Join the new world

The world of cars is wonderful. That because we have people who are not afraid to do stuff with and to their cars. And then there are those who normal bloke calls complete lunatics. The most special, fun to drive and just incredible machines are usually born thanks to them. The following story is about one old 914/4, what got a second chance at life. By the hands of one crazy guy.



By the end of the sixties Volkswagen and Porsche were in serious need for new models. They developed the 914 in cooperation. It was supposed to be the entry level Porsche, the affordalbe one. The dream of affordability was broken however when Porsche’s CEO died and VW started asking money for producing rolling bodies despite the prior verbal agreement not to do so. Thanks to that the models are divided to two: Porsche made 914/6 and 914/4, some of which were branded Volkswagen depending on markets. The main difference (as the names also suggest) is in the cylinder count. All rolling bodies were produced in Karmann’s factory. 914/6-s got transported to Porsche for final assembly. 914/4-s were compleded on the spot.



This very car started it’s life back in 1970 as 914/4. I said started because there isn’t much left from original car. It was a wreck for years, but some time ago it got bought and the new owner was determined to build the ideal driving machine for his needs. Original 4-pot motor got swapper with 2.0 litre 6-cylinder boxer. The latter is extensively modified, the power output is 381 hp and 348 Nm. That’s insane considering the first models to roll off the production lines only made 78 hp. And despite all this trickery they somehow managed to keep the engine naturally aspirated. The gods of car world are pleased.



Most of the extra unwanted weight has been cut as well. It is only 837 kg. Wheel arches were made wider, inspired by the GT model. There’s a completely rebuilt suspension setup, with new geometry and full adjustability. There are new brakes, obviously. The old ones used to turn into complete butter after few laps, so they didn’t make it on to the new suspension. They won’t be missed. Tyres are a complete nightmare in wet, but they come to life in dry. The speed you can carry with these in to the corners is like nothing else. Also I have to say, those ATS rims are mint.



Enough of the talk, how does it drive? Well, low weight and high power output make it rather fast, like surface-to-air missle fast. 0-62 in six seconds, according to owner. Seemed to be even faster. Top speed? Should be around 155 mph. The sound of the car is menacing. Revs go all the way to 9000, by then your spinal cord is melting. It deafens you earlier.
The new brakes make the car stop from 62 mph in three seconds. To put that in perspective, you have to hit a tree to stop faster.



Can’t complain about suspension as well, at least on closed track. It is very balanced and neutral. Like riding on magic carpet. It can a bit stiff on longer journeys, but that’s how it’s meant to be. This 914/4 is the king of a ring. A car for a driver. 5-speed dog-leg is also a positive extra. Steering feel is good, pedals are on the harder side. Maybe the cluch needs too much work to drive it daily, but then and there, on track, it felt perfect.



I have always liked to think that if you let people who love cars near cars, wonderful and special machines will be born. This 914/4 is just like proof of it. Hats off, this very car made me love one of Porsche’s models for which I didn’t have a sweet spot before. I mean it, hats off…