Reviving the Soul – My 1974 Porsche 914’s Dash Makeover
There’s something raw and real about driving an old car – the mechanical clatter, the unfiltered feedback, the smell of old leather and gasoline. It’s a connection to the past, a reminder that driving wasn’t always about screens and sensors. It was about feel, intuition, and the perfect line through a corner. That’s exactly the vibe I wanted to capture when I decided to clean up the cockpit of my 1974 Porsche 914.
First up, the radio. The original unit had long since given up, a casualty of time and the relentless Oklahoma summers. But instead of slapping in some modern touchscreen monstrosity, I went for a RetroSound head unit. It’s got that perfect throwback face – simple knobs, chrome trim, and just enough era-correct styling to look right at home in the 914’s stripped-down interior. But don’t be fooled – it’s packing all the modern tech you’d want, like Bluetooth and USB, so I can crank the playlist while carving up backroads or winding out through the hills. It’s a little nod to the past, with just enough 21st-century convenience to make those long drives even sweeter.
Once the tunes were handled, I tackled the dash itself. I ripped out the tired, sun-baked old face and replaced it with fresh Brickmold dash material. It’s a subtle upgrade, but one that ties the whole interior together – clean, sharp, and built for those long, winding drives through the Osage countryside. It’s the kind of detail you notice every time you grab the shifter, heel-toe into a tight corner, or roll the throttle open on a long straight.
Speaking of those drives – let me set the scene. A few weeks back, I dropped the targa top, fired up the flat-four, and pointed the 914 toward the horizon. The sun was dipping low, casting long shadows over the rolling hills, and the air was thick with the smell of fresh-cut hay, gasoline, and summer heat. I cranked up some old rock classics – Def Leppard, Poison, Mötley Crüe – and let the crackling growl of the engine mix with the guitar riffs and drum solos.
Out there, with nothing but the hum of the tires, the bark of the exhaust, and the wind on my head, the world feels a little simpler. You’re not just driving – you’re living, fully present in the moment, feeling every gear change, every corner, every bump in the road. The cockpit comes alive, every clack of the shifter and twitch of the steering wheel a reminder that this machine is pure, mechanical soul.
That’s what it’s all about. It’s not just the destination, the power figures, or the lap times – it’s the drive itself. It’s the way the old flat-four echoes off the trees, the way the throttle responds to every input, and the way the dash glows in the fading light as the sun dips below the Oklahoma horizon.
Owning a car like this isn’t just a hobby – it’s a mindset. It’s about embracing the imperfections, leaning into the quirks, and knowing that every hour spent in the garage is an investment in memories you’ll never forget. This 914 is not just another car to me – it’s a time capsule, a rebellious little piece of Porsche history that refuses to be tamed by age. I’m not trying to make it perfect – just perfectly mine. And this dash refresh is one more step in that direction.
Next up? Maybe some vintage gauges, a period-correct shift knob, or even a few tweaks to the engine – whatever it takes to keep this little piece of Porsche history alive and kicking.
So if you’re the kind of driver who craves the analog connection – who’d rather row gears and feel the road than scroll screens – stick around. The projects never stop – this 914 is just getting started, and the road ahead is wide open and the throttle never lifts.
Till the next time – keep the shifts crisp, the throttle pinned, and the spirit of the classics alive. Because the best roads are never straight, and neither are the stories.
Sgt. Engster, Martin M. USMC
