1970 Porsche 914-6 - Mid Engine Flat 6 Driving Impressions (POV Binaural Audio)

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#RespectTheDrive #Porsche #914

[@TedwardDrives]

Thanks To Ridge for Sponsoring today's Video! Get entered to win a Hennessey Ford Bronco or $75,000 through September 30th at ridge.com/TEDWARD. Use my code “TEDWARD” for 10% off your order.

[@Zsword92]

Driving slow cars fast is more fun than driving fast cars slow

[@nikitag8690]

sure. would have this instead of any new rs gt2 3 things.

[@nirfz]

Disagree. Have had to drive many slow cars, and almost none of them was fun being driven fast. Have driven a few rather fast cars slow, much more fun. (examples for the slow cars: several generations of golf diesel, VW busses, Mitsubishi Pajero of the late 90's, Smart Forfour. example of the fast cars: C63 AMG and E63 AMG both with the 6.2L V8) -> It depends on what the car is made for. A MX-5, 914 and similiar things are not slow cars, they are "correctly powered" cars for their weight and intended driving. They are still sport-cars, hence supposed to be fun to drive. We also had a 265 hp over 600NM VW Touareg in the company that was rather fast accelleration wise (and would beat any stock MX-5 and 914 in a drag race, )but it was not fun to drive fast. Felt better when driven slow. (enjoyed it more going offroad in walking speed than going around a corner in any speed above that on asphalt. No matter if the suspension was in sport or not) Call me weird, but driving the E63 on snow and ice (with very good winter tyres) was more fun than going fast on a twisty road in perfect weather with any of the Golfs even though the Golfs were equipped with a manual gearbox and the E63 has an automatic.

[@bernibeckmann9753]

That's just a thing people have gotten into the habit of saying because other people say it but it can't be true judging by the amount of fast car enthusiasts who love cruising around showing ownership and social status.

[@JuanPabloRiojasGaming]

Can’t agree more. I have a Tesla Model 3 Performance, and an Audi R8 V10 Plus among other things, and my favorite cars to drive are my Miata and my GR86

[@nirfz]

@@JuanPabloRiojasGaming Neither the Miata nor the 86 are "slow cars". Both are still sports cars, and especially those two are designed to be fun to drive.

[@Ty4ons]

Perfect era correct color for a 914.

[@dalejones1977]

Really love your videos. Great sound, no annoying music. You only talk occasionally to say what needs to be said and otherwise allow the viewer to enjoy the ride. Thank you! :)

[@Katana2040]

The 2 liter flat six with Weber carbs is my favorite car/engine sound, ever. I grew up in a '71 911 with a tuned 2.2. Absolutely gorgeous sounds!

[@marial8235]

Cool little car! My MS Lesbian gym teacher had a 914, likely a 4 cylinder and it really stood out in the 80s. I didn’t know anything about cars then and thought it looked like a toy. Hers was like a light blue with orange.

[@ElliWoelfin]

As a butch, this totally feels like a lesbian car

[@marial8235]

@@ElliWoelfin It is a Lesbian car! ♥️. Another faculty member, a guy in English, had a mg midget that the boys would pick up and carry off. Sometimes they would put it in a yard 1/2 block away.😂. But they were too afraid of Ms. C to touch the 914😂😂😂👍

[@stevekovacs6250]

They're all proper Porsches! One can also argue the 356 roots as well being the "proper Porsche".

[@LittleSecretVintageSocialClub]

This is one of my favourite and the most underrated Porsche in my opinion. I’ve only seen one just a few days ago but I love it

[@Boxscot49]

Man this things seems like such a blast to drive

[@robertd4468]

My first introduction to Porsche was in a 914. They’re wonderful cars.

[@willum223]

There's something very charming about the 914-6. Very characterful. Love how the speedo just gives up under hard acceleration!

[@Official_MikeyT]

A base 914 with a Subaru WRX engine would be awesome. It would be like a vintage Factory Five 818!

[@francescodalpra4291]

No words for this! I can't believe they made so good in the 70's

[@scottyg9167]

I’ve had a thing for these since I was kid oogling over car mags. Always catch my eye when I see one!

[@lunabouch]

That was one of the best rides (virtually) I’ve had in a long time. Growing up when the 914 was released is memorable. A student at my high school had one that daddy bought for him. That was something I could have never imagined. Your review and comment were💯

[@bernibeckmann9753]

Daddy didn't love you?

[@howardschaefer1445]

I bought a 914/4 in 1973 with the only option a AM radio. Owned it for 16 years and there wasn't a better car. After getting rid of the Michelin tires and adding front and rear sway bars the lift throttle handling changed from dangerous to a tool to adjust your position in a corner. I added aluminum wheels and Phoenix tires which were the hot tire of the day. Later in it's life I had the engine worked on with bigger barrels and changed the fuel injection to Webers with velocity stacks. Intake sound was amazing. One of the best parts though was I could work on the car unlike today. Later on I realized it was losing it's structure when I tried jacking up the left side and the car didn't move. It was so hard to watch someone else drive it away. I paid $4,500 for it and sold it for $5,500. Oh another plus was installing a short throw shifter.

[@Matt-zc1qs]

This is one of my dream cars, I'm so excited for this video!

[@grc0456]

Love it, Tom. One of my all-time favorites.

[@The888Redlich]

Love your videos, especially old Porsches😊

[@BENTAYGA2]

That was like riding with my dad 40yrs ago He got a 911 when I was in junior high school Thanks, memories 🙏🏿

[@Fordguy1997]

I remember watching the "barn find" 914 on Wheeler Dealers years back - quotes because it was in terrible shape lol. That was my first experience seeing a 914, and despite being a bit underwhelming in appearance, it is one of those cars you learn to appreciate because it drives way better than it looks

[@Enderito]

I just discovered this car after buying an engine for my 1970 Beetle from a Porsche 914. Now I wish I had seen the original car before the only thing left was the engine haha!

[@pduffy83usa]

Love these cars Ted, great video!!

[@josephhertzberg2734]

I miss my 914. I had a cherry one back in the 90s. Great car, daylied it for years. Very reliable

[@leomux2004]

Basically a Porsche Boxster before the Porsche Boxster!😅

[@capncrush6729]

These all looked good because they were always delivered in such bright colors I only ever remember seeing yellows and neon green AND ORANGE! sick ride ( i have a boxster )

[@BrendanW0214]

My dad had one of these, flat 6 and all back in the 70s except his was Zambezi Green which warranted him calling it The Toad. He said it was slow, but definitely had quite the fun factor and cornered and handled exceptionally well as he termed it. He ended up trading it to a coworker for a C3 Corvette.

[@furrysharker]

Ah, the dogleg "Am I really in first?" gearbox brings back memories of my old 914

[@jehl1963]

Having just rebuilt a 901 -- yes, 1st gear is synchronized, but only in one direction. I don't think that it's synchronized when downshifting. Only when going into gear from a standstill.

[@911engineguy]

Nice drive, thanks for letting us tag along!

[@jvolstad]

Love that 6 cylinder sound.

[@lemonlime3634]

I have been waiting for this day for a long time

[@brq4cars]

Can’t not like an old flat 6

[@mro9466]

Straight 6, Flat 6, V6. As long as the thing sings, it's all good 🤤🤤🤤

[@RageTheSonicPro]

These are fun little cars! reminds me of riding in my dads 73 as a kid!

[@dave11686]

One of my dream classics

[@dqitwithbrad]

I saw 914 and thought it was gonna be that rally porsche, This one is still really cool!

[@teejay818]

A girl at my high school had one of these in mint green in the 90’s. I’m sure her dad paid like less than $5k for it, but it had to be one of the coolest California beach cars around!

[@craigkleber9316]

Was she pretty? Sounds like a cool girl and dad

[@pi.actual]

My girlfriend had one of these, I had a '72 alfa Spider. I thought it was like A Volkswagen except you sat on the floor but it looked cool.

[@tedjohnson64]

Engine sounds better than 99% of the other cars on this channel! Really miss this sound in modern cars.

[@dominikspencer3981]

Ive watched these cars with 350ci chevy v8s stuffed in them race at the local SCCA track back in the day. Monsters!

[@DoSum4Me]

Probably my favourite Porsche ever. I just loveeeeeee the way it looks!

[@craigkleber9316]

These backroads are beautiful and this car deserves to be in such a lovely setting. How much nicer than ugly endless freeways or strip mall hell.

[@MiniOne82]

i used to over look the 914 but since working for Porsche, ive driven alot of 914's and i have to say its a great car for someone new to the Brand. The ladies love a 914 as well.

[@edalder2000]

This 914-6 is a car that could be doing 40 and you swear it's going faster. 2100 lbs and 110 HP is quick. This 914-6 is not a drag light show off. It's a go kart and so much fun. That super orange color just screams "70's."

[@FunkyTown___]

The restomods for these are nuts

[@R19Robbin]

That color suits the car pretty good 👌

[@kahmed7328]

Never been a fan of these but that actually looks fun to drive.

[@thegamingguy1]

I'm a gen z-er and this is one of my dream cars lol

[@ElliWoelfin]

I'm too into muscle to ever think of this but it's really fucking adorable

[@thegamingguy1]

@@ElliWoelfin the Jay Leno s Garage video really upped my appreciation for it

[@RobertERensch]

I assume there is a detent to prevent first to reverse shifts? Oh, yeah. Sidewall flex. Transmits forces to the contact patch progressively and consistently. You’re getting better at this “driving” stuff. ✌️ Good man.

[@davekawashima4544]

No reverse lock out.

[@RobertERensch]

@@davekawashima4544 Hmm. Thanks.

[@RidgeWalletYT]

Cool wallet and KeyCase 🙌

[@marklangren3142]

Have been driving them as my beater Porsche since the warly 80's Didn't make a bad winter beater in MN. Because of small cabin it was still not a bad car to drive in MN winters. Sold tge one i was driving while in college to my brother, he drove it to CA with a 100k miles and averaged over 70 moh while getting 30 mpg

[@buak809]

I remember this car from NFS Porsche and it brings me bad memories. Mostly because when I played this NFS as a kid for the (few) first time I wasn't aware you could customize your cars and tune their performance-wise. While Classic Era evolution mode could be done without any upgrades, 914 Trophy in Golden Era was a slap in the face, 4th place was max you could get if you didn't upgrade your porsche meaning you couldn't progress any further. The moment I found out you could tune the cars however changed my life 180*

[@danieleregoli812]

Wow, a dash6, thats a very rare little jewel 😮

[@chaseorna2127]

Your videos are so relaxing, you should do an mgb

[@acalthu]

Saw this on BaT two weeks ago, the video looked so familiar but I didn't see it in your playlist so I thought it may have been someone else.

[@jehl1963]

I always cringe when modern road testers driving an oldeer car just assume that everyone in the od days was used to driving cars with sloppy gear shifts, loose steering and weak brakes. It wasn't like that in the day. In most cases the tester is driving a car that hasn't been well maintained. "In the old days" the steering WAS direct, the shifter WAS tight and the brakes would haul the car down from 60 mph in 100 feet (if the tires could live with it!). I just hate it when half-assed cars (which this 914 does not appear to be) are assumed to be representative.

[@mjkarger89]

I briefly owned a 914 with the 1.8. It was a blast to drive but an absolute nightmare to maintain.

[@stephenlepore4476]

beautiful scenery btw.

[@ultrameticulous]

That was really enjoyable. Seems like a fun car. But that glimpse of the yellow 993 Turbo (S?) at the end...what a tease.

[@TedwardDrives]

I already made a video of it :p

[@ultrameticulous]

@@TedwardDrives Thanks. I'll check it out. Lotta videos on this here internet thing. Still have a few more to watch.

[@nickcastillo738]

beautiful car

[@stephenlepore4476]

fun...fun...fun....wish i still had my 72..although only a 4 banger.

[@verdict1163]

Transaxle + air cooled is such a smart combination. Mechanically simple and lightweight.

[@JohnHall-uv2jm]

My favorite of the Porsches

[@bannister556]

Definitely best Porsche ever.

[@DMcTyke]

I enjoyed this video so much! Would love to own one of these, it looks great fun. Why does the speedo needle go haywire when revving up through the gears? How is it connected?

[@bibubib]

Now i hope you will be able to try a flat four :)

[@marklangren3142]

Car has sybchro first gear, not recommend to shift into first gear unless stopped . Shifted into first gear while rolling at a vintage race, took outfirst gear synchro

[@erukred7528]

I used to put a 60 lb weight in the front of mine when it rained so it would stay on the road.

[@marklaechel4537]

No its not a cobra. You drive this for a pure driving experience. Manual shifting, great balance, zippy, hair blowing in the wind, low weight, driving down the twisties in highland park/lake forest on Sheridan road.

[@ovalwingnut]

"The suspension is ShOcKiNgLy forgiving"? I see what you did there

[@craig162]

Great video. What state are you driving in? It looked like CT to me.

[@trevormacdougall9385]

Tedward - I love North east of you in New Brunswick. Are there shops where you live that can even work on cars like this?

[@BENTAYGA2]

Well the spring on the rear hatch had three positions You have it in the maximum position

[@monrow1961]

that sensor needs a bit of love lol

[@Fucklesticks]

This interior looks better than any new car today

[@carolinacars739]

15:06 Savage Geese!

[@RaiJK3]

The shots of the car looks like BeamNG the game 😂. I had to take a double take. It looks too unreal

[@LexusLFA554]

I first saw this car in Forza Motorsport 2 when I was still younger. If you start with the Europeans, you get it rather quickly, it is the 3rd or 4th car. At first you just see the basic shape of the car, before the details are added, leaving you a few guesses to what it is. It even has its own racing series where no upgrades are allowed in it, putting skill over upgrades. At 110PS with 985 kilos of weight it would still be faster than my 1997 Toyota Paseo (90 PS, 995 kg). It sounds just like a 911, really fancy. I wonder if the throttle lever is even allowed in Germany as heating up your car is illegal due to exhaust fumes.

[@gertstolk]

You guys are snapping up all our euro-spec classics 😢

[@jihnjohncayna]

What a Beautiful car, I’d take this over a lambo (not any other supercar tho)

[@Minoltalphafan]

These were supposed to be called a 916 with the 6 cylinder instead of 914-6. And originally was planned to have a V8, can you imagine?

[@andrew19721]

Nice little car! Mid engined handling through the corners must be good 😃

[@Krazy_Shorts]

This may be the ONLY one in this good of condition. Any time you see one of these, its a project car in someone's garage in 1000 pieces, all rusted and busted up!

[@shineything4444]

how was rowing the boat lol man those gear throws are loooong and wide lol

[@WouterB76]

Vredestein tires, do you know where they are made out of your head @TedwardDrives?

[@brentboswell1294]

I'd love to know how the 916 was different from these...I'm recalling the poster above my bed from the 1980's 😂

[@philipblumenthal266]

The 916 never went into production. It was basically a design study by Porsche on "what if" they updated the 914. About a dozen were built.

[@christianelk743]

History Time: The 914 was originally a co-project between VW and Porsche to develop a car to replace the the Ghia, while at the same time Porsche wanted a mid engine car to race. 914's were sold at VW dealers in Europe and had a special VW/Porsche badge that a lot of American 914 owners put on there cars. When they were bringing the 914 to the American market they thought that most buyers wouldn't buy the 914 from a VW Dealer so they sold it through Porsche dealers, importing it through the Audi/Porsche channel. It was always known that the 914/4 was going to not receive fantastic reviews, but thankfully after the 914/6 went out of production, Porsche Motorsports took the 1.8 4-cylinder, stroked it out to 2.0 and got about 80-100hp out of it after being told by VW Engine designers that "it wasn't possible". Unfortunately for the 914, it was too good in motorsports, destroying the 911 at the 1970 Le Mans which raised concerns internally at Porsche that they would kill their flagship and also regulators caught onto the fact Porsche only ever made 48 Factory M471 package cars and sent 400 kits to dealers... still not enough for the 500 road going homologation cars to race at Le Mans. The 914/6GT's produced by factory used a 906 derived twin spark plug race block with a red line of 9000, making it a sleepy motor until about 5000 and all of a sudden you get the full power of the race block, exactly double that of the road going 2.0 at 220hp. Some fantastic video examples of the 914/6GT would be the recent video by Robert Albas with a 914/6GT still being raced, and the older Jay Lenos Garage video with Eric Shea of PMB Performance who has a replica that he spent years sourcing the correct factory parts and building the car to factory spec, and he may truly be one of the most knowledgeable individuals on the 914, despite what people say.

[@tblue5071]

- The 914 was a co-project between VW and Porsche to replace the Type 34 Karmann Ghia (never officially imported to the USA) in the VW lineup and the 912 as Porsche’s entry level model. The more common Type 14 Karmann Ghia was replaced by the Scirocco in 1974. - In 1973 the 2.0 replaced the poor selling 914-6. It’s true that Porsche Motorsports, specifically the engine development team led by Hanz Mezger, developed the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, but it was from the 1.7L. The 1.8L came out in 1974 and replaced the 1.7L. - The 2.0L 4-cylinder engine was rated at 100 hp in European spec and 91 hp for America. Incidentally, shifting was greatly improved in 1973 with the side shift transmission, and in the opinion of many, the fully optioned ’73 2.0 model was the high water mark in the car’s brief lifespan (seven model years, 1970-1976).

[@Andoniscars]

there is something about this. not particularly beautiful, not really fast either, yet...just WANT ONE

[@Skarfar90]

It's funny that the 914-6 has around the same power and weight figures as the first Golf GTI But the GTI could never match the 914-6 in terms of engine sound

[@AustinBraydenShow]

Yes, another manual car!

[@dmer-zy3rb]

that thing looks pretty roomy inside, with a different seat i could imagine that 3 slim people can sit there.

[@MrMcSims]

Порше 924 в разы великолепнее.

[@rolandcarter6500]

It’s slowing cars!

[@CatChase957]

13:43

[@stuff2209]

Good for a first car?

[@TedwardDrives]

I would not recommend for a first car. its a bit of a handful for a new driver.

[@BrianLouderback]

Why does the speedometer bounce around so much?

[@brentboswell1294]

It's 100% Analog. Like most cars of the era, it's most likely turned by a worm gear on the end of the transaxle, through a flexible cable assembly with a rotating cable inside. After a while, the mechanical stability of such a setup definitely comes into question...show me an old car with a speedo needle that works flawlessly without being disassembled and redone, and I'll pick up your bar tab 😅

[@mkshffr4936]

Probably needs lubrication.

[@EddieFly00]

Can someone explain why these are so expensive please?

[@fromage4204]

Rarity probably, although i am not really that knowledgeable when it comes to 914‘s

[@TedwardDrives]

Production numbers are relatively low and Porsche brand equity has only risen.

[@jehl1963]

Demand, I'd like to introduce you to Supply. Also, none of the Porsches of this era were galvonized. That started in 1974, just after the 914 went out of production. So a lot rusted out after being used as daily drivers when new. The more expensive 911s were often garaged by owners.

[@carolinacars739]

Expensive indeed! This example just sold on BAT for $90K a few weeks ago. Is it worth it? To the right collector, I guess...

[@tblue5071]

@@jehl1963 The 914 was in production through December 1975, but you are correct that none of them were galvanized.

[@verdict1163]

Seems like a lovely thing to drive. The 914 seems to have a mixed reputation, but I suspect that is from people who have driven bad examples. Mid-engine, lightweight, air-cooled roadster with engineering by Porsche should be sublime.

[@rolfdejonge3915]

✌️🤠💥🌟🌀🙏

[@Cbss12]

seating position and pedals seem super awkward

[@TedwardDrives]

it is a little strange

[@chadbarbaro]

very wide inside too, they are kinda nice in there

[@mitchellsteindler]

Idk man. It's ugly, slow, probably unreliable. Just, why?

[@maxxkw]

i dont care where its made, its all VW inside, buttons, door handles, steering wheel.... thats a VW. The only thing uglier is a Citroen.