How to inspect a Porsche 914

In this video George Hussey, Dr. 914, takes you on a tour all around a Porsche 914 highlighting prominent parts and what to know about them. Sorry for the audio quality at points, Auto Atlanta is still no professional studio, and we are constantly trying to improve!

[@rbmedd]

Thank-you, George for the wonderful trip down memory lane. I bought a new 914 1.7 in 1972 from Johnson-Bozzani Porsche Audi in Phoenix. It was Adriatic Blue. At that time, I lusted for a 914-6, but couldn't afford the $2k difference. During the 53 years of driving, I seem to always come back to German manufacture coupes, like that first 914!

[@rickhibdon11]

I had a 74, in white. It was the most "fun" car I ever owned. Not the fastest, but handled, and stopped, fantastic. And 32 mpg. Only problems I had were rotted battery mount and rotted heat exchangers

[@DoubleSmackJacksSmackAttack]

13:36 the silence while they're figuring out the audio issue makes it seem like you're really seething with rage at the idea someone would cut a factory door panel for a speaker 🤣

[@handymanhoney-do6881]

That was certainly thorough and informative. Thanks for all the derailed info. I was surprised you didn’t remove & inspect the top. I recall many of the latches straightening slightly over time and causing a wind whistle.

[@guyforlogos]

Great video and information Doctor! Thank you for taking the time to teach us your expertise on these cool 914’s.

[@kcender3771]

I had a '74 in green,,,my favorite color for 914. Man, you know your stuff partner! Loved this car and wish I could afford a 914-6.

[@LJ-gn2un]

This is a very informative and helpful video for a first time 914 hunter like myself. Thank you so much for taking the time to produce and post it!

[@Dbird1260]

Good video for someone looking to buy a 914 that only has “basic” knowledge. My biggest critique is throughout the video there are a lot of segments that your cameraman doesn’t change his position or what he’s shooting. We hear you listing a bunch of items you’re looking at in the trunks and engine compartment…..but all we see is your arm sticking out of where you’re referencing. If you’re looking at something and find it worthy to speak about it, then the camera should be shooting it. Thanks for the video!

[@914_werke]

Great job George, very comprehensive. Although Im not sure Id recommend your jack post test, depending on the car, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise (collapse!) Regarding the seat belt I agree that the weak retraction can sometimes be fixed by simple maintenance but its been my experience that MOST slow belts suffer from 50 yrs of dirt & (yuck) sweat that swells the webbing. A good washing will often cure a lot of ills.

[@MV-bj1yk]

And at the 13 minute mark, we get a cameo of the camera guy in the driver side mirror.

[@StreetTruckinTitan]

how exciting

[@TINKERGINEERING]

actually learing a lot here. I need to keep watching this. Paint and suspension next for me. Thanks for posting this. good research from Dr 914. Just finished my rocker panels restoration. primmed and ready to go!

[@doginu]

If you see a car with faded press stickers om the seat belt receivers, walk away. It has obviously not been cared for correctly...

[@Crawford515]

Wow great video I really liked do more of these !!!

[@pablopicaro7649]

by the mid 1980s the 914s, in the salted road belt, where all RUSTED OUT HULKS. It is amazing to see what one looked like originally. I would say "95" is a good score as only a very few items where reconditioned incorrectly.

[@acepilot2474]

He said 85.

[@Edgy01]

MY first Porsche--a Zambezi Green 914 1.7. Was a great car. Now, have two Porsches, some 4 Porsches later, and many trips to Zuffenhausen for parts and deliveries.

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

Awesome!

[@moreglistrefine1432]

I’d give that car about a 95 compared to ones I’ve seen

[@josephhunt2478]

thank you George nice to see you on you tube thanks again for all your help with my restoration

[@johannes914]

Nice 914 Indeed. Nicer than mine.

[@smjtx]

That 914 is perfect!

[@heathmissen9805]

Great job. Lovely car. You are wealth of knowledge.

[@zoomzoom_miata5697]

The muffler was the most that stood out to look odd and why would you have speakers when it’s nice to hear the sound of the engine. So was the original 914 made with AC?? What percentage of Volkswagen products were put into the 914 as an original car when sold ?

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

No, the 914 was tapped to have ac, but the dealer had to install the ac. Parts that were only Volkswagen branded made up about 10% of the car, but the many of the parts were made with a collaboration with Porsche and Volkswagen.

[@truecrimejungle]

@@autoatlantainc.2267 how many parts were only Porsche branded? Or we're the colloborative parts more VW or more porsche? I've heard it's mainly a porsche engineered car except the engine?

[@craigmonteforte1478]

it’s kind of Cool to see 914s become such a desireable Collector car i graduated High School in 1982 in SouthFlorida and for many years they weren’t regarded as Desireable Porsches to own a Buddy of mine bought 2 Running Cars the same year as a package and he had been a Professional Paint and Body Man from growing up and working at his Families Marina Business as a boy he did a realllybnice respray on one of the Cars and fell in love with its driving and handling so decided to keep it for himself FYI. his Dad had bought a Myers Manx Dune Buggy Dealership in the 1960s and my. freind still had their original DunecBuggy they. assembled on a old Karman Ghia Pan they shortened and entually he did replace the motor with a 1600 Dual Port for more of a highway capable. Car on Floridas Flat roadways he had. also re sprayed that Myers Manx quite a few times over the years as the original Myers Metal flake Gel Coat had been faded from the Florida Sun ironically myself i always liked the 914 design

[@gratefulot360]

Really great inspection tips, George! I purchased a new 1975, yellow 914 1.8 with a tan interior. I really loved that car. It's one of the cars I wished that I had kept.

[@AZVIDS]

Nice job, brought back memories of my 1st car in SoCal! Drove the wheels off it. Very complete review and nice mostly original car there….

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

Thank you!

[@clovergrass9439]

Excellent review, thanks, I've always loved these cars and now I got a detailed overview of it...original battery?!?

[@di8859]

He said, original battery pan.

[@hmauch911t]

Excellent review.... However, I was surprised that you didn't remove the targa top and do the inspection for seals, fit and locking mechanisms.

[@joejoe188]

In this condition, what would this car sell for? not ask for, sell for? today's price in September 2021?

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

We sold this car for close to 30k!

[@cytherians]

@@autoatlantainc.2267 I had a college friend back in '83 who had a 914 in Adriatic Blue... His father had bought it for him lightly used. I remember riding in it with him and it was a somewhat rough ride. I don't know if it had been modified. $30k for this example--seeing how much is original, I can appreciate that. At what year did resale value begin to spike upwards?

[@hvacray8279]

Very Precise inspection !!! George thank you for your knowledge… much appreciated !!!

[@harlieray-wallick9343]

I had a 73, in this same color. Love love loved it. Had it for 9 years--traded it in for a 280ZX. Wish I hadn't sold it...I still think about it. It was my first car.

[@836dmar]

Very good info for the prospective buyer. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.

[@moreglistrefine1432]

I had a steel wheel on mine with original Dunlap tire the dealers were definitely unscrupulous in San Antonio.

[@s.morris4099]

Ahh the good old days, cruising in my 1973 with top off and the wind blowing by. owned it for 16 years, till I needed room in my garage for my 928 when I found a buyer for the 914 I shed a few tears watching it drive off. My 914 was a fun car that handled like it was glued to the road. I think the braided steel fuel lines are a must have since mine suffered from vapor lock in the summer and absolutely needs braided steel brake lines to fix fading brakes when driving up to and down the mountains. This Porsche and most of them handle like a bear in the snow, they will go through anything never get stuck in snow.

[@JPER-cv2lq]

I myself owned three 914/6s back in the middle 70s . Tho I was lucky to be a Mercedes & Porsche shop owner. I like air-cooled engines . I miss those days.

[@alk3myst]

I put a Kenwoord KDC-8001 in my 1966 Mustang back in the day. Fit in the factory location.

[@melvinjones3895]

Wow that was great. I was wondering how to look at one of these cars. Thanks a lot.

[@allwinds3786]

This is very helpful, in two days I'm going to look at a'73 the same color as this one 😮

[@lubricator]

Thanks Doc! I had the pleasure of owning a yellow 914 forty-five years ago. I am currently looking at a blue '71 and appreciate your expert advise given in the video.

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

I bought my 914 2.0 of 1972 in 1984. A 12 year old car and it was already one pile of crap and rust, nothing but problems, as if it was 50 years old indeed, everything fell off. . I was the second car I owned, bought on a whim with all I owned and went to university with it. Boy did I love, it toppled 200km h but i had to sell when the engin started smoking.

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

Seems like it is time to get another one!

[@cytherians]

A friend of mine had one of these back in '83... and I believe it was a '73 or '74. It was already showing surface rust and a touch of bubbling in a number of areas. When I aimed to get one of my own some 15 years later (Northeast) I could not find any good examples without nasty rust. I gave up. Later got an Audi TT quattro roadster 6MT and frankly, more reliable, more power, more comfort, and with FWD, so much fun to drive. $30k is a lot for nostalgia in an old 914!

[@shawnvincent6750]

Love your knowledge on 914 s . Have a 73 . Friendly comment , please untuck shirt 😊

[@marklangren3142]

You didn't mention how the early cars thru 72 had pr I blems with door windows and linkage

[@SilverWedge]

Excellent info.

[@robertgregory1927]

Great review, these 914’s are growing on me.

[@philrazzi7782]

I can tell in the first 3 min that is not original paint.

[@dougrodriguez4977]

Beautiful car, thanks George.

[@marklangren3142]

You didn't check behind the seat to check for hinging

[@douglasmartinez2756]

This guy knows his stuff!

[@scottshaw5271]

I owned a '73 2.0 with the sports comfort package... Mine was euro spec grey market... phoenix red black top brown leather with corderoy insets...I had the center console..my antenna was right front...I had rubber bumper guards in front...not back...my car originally was sold in Germany with a round VW logo which the first owner removed...the logo was about 6 inches from the windshield.. Mine had the speakers in the door from the factory...not round... It stuck out and was matt black... I only lacked air conditioner...those were bolt on affairs on the passengers side robbing leg space. Never saw that air conditioner unit!!! Nice...only saw a bulky one

[@daveeddy2402]

I like the hood badges.

[@whatsupwithsteve]

Zambizi green. Haha try to get away with that color in today's crazy world...:)

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

we loved the "fruit flavored colors" of the early 70s

[@whatsupwithsteve]

@@autoatlantainc.2267 Yep in fact that is the same color as my first car, a Datsun 510 back in '72... pretty sure I was the only kid in school with astroturf for carpet...:)

[@joncarnes3911]

aaah, just great! I very much enjoy your expertise. thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@waynecourville1318]

That man knows 914's.

[@michaelwelschmidt9338]

You dented the trunk! 😂

[@edwinoliveras8221]

Thanks for this very interesting and helpful video my friend. Your friend from Puerto Rico, Edwin Oliveras

[@socksonfeet8125]

Nit picky af lol, i see these for sale for $500 from time to time, beat to hell but motors still good, was hoping you would talk about the motor, you spend less than 3 minutes on it :/

[@mrseaweed5587]

Hit all the right points. Great car. performed all the fixes mentioned. These cars are getting up in price. better act now......

[@boxterjeff]

You have to be the most knowledgeable 914 person I have ever seen. Very informative video.

[@markoldham8983]

It shouts “Porsche” down both sides, has big “Porsche” letters on the engine cover, “Porsche” embossed on the factory steering wheel and yet you are condescending in your comments about putting a “Porsche” crest on the hood ?

[@cytherians]

It wasn't original. There was no emblem on the hood of brand new 914's. That's why he had a problem with it. This is a nearly all original car... and little things like this and speakers cut into the door detract from being perfect.

[@amgguy4319]

My favorite green.

[@Salmon_Rush_Die]

31:35 "Do'nt dent the rear deck lid with your hand by placing it here & ...." > Dents the rear deck lid.

[@SnapshotSniper]

If there was a victim in the trunk, how much road could they exactly see?

[@petewoodroffemusic]

Facinating. Thank you Pete Woodroffe Music (UK)

[@jessereeves3120]

Feels good to finally get a “Where Are They Now?” on the Rain Man.

[@RossD8]

Wish I had you with me when I bought my first 914.

[@JesseLyon13]

Noones going at point out the water leaking out of the front of the car? 🤔

[@brianknecht7119]

Thank you for a very educational video. Well done.

[@AlexxMichael]

Incredible video with so much information

[@ronschwolsky1626]

George, you’re the man! Great info on the 914!

[@brittwebb5602]

You really took us to school, Doc. Many thanks!

[@driftergarage4898]

Great presentation, thank you!!!

[@archvizwiz]

Not really an instruction on what to look for. You basically showed us what you notice. Some more explanation would be great.

[@tomtom6319]

ok lets all stop and listen to DR 914

[@alhodge4051]

great to see "The Master" go over a 914.

[@moreglistrefine1432]

The 914 1.8 emblem looks better gold. Even Germans make mistakes

[@autoatlantainc.2267]

the later 70s cars all went for the black out treatment. I agree on the gold though

[@skyemac8]

I’ll take it!

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

👍

[@Walkercolt1]

A Porsche 914 is the worst of all worlds. It has the air-cooled flat 4, pedestrian suspension and not a great chassis for stiffness. IF VW/Porsche had offered the water-cooled 2200cc EFI 4 cylinder Boxer of Vanagon fame with a 5 speed transaxle (EVERY Vanagon owner also wanted a 5 speed!!!) the "916" could have chased lots of much larger engined sports cars off the road, especially with some chassis/ suspension/ brake development and bigger rubber footprint. At the time, there were $4000-5000 kits available to "fix" the chassis/brakes/steering.

[@mortsolomon4603]

Wonderful I did notice you referred to the rear trunk as the front trunk a couple of times other than that very nice job