Tyler loves his Porsche 914 and doesn't care what you think | Why I Drive #16

Of all the possible Porsches to inspire Tyler Hauptman’s passion, why on earth is he so enthusiastic about the 914? He’d be happy to tell you, but he’d rather show you. Check out Hauptman’s loud, obnoxious, and charming 1974 Porsche 914 in our latest Why I Drive video. “The 914 has always been one of my favorite cars because of its mid-engine, air cooled, horizontally opposed motor,” Hauptman says with grin. “When you look at the history of Porsche, and all the cars that they’ve produced for racing, in particular—the 550 Spyder, the 904, 906, 907, 908, 910, 917—all the coolest Porsches are in that configuration. That’s why I love the 914.”

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[jitlothe]

I routinely drive my 73 914 early Sunday morning on a back road. It’s like a therapy to escape to discover myself.

[roaddog]

The video production in this three minute clip is so good the car was secondary. Thumbs up to the person that created it.

[Poppy-yxjs]

I have driven a few different Porsche and I owned a 914 2.0 - it’s still the most fun I’ve had driving . I wish I didn’t sell it.

[GETUPANDGO]

I've seen a couple of these around where I live, super low and squatty, I love it, and this episode was a great tribute

[maximac]

I have my driving license for 3, 5 year now and because of this and some other videos I think I might just understood that speed isn't everything. In fact it can be minor factor now. Feel, look, sound, even smell. Everything is more important than speed for me now when it comes to enjoying the drive. I think I understood it quite fast (I'm 21 now) and I'm very happy of that. I can enjoy the drive without the risk of receiving the ticket.

[bradcaldwell]

914: The best-handling car I've ever driven.

[tomahawk]

I feel this video. Yeah, I couldn’t afford a 911 back then but I did buy a 924. I really enjoyed that car.

[DavidKAnderson]

I loved mine! I suppose it was nothing special by the numbers (especially as mine was just a humble 1.7...c. 80bhp, not a lot even for sub-2000lbs), but it was as capable at putting a big, dopey grin on my face as anything I've ever driven. Fantastic feedback from the tires...like having nerve endings in the contact patch.

[johnmiller]

I've had 2 914s, my current one is a 2.0 L 73. Love it. I replaced the fuel injection with carbs and it doesn't have any computers talking to each other in the engine or anywhere else. It is a minimalist's dream. The cranks on the windows have never failed me(unlike my past 350z electric windows). I can trouble shoot some things myself. I am 60y.o. and am amazed at how many younger guys who don't know the car come up to me in stores and ask about it.

[altbeetle]

the older I get, the more I like this model among other Porsche models

[Quicksilver_Cookie]

Dude knows that the real cool kids from the Porsche family aren't 911s.

[tobyuwu]

I love how 70% of the porsches are still running on the road

[Wolfmots]

I had one in the early 90's. Installed a 911 dash, gauges, 928 turbo wheels, kyb's, fat swaybar, updated the fuel injection to twin webbers, 4 point harness. Most fun I had ever had in a car, vastly underrated vehicle in my opinion. Could turn on a dime, sounded great, sitting on the ground. Only downside was the rear flex of the car in turns, when pushed the suspension structure would flex unpredictably and could send the rear heavy car into a spin or off into the woods if you weren't careful. Easy fix nowadays with boxed slip ons that eliminate the flex. Wouldn't be surprised to see them become the next big thing in classics as well as the Mercury Cougar.

[supermike]

Recently got a 74 1.8 to build with my son. It's so fun to drive, practically a go-kart. Wish i did this a long time ago!

[grantatkinson]

In the late 70's a work colleague turned up in a just purchased 914. I was smitten. 45yrs and 2x 911's, a 944 S2, a 928 S4 & 2x Cayennes later, i'm still smitten with the 914 and would love to find one. Hard to find here in NZ, but I'm going to try. Beautiful example here, green with envy. Saved to library so I can see & hear it when the urge beckons.

[dirkwollschlaeger]

Well, I love my 944 convertible, but could surely fit a 914-6 into the garage right next to it.

[patriciodasilva]

I owned a 914 when I was thirty-eight ( I'm 71 now) it was my favorite car and the best-looking car I ever owned I wish I never sold it. I was in the Navy and we replaced the transmission with only three bolts a pilot driver and wrench was all we needed... beautiful simplicity

[ChanceSummer]

I’ve owned many Porsches over the years and the best of the best are the old 4 bangers - the 356, the 914, the 912, 924 and 944 because you can put your foot into it, take a fast corner, feel on the edge, all while staying within the speed limit! I don’t want to be a criminal to enjoy driving a car on the edge; good luck doing that in a GT3.

[davesnodgrass]

The 914 was so underrated cornered like it was on rails stock o my

[Dr.Bigglesworth]

I have had a lot of mid-engined cars, 512, 246, Europa, Esprit, Bora to name a few. It was definitely no the fastest, or the quickest, but the 914 (I had both a 73 2.0 and a 914-6) was hands down may favorite to drive. It has exceptional visibility, very open and comfortable interior and handles the most neutral (with the right tires and suspension and it setup properly) handling car I ever have driven. Oh, and the roof comes off, and handily stores in the trunk. I recently bought a Corvette C8...specifically because it was mid-engined, and the roof comes off. I looked at used 914s, and for what the cars were, they were all overpriced for anything decent enough to drive. And, at my age, I figured instead of working on the car, I'd rather drive it. Well, the C8 is a real grand slam for GM, though more modern, faster, quicker and far better handling...I still prefer the neutral handling, exceptional visibility and open interior of the 914.