Changing thoughts on 914's

[Chris Pomares]

I remember when I bought my 914-6 with a 2.2S engine. Someone I knew looked at me and asked why I didn't buy a 911. It was kinda like the Ferrari V12 guys looking at the Dino guys and thinking "Well it's really not a Ferrari". I bought the car not because it was less expensive. I bought it because I preferred the mechanical layout. Why people of the time missed this I can't figure it out. I've never given a damn about being seen in the proper car. If I had I never would have built the 912 POLO. A small compact and powerful engine positioned for better balance and handling. It's Deja vu.

[rower]

I too really like the polo motor. Rod Emory has taken the development even further and they can generate enormous horsepower now...

[Jeff Trask]

Seems like the Type 4 has come into favor with Rod. I saw one of his latest this morning at C&C and it had a Type 4 installed.

[Pirulero]

Every 911 owner/fanatic/enthusiast should try a 914/6.....especially when you have an original 911/83 210hp engine and Avon cr6zz tyres on it!

All my 911 friends are very warried about my 914 when I come to "club meeting" on track or hillclimb revival!
You can take corner at double speed compared to a 911 ! AMAZING CAR

p.s. mine is 100% street legal, no harness (in Italy is forbidden for street use) or extreme modifications!




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[rower]

Seems like the Type 4 has come into favor with Rod. I saw one of his latest this morning at C&C and it had a Type 4 installed.

I think Rod has done 11 or 12 Polo's so far? Two of them are mine, some of the earliest ones. The type 4 is a less expensive alternative. His polo was the first, in his own car.
I was probably 3rd in the first speedster that had a non original engine from a barn find.

The great thing is no metal is cut. Can be brought back to stock. My outlaw speedster he did has 901 gear box, annular disc brakes, a 901 rear suspension and that polo engine. Really well balanced. Many days I prefer to drive my all original speedster, but for long trips the Polo it is.

[Haasman]

Pirulero Nice hill climb! Truly a fun drive.

[Pirulero]

Thanks Haasman!

That's the hillclimb where Enzo Ferrari made his first race as race driver in 1919!

That mountain are 15 minutes from my home....it's my "personal nurburgring" ahah


My 914 is easier to drive than a 911 at the same speed in the same circumstance and with same engine.....but with a 911 you make more drifting!

My conclusion is that they have 2 different style of drive....but both very very funny

[Pirulero]

The one other thing that strikes me is the seating position in the 914 is so different to the 911 that it gives a whole different driving experience.

Raj

I agree 100%!
It's like a 904/906/908/910/917 seating position....racing style!

[Haasman]

That is so true- Every time I get out of the 914-6 I am always amazed how much lower the bottom of the seat is in proximity to the ground.

I also really enjoy the mid-engine balance in terms of handling. I like the engineering term is low polar moment of inertia. Interestingly, a 944 & 928 has a high polar moment of inertia with the engine in front and the trans-axel in the rear.

[gandalf_025]

I have owned my 914-6 for over 40 years. I have also owned other Porsche's
including a 930 and 2 911's. I still own the six.. And will never sell it.
When you consider there were just over 3000 "real" 914-6's manufactured.
and how many have been lost since then.. It stands to reason the prices
are just going to go up. Limited numbers and little respect in the early years
equals hard to find surviving "matching numbers" cars.
I dealt with 911 snobs back in the early days and to this day, I am still amazed at their ignorance.
Are they as disrespectful of 356's ?? I wonder.. Look at the prices they are bringing
even though they are considered ugly by some and generally very underpowered.

I see the same attitude about other types of bikes from some people that own Harleys..