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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ 914 GT at le Mans 1970
Posted by: johannes Mar 21 2012, 03:52 AM
Theese are rare footages of the Porsche 914 GT at Le Mans 1970.
The car was prepared by the french importer Sonauto. It finished sixth and won the GT class, beating all the 911.
It was driven by Guy Chasseuil & Claude Ballot-Léna.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgkDHvDwU0Q
The BW shots are from French TV archive.
The Color shots are from Automobile Club official Film (Not the Steve McQueen Movie)
This is edited from copyrighted material. I will make this video available for a limited time and I won't provide any copy.
The color film only shows a few seconds of 914. It can be watched for free here:
http://www.ina.fr/sport/auto-moto/video/VDD11014513/24-heures-du-mans-auto1970-film-officiel.fr.html
The 45mn BW video is not free. It shows a lot of 917 and about 2min (what I edited) of 914. It can be previewed and purchased here:
http://www.ina.fr/video/CPF07003554/24-heures-du-mans-course-de-jour.fr.html
Posted by: bulitt Mar 21 2012, 04:32 AM
Imagine a 100mph closing rate between a 914 and a 917. 
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: johannes Mar 21 2012, 07:38 AM
I read an Interview of Claude Ballot-Léna. The weather was mostly awefull. Thanks to the narrow tyres the car was more controlable than the prototypes that had to face aquaplaning.
Chasseuil and Ballot-Léna had a lot of fun when it was raining.
When the track was dry they were so bored at the Mulsane straight that they lightened cigarettes and smoked while driving.
They hid the cigarette under the seat when they knew they could be spotted by the marshals.
http://www.caradisiac.com/Claude-Ballot-Lena-le-roman-d-un-baroudeur-page-50805.htm
Posted by: JmuRiz Mar 21 2012, 08:35 AM
Cool video, thanks.
The 914/6GT looks a lot more racey than the skinny-tall looking 911s doesn't it?
Posted by: krazykonrad Mar 21 2012, 11:58 AM
Thanks! That is a great video. 
Does anybody know the story of the light(?) on the 914's roof?
Konrad
Posted by: URY914 Mar 21 2012, 12:06 PM
Thanks! That is a great video.
Does anybody know the story of the light(?) on the 914's roof?
Konrad
Back then there were no lights on the track so it was pitch dark at night. The light on the roof helped to ID the cars as they came by the pits and the scoring and pit signage station.
Posted by: Gustl Mar 21 2012, 12:39 PM
cool video - thanks for sharing !!!
Posted by: billh1963 Mar 21 2012, 12:48 PM
Don't show this to my 911 brethren on Pelican or other forums. They will have a fit. 
Posted by: abnrdo Mar 21 2012, 02:42 PM
Way cool!!
Posted by: ClayPerrine Mar 21 2012, 06:25 PM
Don't show this to my 911 brethren on Pelican or other forums. They will have a fit.
You should show it to them. The 914-6 GT beat all of the GT cars in the race with bigger engines and it finished ahead of a bunch of prototypes too. The only thing replaced on that car during the race were tires, brake pads, gasoline and drivers.
The nearest 911 was 3 whole laps behind. And the winning 917 was only 53 laps ahead.
Not A Real Porsche? BAH! This seems to prove that statement wrong.
Posted by: beech4rd Mar 21 2012, 07:10 PM
Great video. Merci bien.
Posted by: 1970 Neun vierzehn Mar 21 2012, 07:34 PM
Thanks for sharing what must be a rather obscure video. I've read that the 914/6 beating all the 911 entries rankled some folks in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. Today, the Porsche press makes sure that Porsche gets exposure when they win a GT class, eventhough there is no overall victory. Sorta the way it was up until the 908-917 steamroller. Surely, the 1970 overall LeMans victory was something to be justly proud of, even more meaningful as it was Porsches' 1st outright win at that famed circuit. Sadly, that victory eclipsed the GT winning entry of the SONAUTO team.
Thanks again for finding that clip and sharing it with us. 
Paul
Posted by: mskala Mar 21 2012, 07:54 PM
... The only thing replaced on that car during the race were tires, brake pads, gasoline and drivers.
I had always heard they never replaced brakes throughout the race. Weren't
they using 908 brakes with a thick pad?
Posted by: stuttgart46 Mar 22 2012, 06:29 AM
Cool video.
I love the shot of the E-Type pulled off to the side and the driver looking in the trunk. Do you think it was an electrical issue?
Posted by: johannes Mar 22 2012, 06:30 AM
Cool video.
I love the shot of the E-Type pulled off to the side and the driver looking in the trunk. Do you think it was an electrical issue?
What E-type ? This is a 911
Posted by: stuttgart46 Mar 22 2012, 11:30 AM
At the 1:01 marker. It may be a 911 now that I watched it again. That's what I get for watching it without my glasses.
Posted by: johannes Mar 22 2012, 11:35 AM
Cool video.
I love the shot of the E-Type pulled off to the side and the driver looking in the trunk. Do you think it was an electrical issue?
What E-type ? This is a 911
In the original footage they zoom on the car and you clearely see its a 911. BTW no E-type ran that year (in 1970 this was already an old car)
Posted by: jdamiano Jun 15 2018, 12:48 PM
Found this today and thought it was worth a bump. I wish I spoke French so I could understand the commentary.
Posted by: Mr. Olympic Blue 2 You Jun 15 2018, 02:22 PM
1st time I've seen this so thanks for bumping. The sense of speed is hard to translate in a lot of videos- but it was clear to me the drivers had the pedal down in the 914! Fun watch.
For those who didn't know, the 2018 race is this weekend and it will be televised on velocity channel.
Here's to the return of the Pink Pig!
Posted by: championgt1 Jun 15 2018, 06:41 PM
That is awesome!
Posted by: carr914 Jun 15 2018, 08:20 PM
Sticky Material here with the Video!
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jun 15 2018, 08:28 PM
1st time I've seen this so thanks for bumping. The sense of speed is hard to translate in a lot of videos- but it was clear to me the drivers had the pedal down in the 914! Fun watch.
For those who didn't know, the 2018 race is this weekend and it will be televised on velocity channel.
Here's to the return of the Pink Pig!
The Pink Schweine courtesy of Manthey Racing Team over at the 24 Hr this weekend. They even decorated their pit area and rollaway toolboxes in 1970's looking patina
Here's number 40 Sonauto 
over at MSDS in the '80s getting some custom 1/2 cage work done for the Porsche Parade held in Colorado . Although there are many #40 " Tribute" cars... this is the real deal ; it was purchased from Claude and is still held in private USA ownership. A couple years ago I also did some custom tube bending fab ( driver's seat frame ) for the #46 356 that won its class (and the first 24Hr LeMans) Porsche victory in 1951 
Posted by: sbsix Jun 15 2018, 08:37 PM
9140431020 VIN.
If memory serves me.
Posted by: jfort Jun 16 2018, 06:06 AM
I’m at Mosport this weekend crewing for Jay Kjoller’s IMSA 911. A few 914’s are racing. Looking good and holding their own.
Posted by: wndsrfr Jun 16 2018, 06:24 AM
I’m at Mosport this weekend crewing for Jay Kjoller’s IMSA 911. A few 914’s are racing. Looking good and holding their own.
I'm at Indy with SVRA....I'm in group 12, two 914's in group 8... Britt & Lenahan...racing today & tomorrow...yeehaaa...
Posted by: 914_teener Jun 16 2018, 05:07 PM
Porsche.
1.2.3. 8th hour GT class.
Posted by: lalee914 Jun 16 2018, 05:48 PM
A certain well known World member is at LeMans this weekend. Can't wait till he gets back with his photos & stories...
Posted by: JmuRiz Jun 16 2018, 07:55 PM
The Pink Schweine courtesy of Manthey Racing Team over at the 24 Hr this weekend. They even decorated their pit area and rollaway toolboxes in 1970's looking patina
Here's number 40 Sonauto over at MSDS in the '80s getting some custom 1/2 cage work done for the Porsche Parade held in Colorado . Although there are many #40 " Tribute" cars... this is the real deal ; it was purchased from Claude and is still held in private USA ownership. A couple years ago I also did some custom tube bending fab ( driver's seat frame ) for the #46 356 that won its class (and the first 24Hr LeMans) Porsche victory in 1951 
Amazing stuff!
Posted by: dr.tim Jun 16 2018, 11:19 PM
Amazing stuff!
Indeed. A piece of history being towed by a Volvo 245!
Posted by: Maltese Falcon Jun 16 2018, 11:32 PM
Amazing stuff!
Indeed. A piece of history being towed by a Volvo 245!
Volvo = just enough towing torque
Thanks / Merci Johannes for posting up these vids
We are at 2/3 through This weekend's LeMans 24...Porsche RSR's looking real good
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