By Lou Cataldo
The history of automotive collaborations is a rich and varied one. When automakers join forces, the result can often be greater than the sum of its parts: from track-ready machines to fast wagons and stylish sedans, cooperation between two brands can lead to great things.
The Porsche 914 was the result of one such collaboration, which saw Porsche and Volkswagen work together on this quirky, short-lived sports car. Although nowhere near as famous as other Porsche models (such as the household-name 911, with which it shared one of its engines), or, for that matter, other Volkswagen models, the 914 remains an interesting chapter in the history of both brands. Let’s take a closer look at its history and features.
The VW-Porsche 914: An Overview
| VW-Porsche 914 Specs | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.7L H4 / 1.8L H4 / 2.0L H4 / 2.0L I6 |
| Horsepower | 79-109 hp |
| Torque | 100-118 lb-ft |
| 0-60 | 8.7-13.3 seconds |
| Top Speed | 111-129 mph |
The Porsche 914, also known as the VW-Porsche 914, was the product of a joint effort between Porsche and Volkswagen that started in the second half of the '60s. The model was released in 1969, with a Porsche-developed design and a Volkswagen-sourced engine: the 1.7-liter “Type 4” flat-four, which also powered the Volkswagen Type 4.
The 914 was a mid-engined roadster, with a removable targa top built out of fiberglass-reinforced plastic. It was initially available with a choice of chrome or painted bumpers. However, later in the production run they were replaced with rubber-covered bumpers due to safety regulations.
The VW Type 4 was not the only engine option available in the 914; a version of the model called the 914/6 was also available. This model was powered by a 2.0-liter flat-six engine, sourced from one of the 911 models available at the time: the 911T.
Unlike all other variants of the 914, which exclusively offered a five-speed manual transmission, the 914/6 also gave customers the option of choosing a four-speed semi-automatic transmission. The 914/6, however, was the shortest-lived variant of the model and only lasted until 1973, when it was discontinued due to low sales. Just 3,351 units were built, making it one of the rarest versions of the 914 out there. It was replaced by a model powered by a 2.0-liter variant of the VW Type 4 engine. 1973 also brought a visual update to the headlights, which went from having white surrounds to black ones.
The following year, the 1.7-liter base model was also upgraded to 1.8 liters. The 914 as a whole would only remain in production until 1976. After its discontinuation, the 2.0-liter Type 4 engine was used in another Porsche-VW creation (the 912E), which was only on the market for a year before the arrival of the 914’s true successor: the 924.
Over the course of its eight-year lifespan, the 914 collected some accomplishments in the racing world, such as obtaining a sixth place finish at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The model also served as the basis for several concept cars and prototypes, including some true rarities of the automotive world.
Volkswagen And Porsche: The Collaboration That Gave Us The 914
The collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen that produced the 914 was just one part of a decades-long connection between the two brands. Ferdinand Porsche famously designed the Volkswagen Beetle in the 1930s, launching the Volkswagen brand and leading to a global automotive phenomenon that would see the Beetle hit 20 million sales (the first car in history to do so). Three decades later, Volkswagen and Porsche set up a brand-new business venture, aimed at selling jointly developed VW-Porsche models: this company was called VW-Porsche Vertriebsgesellschaft (VG).
Their work resulted in the creation of the 914, intended as a replacement for the Type 34 Karmann Ghia on the Volkswagen side and for the 912 on the Porsche side. The model was originally due to have different branding depending on its engine. The flat-four version with the VW engine was due to be sold as a Volkswagen, while the inline-six version with the Porsche engine was going to be sold as a Porsche. Things, however, ended up working out a little differently, with the distinction in branding being based on geographic location and not on engine. In the states, the model was sold as a Porsche, while in Europe it was branded as a Volkswagen-Porsche.
Porsche
Although the joint business the two brands set up in the '70s was dissolved after a few years, Porsche and VW still had a connection decades later. In 2012, Porsche was acquired by the Volkswagen Group under a unique arrangement. Porsche SE, a holding company set up by the Porsche family to manage its stake in the Porsche brand itself, owns the Volkswagen Group, which in turn acquired Porsche AG (the official name of the car manufacturing business). This “mutual ownership” deal has defined the two brands’ relationship to this day, drawing a line from the past towards the future.
Sources: Porsche, Volkswagen
Read the full article on CarBuzz
This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
