my buddy had a '73 2.0. some light mods made it even better on canyon roads.

Seeing this makes me miss my Olympic Blue 73 2.0 even more. Very fun car especially the sound with dual webbers and some monza exhaust.

I totally agree! Having a 72 914 1.8 original motor with 54,*** miles, original paint car, it is a blast to drive and always gets a lot of attention just driving around or at car's n coffee events! Mine wasn't intended for import to U.S. so has a few other rare options...😊. Thanks!

Really beautiful car. Not quite original, the front valance is from a 74 LE car or aftermarket. And missing the 2.0 emblem on the rear. I daily drove a 73 2.0 in college back in the late 70's, put 90k miles on it in 3 years. Froze one winter until I could afford new heat exchangers. But it hauled everything I owned back then, which was mostly tools.... Consistent 35 MPG highway. Wide, comfortable interior even with my 6' 01" frame. And I embarrassed a few Corvette owners at autocrosses. Still have one, it is restored but a rust free CA car. So not as nice as Manny's but a nice car that really makes me smile when I drive it.

When I was a fair bit younger I had a 914 1.7 in the same colour. Nice fun car, but the 1.7 was pretty pedestrian on the straights. Not much would keep up on the curves though. Now I have a 968. Sometimes consider trading for a 2.0 914, but the 968 is just way more practical..

I sorely miss my '75 1.8L with the appearance group and the good fuel injection. And yes, you could drive it sparky and not fear getting in trouble. I used to joke that it lost oil pressure before it lost traction. I paid $2400 in 1991 ... it would be worth 10X that now.

I love ‘76 914 2.0 liter,

I never had ANY PROBLEM driving IN Los Angeles Traffic in 1972

It would be interesting to hear what your opinion is for the fun factor car with a 10 rating is?

I enjoyed the review. Thanks

I agree with your ratings👍

Nice review!

Daily driver a 6 , you say people may not see you, then they shouldn't be be driving , fuck , how can not see this car, if you have a bit more money, its great for a daily driver, these car were built to be used, Road Trip 7 , this ideal for two people for a road trip . lots of fun, This is trouble with young people driving a old car, they have no idea , I would take what this guy is saying , with a pinch of salt .my rating 8 9 9 10

LOVE that car!

@Damon Lowney, great video. I'm curious, what other porsche's did the owner of the 914 have?

Great review of a really nice car.

Great review!

The targa top kills it for me. A sports car is a roadster is a ragtop.

How much more power does the quad exhaust give you ? I knew somebody with a 2.0 4 cyl with quad exh. And 5 speed and it had really good performance and would acelarate to 120 mph easily.

Take the roof off, stick it in the trunk and it’s all 10’s!

A 914 would be a two-fer for me since the two car clubs I belong to are PCA and KC air-cooled. The only problem is that I can't find a 914 that isn't 1) priced like the owner think its made out of 18K gold; OR 2) a rusted out no title "projects" that I do not have mechanical prowess to resurrect. Occasionally I find one that is BOTH.

Woo Hoo, 95hp!!

Really nice '73, but the rear emblem is not original.

WOULD YOU SELL IT?

>> He Does Not Believe that it has Power Steering... ( Really ). As in NO Kidding.

I am lucky to be on my third one. If you don’t have one by now- you lose!

My first Porsche. Black/Black 914 1.8 1974 when I graduated from College. Thanks to my roommates 1970 Signal Orange 914-6 ( with the GOLD emblem) I was hooked. The dealer installed extractor and Ronal wheels just had me at hello. Then came the preowned 74 targa 911S 82SC 964..etc! It’s simply a passion that never goes away.