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Old 07-24-2017, 03:51 PM   #12
Sapphireho
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Maybe OP was initially pointing out how, like our cars, the 914 was a joint effort between two car companies. It was a joint effort between gigantic VW and little family owned (at the time) Porsche. Although they did not produce two different looking cars, just one. The 914 was initially intended to replace the Karman Gia as the VW sport model. When released in Europe, people didn't see it as a better VW, but as a lesser Porsche and sales were very weak. That is why they decided to take the "VW Porsche" emblems off for the image conscious US market and sell them just as an entry level Porsche. The 914-4, as stated above did not have a Porsche crest, and also had the key start on the right of the steering column.

Porsche did make the 914-6. Is was 100% Porsche built. It did have a crest on the hood and had the Porsche trademark key start on the left dash. They only made about 3k of them.

Porsche did toy with the idea of building the 916. It was basically a box flared 914. I think they built like 3 prototypes. The idea was canned because:

1. They needed successful sales in the US. The US market really doesn't want true sports cars, but luxury cars that go fast. It needed a/c to sell in the US. To add a/c ment moving the fire wall so no one over about 5' 6" could fit.

2. It would cost about the same as a 911 but looked too much like it's cheaper 914 cousin.

This concludes the Porsche 914 history lesson of the day.
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