Are Porsche 914's Selling for $50,000 the New Pricing Trend?

Commander
Nov 25, 2021
3 min read

A Porsche 914 selling for over $50,000 is not a record, but is it becoming a trend?

Porsche 914 for sale — Three Porsche 914's Sold Over $50,000 and one at "Normal" Price of $38,250

Three four-cylinder Porsche 914’s sold in the $50,000 stratosphere in the past year on Bring-a-Trailer (BaT). The most recent one was a Sunflower Yellow 1973 2.0-liter that sold for $54,750 on November 13, 2021. Prior to that there was 1974 Olympic Blue Porsche 914 1.8 that sold for $55,000 August 30, 2021 and a Forest Green 1975 Porsche 914 2.0 that sold for $59.914 on July 9, 2021.

Normally one thinks of a top quality four-cylinder 914 selling for $25,000 - $35,000 so prices in excess of $50,000 definitely are worthy of looking at what brings these abnormal prices. As you can imagine the excitement level among 914 owners is high after years of being overlooked by the Porsche world. Every Porsche 914 owner now thinks that they have a $50,000 914, but that is not the case. Only special cars bring these high, high prices.

In studying these three sales, there seems to be three key similarities between the cars.

Color: Air-Cooled Porsches of all models gain a premium for a unique, period color. Sunflower Yellow, Olympic Blue and Forest Green (Zambezei Green) are three popular period colors.
Condition: All three 914’s are meticulous in their condition and presentation in the sale. The photos are of high quality and highlight the trouble areas fo 914’s so there are no questions about what one is buying.
Originality: These three 914’s are original cars, with the exception of a steering wheel and shift knob. Of particular note is that they all retain their original fuel injection that has been replaced by Webers in all too many cases. Big money buyers favor original cars and they are often hard to find in 914’s.

Surprisingly, one of the factors is not the engine as we see one model being a 1.8-liter while the other two were the 2.0-lter engines. Most 914 buyers tend to favor the 2.0-liter, but when it is a good car a buyer will overlook the engine. It is also interesting to note that the buyer of 1.8-liter Olympic Blue seems to be new to the 914 world and is not driven by conventional wisdom. The buyer just wanted a clean, great looking Porsche 914.

But, when it comes down to it, what it takes is two buyers who want the same car. This is best summed up by Commentator Rick986 who bid on two of these $50,000 Porsche 914’s.

Looks to me like another deep pockets/irrational WTF auction won by @Hummer. @hjpodoll has been here looking for a car for a while and was bit by the same exuberance/adreneline/desperation that drove me to bid like I was printing money. I don’t see this as new market highs as much as simply big money guys that don’t care what they pay for these cars because they’re suddenly “cool” (same guys that pay $10K for Super Bowl tix). Good for you guys selling. Turds for the majority of the market who are true afficianados. Note the fact that the “rational” bidders bailed at $38K. Don’t sign your kids up for Ivy League schools quite yet, folks. But if you can find that unicorn, God bless…

1973 Porsche 914 2.0

Sold for $54,750 on November 13, 2021

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-porsche-914-2-0-43/

Sunflower Yellow over brown leatherette
Fresh repaint
Retains the fuel injection
Color combination and great original condition

1974 Porsche 914 1.8

Sold for $55,500 on August 30, 2021

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-porsche-914-51/

Olympic Blue over black leather
Recent engine re-seal
Body features a recent repaint
Retains the fuel injection
Original car in a great car that has been meticulously maintained

1975 Porsche 914 2.0

Sold for $59,914 on July9, 2021

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1975-porsche-914-2-0-22/

Forest Green (Zambezei Green) over black buckets with tartan accents
Body featured a repaint with a fresh engine rebuild of the 2.0-liter
Modifications include: MOMO steering wheel, and 917-type shift knob
According to 914 expert, Dr914 the plaid seats were offered by the factory but he thinks the car was delivered with black vinyl.
Retains the fuel injection

Now compare the sale price to a high quality 914 but in a color that is not as period unique. Similar qualities, even with tartan plaid seat inserts but Air Brigade believes the color can make the $12,000 difference in color. Auctions often drive higher prices due to the emotion and exuberance of buying in the moment that a “cool” color can drive.