How would the 914 fare today?, A no frills car by today's standards. Options

[JawjaPorsche]

I was playing around the inflation calculator and was having fun with what a 914 would cost today.

In 1970, a new $4,000 914 would be $24,015 today.

In 1976. a new $7,000 914 would be $28,657 today.

I know these are ballpark figures, I think the 70 914 was under $4K and the 76 was over $7K.

Plus our teeners back then had no air conditioning (dealer option), radio (dealer option), no power steering (not needed!), no GPS! I don't think cars are sold today without air?

For a new 914 to be sold today it would have to meet more standards today: emissions, air bags, crash tests, etc which would make the 914 cost even more plus change it appearance. Not to mention that the air cooled engine would have a hard time meeting Federal Air regulations without a loss of power. I guess that is why we have the Boxster now. At least the new 914's would not rust like ours!

I love my 914 and I am very fortunate that I was alive and financially able to purchase one new in 1973. It was a definitely simpler time.

[McMark]

Porsche kept the aircooled 6 alive and powerful well into the 90s. With VW/Porsche dollars behind aircooled four development, I don't think it would be hard to meet emissions standards and increase power.

A real AC system would also be an easy addition, when you have the funds to do the engineering. Especially with todays more efficient compressors.

The 914 could be made a viable commercial enterprise, except for one issue. It looks like a classic car and wouldn't appeal to the general masses.

But if you imagine that the 914 continued production, just like the 911, you can envision what the 914 of today would be like. Bigger, heavier, more powerful, but still maintaining the essence of the original.

[DRPHIL914]

Porsche kept the aircooled 6 alive and powerful well into the 90s. With VW/Porsche dollars behind aircooled four development, I don't think it would be hard to meet emissions standards and increase power.

A real AC system would also be an easy addition, when you have the funds to do the engineering. Especially with todays more efficient compressors.

The 914 could be made a viable commercial enterprise, except for one issue. It looks like a classic car and wouldn't appeal to the general masses.

But if you imagine that the 914 continued production, just like the 911, you can envision what the 914 of today would be like. Bigger, heavier, more powerful, but still maintaining the essence of the original.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) and we kind of have that - except its not air cooled, but its called a Boxster - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif) just like you said- bigger, heavier, more powerful, but updates like litronic headlights, convertible rather than targa,(same changes the 911 made), but still a boxer motor, 6 cylinder, etc etc. they gave it a new name but it is basically what the 914 would have morphed into had it not discontinued production.