1972 Porsche 914 1.7 Full Test Drive Review [Collector Car Guru Seat of The Pants Videos]

[@essence32764]

This was my very first car I purchased in 1982! Same year, color, wheels & engine. Ohhh the memories driving to the beach, sans targa top :D

[@tomwooley743]

48 years ago I had a 1972 1.7. It was a blast to drive especially with the top off.

[@stevekovacs6250]

I see you're driving in Porsche country.....the PNW! Great informative video. I've owned 4 now with the holy grail 914-6 as my first but currently a 73 2.0. I'm in Bellingham, WA

[@CollectorCarGuru]

For the uninitiated, not only has Washington State been home to some of the first and strongest Porsche businesses (dealers, mechanics and support businesses) and most enthusiastic owner's and racing groups, but also some of the greatest driving roads, including Chuckanut Dr in @stevekovacs6250 backyard there in Bellingham.

[@greenNRGinit]

hey, thanks for posting this cool video!! This video brings back great memories of the 1970s and driving European Sports cars! I still remember my friend buying a Porsche 914 and taking me for a spin on some of the curvy roads in the West Virginia hills!! The car held the road great! Now that I am retired, I wish I could find one of these 914's without breaking the bank! Yes, I did subscribe your channel and look for more videos on the 914 Porsche. JLewis

[@SpecialKeiz]

Back when I was a kid the dream was to find a 914-6. Great Vid Sam!

[@chentequilichini7182]

use to have one just like it ! same color, year ,with 2 dellortos carb! even the wheels! back in late 90s in new mexico!! ..wow ! flash back!! loved that car still miss him!!

[@e4gail]

Owned one of these in yellow back in the 90s that was in cherry condition. When I was 19 it was a dream car. Drove it around for a year till enough things on it broke I couldn't afford to fix it any more. Used to try and convince everyone it was a Porsche cept my insurance agent. lol

[@garylewis6495]

I had a yellow 914 1.7 when I was stationed in the UK in the early 1970's. Still wish I had it.

[@letsride2057]

In 1973 the 2.0 was available and it was the first year of the 915 transmission which was rear located shift input. The 915 transmission was also a fist in the 911 in 1972. Another fact is that the fuel tank is located in the front trunk filled by opening it and was located over the front suspension almost in line with the front spindles for better weight distribution.

[@Jack-si2pg]

The NARP reputation always confused me... as though it was the only collaboration with VW or Audi. The 924, 944, 968s were collaborations. Even the 356 and 912s had VW engines. It's like the world decided to point the finger at one and brand that title.

[@aoife1122]

Anyone saying the 914 is NARP hasn't got a clue. Just remind them ignoramuses of Le Mans 1970, that should shut 'em up. ;) The wee 914 showed up and went on to win its class, finished 6th overall, only beaten by the "almighty" Porsche 917 and Ferrari 512S (really no shame in that), ahead of a bunch of Porsche 911 and a Ferrari 312. 😉

[@Xaltar_]

It's simple, the 914 was cheaper by quite some margin than even the 912 yet it had it's own sleek new look and great handling. It really got under the skin of all the 911 owners because it was hard to justify the 911 vs the 914 when it came to daily use off of a race track and even on the track, on a course with a lot of corners the 914 (4cyl) could occasionally come out on top. It was a simple case of the 914 was too good for the money so it got slammed hard by those that had already paid more for the 911. Honestly, a lot of the stuff that was said (and still is) smacks of someone trying to convince themselves out of buying one.

[@richarddamico9894]

Great! I finally found all the videos and watched them in sequence. What are the two dials below the dashboard?

[@CollectorCarGuru]

That's an aftermarket stereo amplifier. The circle on the left is the power/bypass button and the knob on the right being volume. It really could be removed, but we found it to be just retro-funky enough to warrant keeping it hooked up.

[@TheJhndarwin]

Looks like a young Steven King

[@hertzair1186]

…I was thinking the same thing and almost posted that!

[@jusztinnemeti6380]

Okay, you look like a giant sitting in there. Almost as if you are ducking down to see below the sun visor. I'm 6'5" and think I won't be comfortable in one of these cars.

[@winstonwolfe5733]

A real Porsche is...... the 904.

[@CollectorCarGuru]

Sam's favorite is the 906 (Carrera 6). A friend of his father's owned a yellow one for years and raced it extensively.

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

Sounds like you were lugging the engine these little 914s like to live in the upper rpm range.

[@CollectorCarGuru]

As is the case for most pushrod (OHV) engines, maximum torque and HP are achieved quite low compared to OHC engines. In the 914's case max torque at a low 2800 RPM and HP at 4900 RPM. Also for the video not only does using a higher gear spotlight the 914's cruising legs (in a time when most cars only had 4 speeds), it's also helpful for narration.

[@Xaltar_]

There really wasn't ever a debate about what constitutes a "real Porsche". The only people that ever said X or Y wasn't a "real Porsche" were the butt hurt 911 owners. It's simple, if Porsche slapped it's badge on it and you can drive it, it's a "Real Porsche". The same argument continues to be made to this day by the same exact moronic group of people but now it's the Cayman/Boxster etc. Basically they don't like the idea that someone on a normal income can become a member of the "Porsche Club" without having to spend 150k+. Sure, there are a few people who argue based on the drivel spewed by elitists but these are the same people that would say and do anything just to be a part of something that makes them look cool. In other words, the idiots that view a Porsche 911 and up (price wise) as a status symbol are the ones that say anything on the more budget friendly side are "not the real deal". A true Porsche enthusiast would never dismiss the most interesting models ever produced. The 914, Boxster (and it's derivatives) and even the Cayenne (not a particular fan of these) all have interesting development stories and engineering behind them. Anyone who has ever actually driven a 914, Boxster etc knows they are Porsche through and through. The 914 feels like a perfectly refined, updated 356 with better handling. The rumble of the boxer 4 right behind you and the characteristic slope of the front trunk all scream Porsche. Honestly, outside of racing I would have to say the 914 is my favorite classic Porsche. An absolute joy to drive swiftly to coin Jay Leno. You don't drive a 914 to get from A to B, you drive it to enjoy it so who cares how long it takes to get there. Apologies for my strong wording but I have 0 tolerance for elitist collectors, particularly the type that think money makes up for stupidity. Some of the arguments I have heard/read in favor of NARP are absolutely moronic and they are almost always made by wannabe collectors trying to artificially inflate the value of their own collections. A true collector will talk smack about any car, until they have pushed the price down and bought it, then the tune changes ;) The 914 goes from "a VW with a Porsche badge" to "a fascinating piece of Porsche history" with the exchange of a title. NARP also shouldn't be confused with NATP. Not a True Porsche stems from the 928, 944 etc not being rear/rear mid engined, they were a departure from traditional Porsche design. Those that said they were not real Porsches fell into NARP camp, most simply felt they were too far of a departure from the ethos of the Porsche brand at the time. Still great cars and certainly real Porsches.

[@richardwaugh2049]

You've mistaken arrogance for stupidity.