1972 Porsche-Projects 914 Targa

By the late 1960s, inflation and currency issues had forced Porsche so far up market (above the magic $10,000 mark for a highly optioned 911S) that they became desperate for a new four-cylinder entry-level car. The 912 was ripe for replacement, as it could no longer be produced cheaply enough to qualify as entry-level, and the new Datsun 240Z had made a mockery of it on a performance level. The answer was collaboration with Volkswagen who would sell the new car, dubbed the 914, as a VW-Porsche in Europe. In the U.S. it was known as a Porsche but never carried the Porsche crest on the hood. Styling was considered odd in the day but it avoided most of the impracticalities of the mid-engined layout with good outward vision and two large trunks. Performance was modest at first with base VW-derived engines of 1.7 and 1.8 liters. 2.0 liters cars gave sparkling performance and are the most desirable of the four-cylinder models today, and they are affordable to rebuild to boot. Handling is superb with fine brakes and phenomenal steering. Bright period colors suit the car well. The new Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system was added to American units to help with emissions control. In 1975 and 1976, the chrome or painted bumpers were replaced with heavy, rubber-covered units.