To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys' The Taj Ma
Garaj Collection event, 28 September 2019.
Estimate:
$100,000 - $120,000
- Only 7,712 miles recorded
- Retains it numbers-matching engine
- Delivered new to Southern California
- One of just 3,318 examples built
- Nicely optioned, including rare factory ski rack
Originally launched as a joint venture between Porsche and
Volkswagen on a "handshake agreement," the mid-engined 914
presented what was anticipated to be a satisfactory solution for
both firms. With VW's financial backing, Porsche would sell a new
entry-level two-seat sports car under its own name, one an
inexpensive four-cylinder model, and the other powered by a
slightly de-tuned six from the 911 T but priced well below the 911
and 912. VW would offer a low-cost version of its own to replace
its aging Karmann-Ghia. Porsche laid out a rather novel
Targa-roofed, stamped-steel platform chassis, with basic
box-upon-a-box front-engined styling largely credited to Gugelot
Design GmbH of Neu-Ulm, Germany.
Porsche soon decided that a mid-engined layout offered superior
packaging and handling benefits and moved forward with design
refinements by stylists Butzi Porsche and Heinrich Klie. Their
final design, with retracting headlamps, offered surprisingly less
aero drag than a 911. Visually, there was little to differentiate
between the 914-4 and the 914-6. All the Sixes had chrome bumpers
and black vinyl-covered sail panels on the sides of the Targa
roll-over hoop, which incidentally lent a great deal of extra
rigidity to the body shell. The joint agreement had Karmann
building the finished VW version in Osnabruck, while bodies were
shipped to Porsche in Stuttgart, where the flat-six and its
transaxle would be installed.
However, this agreement collapsed with the unexpected death of
soon-to-retire Volkswagen chief Heinz Nordhoff. His designated
successor, Kurt Lotz, had only been with the firm a short time and
was unaware of Nordhoff's verbal agreement with Porsche. Lotz
refused to acknowledge the financial arrangement and demanded full
rights to the project�unless Porsche assumed a major portion of the
development costs. Porsche had little choice but to agree, but
insisted that VW allow it to sell both versions through its own
dealer network in Europe as "VW-Porsche" and in America as simply
"Porsche." The additional costs to design and build the Six meant
it had to be priced within $400 of the more sophisticated 911 T.
Thus, sales disappointed; only 3,318 examples of the 914-6 were
built before production ended.
This very attractive, numbers-matching example left the factory in
March 1970 and was originally delivered to its first owner by
Porsche-Audi Pacific in Culver City, California, and received its
first service there at 420 miles. From all indications it spent its
entire life in California, as confirmed by an extensive file of
service receipts accompanying the car. Eventually passing hands at
a Sotheby's sale in Beverly Hills, the 914-6 was purchased in 1995
by Mr. Robert Maguire of Los Angeles, with the odometer showing a
mere 5,076 miles. The car was reportedly placed in storage for an
extended period. A comprehensive file of documents supplied with
this car suggests that it may have been briefly owned by Roadsport
in Campbell, California, near San Jose, prior to its acquisition by
John Dixon in July 1999.
Dixon quickly obtained a Certificate of Authenticity, which
revealed that original factory options included a Blaupunkt
Frankfurt AM/FM/SW stereo radio, tinted glass, a leather-wrapped
"Safety" steering wheel, a heavy-duty battery, Bilstein shock
absorbers, ventilated disc brakes, and fog lamps. Dixon then
commissioned a comprehensive cosmetic refurbishment, elevating the
car to a very high standard in its original factory color of Light
Ivory. Mr. Dixon had the original Black leatherette interior
renewed and replaced nearly all the external trim pieces with OEM
items. He then added a number of factory accessories that serve to
enhance this very desirable Targa-roofed sports car. The most
striking was a set of attractive Mahle "gas burner" light-alloy
wheels to replace the original painted steel wheels, which were
standard fitment. These were fitted with new Michelin 165 HR-15 XAS
radial tires. Another delightful period accessory is the
roof-mounted ski rack with a pair of dedicated Porsche-labeled "Mt.
Everest Series" skis bearing German tri-color stripes and a 914-6
logo. The skis are mounted with Tyrolia 250 bindings.
Close examination of this wonderful "Six" reveals the exterior,
interior, front, and rear trunk spaces and engine bay are in
as-new, immaculate condition. The odometer reads just 7,712 miles,
which the included documentation confirms as the correct total.
Along with the CoA and a copy of the factory Kardex, the car is
supplied with an original passenger carpeted footrest (the
passenger seat is non-adjustable), a pair of floor mats,
footwell-mounted speakers, a car cover, an original jack that was
properly restored, a spare Mahle wheel and tire, and tool kit. An
instruction sheet for mounting the ski rack is included, along with
an original owner's manual and warranty ID card in a maroon vinyl
slipcase. Also included is a 1:43-scale model of the 914-6 in the
identical color.
Finding a great, low-mileage 914-6 in this condition is almost
unheard of today, as so many "Sixes" have been converted to racing
platforms. This museum-quality example would be a perfect candidate
for Porsche club events and presents an opportunity not to be
overlooked.To view this car and others currently consigned to this
auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/tg19.
