1974 Porsche 914-3.2

OVERVIEW

1974 Porsche 914 3.2
VIN: 474429115121

This audacious 914 project began in July of 2006 when Mike Tobey purchased this 914 from Craig Laughlin of Camp 914 in Portland, Oregon. The 914 had already been converted to a 2.0 liter six with a dry sump oiling system, but Tobey wanted something more. By September he had completely disassembled the car and began planning its next iteration. To bring his vision to life Tobey chose A&M Deluxe Customs of Cornelius, Oregon to get busy with the bodywork.

The list of changes to the stock body is extensive and goes a little something like this: all-metal GT fender flares front and rear, 2" roof chop with steel hardtop, pop-up headlight delete, door handles filled, trunk opener filled, wiper air vent filled, antenna and windshield squirters filled, custom steel rocker panels, and a whole lot more. The metalwork would consume almost 22 months. The nose and tail are 916 replicas, and you may notice the headlights are now placed 935-style in the front valance.

With the bodywork headed to the stratosphere it made sense to step up and make the drivetrain as spectacular as the body. A 3.2 Carrera long block was chosen and rebuilt to stock specs by Dick Elverud, who is well known northwest Porsche engine building circles. He topped the engine with brand-new Weber 40mm triple throat carbs sitting on a pair PMO intake manifolds. The power plant was then mated with a modified late 915 transaxle with WEVO side-shift linkage.

The result of the engine upgrade is 200hp and 197 ft/lbs of torque at the wheels driving a car that weighs only 2150 lbs wet. To handle a 220% increase of power from stock, the 914 was fitted with hardware from Elephant Racing including coil-over Bilsteins front and rear, raised spindles, and poly bronze suspension components to replace the rubber. To shrug off the speed now capable by this 914 hot rod a set of big 930 brakes were installed from Tobey's 1982 Turbo. Rothsport Racing supplied the axles, 930 adapters, 930 hubs, and cv joints. To fill the yawning fender cavities 7x16 Fuchs wearing 225/50-16s were chosen for the front, and massive 11x16 Fuchs with 265/45-16s at the rear.

In the end the only parts of the car that remained untouched were the master cylinder and rear deck lid. With 3,900 miles on the clock since its completion all the teething pains have been sorted and seen to. What remains is a very streetable, one-of-kind Porsche 914 with sinister looks and performance to match.