1972 Porsche 914 Convertible (RHD)

Originally announced in 1969 as an affordable sibling to the 911, the 914 was a sales hit - particularly in America, where the fashionable targa styling and mid-engined layout captured the imagination of a generation of sports car enthusiasts. The 914 fulfilled a brief similar to the Boxster of today, in offering Porsche ownership at a more affordable price and - again like the Boxster - featured a mid-mounted engine but with coupe bodywork by Karmann with a lift-out roof panel. Despite some criticism of the unusual styling, the 914 was a sales success, particularly in America, and almost 119,000 were built over seven years of production. Porsche sourced a number of parts for the 914 from Volkswagen but the model was a genuine sports car, with superb handling and razor sharp steering. Indeed, the 914 was more than just the sum of its parts, having been designed around the Porsche philosophy of driving in the purest terms. The 914 was offered in both 1.7-litre and, as here, 2.0-litre versions and the latter was introduced in 1972 with 95 bhp plus a centre console featuring additional instrumentation and properly adjustable passenger seats, on sliding rails.