When the Porsche 914 was introduced to the world in 1969 (as a 1970 model), it was met with mixed reviews. Its dual VW/Porsche personality in Europe and its obvious use of off-the-shelf VW components caused many enthusiasts to deny that it was enough Porsche to be a Porsche. These people were obviously not around in the early fifties when the only Porsches around had engines, gearboxes, wheels and interior components that also had a striking similarity to products from the cars produced in Wolfsburg. Despite the fact that many view the joint production and marketing as a less-than-successful endeavor, in its short seven year existence nearly 119,000 were produced. This is almost twice the number of the total 356 Porsche production from 1950 through 1965. Introduced at $3,595, the 914 was an "entry level Porsche," designed to leave the owner wanting more (more like a 911). As such, and due to the fact that there was certainly room for improvement, many examples of the marque frequently changed hands. Since so many mechanical aspects of the car were Volkswagen, the aftermarket performance and cosmetic accessories, developed for use on VWs, were often installed. This resulted in one of the most frustrating parts of the research for this book; locating original, unaltered cars for photography. Many well-meaning former owners altered their cars, nearly beyond recognition in some cases. Restoring these to their original appearance is often the goal of a new owner, and for many it is not an easy task. While changes to the 900 series Porsches are more systematic than thise on the earlier 356 models, there are still some unacknowledged differences and running changes. In a number of cases, Porsche superseded an original item with a superior piece. The result, while frustrating to the restorer, was meant to better the marque. This guide brings some of these to light and also to illustrate the original part, where possible. The purpose of the text is to aid those enthusiasts who have taken the restoration challenge, as well as to entertain the 1970-1976 Porsche 914 trivia buff. Subject matter is limited to body, chassis, exterior trim, luggage compartments and interior. Reference material is contained in the final section. The Porsche 914 is only now beginning to be acknowledged as a collectible automobile. Good original cars of any type are always desirable, but with the number of modified 914s that exist, authentic examples command premium prices. The 914, Porsche's "ugly ducking," while not exactly becoming a swan, is at least becoming accepted for its true value and position in Porsche history. Table of Contents: Acknowledgements / Foreword / Introduction / Background / The Models / Exterior Body Panels / Inner Body and Chassis / Exterior Trim / Luggage Compartment / Interior. Appendices: Chassis Number Chart / Spotter's Guide / Color Charts and Appearance Group Option Package. Published by Beeman Jorgensen, Inc. Softcover. 94 pages. Over 200 b&w photographs.

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