Why is This Porsche Considered a FAILURE Despite BEATING the 911 at Le Mans? Porsche 914 GT
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 พ.ย. 2021
- The Porsche 914-6 is one of the company's rarest models, it won Le Mans in 1970 and yet it is perhaps the ultimate underdog. Widely dismissed as 'not a real Porsche' because of the tie up with VW. The GT version has race winning pedigree, it beat the 911 and works way better cosmetically than the unusual looking standard 914s.
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A big engined, flared 914-6 is more fun to drive than any other car I can think of. I loved converting my 914 years ago, and hated selling it.
Sounds like you had a great time with your 914 . What engine did you use ?
I bought an orange 72 914 in 1998. Although it was just the 2litre it was a blast to drive. So small , low to the ground much like a street legal go cart. I wish I would have never sold it.
Don't we all! Now, imagine a Porsche 6 cylinder back there.
A very long time ago, in the early 70's,I had a very lovely and charming French girlfriend. She had a Porsche 914/6, apparently the prototype. (Yes, she was aristocratic and rich). We went to Cambridge for the weekend from London and went to Ely for tea (As one does). I drove there in ten minutes flat with her encouraging me to utiliser la bagnolle. What a car, and what a girlfriend.
And you did'nt marry her ?? 😱
What happened to her??
And…
Is the story really truth, or you have a fantastic imagination?
Happy days buddy.👍
I have always had so much respect for the 914, but the 914-6 is incredibly rare and seldom seen/heard. Great video.
Jonny!! I’m a massive fan, thank you for watching and commenting.. hope to come to one of the roadshows soon!! Keep up the amazing work on your channel!
@@Number27 What a buzz getting some love from Jonny... You guys would do a great show together.
Seriously, you would.
Sad I would like to have one
I remember the first 914 I saw, back as a 9 year old. 16 years later, I first laid eyes on a 914+6, and have wanted one ever since.
Get yourself one Don!!!
The smile on your face tells the whole story. That little beast sounds amazing! Many years (decades actually) ago I had a 1971 914-4. I loved that car. I certainly wish that I had kept it.
You have a new subscriber!
Porsche wants to forget it so bad it doesn't even have one in the museum right now. Not a single one.
They have a 924, not a 914. That's downright mad.
Being a rear mid-engined made a huge difference vs the twitchy 911 Widow Maker of the time.
Hence, nowadays' or recent Boxsters. Did'nt they do the same trick by cancelling the 6 cyl in them for a 4 cyl. ?
I'm fairly certain one of the 914-8s was on display for a while.
I was at the Museum for the 50th anniversary of the 914 in 2019 - and they managed 6 cars! Though it obviously stuck in their throats to show them. They did have Piech's 8 cylinder on show. I have a '75 2 litre and its so analogue it's a fab drive.
@@henryatkinson1479 when I visited the 914/8 was on display
@@henryatkinson1479 Wasn't there last Friday. Which is a shame, never seen a 914 irl
There wasn't a 930 either but then again the RSR was there but I'm just lame like that
@Minty Edinburgh that sounds absolutely amazing
I agree that the 914s are a much underappreciated car. Of course the 914/6 is an easy "Yes", but even the late model 914 2.0 was a very capable car.
I had the 2L GB in my 1303 VW......quite powerfull for the beetle
The 914 was always an awkward looking car but now I quite like it.
That's Harry Metcalfe's test road...!!!
I've asked this before .. i didn't get a reply .. but I think it is
Me too !
That bend is almost iconic. I was watching thinking you have gone in both directions now.
Drove Harry's test roads last September..great fun! Think I might have seen him going in the other direction with his son in 2 Lambos..
I managed to work out where that road is after watching various Harry videos and then drove it various times on holiday. It's great
From 1962 till 1996 the Dutch highway police drove Porsches among which this model, in white and fluorescent orange..
They were critisized a lot by the public and politicians because of the costs. The policemen drove with open roof and wore orange helmets.
I recall pink doors,white helmets and the targa top. So they could stand in it directing traffic
I really loved my 914/6. I'll never forget winding the engine up driving on a twisty mountain road zooming through a moonlit forest on a very cold misty night with the top off and exhaust heated air blasting out keeping me very toasty. I sold it to buy my first house, which promptly dropped in value, making me wish I kept the car. My home value eventually went up, but I still regret selling my first love.
I hope you find another 914-6.
914 and the Lancia Monte Carlo take me back to my childhood dream cars for the way they look .
Very cool car! I valued the comparison of qualities with the Elise (I find Elises intriguing).
The history of this 914 is certainly irreplaceable. As cool as it must be to drive, an even better set of mods is possible: ‘85 Carrera 3.2L engine, 915 gearbox with WEVO 916 shift linkage, Bilstein rear coil overs, 911 front coil overs, Brembo brakes, auxiliary front oil cooler……it just so happens I own that car.
When I was in high school in the early 90s, there were quite a few of these around. It's actually surprising considering how few they made. A friend of mine bought one our sophomore year to restore. It turns out they were well known for frame rot. When he removed the roof, the frame sagged and he had to jack it up to put it back in. Needless to say a lot of framework was needed. He spoke to a lot of 914 owners about it. They all had frame rot to varying degrees. But...LOVED their cars when restored. I imagine if they were that bad in 20 years time, now 50 years on, they are needles in a haystack. I had the chance to buy one some years ago. One of the ones I let get away. 😔
It was only the 914-6 that was rare with 3000 or so made, they made over 100 000 of the four cylinder cars. :)
Hello my friend. A friend of mine Worked for McDonnell Douglas in L.A. in the 1970's. He knew I was a life-long Porsche fan and he let me run around Redondo Beach area in his new Porsche 914/6. It took some getting used to but I loved it . I still remember the direct steering and it felt similar to my later Porsche 944S and my BMW 330i M-Sport steering. I really wish I owned that P-914/6 today. I would spend weekends in it looking for curving roads in the hills and mountains [like I have always done with my special cars]. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for showing this underrated car Jack! Looks like you had fun. Good sound!
Your driving commentary and description of everything is on a par with Tiff Needel, just wonderful to listen to.
Thank you.
What a great car and history! 🙂👍
Perfection description, i agree
Maybee, but not the same, Tiff was highly sponsered by bmw and could only talk enthusiastic about bmw and some other german cars....
@@chriskytiri3174 there’s a TH-cam video of Tiff driving the rear engined corvette, he was very enthusiastic about that 👍🏻.
That thing sounds awesome! Love the look of the wheel arches…… it’s not your average looking sports car but I do really like it. Cracking video Jack 👍
when I was teenager in the 80s, a neighbour had a yellow 914 parked out on a normal Pompey terraced street, not garaged or anything...doubt if that one is still alive
That is bloody lovely, those arches and that exhaust note are just spectacular 😍❤️❤️
Sounds great! Nothing like a good air cooled Porsche flat six. I’m blown away by how much all 914 values have gone up over the last 10 years. All Porsches have seen big jumps in their values but probably not as much as the 914.
My dad still has his yellow 914 from when he was young that he never drives and he only just recently showed me it's capabilities and it's very impressive for what it is
Dan in Austin,
I had 2 different 914's, a used 1971 2.0 and then a new 74 that I customized along with my brother in law. Took out the fuel injection and replaced with
Webber's, ported and polished heads, ground down the heads a bit and balanced the crank
With a few other touches to the engine and transaxel was a little screamer. Able to make some other sports cars of the time wonder why they were getting passed by. The head Porsche mechanic at the dealership wouldn't let anyone else touch it, loved that.
The M471 package also included a chassis stiffening kit that re-enforced the junction between the passenger compartment and the rear suspension. My 914 Chalon had this kit added (not a Porsche original, but a US made copy) and it certainly reduced body flex with the 9" wide Fuchs and 245x15 rear tires. I have another of those kits somewhere in my parts bin that I bought after the Chalon was destroyed in a fire, but I ended up keeping the 911SC that was going to be my engine donor and not getting another 914. This video makes me want to revisit that decision! 🙂
Once knew a guy in Scandinavia who had one of these and i was curious and asked him how it was if you compared it to a 911. He smiled and said LOUD, MUCH BETTER. 😄
I wonder what year the donor chassis is? From the gauges, it looks to be 70-73.
The steering wheel is aftermarket, and smaller than stock. The stock one was the same size as the ~1970 911's wheel.
The hood badge is added post-factory; none of the series cars actually had them originally. The US importer and dealers were fond of adding them, though.
The original Six was actually made for three years, model years 70, 71, and 72. Very few 72s were built, and their interior more closely resembles the four-cylinder cars than the earlier Sixes do. A big change being that the ignition key on the 70-71 Six was on the dashboard to the left-hand side of the steering column, while the 72 (and all four-cylinder 914s) was on the right of the column itself.
Nice car, sounds awesome! Glad to see the 914 getting more love lately.
I bought a 914 4 cylinder about 10 years ago. Bought it to resell. Still have it and bought another one. It's a 2.0. I'm a Chevy guy, but these are the most well balanced, fun to drive cars I have ever owned.
I happen to have a Chev 305 in one of my fourteeners. Unbelievable the power to weight, so effortless. Very different to my retrofitted 914/6
I had a 914 but with the 914/6 arches back in the late 90's and loved the thing. Mind you, it had the worst gear change of any car I ever went in! I just wish I never sold it and often wonder what happened to it? This example looks and sounds epic.
Worked at a Porsche Audi dealership in the mid/late 70's. Got to drive a 914/6 after oil change, normal maintenance. Fabulous ride.
Hey Jack. Great video. I bought a 914, 4 cylinder for £500 when I was about 18 or 19 years old. I loved that car 🙏🏻
Jack, it looked like your face was going to crack in half, you were smiling so big. Handling like a "go-kart", that 914 must have been so fun to drive. Nice to see this much forgotten Porsche drive...
The look on your face says it all; the driving experience is irresistible! I drove in a 914 many years ago. The cornering was stunningly good!!
Used to have a tuned 4 cylinder one with about 140hp. My friend had a 911sc which felt fat and disconnected from the road in comparison.
Precisely, that is the difference. Drive a 914/6 with at least 3.0 liter capacity and your eyes will pop.
In all honesty I thought the opening words were going to be 'Welcome to a new Harry's Garage video...'! I'm a bit of a latecomer to the channel but it's rather excellent, I recognise some of the roads you are testing on.
Having owned both the 914 and 911, I can say both cars are awesome but that little 914 could corner!
My grandparents joined PCA in the mid 1960's and started autocrossing shortly thereafter. I am the third generation and only one too broke to buy a 911 so I autocross a 2.4L, 4 cylinder , 914. My times are routinely lower than my cousins in their 911 and my uncle in his Cayman.
All things air cooled, especially that beast! I wasn't crazy about the styling of those initially but with the blistered fenders it morphs into something particularly nice. I had an opportunity to trade my red EMPI Superbeetle for an orange 914 2.0 back in high school... but I balked at the extra money (because dating). I've regretted that move ever since.
9:30 That scene was gorgeous, and the sound had me experiencing flashbacks to Steve McQueen's film "Le Mans". Thanks for a beautiful moment.
Not a Failure!
After I finish my 924 Turbo restoration I will have to build a
914-6 Gt tribute car. Love everything about this particular setup.
An original Gt is way out of my reach.
The 914-6 essentially had the braking system from a 911 of that era on it. Given that the pedal shouldn't be soft, but should feel like there is a block of wood under the pedal. I suspect that either The brake fluid is old or the master cylinder is going.
I agree my 914 is the firmest braking system on any car I have ever own. I did just completely rebuild the brake system about a year ago. It has maybe an inch of pedal travel, then as you say it feels like a block of wood.
@@dannelson6980 sloppy breaks are a Porsche trade mark.
Pah! Who needs to brake a car like this? 😎
Great review as usual Jack. Remember seeing quite a lot of these on the Costa Brava in the mid 70's as a young lad.
My German cousin had a 914 with the Porsche engine when i was visiting one year as a kid! I cant remember the exact colour but i can remember the awesome acceleration and speed on the autobahn with my backside inches away from the tarmac. The seats are bolted almost straight to floor wirhout a subframe! Loved it!!!!!❤
you brought the 914-6 experience to life and now I'm straight on Car & Classic
Thanks Roger.. high praise indeed from you!!
Hi Roger - knowing your tastes as a subscriber to your channel, I would suggest you look for a 914 with a 3.0L or preferably, a 3.2L 911 engine swap.
The 914-6 delivers about 110HP. Like it’s 4 cylinder cousin, it’s still an inertial car. As a former 914-4 owner, the cars handle wonderfully, are quite visceral, but beware of short entrance ramps to a busy highway.
I currently own a ‘73 914 with an ‘85 Carrera 3.2L engine and 915 gearbox. This power train puts out 228HP. The car responds and feels like a go kart - the driving experience is off the charts. A good conversion will also have the WEVO shift linkage to adapt the 915 gearbox to the 914 - no more stirring the soup to find 1st & reverse. The WEVO linkage is patterned after the 916, in which Porsche used a 915 gearbox. Another item to look for is a front trunk mounted & vented second oil cooler. It mitigates the tendency to overheat.
@@davidsherley2652 great info David thanks, it’s a fab car I’m very tempted although there’s not many around
@@RogerBaileyOnCars Glad to be helpful. I’m grateful for your content and am pleased to give back. Perhaps you might consider purchasing a no- rust tub and having it modified. If you would reach out to me on Instagram and send me your email address, I’ll send you more of what I know about the specifics of the build of my car, some sources that have kits for elements of the engine swap and some photos.
Just watched this vid yet again Jack.... wooooaah!
yes, you totally captured it. Lets put this thing in perspective... while you had a total blast, I can see this "blown" version of the 914 is great for fun rides.... but would beat you up long distance. This extraordinary car is not just a le Mans winning classic, it's also an awesome long distance tourer for two. I've driven mine all around the South Island of New Zealand ... twice! A total gem.
Thanks for the wonderful vid, and yes what a bonkers upgrade to the 914/6 GT !
Great piece again mate. Big Car did a very in-depth history of the 914s not too long ago.
Fantastic review. That engine note😮 I’m swept away to the beginning of “Le Mans” with Steve McQueen piloting a 911😮👍
There is a lonely 914/6GT in that movie ..
Harry Metcalf just complained about some yobbo upsetting the quiet of his country roads with a LOUD 914-6. LOL - that said, in my misspent youth, a buddy's brother in high school had a 914-6 and we used to 'borrow' it when he was at work (he took transit to work) and it was pretty amazing.
This is filmed around Brackley, Metcalfe around chipping Camden
@@alanwayte432 it's a joke, my god.
Both wrong: B4437 those that know, know.
I remember when these first appeared and thought they were a bit ugly, move forward to now and they look great. I think we should nickname the opening corner as Harry's corner?
Very nice review ! I have a 914-6 with GT arches and a 3.6 liter, and this car is awesome. It is a big gocart, and I can understand the similarities with the Lotus Elise he referes to.
Great video Jack. Always had a soft spot for these since the early 70s when I played in a group and did a tour in Germany. The record company rep had a 914/6, he kindly let me drive it the whole time (well I sort of commandeered it really). Being bog standard the steering was pretty light but what a good fun car to zip around Germany in.....oh, and no speed limits then too.
Wasn't long before I had to get a 911.👍🇬🇧
They built plenty of 914s but very few 914/6s.Back when a '71 911S was my daily driver I met a lady who drove and raced a 914/6 and learned right quick those cars were very serious machines,certainly a car to be reckoned with.Athough the one she used was far from stock it wasn't extreme by any measure,especially by today's standards.Again,in my opinion,the 914/6 is quite the car in any situation!
How bout a Carrara gt v10 in this sled , it would be EPIC, and pikes peak would be the road test to start😊
Chances are the brake master cylinder has been replaced with a different diameter bore than original, common change which result in longer pedal travel and softer feel. Glad you enjoyed the drive!
What a great video - I don't think I've ever seen anyone enjoy driving a car as much as Jack did with this 914-6 GT. Super sound too!
Jack, you had the Look of Love on your face and I totally get it. What a car! Back in the early -mid seventies I almost picked into getting my cousin's 914/6 (here in the States). Alas, it didn't happen and I ended up getting a 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider (I still miss that car). My cousin who would wind up owning all kinds of exotics always lamented selling that 914/6. Naturally I always wished that I had copped it. BTW, great video, and I've never never seen a more blissed-out driver!
I owned a '72 914-4 when i lived out in California! Wish i still had it!😢 They were pretty advanced little cars back then! 4 wheel disc brakes and an off set collapsible steering column! My favourite Porsche of all time!🤗
I DROVE A PORSCHE LOOKING JUST LIKE THIS IN 1971. IT WAS MY BOYFRIENDS CAR. I WILL TELL YOU...DRIVING IT OR AS A PASSENGER.. IT WAS SO BALANCED AND AGILE.. MORE THAN ANY CAR I HAD DRIVEN. AND I HAVE OWNED A 911 TARGA CARRERA WIDE BODY WHALE TAIL 1986..ONLY 2 MADE FOR USA...THE FIRST.....I BOUGHT IN 2007. GOT BEST IN SHOW AND BEST IN SURVIVOR CATEGORY WITH IT.
Turn the caps lock off😂
Well, you found your soul mate. And as you compared it to the Lotus...I wondered what would be the result of a detailed, side by side comparison. Build in different generations and different corporate cultures and with different technologies...and yet the response they both generate in you is so much alike. And I wonder how they would compare in terms of mechanical design and competitively...side by side on paper...and then maybe some laps times or a hill climb course. And of course, after all the comparisons, the final question, if you had to chose one to have...which would it be.
I live in California, I have seen some seriously built 914's. Have always loved em!
I had a 1975 914-1.8 back in 1980, it was an absolute joy to drive, and it had none of the wonky handling problems of the 911's!
When I was started racing in the 70s I remember coming up on a 914 to pass that it belched huge flames in my face, it startled me for a moment...
Thanks for the review! Your excitement was palpable indeed!
Here in the States, I have a '71 4 cylinder car that has a 2316cc type 4 engine fitted. It generates the same hp as the example you drove here, but with a power plant that weighs several hundred pounds fewer.
Marvelous road car.
Fabulous!! Enjoy it JP!!
It's not "several hundred pounds fewer". The difference was only 92# in the early models. The official weight of a '70 914/6 was 2072 pounds, the 4 cyl 1980#. A '73 4 cyl car with more safety eqpt etc. was 2138 pounds. I converted a '74 from 4 cyl to a 2.7 liter six in 1992. The sound alone is worth the difference.
It's a better track car than a road car. More fun the faster you go!
@@jjhpor mag case 2.7 will tick in 100# over a 4 cyl type 4 dry. Add a cooler and plumbing unless a very pedestrian 2.7 and you're at 200#+. Later alloy engines add an additional 50#.
The six is a sublime powerplant. But with the application of some modern tech, the type 4 propelled 914 is not needing the 901 engine to settle in to a sweet spot of lb/hp.
I'm in my late fifties and sadly whenever I think of 914s I think of how poorly put together they were and how they rusted!
My neighbour bought one new and we watched it rust away quite quickly
They were produced before zinc coating of the metals were prevalent
Pity
One of my all time favourite Porsche models in the six cyl Great video revue again Jack.
I've always loved the 914 since seeing one in the seventies. The 6 is a brilliant idea, such a shame there are so few. You're a lucky man Jack. Excellent to see such a cool car on TH-cam. Thanks.
You can build your own. Check out Patrick motorsports in the USA
@@fan-tastic2803 Thanks. Long way from there though
@@grayfool costs nothing to be interested. And they are probably the best on the planet for 914 tuning
Gday Jack, i recall we had one in our auction room and i drove it. Reminded me of a go cart especially on broken ashfelt. Sadly, from memory, it didnt sell for a lot of money way back in the early 1990s. Having watched your video i wish i had bought it
The owner went to all that effort to have a 914/4 converted to a /6GT, but they couldn't be bothered to move the ignition switch to the proper location, to the left the steering column where all factory 914/6s had their ignition. With that said it's a beauty!
The 1972 914-6 that were produced, only 200 of them, had regular 914 steering columns and column mounted ignitions. 70 and 71 914-6’s had 911 columns and left dash mounted ignitions. For Porsche during the restoration and conversion, it was a parts choice, and not having to rip out and replace the column and allow the owner to keep using his reduced costs, time and effort. Yes, it ain’t that hard to do, but certain 914-6 steering column parts were NLA.
@@barty8980 You're 100% correct, and thanks for clarifying. It makes me wonder about the 1972 914/6 models - When they were going through initial assembly, were they intended to be /4s and got diverted? Or did Porsche close the 914/6 production line in the Porsche factory and handled the 200 as "one offs"? Besides the ignition (and obviously the engine) the /6 also had different wheels/brakes and (I think?) suspension components.
Lovely vid Jack, looks great fun!
Saw a 914 rusting away in someone's front yard years ago here in South Africa. Don't know what happened to the car as the guy who lived there's house was auctioned off during my teens, car was probably auctioned off as part of the estate.
Awesome production Bravo!😊
The giveaway that it was originally a 4 banger is the positon of the ignition switch. A true 6 has it on the opposite side on the dash.
Loved this review Jack, giggling like a schoolboy = great drivers car!
Great video, very informative!
Great video Jack. Having completed a similar build, these cars are brilliant as you stated. For not much more, would have like to have seen him go ahead and convert the ignition key over to the left of the steering column. Makes all the difference looks wise. Sure it’s more costly but also more accurate. If he truly used fiberglass front and rear “bonnet” covers as the real GTs had we call them hoods, then whom ever did his was a great craftsman! This is one area I’m struggling with on mine is the front bonnet fitment. I own and have owned several 911 variants and truly, done correctly the 914/6 is such a blast and experience to drive like no other! I find my face actually hurting a bit from laughing and smiling so much when driving my favorite back road.great video!! I can remember commenting on one of your videos from years back probably 5-6 years ago amount how much you would enjoy a car like this. Glad you got to experience it hands on! Well done!!
The very last of the 914/6’s had the key on the steering column.
@@fan-tastic2803 Those were the '72s. They only made a few of them. Yep. Key is on the steering wheel column just like the 914-4s.
Jack, I noted you are using Harry Metcalf's test roads.
I thought that - gotta be the same twisty with the hill on the exit! :-)
It’s the area where I live
I've always always liked the 914.
Got a Cayman instead. But still on the lookout for a 914 restored for under 30k
I had a 1974 1.8 in high school and college. Station wagon turned left in front of me without the right of way and that was the end of that. Still miss it.
What they did with interior space for such a small car was impressive. Great cornering with the mid engine design.
Interestingly, as the engines increased in size from 73 to 74 to 75, they got slower because of the EPA smog regulations.
the notion of a car being faster than another, is so subjective and relative to so many other factors , like driver, tires, track... finally PURPOSE... a vw beetle 1969 , with a 1.9 turbo engine, good transmission and brakes proper suspension and done well, 15"wheels and slick tires, will EAT a modern 911, in any circuit and track application, LIGHTNESS is divine... the 911 is still a lot of mass to take around...
Sounds terrific. Obviously huge amounts of fun to drive. Thank you
Looks and sounds superb. That bass-whine whirring sound on the over-run is gorgeous.
needs a proper alignment and a larger master cylinder. looks like it still has the 17mm master from the 4 banger. the 911 master bolts right up or the benz 23mm ATE for a rock hard pedal feel at the price of finer modulation under hard braking
Always liked these, pity you didn't mention how loud it was 😁.
I owned 2 VW_Porsche 914 a 1970 1..7 and a 1974 2.0- 4 cilinder and especiallt the 1974 version was "glued" on the road , like riding on rails!! , superb cornering never ever experienced better cornering in a car since.................
Men I haven't seen you that happy. This car must be tremendous
Absolutely fantastic video Jack!
8:27 your laughing tells the whole story! Thank you for this brillant video!
Happiest time in my life was behind the wheel of a 914.
When I was a kid one of these sat languishing on my street in disarray. (Early 80s) I thought it was ugly for a Porsche but now I like them.
There are presently 70+ for sale in Europe, from 5K right up to 300K. You pays your money and you makes your choice!
I believe Crayford did 30 or so RHD conversions. I saw one at Porsche Silverstone about 8 years ago. It was “round the back” having been sold on consignment. The figure of £30k was mentioned. Not any more!!
I remember seeing 914's om the road when I was a young boy. They stood out obviously because of their unique look. But I don't recall any with the flat 6, only the 4 but it's been many moons from the 1970's so who knows what I saw, lol I can't imagine one of these with a modern tuned air cooled 6. That's got to be a riot.
I miss my 914 more than any car I have ever parted with.
They are little Hot Rods raw as hell but can keep up with big boys
I see a 914 years ago when I lived in the uk , and see another one yesterday here in Windermere Florida and this was also silver and had the wide arches, I couldn't catch it as it was going the other way to me in traffic . Windermere must have more super cars than any place on earth, so I will look out for it at cars and coffee we have in town .
I thought when they had one on Wheeler Dealers that it had two rear ends bolted together.
I remember seeing a 914-6 for sale at Fantasy Junction in Emeryville, Ca. around 1980. It had the same flares, full roll cage and a twin spark 6 cylinder engine that had been heavily modified. It sold for around $40,000 at the time. I remember seeing both the 4 cylinder version as well as the 6 cylinders racing in SCCA. Perhaps it was the competition but the 6 cylinder versions weren't impressive at all against the other cars in their class like the 240z. The 4 cylinder VW engine versions once setup correctly were seemingly faster and better balanced. Maybe the 6 was too heavy? The way those cars were setup was always interesting to me....soft rear suspension but overly stiff front so that the cars would squat on the rear tire and lift the front tire a few inches in the air whenever it went around corners on track. Those were factory setups so not sure if that was the "trick" at that time in history or not. I remember a few other factory team cars that had similar front tire in the air when hard cornering. Just didn't make sense to me.
The -6 models were all made in the first couple of years for homologation purposes, so they all had the somewhat problematic end-shifter transmission. Maybe the -4s you saw racing against it were all later models with the side-shifter? Also, the 914 4cyl models used the Type 3 motor that was used in the Bay Window vans and the fastback [VW 412?] models; early on, there wasn't much available for hot-rodding those motors, but by the '80s a lot of expertise had been developed so that they would have had much better chances of holding their own against the early style aircooled Porsche engine in the -6.
The Porsche purists didn't like this car, even though the very first Porsche engine was mostly VW? I have had a 914-4 and a 6, the most balanced cars I have ever owned, The 916 prototype would have embarrassed the 911's of the day, so they killed it. Nice to see they are getting the love they deserve. Had a chance to meet and do business with Dr 914 (George Hussey) in Atlanta, he knew how good these cars were before the masses.
Steering feel is EVERYTHING
Beautiful car.. I have 3 regular 914's a 70, 71 and 73 with its original fuel injection system!. ( 1970 is my birthyear!) Amazing little cars. Am about to modify one into a 914-6 gt tribute car soon .. maybe even put in a modern boxster engine as I have seen a few people do but adding a water cooled system to such a nice vintage car seems sacrilege .
This is a conversion from a regular one to a 914-6 gt correct? At least that is what I understood. I was going to say one last modification that would really set it apart and make it more true to the 914-6 is to install the ignition switch with the key on the left side of the dash. All original 914-6 cars have the igition on the left side dash panel like 911 cars. Im thinkin on mine I will remove the switch and tumbler from the steering column, 3-d print some parts to let me install in it on the left side dash ( way more economical than buying a real 911 ignition switch and hardware, hec even a used front plastic bezel of a vintage 911 ignition switch is expensive these days...saw one on ebay for $100 us dollars.. just he bezel!!! :( Then maybe carefully grind down the original ignition switch bump on the steering column cover.. not sure if to 3d print a cover for that or just decale the whole steering column cover in a black vinyl. I love 914s! This one is so well done! Thank you for the inspiration!
Also the saddest thing is in 10 years from now hardly anyone will still own and use Petrol cars with Manual gearboxes , i suspect these cars will be owned by the super rich and only taken out for special occasions like Goodward festival , it is very sad , as i have driven an Electric car an old Tesla Model S , yes it is very fast but way too relaxing for a young person like me , i need manual gears and that big engine noise
That will never happen in 10 years.
@@organiccold I hope not mate 🙏 as I like you enjoy driving Petrol cars with manual gears 👍
A Tesla will never have a soul, it's just a car to get from A to B
I think when buying new yes, electric only. The worrying thing is they will eventually be monitored and controlled by politicians how and when you can use them. Not selling my petrol manuals. Even if I have to drive illegally.
@@CherylCold Yeah have you heard of Geofencing ? in Los Angeles the Police stopped a criminal in a Tesla Model S by hacking into the cars computer brain and shutting it down , my nightmares are coming true , Robocop style dystopian future is what the world is becoming , what next ? they put dead criminals brains into robots ? LOL