Overview
The Porsche 914 (1969-1976) was offered with four engine variants across two engine families: the Volkswagen Type 4 air-cooled flat-four in three displacements (1.7, 1.8, and 2.0 litres) and the Porsche 911T's 2.0-litre air-cooled flat-six. All variants shared the same mid-engined targa body, five-speed gearbox, and independent suspension. These are the complete specifications for every production variant.
Key Dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Production Years |
1969-1976 |
| Manufacturer |
Porsche AG / Volkswagen AG (joint venture) |
| Body Manufacture |
Wilhelm Karmann GmbH, Osnabruck, Germany |
| Final Assembly |
Porsche, Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen (914/6); Karmann, Osnabruck (914/4) |
| Body Style |
2-door targa coupe |
| Layout |
Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Construction |
Steel unitary (monocoque) |
| Wheelbase |
2,450 mm |
| Overall Length |
3,985 mm |
| Overall Width |
1,650 mm |
| Overall Height |
1,230 mm |
| Front Track |
1,338 mm |
| Rear Track |
1,386 mm |
| Ground Clearance |
140 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity |
62 L |
| Front Boot Capacity |
Approximately 130 L |
| Rear Boot Capacity |
Approximately 130 L (with targa panel stowed) |
| Drag Coefficient |
0.36 |
Engine Specifications
1.7-Litre VW Type 4 Flat-Four (1970-1973)
| Specification |
Value |
| Type Designation |
W (VW Type 4) |
| Configuration |
Flat-4 (boxer), OHV, air-cooled |
| Displacement |
1,679 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
90.0 mm x 66.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.2:1 |
| Power |
59 kW @ 4,900 rpm |
| Torque |
131 Nm @ 2,700 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection |
| Valvetrain |
Central camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Ignition |
Points/condenser |
| Oil Capacity |
2.5 L |
| Recommended Oil |
15W-50 or 20W-50 mineral |
| Redline |
5,500 rpm |
1.8-Litre VW Type 4 Flat-Four (1974)
| Specification |
Value |
| Type Designation |
EA (VW Type 4) |
| Configuration |
Flat-4 (boxer), OHV, air-cooled |
| Displacement |
1,795 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
93.0 mm x 66.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
7.3:1 |
| Power |
55 kW @ 4,500 rpm |
| Torque |
135 Nm @ 2,700 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection |
| Valvetrain |
Central camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Ignition |
Points/condenser |
| Oil Capacity |
2.5 L |
| Redline |
5,200 rpm |
2.0-Litre VW Type 4 Flat-Four (1973-1976)
| Specification |
Value |
| Type Designation |
GA (VW Type 4) |
| Configuration |
Flat-4 (boxer), OHV, air-cooled |
| Displacement |
1,971 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
94.0 mm x 71.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
7.6:1 (1973-1974) / 8.0:1 (1975-1976) |
| Power |
74 kW @ 4,900 rpm (1973-1974) / 65 kW @ 4,500 rpm (1975-1976 US-spec) |
| Torque |
157 Nm @ 3,000 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Bosch D-Jetronic (1973-1974) / Bosch L-Jetronic (1975-1976) |
| Valvetrain |
Central camshaft, pushrods, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Ignition |
Points/condenser (early) / electronic (late) |
| Oil Capacity |
2.5 L |
| Redline |
5,500 rpm |
2.0-Litre Porsche Flat-Six (914/6, 1970-1972)
| Specification |
Value |
| Type Designation |
901/36 |
| Configuration |
Flat-6 (boxer), SOHC per bank, air-cooled |
| Displacement |
1,991 cc |
| Bore x Stroke |
80.0 mm x 66.0 mm |
| Compression Ratio |
8.6:1 |
| Power |
81 kW @ 5,800 rpm |
| Torque |
157 Nm @ 4,200 rpm |
| Fuel System |
Weber 40 IDT 3C carburettors (twin) |
| Valvetrain |
SOHC per bank, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Lubrication |
Dry sump |
| Ignition |
Bosch CD (capacitive discharge) |
| Oil Capacity |
9.0 L (dry sump) |
| Recommended Oil |
15W-50 or 20W-50 mineral |
| Redline |
6,500 rpm |
Transmission
914/4 Gearbox
| Specification |
Value |
| Type |
5-speed manual (VW-based) |
| Designation |
Type 0A2 |
| Synchromesh |
All forward gears |
| Clutch |
Single dry plate, cable-operated |
| Final Drive Ratio |
3.875:1 (1.7L) / 4.43:1 (2.0L) |
Gear Ratios (914/4, 1.7L)
| Gear |
Ratio |
| 1st |
3.78 |
| 2nd |
2.06 |
| 3rd |
1.26 |
| 4th |
0.93 |
| 5th |
0.76 |
| Reverse |
3.61 |
914/6 Gearbox
| Specification |
Value |
| Type |
5-speed manual (Porsche Type 901) |
| Synchromesh |
All forward gears (Porsche system) |
| Clutch |
Single dry plate, cable-operated |
| Final Drive Ratio |
4.43:1 |
Suspension
| Component |
Front |
Rear |
| Type |
Independent, MacPherson struts |
Independent, semi-trailing arms |
| Springs |
Coil springs |
Coil springs |
| Dampers |
Telescopic hydraulic |
Telescopic hydraulic |
| Anti-roll Bar |
Standard, 15 mm |
Standard, 16 mm |
Brakes
| Specification |
914/4 |
914/6 |
| Front |
Disc, solid, ATE, 260 mm |
Disc, ventilated, ATE, 282 mm |
| Rear |
Disc, solid, ATE, 271 mm |
Disc, solid, ATE, 285 mm |
| Servo |
Yes (vacuum) |
Yes (vacuum) |
| Handbrake |
Mechanical, rear calipers |
Mechanical, rear calipers |
Steering
| Specification |
Value |
| Type |
Rack and pinion, unassisted |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock |
3.0 |
| Turning Circle |
10.2 m |
Wheels and Tyres
| Specification |
914/4 (Standard) |
914/6 (Standard) |
| Wheels |
4.5J x 15 steel |
5.5J x 15 Fuchs alloy |
| Tyres |
155SR15 |
185/70HR15 |
| Bolt Pattern |
4 x 130 (914/4) |
5 x 130 (914/6) |
Note: The 914/4 and 914/6 use different bolt patterns and hubs. 914/4 wheels do not fit the 914/6 and vice versa.
Performance (approximate, period road tests)
| Model |
Kerb Weight |
0-100 km/h |
Top Speed |
Standing 400m |
| 914/4 1.7 |
940 kg |
13.0 s |
177 km/h |
18.8 s |
| 914/4 1.8 |
960 kg |
14.0 s |
170 km/h |
19.4 s |
| 914/4 2.0 |
970 kg |
10.5 s |
193 km/h |
17.5 s |
| 914/6 |
980 kg |
8.5 s |
210 km/h |
16.3 s |
| 914/6 GT (race) |
820 kg |
6.5 s (est.) |
245 km/h (est.) |
14.5 s (est.) |
Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)
| Model |
L/100 km |
| 914/4 1.7 |
9.0 |
| 914/4 1.8 |
9.5 |
| 914/4 2.0 |
10.0 |
| 914/6 |
11.5 |
Electrical
| Specification |
Value |
| System Voltage |
12V |
| Generator/Alternator |
Bosch 12V alternator (late cars) / generator (early) |
| Battery |
12V 45Ah |
| Headlights |
Pop-up, vacuum-operated, H4 halogen |
| Headlight Operation |
Engine vacuum actuators with check valve |
Weight Distribution
| Configuration |
Front |
Rear |
| 914/4 |
46% |
54% |
| 914/6 |
45% |
55% |
Service Intervals
| Service Item |
Interval |
| Engine oil and filter |
5,000 km |
| Valve clearance adjustment |
15,000 km |
| Spark plugs |
15,000 km |
| Air filter |
30,000 km |
| Fan belt |
Inspect every service, replace as needed |
| Gearbox oil |
40,000 km |
| Brake fluid |
Every 2 years |
| D-Jetronic injector clean |
Annually |
Interior Dimensions
| Specification |
Value |
| Seats |
2 (no rear seats) |
| Headroom |
890 mm (targa roof on) |
| Shoulder Width |
1,270 mm |
| Legroom |
Adjustable, adequate for drivers up to 190 cm |
Production Numbers (All Markets)
| Variant |
Years |
Units |
| 914/4 1.7 |
1970-1973 |
~65,000 |
| 914/4 1.8 |
1974 |
~16,500 |
| 914/4 2.0 |
1973-1976 |
~34,100 |
| 914/6 |
1970-1972 |
~3,360 |
| 914/6 GT |
1970-1971 |
~16 (factory-built) |
| Total |
1969-1976 |
~118,982 |