1970 Porsche 914 /6 Roadster – Exterior and Interior – Motorworld Classics Bodensee 2022

It looked almost identical to the entry-level 914, yet it carried a six-cylinder engine taken straight from the 911. Praised by drivers for its balance and sound, the Porsche 914 /6 was caught between worlds: too expensive for a “Volks-Porsche” and too unconventional for traditional Porsche buyers. Its short life tells a revealing story about ambition, identity, and missed opportunity.

Technical Details:

The Porsche 914 /6 was technically a very different car from the four-cylinder 914 /4, despite their near-identical appearance. At its core was a mid-mounted, air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine derived from the Porsche 911 T. With a displacement of just under two liters, the naturally aspirated engine produced 110 PS in road-going form, delivering power through a five-speed manual gearbox. The mid-engine layout gave the 914 /6 a low polar moment of inertia, contributing to the sharp handling and excellent directional stability frequently praised by owners. Disc brakes were fitted at all four wheels, using a dual-circuit system that matched the car’s sporting intent. The chassis offered a well-balanced weight distribution, and drivers noted its precise turn-in and predictable behavior at the limit. In motorsport trim, particularly in the 914 /6 GT and rally versions, the technical envelope expanded significantly. Competition cars were fitted with heavily tuned six-cylinder engines producing up to 220 PS, triple carburetors, limited-slip differentials, reinforced targa roof structures, and additional fuel capacity using both front and rear luggage compartments. These modifications underlined how much untapped potential the basic platform offered.

• Manufacturer: Porsche
• Model Name: Porsche 914 /6
• Year of Manufacturing: 1970–1972

Design:

From the outside, the Porsche 914 /6 was deliberately understated. Its wedge-shaped body, pop-up headlights, and clean surfaces reflected late-1960s design thinking, but the six-cylinder version differed from the Porsche 914 /4 only in small details. Specific wheel designs and a discreet “914 /6” badge at the rear were the main visual clues. This subtlety became a double-edged sword: elegant to some, anonymous to others. The removable targa roof panel defined the car’s profile and added versatility, allowing open-air driving without compromising structural rigidity too severely. Inside, the cabin was functional and driver-focused, with upright seating, clear instrumentation, and a characteristic dog-leg gearshift pattern that emphasized its sporting nature. The low seating position and wide sills reinforced the sensation of sitting within the car rather than on top of it. In racing form, flared fenders, wider wheels, and aggressive tires transformed the Porsche 914 /6 into a far more extroverted machine, visually aligning it with its dynamic abilities.

Historical Significance:

Development of the Porsche 914 was rooted in cooperation between Porsche and Volkswagen, a partnership that shaped both its engineering and its public perception. Built in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, the Porsche 914 /6 represented Porsche’s first production mid-engine sports car, a configuration that would later define models such as the Boxster and Cayman. However, pricing proved problematic. The Porsche 914 /6 cost nearly as much as a contemporary 911 S, making it a difficult sell for customers who could choose the more powerful and prestigious rear-engined model instead. Despite excellent reviews and acknowledged driving qualities, only 3,338 examples were sold. Production ended just two years after launch. In competition, the car showed what it could do. The Porsche 914 /6 GT achieved notable endurance racing successes, including a class win and sixth overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, as well as a triple victory at the 86-hour Marathon de la Route at the Nürburgring. A final factory-supported appearance at the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally resulted in a third-place finish, respectable but insufficient to justify continued investment.

Quirks and Pop Culture:

Among enthusiasts, the Porsche 914 /6 is often described as misunderstood. Its mid-engine layout, rarity, and understated looks have fueled a long-standing reputation as an insider’s Porsche. Only a small fraction of the roughly 119,000 Porsche 914s produced were six-cylinder versions, making the Porsche 914 /6 especially sought after today. The car’s removable targa roof and distinctive shifting pattern contribute to a driving experience often compared to a road-legal kart. In motorsport and enthusiast circles, figures such as Jeff Zwart have helped keep the model’s reputation alive through historic rallies and storytelling. Another lesser-known footnote is the use of a Porsche 914 as Formula 1’s first official safety car at the 1973 Canadian Grand Prix, adding an unexpected chapter to its legacy. The mixed VW-Porsche badging used in Europe also sparked identity debates that persist in classic car discussions today.

Display and preservation:

The vehicle was exhibited at Motorworld Classics Bodensee in 2022. This event, held in Friedrichshafen, is a popular gathering for classic car enthusiasts in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The 2022 edition featured over 800 exhibitors spread across multiple halls and open-air spaces, offering a vibrant mix of vintage automobiles, motorcycles, boats, and aircraft. Visitors could explore restoration workshops, parts markets, and club presentations. A key highlight was the live vehicle auctions and dynamic driving demonstrations on the event grounds. The show reaffirmed its reputation as a hands-on celebration of classic mobility culture.

Conclusion:

The Porsche 914 /6 combined sophisticated engineering with restrained design and genuine motorsport credibility. Its mid-engine layout, six-cylinder sound, and balanced handling made it a rewarding car to drive, even if market realities worked against it. Overshadowed by the 911 and visually too similar to the cheaper 914 /4, it struggled commercially but succeeded dynamically. Today, the Porsche 914 /6 stands as an instructive example of how innovation, branding, and pricing can shape a car’s fate as much as its engineering.