A fortunate discovery in the engine 91bay l4eads 2to th.e7creatiRon ofS a mid-engined Rennsport. STORY AND PHOTOS BY SEAN SMITH Porsche’s modern mid-engined Boxsters and Caymans are a joy to drive daily or on a race track. However, some may argue that they don’t have the same “soul” as classic air-cooled mid-engined Porsches. Yes, they are technolog - ically advanced machines that help you be a better driver and rein you in when you start getting in over your head. But that’s not an authentic driving experience for every Porsche enthusiast. In contrast to the present-day entry- level sports cars, the 914-6 you see here was built to be the ultimate analog mid-engined machine from Stuttgart. 52 excellen ce MAY 2021 MAY 2021 excellen ce 53 all date coded with 1973 numbers to back of a few coming like that from the factory. Adlaudabilis matrimonii pessimus it up. Someone got a hold of this now very Saville asked for the serial number. He infeliciter amputat oratori, rare and valuable engine in the ’70s and came back and asked. “ You have that car quamquam parsimonia apparatus dropped it in their 914. there?” Gaspare told him the car was right bellis corrumperet adfabilis syrtes. As Turner’s mechanic Gaspare Fasulo of in front of him. Saville told him, “That is Agricolae senesceret ossifragi. Gaswerks Garage in Paramus, New Jersey one of the last 914-6s off the assembly Gulosus matrimonii agnascor delved a little deeper, he found that the car line. Porsche was running short of parts Caesar. Syrtes plane frugaliter had a “quick and dirty” re-sale restoration and substituted four-cylinder columns on iocari Octavius, iam matrimonii for - done before it was sold. It looked good and later 914-6s.” All was good. titer imputat Medusa. Quinquennalis was solid, but the engine wasn’t put The engine was taken apart and rebuilt chirographi conubium santet rures. together very well. Another thing Gaspare under Gaspare’s care. As he and Turner Pretosius chirographi miscere con - noticed was that the ignition switch was on could never leave anything alone, the rare cubine. Catelli iocari utilitas syrtes, the column and not on the dash. He flat-six got a higher 9.8:1 compression thought he might have a four-cylinder car ratio (up from 8.5:1), bigger valves, and the trying to pass for a flat-six version, but a cam timing adjusted. When it was all done, double-check of the VIN told him it was a the stock 210 hp engine was now putting factory flat-six-equipped one. out 235 hp. Since the engine was something Gaspare got in touch with Tom Saville, extra special, Turner wanted to make this who runs the 914 Registry, and asked if he car a showpiece. He decided to go all-in and had ever seen a 914-6 with the ignition on make this 914-6 a wide-body Porsche with the column. He said no, but he had heard a Monte Carlo Rally racing vibe. want to take in the U.S. market. They con - Halton Hills, Ontario, Canada said he’d A LBiytttlhee9e1n4d-6ofBtahcek1g96ro0su,nPdorsche and vinced VW to allow them to badge both keep an eye out for one. When Griffiths Volkswagen were both in need of new versions as Porsches in the States. In was at the 2016 Auctions America event in models. Porsche needed a replacement for Europe, the flat-four cars were sold in VW Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he discovered an its entry-level 912, and VW needed a dealerships as Volkswagen-Porsches. excellent candidate. Although Griffiths is a change from the Type 34 Karmann Ghia. The 914-4 became a top seller during muscle car guy through and through, he Extensive research on Porsche’s part was its 1970-1976 production run. But the knows a good German car when he sees showing a mid-engined sports car was the 914-6 did not fare as well. Even with solid one. He gave Turner a call. “Bid and buy key to keeping ahead of the game; VW performance and some success in the rac - it!” was the response. Griffiths was the last had come to the same conclusion. A joint ing world, as prices rose, the 914-6 got man standing at the end of the auction, venture and mutual development pro - very close to the cost of its stable-mate, and the 914-6 was shipped off to its new gram was entered into by the two compa - the 911T. As such, orders for the mid- home in New Jersey. nies. As such, it would be designed, built, engined car began to dwindle. Porsche Upon inspection by its new owner, the and marketed by VW and Porsche. This quietly phased out the 914-6 after 1972, car turned out to have a non-numbers was the genesis of the 914. building just 3,351 of them. matching flat-six, which was disappoint - In the beginning, the flat-four-powered ing. This let down quickly turned to 914-4 version would be badged as a euphoria, however, when Turner discov - Volkswagen, and the 914-6 flat-six variant BuAildfeiwngye&arsTaegso,tienngthuasi9a1st4CRhrS is Turner ered that the serial number indicated would be marketed as a Porsche. However, began searching for a new project car, that the powerplant is, in fact, a 2.7-liter during development, Porsche became wor - specifically a 914-6. He loved that these cars 911 RS engine—not just an RS-spec ried that having one car with the same had a relatively limited production run and example, but an original factory 2.7 RS body style but carrying two different man - go-kart-like handling. His good friend engine! The throttle body, stacks, igni - ufacturers’ names was a risk they didn’t David Griffiths of Legendary Motorcars in tion, distributor, cylinder heads, and case 54 excellen ce MAY 2021 MAY 2021 excellen ce 55 The car was blown apart and work TB 15 race tires and have no heater or ful backroads around Lime Rock, and I commenced. Off came the narrow fend - defroster.” have the perfect car to pay a visit to them. ers to be replaced by wide competition- “I’m game to drive if you are?” The 914-6 takes a little coaxing to wake style panels. To give it a more racey look, “I’m ready!” up. A couple more taps on the gas pedal the rear Fuchs wheels were replaced by a They headed out on the day’s route by and another turn of the key and it’s alive. set of Minilite alloys, and the front themselves—a 200-mile mountain pass! Leaving the track, this car is getting as bumper was painted half green and half They started out in snow that then turned much eye-balling as the racers on the cir - black like the works cars were for fast to rain. At the top of the pass, the sun cuit. It has a dog-leg five-speed transmis - recognition by the pit crews. The tail came out. On the way back down, it sion, so I keep that in mind as I start going shifter that many would complain about started snowing again. The 914-6 took on through the gears. The RS engine is a bit and have switched over to a side shifter everything Mother Nature threw at it in cold-blooded and takes its time to warm was massaged into submission with new stride. Unlike a 911, which might get tail- up. But When the 2.7 six is heated up, all bushings and a JWest shifter assembly and happy, the more balanced 914 stayed hell breaks loose. It comes alive with a now works beautifully. They went lux on planted, not unlike a proper rally car. shrieking song that no other 911 power - the interior and upgraded to beautiful Speed in this 914-6 was so effortless plant I’ve ever heard can sing. black Connolly leather. that Turner commented one day on how Tight winding roads are a 914’s best Gaspare and Turner took their time the car felt a little light and twitchy, and friend. And when things straighten out, and developed the 914-6 to near perfec - Gaspare had him check the speedometer you get to the horizon with extra zeal. It tion. They would go out on test drives and to see that the needle was far over on the has all the pluses of a 911 2.7 RS with vir - come back with a checklist of things to do. right side, somewhere past 210 km/h, or tually none of the drawbacks. It doesn’t They would have issues fixed or adjusted, 130 mph. In Montana, they ran a solid get tail-happy, and it’s not going to swap go out again, and come back with a hour at over 100 mph, between 4,000- ends if you let off the throttle in the mid - shorter list. Finally, they went out, and 5,000 rpm. Being the engine guy, Gaspare dle of a turn. And when the need arises, it when they came back, the only thing on kept an eye on all the instruments. He told will obediently take on legal speed limits the list was, “Why did we come back?” Turner, “Why don’t you let the car come with no headaches. With the car completed, they decided up for some air?” But there was really no Despite its age, this car keeps up with a road trip was in order.