1970 Porsche 914-6 - Restored and Upgraded!

1970 Porsche Other Description

1970 Porsche 914-6
s/n 9140431367
Adriatic Blue with Black Interior

The Porsche 914 had it rough as the result of a fling between Porsche and Volkswagen in the 1960s, when both companies were looking to launch a small sports car in their model lines. VW would get the four-cylinder version, the 914-4, while the six-cylinder 914-6 would be Porsche’s baby. In the end, all variations of 914 were sold as Porsches in the US, but there’s only one whose value keeps rising consistently: the 914-6.
The cars were exceptionally well balanced. Their mid-engined layout avoided the weight transfer issues under deceleration which troubled the 911, and the 356 before that. Surprisingly spacious inside, the 914-6 platform accommodates a large driver, and considerable luggage in the frontal storage area. The immensely valuable competition variant, the 914-6 GT, exhibited a number of performance features including steel box-flairs, larger wheels and tires, and considerable more power than the standard 2.0L street car. The GTs proved successful on both side of the Atlantic, particularly in endurance events, given their easy-to-drive nature, coupled with Porsche’s reliability.
When new, this particular 914-6 was finished in Adriatic Blue with black leatherette interior, and optioned with round white fog lights, tinted glass, light metal wheels, and Finland equipment (odometer in kilometers), as it was sold new to Finland. Originally equipped with a 2.0L flat-six engine as all 914-6s were, this example is now fitted with a twin spark 2.5L magnesium case engine, steel factory GT box-flairs front and rear, wider alloy wheels, a competition-type Scheel driver’s seat, and many other options. The end product is a car which very closely emulates the 914-6 GT.
The tasteful upgrades go well beyond the cosmetics. The engine is a factory supplied non-stamped 1970 magnesium case that has been race-built with 2.5L Twin Plug 914-GT specifications in mind. The gearbox is a modified side shift transmission with taller gearing to match the performance of the engine. All parts were replaced or restored as necessary. Further service and sorting under the current and previous ownership periods has been performed by Don Wise’s Autowerks in Campbell, California, and Hi-Tec Automotive in San Rafael, California, and receipts on file for this work total just over $20,000. When checked in April of 2015 (at 870 miles indicated) leak down readings were just 1% across all six cylinders. A full mechanical specification follows:
Engine:
Rebuilt 1970 2,5L Twin Plug 914/6 GT Spec Engine
911S Crank
911S Camshaft
911S Pistons/Cylinders
Rebuilt Weber 40 IDTP Carburetors
New Throttle Rod + Linkage
New K&N Air Cleaners
New JB Racing Twin Plug Distributor
New MSD Street Fire CDI Boxes
New MSD Coils
New Magnacore Spark Plug Wires
New MSD Tach Drive
Patrick Motorsports Oil Filler
NOS OEM German Flywheel
New Sachs Pressure Plate
New Sachs Clutch
New Clutch Cable
New Accelerator Cable
New Pulley Halves
New Fuel Pump
New Fuel Regulator
All New hardware
NOS Upper Valve Covers
All New Hoses
New Exhaust
New Headers
New Oil Lines
Powder Coated tin
Restored gas tank
Transmission:
Rebuilt dog leg Shift 5 Speed transmission
Taller racing gears
All new shift bushings
New fluid
Restored linkage
Wheels/Suspension/Brakes:
Restored 7/8 Fuchs
Rebuilt 911S Brake Calipers
New Master Cylinder
New Wheel Cylinders
New Brake Pads
Resurfaced Drilled Rotors
New OEM Lug nuts
New Ball Joints
New Koni Shocks Front/Rear
New E-Brake Cable
215/60 R 15 GT Spec Tires
Electrical:
Completely Overhauled Wiring Harness
All new Bulbs + Bulb holders
Restored 10K RPM Tachometer
Restored 300km Speedometer
Rebuilt Combination Gauge
New ground cables
New Alternator
New Starter
New Battery
New ignition switch
New hi/low turn signal switch
New Wiper switch
Interior
Original interior with the following exceptions:
Restored Passenger Seat
Restored Scheel Driver’s seat
New carpets
New trunk carpet front/rear
New aluminum door sill covers
Exterior
Bare metal frame/body restoration
Completely rust free chassis
Single stage Adriatic blue (16) paint
Original HELLA euro spec turn lenses
Original HELLA euro spec tail lights
Original HELLA H4 Headlights
Original ‘behind the grill’ foglamps
Original Glass all around
The car has a nice driver presentation. It is structurally solid and straight with good body fitment. The flairs are steel, and properly integrated. While not without flaws from age and use, the paintwork maintains a reasonably strong appearance. The brightwork is straight and shows only light aging in select areas, and the car sits on beautifully polished alloy wheels. The interior also makes a strong impression, and save for some wear on the driver’s seat bolster, and some light weathering to the dash top, it is generally excellent. The underside is exceedingly clean, and the engine bay is spotless, with a professional performance-oriented presentation.
The car is enjoyable to drive aggressively. It has responsive and predictable handling characteristics. The twin-spark 2.5L engine provides the acceleration many enthusiasts find missing from a bone-stock 914-6. The brakes are effective, and for those with accurate fingertips, the dog-leg 5-speed transmission shifts beautifully.
Cars in their original configuration are certainly desirable, but this particular 914-6 will garner the attention of the Porsche driving enthusiast who values performance over originality. Whether for track days, high speed touring and rally events, or as an everyday driver, this restored and well sorted example is sure see many miles of service under its next custodianship.