Born from a partnership between Porsche and Volkswagen, the 914 was the affordable entry point in the world of Porsche initially scoffed at by purists. However, history has been much kinder to the model over the years. This mid-engine, Targa-topped roadster from 1970 offered drivers accessible performance without the 911 price tag. While the original “Volksporsche” nickname was meant as a slight, today’s collectors recognize the vehicle as a balanced, nimble sports car that didn’t require a six-figure budget.
Porsche Gives Its Own Car the Treatment
SBX Cars is currently auctioning off a 1970 914 that’s unlike any other. In 2018, as part of Porsche’s 70th anniversary, Porsche Cars Great Britain selected 20 vehicles spanning the company’s history for full restorations — all finished in Liquid Silver paint borrowed from the 918 Spyder. This 914 was the only example from its model line chosen, making it a genuine one-of-one.
The restoration clocked over 500 hours. The exterior received the Liquid Silver treatment along with 70th Anniversary decals, a replacement windshield, and fog lamps. Inside, new black leather bucket seats replaced the originals, while a custom center console now houses a Bluetooth audio system. They also included VDO-branded gauges, including a 120-mph speedometer and 7,000-rpm tachometer, to keep things period-correct. Modern touches include a Classic Vehicle Tracking System for security.
The mechanical work was equally thorough. The 1.7-liter flat-four was fully rebuilt and remains paired with the original five-speed manual transaxle. Likewise, four-wheel independent suspension got new semi-trailing arms and coil springs. Four-wheel disc brakes received fresh pads and rotors, and a sport exhaust system was also installed
The provenance here is everything. Porsche themselves handled it, documented it, and certified it with a commemorative plaque. For a model that spent decades being dismissed as the “budget Porsche,” having the factory invest this level of attention gives it some vindication, to say the least.
The 914’s Original Mission
When the 914 debuted at the 1969 Frankfurt Motor Show, VW wanted something sportier and Porsche wanted an entry below the 911. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, who designed the 911, led the team. The mid-engine layout, removable Targa panel, and pop-up headlights gave it distinctly ’70s character. Motor Trend named it Import Car of the Year in 1970 — the first time they gave out the award.
The 914/4, with its 1.7-liter four producing roughly 80hp, sold over 115,000 units before 1976. The rarer 914/6, with its 2.0-liter flat-six, never found the same audience. But both delivered mid-engine balance and handling that were impressive for the price.
Spec Sheet
Model: 1970 Porsche 914 Targa
Engine: 1.7-liter flat-four, air-cooled, Bosch D-Jetronic
Power: ~80 hp, 98 lb-ft torque
Transmission: Five-speed manual transaxle
Exterior: Liquid Silver (918 Spyder code)
Interior: Black leather, Bluetooth audio
Wheels: Four-spoke aluminum, Goodyear Eagle LS
Mileage: 79,756 miles
Restoration: 500+ hours by Porsche GB (2018)
Pricing & Availability
The 1970 Porsche 914 auction is currently live on SBX Cars with 14 days remaining, sitting at $8,000 at the time of this writing. It comes with Australian ownership documentation, the original owner’s manual, a leather folder containing Porsche’s restoration certificate, and a book of restoration photos.
Recap
1970 Porsche 914 Restoration Auction
A factory-restored 1970 Porsche 914 is up for auction on SBX Cars — the only 914 chosen for Porsche’s 70th anniversary restoration program, which means it got over 500 hours of official Porsche treatment in Liquid Silver paint. It’s a one-of-one piece with the kind of provenance you can’t replicate anywhere else.
