OVERVIEW
1970 Porsche 914-6
VIN: 9140430300
Early production 914-6, one of 3,338 ever produced
Extremely period-correct restoration
Extensive list of rare and NOS parts used
Matching numbers 2.0 liter flat six engine with 5-speed manual transmission
Previously owned and restored by Bernd Buschen
With the Porsche 912 phased out from the model lineup with the new 911 taking the spotlight, Porsche was in need to add another model to their brand. When talks began between Porsche and Volkswagen to build a joint-venture vehicle, the Porsche 914 was born. However, before production even began communication between Porsche and Volkswagen started to deteriorate which drove up the price for Porsche to build the new model. While the much cheaper 914/4 sold well over 115,000 units worldwide, only 3,338 examples of the more exclusive and powerful 914/6 were produced and were only sold between 1970 and 1972.
This 914-6 would begin its restoration path in the hands of Jack Kimoto in 2007, when the Porsche received a correct respray in factory Light Ivory Glasurit paint. Marco Gerace of TLG Porsche Repair would then become the next owner of the 914-6 in 2008, purchasing the car from Kimoto and ended up doing very little to the car in the 4 years he owned it. With an indicated 56,000 miles on the car in 2012, Bernd Buschen (lifetime Porsche Technician and owner of European Autowerke) purchased the car with the intent of restoring the Porsche from the ground up.
Buschen began by removing every single component from the chassis so that only a bare shell remained. Determining that the paint was in excellent condition, the 4-year restoration process began. With the attention to detail being enormously important, it's no surprise that the car's restoration used many rare parts that had to be searched for. With Buschen's vision being a factory-correct 914-6, every detail down to the smallest switch needed to be according to specification. A few highlights of rare and/or new old stock 914-6 parts used during the restoration include a NOS Sigla windshield, a correct NOS heel pad with new perlon carpet, chrome surround interior light (specific to 914-6 cars), a NOS factory 914-6 Leistritz Muffler, Boge front struts with are unique to 914-6s and are painted correctly in grey, NOS seat belt receivers and restored belts, and a correct center console, passenger foot rest, with a correct 914-6 steering wheel.
The mechanicals were given the same undying attention to detail, with the numbers matching engine and transmission rebuilt completely using all correct factory parts, fasteners and finishes. The Weber carburetors were fully rebuilt, tuned to factory spec and paired to correct dated-coded intake manifolds and the throttle positioner while the Marelli distributor was serviced and set to the proper advance. Factory heat exchangers were cleaned and ceramic coated, while a brand new factory NOS 914-6 muffler was fitted with the correct chrome tail pipe. The suspension, brakes and wheels were also addressed and brought to the same concours-level of the rest of the car. Correct Michelin tires, Harvey Weidman refinished 14x5.5" Fuchs, Bilstein shocks in the rear and new inserts in the front compliment all new bushings throughout. 914-6 calipers were disassembled and rebuilt and all new brake lines were fitted, finishing off the mechanicals of this excellent-driving 914-6.
The 914-6's interior is equally stunning, as new by Steve Shepp of Classic Interior Restoration, using rare NOS heel pads fitted to a new correct perlon carpet, houndstooth seat inserts, rare center console, passenger foot rest, sun visors, gauges refinished by Palo Alto Speedometer, restored seat belts with NOS seat belt receivers, and a correct 914-6 steering wheel. One of the exceptional highlights is the 1970's NOS Sigla-tinted front windshield, and the rare heated rear window.
Once the restoration was completed, approximately 200 miles were added to the 914-6 before being offered for sale. The most recent owner added less than 200 miles during his ownership before the Porsche arrived at Canepa. Upon arrival, the car was meticulously inspected and given an excellent review of its aesthetics and mechanicals. The Porsche was first given a thorough cleaning both underneath and up top, ensuring all compartments and crevices were spotless. It was then given only the slightest amount of polish with foam pads to make the Light Ivory paint sparkle. With its mechanicals previously sorted and addressed, this 914-6 is a dream to drive. With Porsche 914-6s given more power, options and having a low production number, this 914-6 represents one of the top-tier examples that will without a doubt increase in value over the coming years.
