The 914 has often been seen as the Porsche 911s poor relation, but this owner adores his modified machine
The Porsche 914 is one of the most unloved Porsche and seen as the ‘poor mans’ alternative to a ‘real’ sports car. However, Tyler Hauptman doesn’t really care what you think because he loves his 914 more than any other car. Hagerty’s latest video details his story.
Tyler was lucky enough to have a Porsche 914 as his very first car, something he shared with his father and two brothers. $1200 got them a green 914 which they then worked on and raced together at various events. The car very much became part of the family.
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‘Porsche 914s have always been one of my favourite cars. Specifically because it has a mid-engined, air-cooled, horizontally opposed motor. When you look at the history of Porsche and all of the cars they produced for racing, the 550 Spyder, 904, 906, 907, 908, 910, 917, all the coolest Porsches are in that configuration’ remarks Tyler.
He openly admits that the car is somewhat antisocial due to the roar engine note narrated by pops and bangs. However, this only serves to add character to this classic sports car.
Porsche enthusiasts will have already noticed the blistered rear arches that aren’t standard on a 914. These come from the car’s time as a POC racer in the 1980s and 1990s, but only further encored Tyler to purchase the car.
Talking about its modifications, Tyler said: ‘It has got shortened 3rd, 4th, and 5th gears in the gearbox, and so when you get up to speed and shift really quickly into 4th and 5th, you really hit the sweet spot.’
The Porsche 914 served as an entry-level sports car of the 1960s and ‘70s. The joint venture between Volkswagen and Porsche went on to become a big seller for the marque and paved the way for today’s Boxster models.
Tyler clearly adores his 914, a car that’s history is far more appreciated today than at its inception. In fact, the 914 celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
More on the Porsche 914
Source: YouTube
