Porsche 914/6

[afx]

Here is the street version built in a similar manner to my GT.

[Deleted]

Very clean build, I wasn't aware of this model until a few years ago when a british TV show called wheeler dealers bought and restored one, worth looking up, I think it's kicking around on youtube.

[afx]

I saw that episode. They restored the base model 914/4. Still a nice car however.

[Art]

Very nice build, JC!

[Patrick]

Such a clean build!

Patrick

[dustymojave]

Nice JC!

Are those Fujimi wheels? The rears look like 16" diameter rims. But they look great. Much more like the real thing than the kit wheels.

[afx]

Thanks for the comments gentlemen.  The wheels are Fujimi centers in turned aluminum rims.  IIRC they scale out to be 15" wheels.

[robhart]

Super nice model. These cars were really popular when they were new, but I haven't seen one on the road in decades. I wonder why because I still see running 60s & 70s vintage Beetles and Porsche 911s fairly frequently,

[dustymojave]

Much of the reason you don't see 914s running around lately is that the Porsche fans do not consider them to be "real" Porsches.

The body structures were manufactured by another corporate division. That being Volkswagen. The 914-4s were entirely built by VW with a VW engine, basically the same as that used in VW Type 4 sedans, and from 1971, the same as that used in VW vans. Slight differences in the 914 engine from the others, but still basically the same engine. Teh 914-4 even had a manufacturer's serial number plate under the front hood that says it was manufactured by VW.

So to Porsche snobs, "eeewww!!!!! It's a VW! Yecchhh!"

But then, the Porsche up to the 924 and 928, has always been based on VW product, which was originally designed by Porsche. Even the great 935s were very distinctly and obviously closely related to the VW Bug. And VWs have long proven themselves to have huge motorsports potential of their own rights. In the 1960s, the majority of F1, F2 and F3 grids would have a gearbox built inside of a VW bug gear housing. That Porsche snobbishness is why the 914 got kicked to the curb in spite of its performance potential. The 914 design is based on the hugely successful Porsche Spyder mid engine chassis and the later 904. Even the late model Boxster is an obvious derivative of the 914-6. If the 914-4 had used the Porsche 912 engine, which was based on the 356 engine, there would have been no such snob issue. But the Type 4 engine is bigger, more robust and more reliable than the 912 engine. And made similar horsepower. There are desert offroad racers (who keep their engines relatively mild for longevity and broad power band) who race Baja Bugs (NB: VW Bugs) with Type 4 engines that make 275hp. That's more power than the road race 914-6GTs made with their Porsche 6s. Also, maybe if the 914 had front clip styling based on 911 as the Boxster has late model 911 front styling it would have helped acceptance.

So because of this snobbishness, a 356 in decent shape is now worth $150K while a similar condition 914 is worth $5K.

Now Porsche makes SUVs for soccer moms. The Cayenne is credited with "saving" Porsche. What point in the snobbishness there?

I've always had huge respect and fondness for Porsche, the company and their products. But I've always distanced myself from that snob issue.

[joelsmith]

I'm sure you remember the old joke; "What's the difference between a Porsche and a porcupine? With a porcupine the pricks are on the outside."

[dustymojave]

I've also heard that one with Mercedes instead of Porsche. Same deal. Also heard it using cactus instead of porcupine.

[joelsmith]

Back home in VA, we described Porsches in 3 ways, rear engine Porsches were described as "Back Porches", front engine versions as "Front Porches" and 914s as "Screen Porches" due to the engine cover.

[johnwebster]

And the 917s with the movable wings were known as "back porch swings".

[bsmooth]

Great looking model, had to check to make sure it WAS a model! I used to see these once in awhile back in the 80's, but rust eats thru them quick here in the Northeast. used to see them once in awhile too at the track. The sound just doesn't seem to fit the car, but they do go like a bat out of heck though.

 I always liked them, but then again I like Formula Vee's too !

BTW I've never seen a Formula Vee model.

[Ben_B]

I completely missed this one when I joined the forum. Nice model!

I almost bought an orange 4-cyl back in 1980 when they were still dirt cheap. I ended up going with a TR-7 instead, because it was newer and had fewer miles than the Porsche. Man, what an expensive mistake that turned out to be! 

The six sounds great on the track, when it’s wound up to the redline.

Be