In the late 1960s, a fratricidal struggle raged between two Italian manufacturers. While the one with the prancing horse maintained that the engine should pull the car, the one with the bull claimed that it should push it. Between Ferrari and Lamborghini, the debate over who won persisted. The Miura, however, introduced an engine installation technique that had only been offered on very few cars before it: the central rear position. However, on the German side, the bosses at Porsche must have looked at this situation with a highly amused eye because the brand had been producing central engines since the beginning – certainly cantilevered, but still.
In any case, the Miura started a trend, and above all made an impression. Now, since Porsche was looking for a replacement for its 912, it was riding on this trend and designed a car with a mid-mounted engine, like the 550 competition car or the 904. The problem was that the 912 was so successful that Porsche had no choice but to delegate the construction of its successor to another manufacturer. Volkswagen was in charge. Indeed, the relationship between Stuttgart and Wolfsburg was close, and had been since their respective foundations. The first Beetle was entirely designed by Ferdinand Porsche, who then used it to develop the first prototypes of the 356.
Named the 914, the replacement for the 912 had a very angular, perfectly in-tune line. It was very much a Porsche in its design, with its targa roof and as a sports car, quite low, with wide tracks and whose wheels were pushed back to the four corners.
Two versions were initially offered: a 4-cylinder equipped with a 1.7-litre engine designed by Volkswagen, and another with a 2-litre 6-cylinder Porsche borrowed from the 911 T. The 4-cylinder version from Volkswagen would first evolve into a 2-litre in 1973, then would also be available in 1.8 in 1974, while the 6-cylinder from Porsche would not be modified and would be produced for just 3 models from 1970 to 1972.
While Karmann took care of manufacturing the cars and also assembled the VW engines, it was on the Zuffenhausen lines, alongside the 911s, that the 914/6 received its engine.
A strict two-seater, the 914 is resolutely sporty, especially the 6-cylinder, as the advertising of the time emphasized with its slogan: “Instead of two crying children, we offer you 6 roaring cylinders”. However, thanks to its architecture, it has two storage spaces, in addition to a rather spacious and relatively well-finished passenger compartment for a car in this category. The atmosphere is also characteristic with the Porsche counters including the rev counter in the center, as well as the steering wheel and its famous ignition lock on the left for the 914/6. Well born, the latter therefore had everything to succeed.
Nevertheless, this dual Porsche-Volkswagen strategy is poorly perceived because the car is too expensive for a VW and is viewed with suspicion by Porsche enthusiasts. Moreover, it is only distributed under the Porsche badge in the USA. However, both companies believed in it and invested heavily in the 914. Rightly so, since the car was the most successful for a mid-engine at the time, with more than 115,000 units produced. Unfortunately, the 914/6 was barely cheaper than a 911 of the time, and despite its undeniable qualities, it appealed to far fewer people: barely 3,300 units came off the production line. Little distributed and even rarer 50 years after its release, the 914/6 was now rediscovered and took its revenge by finally being appreciated at its true value.
The car we are presenting is one of these rare examples. It is a 914/6 that was delivered new in the United States on June 3, 1970 in Tampa, Florida, in a beautiful Adriatic Blue color, a shade that it still sports today. This bright color pairs perfectly with the iconic 15-inch Fuchs satin black and aluminum wheels, as well as yellow headlights, for a very seventies presentation.
While its history across the Atlantic is not known, the greatest asset of this car lies in its restoration in France, which is simply exceptional. Taken care of by the Jean Lain Vintage workshops, every aspect of this car has undergone a thorough overhaul: chassis, bodywork, paint, engine, gearbox, running gear, distribution, braking, passenger compartment, upholstery, etc. All of the work required more than 1,500 hours over the years 2015/2016, and the total invoices amount to nearly 200,000 euros!
The car is presented in almost concours condition, a term that is so overused these days, but which really applies to our example, whose complete restoration file (photographs and invoices) is impressive.
In addition, several important invoices complete this file, proof that its maintenance has been continuous and rigorous to keep it in its extraordinary condition. It has only covered 13,500 kilometers since the end of the work in 2016.
Another important singularity, this 914/6 is still equipped with its original engine and gearbox, as well as the Porsche archive certificate that accompanies it attests to this.
Currently equipped with bucket seats with harnesses and a Trip Master, to participate in regularity rallies in good conditions, as well as a Bluetooth car radio for use of the GPS via the telephone, it should be noted that the car is delivered with its original seats, restored of course.
The 914/6 was unfairly forgotten for many years, even though it is a well-designed car, since it comes from competition, particularly light at less than a ton on the scale and equipped with an authentic Porsche 911 flat-six. This injustice has now been repaired, because the 914/6 has benefited from a real rediscovery over the last decade and its rating has literally soared. On the other hand, oblivion often goes hand in hand with unscrupulous maintenance in the world of classic cars and it is not easy to find a model like this, still equipped with its original mechanics. We can also proudly add that this is the most beautiful 914/6 on the market. An exceptional opportunity not to be missed under any circumstances!
1970 
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