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In the late 60’s Ferry Porsche wanted to design a more affordable two-seater. So Porsche and VW teamed up to produce the 914. VW produced the 4 cylinder version as a replacement for the Karmann-Ghia, and Porsche produced the 6 cylinder version using 911 components. However, in the US both models were marketed as Porsche, which was a source of some consternation to die-hard Porsche fans. The 914 was introduced in September 1969 and was produced until 1976, when it was replaced by the much-maligned 95 HP 924. Over 100,000 914’s were sold, making it a very profitable for Porsche. It was an unusual and attractive mid-engine design, well balanced, with decent acceleration even in the 4-cylinder version.
I personally love the 914 (although I must admit I love the Karmann-Ghia also), so I was delighted to hear of Revell’s 1:18 version. I am very pleased with their treatment of this little car. The overall line of the body is good. The hood, trunk and engine compartment all open on this - this is the first Revell I have see with more than one opening orifice, and I hope it won’t be the last! Even more remarkable, the retractable headlights actually open, and the targa roof comes off and stores in the trunk just like the real thing! Even Minichamps didn’t manage that with their Fiat X1/9. The paint is fairly smooth, although paint roughness in the gaps between the opening parts make the fit appear somewhat rough.
The detail inside the hood and trunk is quite good, and might be under the engine compartment too except the opening is just too narrow to see very much. I feel sorry for anyone who has to maintain one of these engines! From underneath, the engine is nicely detailed. The rest of the undercarriage is somewhat plain. The chrome wheels seem a bit too flat. The interior is realistically spartan, but on closer inspection it has some handsome features. The dials on the instrument panel and center console are well done, as are the radio and heater controls. The seats have a hard plastic look but a pleasantly subtle 2-tone coloring. The doors are properly hinged, as is typical for Revell.
In summary, this is a wonderful of an exciting little sports car from a decade where exciting little sports cars were in short supply, and at Revell prices it is an excellent value!
(12/31/2003)
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