The Porsche 914, or rather VW-Porsche 914, appeared in 1969. This full-fledged model was created by the association of two car manufacturers: Volkswagen and Porsche. VW wants to renew the aging Karmann Ghia with a rather top-of-the-range sports car, and Porsche wants to win back its less fortunate customers, lost with the disappearance of the 356 and overwhelmed by the price of the recent 911. The final assemblies are done in their respective factories, in 4 cylinders at VW for the VW-914 and in 6 cylinders, Fuchs rims, 911 axles at Porsche for the Porsche-914/6. When it was released, the VW-914 was equipped with the air-cooled 4-cylinder flat-4 in the 1.7l 80hp injection version, from the VW Type IV and a Porsche 6-cylinder 2.0l carburettor engine delivering 110hp, taken from the recent 911 on the Porsche-914/6. This second version, although more powerful, did not meet with the expected success between 1969 and 1971, its price coming too close to that of a 911. In 1973, the small 1.7l was replaced by a 2.0l four-cylinder developing 100bhp. Sold until 1976, the 914 will never really be successful in Europe, more than 75% of the 118,978 copies produced will have been absorbed by the American market. The 914 is considered the true ancestor of the Boxster, which appeared in 1997: a two-seater convertible, with the engine-box installed in the rear central position for optimal distribution, equipped with a removable roof and two luggage compartments.
