With over 1,000 Porsche cars to choose from at this year’s Rennsport Reunion, it was never going to be easy picking the one I’d like to squeeze into my carry-on bag for the flight home. A 917 racecar seems a pretty good choice, until considering that having more than 1,000-bhp could limit my time here on earth.
Now whether you’re driving on road or track, cars justdon’t get any prettier than the Porsche 904, the company’s wildly successful mid-engine racing car from the early-1960s. Until this weekend, I could count all the times I’d seen a 904 on one hand. At Rennsport, they suddenly seemed as common as Camrys (no offense to those 904 owners!).
Keeping budget and usability in mind, I finally decided that I had to grab the keys to a gorgeous orange 914-6 mid-engine coupe I found sitting in the paddock.Developed between VW and Porsche, the business side of the 914 soured, but the result was a huge sales success for Porsche. At least that was the case with the cheaper 914s powered by a flat-4 cylinder engine – originally an 80-bhp 1.7-liter.
This car, as it turns out, is something a bit more special. As a very early 914-6, equipped with a more powerful flat-6 engine, the car has subtle differences from the later production versions. Though you’d have to be one serious Porschephile to notice that interior trim, such as the shape of the rear-view mirror, isn’t quite what you’d find on other 914s.
That’s fine with me. In fact, even the base engine would be okay. Granted, a 2011 Fiat 500 has about 20 percent more power. Yet the promise of that mid-engine balance, the car’s light weight (little more than 2,000 lbs.), and that minimalist exterior make me want to start bartering my suitcase full of hotel soap for a chance to take a 914 home. Any takers?
- The Porsche 911: Born To Race »
- Porsche 911: Evolution of a Racing Icon »
- Legendary Porsche 911 Racing Teams »
Exclusive Porsche 911 Poster
- 911: Evolution of a Racing Icon »
A beautiful poster printed on high-quality 80-lb. stock and featuring the illustrations of Paul Laguette covers the evolution of the 911.
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