One thing we've learned to expect from racing is the unexpected. Mile after grueling mile can tell you a lot about how well a car handles. Or how badly.

For instance, after years of racing mid-engined Porsches we learned that an engine in the middle makes a car extremely maneuverable. Lets you corner easily. Decelerate evenly. So we put a lot of what we learned at the track into a mid-engined Porsche for the street. The 914. But beyond its many track features, the thing you'll probably like most about the 914 is that it's just plain fun to drive.

For one thing, it's very peppy. It goes from 0-60 in 11 seconds. Cruises all day at autobahn speeds. Its lightweight, air-cooled engine can't boil over or freeze up.

It comes with a five-speed gearbox. Electronic fuel injection. Rack-and-pinion steering. 4-wheel independent suspension. And disc brakes on all four wheels. Taking your fun along is easy, because the 914 has two trunks. Together, there's a total of 15 cu. ft. of space.

And to let in the sun, a removeable fiberglass roof that stores in the back trunk, just in case.

We built our 2-seater in the classic sports car tradition, but a departure from 2-seater tradition is the fact that you don't need a shoehorn to wedge yourself in and out.

For comfort from every angle, the 914 has seats that slide back and forth, and tilt to four positions. There's a padded dash with large tachometer, and the steering wheel has the turn signal switch, horn, high beam control and windshield washer/wiper switch right on it.

Up till now we've been talking about a 914 with a 2 liter engine. And you've seen that it has a lot going for it. However, there are some people who don't require quite so much power. So for them we've built the same 914 with a 1.8 liter engine.

Impressed with our mid-engine Porsches? You'll be even more impressed when you see one in action. Come into our showroom and pick out a 914. Get inside. Give it every kind of test. Including one for the road.