Can Drew Turn A ‘Poor Mans’ Porsche 914 Into A Luxurious Classic? | Salvage Hunters Classic Cars

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The Porsche 914 has a reputation as a ‘poor man’s Porsche as it was the cheapest Porsche on the market. Can Drew turn that reputation on its head and turn this one into a must-have and luxurious classic car?
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From Season 8 Episode 3
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[@TMiller616]

The 914, especially the 914 2.0, is virtually perfect as is; stock. They did great work and honored the simple elegance of the platform. Bravo!

[@maxn.7234]

I had one of these many, many years ago. It handled like an overgrown go-cart and held corners like gum to braces. I bought it for $3500 and now I would have to pay around $30,000 to get the same model. Instead, I bought a Boxster, which I believe is the true spiritual successor to the 914. People who have driven both will know exactly what I mean.

[@craigkearns6425]

A friend of mine has had a couple of these which I had the pleasure of both being a passenger and, on occasion, the driver of. Way back in the day we attended a meeting of the Porsche Cup at our local circuit and were parked in a Porsche only area, all the cars were much admired including my friend’s 914 though we did have one young wise guy who was extolling to anyone who’d listen that my friend’s car wasn’t a “real Porsche”. We overheard him state this several times before one of the other Porsche guys asked him which car was his. The wise guy’s friends even laughed as he admitted he had a Vauxhall Corsa out in the carpark 😂

[@gerryellis3847]

I was let out of hospital for the weekend and went to the Phoenix Park motor races there I saw my first 910.

[@Steve-gc5nt]

Nice car the Corsa.

[@Xaltar_]

Always loved the 914, had one as my first car as a teenager and I heard so many people saying "but it's not a real Porsche". Mine had the VW-Porsche badging and was only a 1700 but it was an absolute dream to drive. The air cooled engines (4 and 6) are incredibly reliable if put together by an expert. My old man is an air cooled savant, he built my engine out for me and it's still going strong (in the hands of 2 new owners since I had it) some 25 years later with little more than regular oil changes and I believe new head gaskets and O rings on the pushrod tubes (it's best to replace both together). Lovely cars and so much fun. They are absolutely real Porsches, from the design through to the handling there can be no debate if you have ever driven one in good nick. This one came out mint. Absolute stunner!

[@JM800]

I lived in Germany during the 70s. My German uncle had a red one. He drove the stink out of it. He now has a newer 911 Carrera. I loved the 914, and would love one for myself.

[@adamchaifetz5876]

Better buy one now while they are least "affordable" 25-30K is usual for a decent unmolested one with Fuel Injection

[@MimicoBungalow]

I had this exact car back in the day in that Porsche silver colour unfortunately under the two side panels behind the door windows there was some rust bubbling and I had to replace the whole panel with welded in bits. But, the engine ran flawlessly and had great compression! I really enjoyed the Porsche pattern shifter because anybody else driving the car could never figure out where first gear was - cheers from Toronto Canada

[@woodsrdr]

With enough cubic dollars you can make an unbelievable canyon carver out of a 914.

[@stephenanderson4603]

Classic Porsches will make the majority of owners a “Poor Man”🤣

[@chrisscott1633]

The Absolute TRUTH ! From a Ex PORSCHE OWNER !

[@sebastianeiselt37]

I own a 944 and i was a poor man from the beginning 😂

[@ronwilson8759]

Only if the owner is not a mechanic fuel injection technical enthusiast. If the owner is not able to handle troubleshooting a D jetronic fuel injection, then go to carbs. The fuel injection is most, not all, source of problems with this otherwise great car. A sports car vastly under rated until recently.

[@johntechwriter]

What a refreshing change from the U.S. “restomod” shops that are cramming V8s into these little beauties.

[@bartbutkis]

Wait a minute. If this was to be a completely original, numbers matching car, why didn't you get rid of those godawful carburetors and reinstall the original D-jet FI system that came with the car?

[@vic7k]

Did Drew say “the engine looks dirty covered in oil” i would be worried if it wasn’t on a 40 year old car.😂

[@MichaelRoy-hc3lz]

I have a 1959 356 Super 90 that l'm the second owner of. Only one man who's currently 88 years old has ever turner a wrench on this car since new. I am a partner in a garage specializing in European exotics but all of my air cooled Porsches go to this man. It's getting harder to find true mechanics that can do air cooled.

[@ivankuljis1780]

We know how underappreciated the 914 was in the 1990s so we bought a red '72 Right hand 1.7 example for $10,000 in Melbourne. I thought it was a great mid engined car!

[@ferraridinoman]

Throwing money at moneypits!! (Stick to Antiques Drew! Your ego is getting you carried away!) The last Jensen Intercepter you did you LOST 20,000 pounds! (Hope Quest are paying for this!)

[@cameronwallis7024]

Exactly! All that work for £2k profit doesn’t quite seem worth it. They may have done the Wheeler Dealer total money spent, not including man hours which would instantly put them into negative profit.

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

Great car, the 2.0 GT Came 1st in Category beating all the cars in the superior 2.5GT category outright at Le Mans in 1970 beating all of the twenty 911's entered , 3 Prototypes a Porsche 908, 910 and a ferrari 312.

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

914/6 GT

[@ivankuljis1780]

​@@martinaoneaalpha9150 Right On the money!

[@martinboulden4388]

I agree with Drew - I would love to do a trip around Europe in one of these ! ❤

[@cv507]

new öne is kämmink -:_??

[@butziporsche8646]

I own 3 air-cooled 911s and my next car will be a 914. I actually want 2. 1 stock and one as an outlaw with either a turbo type 4 or an older 911-6. After pricing out the cost a simple rebuild or reseal on a 911 engine versus the type 4 turbo are similar costs. 911 cores are becoming expensive due to speculators that buying them up for profit and are not enthusiasts. We hate those opportunists.

[@Scalihoo]

THE 2.0 engine cars were more sought after & bring decent money compared to the 1.8 { in the states } BUT the 914/6 was the best of all brings huge money & rare only made for 2 years 3k cars or so

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

2500 of which maybe 800 hundred are still fully road worthy.

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

The new color looks absolutely brilliant! Keep doing what you do ‼️👍

[@jerrybeilgard5824]

Built by the Kharman company to replace the Volkswagon Kharman Ghia. I had a 75 914. Life got in the way and now someone else is driving it. It had Kharman, Audi, VW and Porsche logo labels all over it's parts.

[@ExposingBethel]

These cars are $500-$3,000 in my town in California...all day long. I bet I could find 10 or 20 in peoples back yards, not touched since the 1990s.

[@carjockey1776]

The only thing I would have changed is make the seats match the luggage. That would be perfect. I love the color also

[@Trail_Trash]

Years ago I had a 1970 914-6, the motor was rebuilt to a 2.2 S spec and it ran very good and fun to drive however the transmission /linkage was horrible and clean shifts were close to impossible.

[@AZVIDS]

Wow the original car looked exactly like my 1st car… a ‘75 white/ blk 914 in SoCal. Drove the tires and clutches off that car. Bought for $5,000 in 1984 with about 60k miles.

[@rogermoscrop4523]

There is vision, artistic / engineering drive for excellence in the two restorations I’ve watched on this channel: Jenson, Porsche. There is a probability neither would have been renovated to the same standard by an enthusiast with less resources and those with more resources, may dwell in the territory of ‘would be’ purchasers. Someone once said of a particular set of individuals & not aimed @ any responses herein: ‘some people know the price of everything but the value of nothing.’ These restorations clearly aren’t bounced for a quick buck Arthur Daly style. They’re restoration of iconic cars that have been given a new lease of life, rather than just papering over the cracks. There is an air of superiority or arrogance, though without that the projects may reflect more of a compromise. Nice if there’s a profit to be made, though these may also be realised down stream. Restorations with integrity and sometimes that can be controversial 😉.

[@FPA4]

The 5-bolt conversion, done right, is not cheap. The rear alone on my '74 2.0 was over $4k in 2001, and that did not include the Fuchs wheels and tires. The car is beautiful, but I would have converted it back to the Bosch D-Jet EFI, which is more reliable and contrary to common belief, makes more horsepower (mine made about 108 to 110 bhp at the wheels, depending on the temperature) for a true 2 litre. If the engine was bored out, then the carbs make more sense, but the badge does say 2.0.... Edit: The 2.0 is a true Porsche engine, the 1.7 was VW. I had a Westfalia with a 2.0 and was told by numerous folk that there is a mythical list that shows the equivalent part numbers for the Porsche and VW engines, yet I only ever found one part that would fit both vehicles (but I can't remember what is was right now); even the fuel filter was different.

[@adamchaifetz5876]

This is very close to the Ravenna Green on the first 914 I had. I have had 3, the one I have now is 1975 1.8L Malaga Red.

[@davedarling4316]

Looks more like Delphi Green to my eye. The Ravenna was not metallic, and was greener I think.

[@pyrexmaniac]

No American "mechanic down the street" would ever touch any Porsche, even one with a Volkswagen engine in the middle. That said, the wheels and the lime green paint are perfect choices.

[@slotty008]

I have a 914 2.0 '75 , exactly the same as this one. I bought it in 2015 and after more than 8 years and a lot of work we finally have a decent car. They are a lot of fun to drive but to find a good one without rust is nearly impossible. In the beginning , I was also planning to have the retro bumpers, but now I'm glad I didn't do it. The wheels you had were not original so the Fuchs ones look a lot better, but maybe you should have taken the mini Fuchs (If you can find original ones) to keep the car more original. And it's a pity that the car has carburators and not the original injection. It must have cost a pretty penny to restore it. ( I know)But it looks great!

[@garylewis6495]

Beautiful car. I owned one in the early 70's when I was in the UK and wish I had the one that Drew worked on. Love the colour and the wheels! Great result!

[@KETO_DIET]

🤔He should have slapped him when he said 4000 pounds...!😜

[@captainflipflop8805]

He said it with a straight face too 😮

[@rtroyer8963]

I had a 1975 914, Black on Black, sold it in 1984, it was a fantastic driver! This restoration is a great one, better than new! Cheers!

[@jimohara4796]

Wow, what a transformation - so much effort spent. The year of the car isn't mentioned, but I'm guessing a 1975 or 6. The 2.0 engine is highly desirable and that rebuild made sense. Great to see that center console and fog lights options. Converting the fuel injection to carbs isn't great. Less sense was backdating the bumpers and drilling brake rotors to accommodate five bolt faux Fuchs, when factory original four lug 914 Fuchs are available and period authentic. The paint color - while nice was never a factory 914 color, so collectors are going to do a hard pass on that, the bumpers, and the wheels. I hope you're not going after Porsche collectors...I feel like you've really narrowed your buyers with some of these choices straying from factory options. But 914s are so rare in the UK none of this may make a difference - these are all Yankee takes on the restoration. Good luck it's a beauty!

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

I bought a 914 1975 . hated the bumpers for 2 reasons. The look is terrible they were only made to meet US 1975 5 mph no deform bumper crash test and the extra weight of them 120 lbs on an only 925kg car. I changed it for an earlier pre 75 chrome bumper that has factory fuchs 4 spokes but I actually realy prefer the 5 spokes.

[@jimohara4796]

@@martinaoneaalpha9150 The bumpers are a subjective preference for sure - the chrome look goes in and out of style. Some say the additional weight at the ends of the car improved overall drivability, but at the price of a few tenths of a second in 0-60. I don't disagree about the five spoke over four spoke Fuchs, but again collectors are going to want period correctness. Similar things can be said about front spoilers, front oil cooler, M471 flares, etc. But all these mods take away from originality and for many collectability.

[@AZVIDS]

Agree. Was thinking exactly the same thing. Original Fuchs for 914, original color and keep the correct bumpers. I guess it is a restomod?

[@6x6Tortuga]

Nice work back dating the bumpers and fuchs =)

[@edjonatchick]

Wow! What a beautiful car! Thanks for posting.

[@rozinant1237]

No collector is going to buy a car with EFI delete, wrong color, wrong bumpers, and fake wheels. Huge step backwards with this car.

[@maclachj1]

The colours and trim are divine. Excellent result

[@fillingintime7522]

Colour? Delphi green was almost the same and a factory ordered colour for 73/74. Same look and more authentic. Then again the back dated bumpers and five stud Fuchs looked great.

[@Anne6621]

the 914 always got an underserved bad rap and they have always been one of my favorite Porsches built

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Drew should be restoring old furniture rather than classic cars. Even then, I shouldn't left on his own.

[@ianross225]

Superb but sad to use the hideous white and yellow number plates. Pressed ally black and white are a must.

[@neilmustow368]

Suits the colour this 914 fully restored great job 👌👌👌👌

[@gsk5161]

I've tried to like the 914 but I just cannot. However, you guys did a great job, looks nice

[@billiehydrick6417]

Thank you Drew 😊 luv your picking skills of awesome treasures

[@oldsoulboy6483]

Does anyone know where these cars are advertised for sale, there have a been a few that I would have bought in a heartbeat, the 914 and the Alfa were both very special.

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

I love 914’s

[@bfulks2001]

Not a real Porche? I disagree that is a beautiful job on that classic. Great work I would live to drive something like that.

[@bobdadruma]

I serviced them and drove them back in the day. They were crap cars when they were new.

[@tommysmith5479]

What a stunner. I'd have one... if the missus would let me!

[@cmarshall4559]

Those cheap fake fuchs wheels ruin exactly what he was trying to achieve😂

[@pete5534]

Very nicely done.

[@theregoesmiller389]

NO BODY WANTED THESE LIKE 3-5 YRS AGO ! ! ! YOU COULD PICK ONE OF THESE UP FOR LIKE $1500(USD) ALL DAY LONG ! NOW YOU CANT FIND A NON-RUNNING JUNKER FOR UNDER 3500 ! ITS SOOOO ANNOYING !

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Turned out great.

[@DMcTyke]

I'm interested to know - did this make the £24k estimate?

[@JamesJoyce12]

a dude talking about a "poor man's Porsche" in a scarf that is so very fey is appropriate

[@Cevan42]

Delphi green metallic was a 914 color.

[@donnewton415]

Gotta wave the BS flag on people in "the states" just taking them to a local mechanic. I've owned my street 914 and race 914 and now street 914 since 1988. Have NEVER met anyone who took one of these cars to a local wrench just to bolt bits on them. . . Sorry. Not going to happen.

[@CLP2102]

this would be cool with a K series swap

[@aleddavies770]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that Drew has some really odd ideas on this programme?

[@andyrowe5758]

Fit proper Fuchs wheels and it would be 👌🏻😎

[@sukyeenorris8538]

One little problem LHD cars being used UK roads,man hole or drain covers!!!!!

[@kevinclark2642]

Can't believe he left the badge on the hood. Uggh.

[@JetzeMellema]

This car is not interesting to collectors at all. Non standard color, fake Fuchs wheels and the original FI is gone.

[@bicyclist2]

Believe it or not, the Porsche 914 started out as a handshake agreement between the VW CEO and the Porsche CEO. When the VW CEO retired and left the new CEO didn't honor the handshake agreement that was made with Porsche. The early 60's 914's were made by VW with Porsche parts. The narrator statement made at 2:20 is completely false and wrong. The 914 engine isn't a VW engine! It's a proprietary Porsche engine! None of the 914 engine parts will fit on any VW engine. The phrase "Corners on rails" aptly applies to this car. This is a 75' or 76' because of the rubber bumpers. If it is a 75' or 76' it now has the completely WRONG Bumpers! All 1976's were built in 1975. The chrome bumpers came on the earlier cars. If it is a 74' or earlier, then it has the right bumpers. These fuchs wheels are completely wrong for this car. All 914/4 wheels are supposed to be 4 bolt not 5 bolt! Porsche 914/6 wheels are 5 bolt. These cars are also not supposed to have a Porsche crest on the front bonnet. The A pillar is supposed to be body color NOT black. It looks like this has had a conversion to carburetor. All the 75' and 76' cars are supposed to be fuel injected. I know because I used to have a 76' 914/4 and did the research on them. I loved it, and would like to have another good one some day. Sadly I doubt that they did any real research on 914's before doing this refurbish. Thank you.

[@836dmar]

Wow! That was easy.

[@mattstogryn3066]

Great luggage, who made it?

[@craigcox5586]

Gorgeous. Car. ✅💚

[@phmwu7368]

Porsche production records & books list an original colour for a specific chassis number of a car. It's only original once, it's not like getting new teeth 🤔

[@marklangren3142]

Por-sha

[@Tonewheeldude]

Great car

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Vw is Porsche. 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷‍♂️

[@mykehyslop198]

I owned a 911 Turbo in the late 70's.I bought a 916 as a project car.I had more fun in the 916.

[@ghiakarmann7696]

very nice car,well done. but car have UGLY WHEELS. That is not fuchs wheels. please put ORIGINAL 5 spoke fuchs wheels from 911 car 6 or 7 inch

[@douglasfreitas6528]

I'll guess no

[@fivedotsdave9723]

I hate the way on some cars wee drew says classic cars must remain standard, but obviously drew doesn't rate this poor mans porsche because the colour is getting changed and it's getting ''boy racer'' big wheels. That prick ruins the shows with his ''I always know best'' attitude...

[@prophetsnake]

Under rated by whom? fgoing into this video, I'm pretty sure these guys are going to ruin this car. I'll report back.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly from 2030 on all combustion cars including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Now they even want to slow down all the gas pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime. "Bundesabgasbespaßungsverbot" in German..

[@pervertt]

Pure, unadulterated bullshit.

[@thiagolima5232]

Volks Porsche 914

[@gammarotor]

Porsche is a two syllable word

[@Videoproducerfantic]

Not impressed with how it turned out..looks cheap to be honest !

[@john3892]

‘People who know’ don’t say ‘Fyoosha’. Fuchs wheels are pronounced Foooks. The presenter has previous for this, and is clearly not a person who knows. Really off-putting listening to a man pretending to be in the know.

[@callumbush1]

Crap show

[@tubesteen]

It's not a real Porsche.

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

😅 I love this phrase, never heard that before, contrary to the budget 911 beetle concept based design that used beetle type rear suspension .The 914 was designed by Porsche from fresh (including all it's suspenion)has much better handling and breaking than any production porsche of it's era. Designed as a pure mid engined race/sports car in mind it came 1st in Category Le Mans beating prototypes, another superior category outright and all of the twenty 911's entered ,2 Porsche prototypes a 908 ,910 and a ferrari 312 . Ever since this time 911 owners count help saying' it's not real porsche' 😅😅😅

[@jimohara4796]

@@martinaoneaalpha9150 If the 914-4 is NARP, what about the 914-6? The 924? The 912E? All Porsches built outside Stuttgart? NARP is nonsense - check the vehicle's title - the manufacturer clearly states: Porsche

[@martinaoneaalpha9150]

I am not the NARPer it was tubesteen who said these words😅 .I totally agree with you.

[@jimohara4796]

@@martinaoneaalpha9150 Oh I hit reply on the wrong comment! We're all good MartinAoneA! lol

[@stevekovacs6250]

Tell me what engine do you think the first 1948 Porsche 356 had? Think again? Have you ever even owned a Porsche?