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

[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.

[McMark]

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Your car is stunning. The minilites are a perfect match for it. This needs to be a COTM nominee.

Those are EMPI eight spokes, not minilites. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[MDG]

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.

They do make it. They just lost the targa and changed the name to the Cayman.

Just like it's predecessor, they need to make sure it gets a small enough engine so as not to wipe the floor with the 911.....

They Cayman IS the new 914.

[Pursang]

I think it is an apples to oranges comparison. As pointed out by other posters, the laws are different now and there are significantly more requirements for cars to meet these days, both in the category of safety and emissions. More's the pity. There are some of us who are forever anchored to the Disco years.

For me the 914 was an improvement over my predilection for British sports cars. It was quite an improvement in that it was/is incredibly reliable, does not leak fluids at the rate of the Exxon Valdez and is easy and inexpensive to maintain compared to new cars. It has those features that I love about the Brit sports cars; seats two and two only and you can take the top off.

Coincidentally I used to love (and flat track) British bikes. I replaced my aging Triumph with a different brand but still maintained that retro 60's-70's styling. Some of us are destined to be Luddites forever.

I've had my 914 for 26 years now. Sure, I have to crank the windows, the sound system is crude, it only has "armstrong" air conditioning ( (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ), the top is not "power operated," and there is no automatic key fob. I'm doing very nicely without that stuff.

Oh, one other thing to mention although slightly off topic. Remember that when it war released the 914 generated very mixed reactions. There were a lot of people who didn't like it and for many years PCA purists poo-pooed it. I think that the overall aesthetic has weathered the years well and even Porsche purists have come to accept it...welll, most of them anyway.

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[ConeDodger]

If the masses wanted a current day 914, the car companies would make them. They're not. We are a very small group of enthusiasts.

I have never seen another 914 in Vegas, and I've lived in this hellhole (pun intended) for 20 years. I would buy another on the spot.

You need to meet John Peterson (Vegas Racer) or Toast - she works at Renagade... There are 914's in Vegas. But like anything that happens in Vegas... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)