1974 US 911 Carrera or 914/6

[GH85Carrera]

This thread is just what I expected. Good opinions on both sides.

As mentioned they are very different cars.

You really need to drive one of each to decide which is correct for you. I would GUESS that a real 914-6 in original condition will go up faster in value than the 911. Just a guess based on the limited production and availability.

Get the car that is the most fun for you and forget trying to buy an investment.

[javadog]

I also have a '71 914-6. It's lightly modified, although it would look stock to most people. I'm just finishing a restoration on it and I'm probably goping to put it up for sale. The reason is that it's value is climbing more than I'd like and I just don't see myself putting that many more miles on it. Several of my cars have climbed in value to the point that they are going into collections, which isn't my mindset at the moment.

A 914-6 is easy to upgrade and you can keep one relativily stock looking while "fixing" the things that some people gripe about. Mine has 911S suspension and brakes on the front, an aluminum front crossmember, ventilated brakes in the rear, later shift linkage and handbrake, a 2.2L engine with S pistons and E cams, deep 6 wheels, etc. It's fun to drive and gives you a more vintage driving experience than a high horsepower hot-rod.

Given that a 914 drives so completely differently from a 911, I can't say which one you might find more fun to drive. I couldn't care less about the "cool factor", so I can't help you there. As for long term value, most of the 914-6s in the US are 1970 models. They imported a couple hundred and change in 1971 and your chance of seeing a '72 in the US are less than those of seeing a 959. I think sooner or later, the 914-6 will eclipse the US Carrera values. I can't remember the last time I saw a car like mine for sale. Lately I've been seeing mostly track cars come up for sale, and clones.

JR

[Steam Driver]

No contest; the 914-6. I owned one from 6/71 until 7/89 and for six of those years it was my DD. Great car and in the day would outperform the '74 in everything but snob appeal to those not in the know. A Porsche "Q-ship" if there ever was one. Also more covered luggage area than a 911.

BUT a 911 and the 914-6 are totally different cars personality-wise. You need to drive both to see which fits you. I currently have an SC but only because I couldn't afford another real six. I would swap in an instant if I could.

As for collectibility I don't think there's any question that a real six is far more desirable than about any normal production 911 from '74 on (I know I'll catch some flak for that comment). The -6 is unique, the 911 is not.

Finally, a decision based on "collectibility" is flawed. Buy it because it's fun to drive and it "fits" you, not because you want to make money on it.

[nickyclyde]

Not to sound condescending to the original poster , but the 914-6 has a storied and glorious past in the history of Porsche racing. Knocking off offerings of all the big bad racing Marques with regularity. And they are an absolute blast to drive!

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by .PORSCHE.

So, stock 914/6 engines are anemic? What upgrades can and should be done to help that? 914/6 are more collective than the 1974 Carrera? How can that be? It's a VW isn't it? I saw one right near me, and I really liked it, so whatever it is it's cool in my mind.

You should buy some books to read up on this, but the HP quoted for the 914-6 is the same as the 911-T from 1969. 110 bhp. The intake valves were made smaller (see Bruce Anderson's book) in order to reduce hp. They used Weber carbs, although I can't recall the exact model number right now, that produced a GLORIOUS sound at wot.

I think modifying a 914-6 motor is somewhat short-sighted. The reason is that the chassis does fine with 110 hp, but would need a bit of strengthening to handle say 180 hp. And that takes you down a slippery slope where you end up bastardizing such a charming car that was doing just fine until you got started on it. I could see a mild upgrade motor to say 130 bhp without issues, but then I'd want to save the original motor and would probably just put it back one day. The original motors with mag cases are going to become very rare like hen's teeth.

That is why my 914-6 motor is completely bone stock, except for the Bosh distributor that I put in it, so that I can keep the Marelli distributor new in the box from Porsche. The only changes that I made to the car were to bolt on a 911SC front suspension and brakes, which can be reversed. I kept the wonky and clicky side-shifter. I feel that such idosyncracies are just fantastic, especially when you drive early in the morning and have the road to yourself.

When you compare a 914-6 to a more "modern" 911 like a 911SC, you realize that the G-series impact bumper 911s had gotten a ton more development and refinement. They are much faster, much more comfortable, much more stable at a high cruising speed, and won't beat you up on a long trip. The 914-6 is a great car for trips up to 2 hours, and for short jaunts say to the book store or coffee shop in the morning. And forget about driving in hot weather.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I kept the wonky and clicky side-shifter.

Tail shifter....

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by javadog

Tail shifter....

Haha!! Yes you are correct sir!

[javadog]

I actually think the tail shifter can't be beat for the first three gears. It was 4th and 5th that were a problem...

JR

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by .PORSCHE.

So, stock 914/6 engines are anemic? What upgrades can and should be done to help that? 914/6 are more collective than the 1974 Carrera? How can that be? It's a VW isn't it? I saw one right near me, and I really liked it, so whatever it is it's cool in my mind.

Everything that can be dine to a 911 engine
a friend has a 2.5L 906 cammed ex Daytona 914 that is a rocket ship, another has a 3.6L 993 engine in it(also a rocket ship but w/ more torque)

The longer wheelbase and lower polar moment of the 914 is a great asset to have, that said a 911 w/ either of those motors would be a ball too.

[Nicks911]

I have a 914-6 with a 3.0 in it and a SC with a similar 3.0 in it. Very different cars. the 911 is my luxury cruiser. Its quieter slower more comfortable and does not come close to handling as well as the teener. If I'm going for a quick blast through the twisty I always take the teener. It keeps up fine with the locals around here with modern Porsche stuff caymans boxters 911 etc. If I took the SC I would be with the group until the first straight and I would never see them again. 2200Lbs and 240 HP are a good recipe for fun and I'm sure a 911 with a similar power to wieght ratio would feel equally zippy. Also I just have never trusted the 911 as much in the corners as the teener. That might be because I have more track time in the teener.

As far as value low production numbers are key if you are going to have a chance and the 914-6 is rare

As far as cool factor, not once have my two boys asked to go for a ride in the 911 when it comes out, but bring out the teener and they drop everything to go so for the little boy car test teener wins hands down.

I have a lot of seat time in both. I daily drove the teener from 1991- 1997 and added 60 miles to that cars clock. I then add the SC as a practical DD and drove that for ~60k miles from 98-2006 ish while I restored and converted the teener to a flared 6

I guess it depends on your mission. Twisties rocket ship I would go teener. Fun sports car with some creature comforts and refinement for longer trips 911

[Maltese Falcon]

For the O.P. to the top of this thread...
my opinion on fun factor and value :
early 930 turbo, and the 914-6.
Get both at the same time if you can !!
Marty

[RSBob]

If you like going around corners fast without the concerns of the tail coming around and biting you, just ask yourself which of the two cars dominates autocross year after year. I enjoy my SC for high speed cruising and hitting the twisties, but the 914 is an absolute cornering monster which easily runs with caymans and boxters with all their nannies. It's fun to amaze the people with their new expensive cars.

[bike2ride95]

Hands down I'd own that 914-6 over the 74 911 in a heart-beat.
similar to the GT's with upgraded engine and all the bells & whistles

[larrym]

Originally Posted by .PORSCHE.

So here is a question for you all. Which car would be better to own (more fun to drive, higher overall cool factor, safer place to put money), a 1974 911, or a 1970-72 914/6. Regarding a the 914/6, is there one year or options package that's better than the others? I would really like to read your opinions! Tell me why and show me pictures, if you have them! thanks!

you carefully left price willing to pay out of your query

- your cash in hand is the only thing that really matters,

. this is a good thread in that it brought out the fans who actually own the cars instead of the usual peanut gallery we see on BaT

if you think the 2 cars are in the same price range, you have not done due diligence

if you have the $40K or more it takes to have a decent real 914-6 nowadays - then a different $40K 911 model than a 74 911 is a 'way better option as a car you can actually use as a regular driver

i have a quite rare oem 6-er you can have for $60K cash with a 3.2 in it and a truckload of spares - appraised by the late Bruce Anderson at $50K sans the extras -

if you are under $15 K to spend - get the nicest '74 you can find that has had already had the obligatory engine rebuild !

i sold a 75 911 targa 2 yrs ago for $6500 - yes 6 5 hundred - wish i had it back at that price cuz i now have an extra 3.2 looking for a home - but it would never top $15K even after i spent the extra 8K on it doing the swap

.

[Matt Monson]

Larry,
I think you need to review the prices of Midyears. A nice '77 sold in an hour this morning at $22k. '74&'75 US Carreras are trading hands for $40-60k depending on condition.

From a price standpoint 914-6 and US '74-75 Carreras are pretty close to each other right now.

As for the original question, I'd buy the 6. That's not money. That's how fun they are to drive. I've got seat time in stock ones and modded ones. If I am looking for wheeeeee factor it will be a teener every time.

[larrym]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Larry,
I think you need to review the prices of Midyears. A nice '77 sold in an hour this morning at $22k. '74&'75 US Carreras are trading hands for $40-60k depending on condition.

OP did not specify "Carrerra"

I would argue that a 74-5 Carrera has a large desirability premium vs the average base 911 911s of same year,

and there is also the "California smog" factor to be considered

- non-rusty examples of all pre-'76 911 are at a premium in CA simply cuz they are smog exempt

- rusty examples abound in much of the USA and are often more valuable parted out than whole - and average condition 76-77 models are just not sought after in CA

.

[Matt Monson]

I guess that thread title was a little misleading.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I guess that thread title was a little misleading.

Sure had me fooled, too....

A base '74 911S had the same motor as the US Carrera, so it would be sunstantially cheaper than a Carrera and almost the same car. I'd wager there were more than a few of the '74 S that had rear flares added to them.

Still, I'd rather have a lightly modded, stock appearing 914-6 if I was worried about future value.

JR