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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Are 914's really little 917's?
Posted by: second wind Nov 20 2016, 02:21 PM
Just a hint but I went to college in the seventies and live in Topanga, Calif. Out adjusting my headlights last night and saw a friend's truck at the local mountain bar. Stopped in for just a minute and on the way home it hit me! 914's are really little baby 917's!! Lights came out great and boy do these cars handle!! Anyone else feelin' it? gg
Posted by: Steve Nov 20 2016, 02:28 PM
IMHO There closer to a 906 or 904 since both came with a flat six.
Posted by: Catorse Nov 20 2016, 02:42 PM
Uh,.....No
Posted by: mepstein Nov 20 2016, 03:19 PM
Tube frame, 12 cylinder, um no.
Posted by: Rand Nov 20 2016, 03:25 PM
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Nov 20 2016, 03:26 PM
Big fat no! Might want to just pass the bar next time.
Posted by: ripper911 Nov 20 2016, 03:33 PM
Yes!
Posted by: second wind Nov 20 2016, 03:49 PM
Thank you ripper!! You other guys are wound a little tight today.....how about loosening up a bit? Think about it.....mid-engine Porsche in a nice square looking body. I didn't say exactly.....sheesh!!
Posted by: PanelBilly Nov 20 2016, 03:55 PM
Works for me. I'm thinking this is the closest I'll ever get to driving a 917 around town
Posted by: lonewolfe Nov 20 2016, 04:09 PM
There are some similarities! Perhaps the car race drivers drove home after the race.
Posted by: Steve Nov 20 2016, 04:18 PM
It's a known fact the 908 drivers practiced in 914-6GT's before the Monte Carlo race. At least I thought it was that race.
Posted by: Peashooter Nov 20 2016, 04:50 PM
Love Topanga! My daughter lives there up off Topanga Canyon rd. I'd like to drive mine down through there some day!
Posted by: Dion Nov 20 2016, 04:55 PM
Brian Redman practiced for the Targa Florio in 914-6. Theres video some where
of him dancing on those pedals. Pretty amazing.
Ran the race I believe in a 908/3.
Posted by: damesandhotrods Nov 20 2016, 06:09 PM
No. No matter how badly the marketing department would have had you believe otherwise…
Posted by: Elliot Cannon Nov 20 2016, 06:23 PM
In a long race, the 917's carried 700 pounds of fuel. I'm told it didn't handle great till some weight was burned off. On the other hand my 914 handles great regardless of the fuel load. 
Posted by: bandjoey Nov 20 2016, 06:35 PM
I Vote Yes! It's our secret racer on any back road and twisty. Fun and makes me feel out of body racing like the big boys.
I drove a boxster with a 2.7 last week and it's so tame I wouldn't buy one. Drives like a Miata ( 
) and too civilized for me.
Posted by: bulitt Nov 20 2016, 08:40 PM
120mph closing rate on the Mulsanne... 
Posted by: plays with cars Nov 20 2016, 10:58 PM
Sorry have to say 'no'. Having had the opportunity in the last month (twice actually) to see and hear a 917 in person I have say that's it's much different than our beloved 914s. The tube frame construction and that 12 cylinder engine make for quite a different car. Other than mid-engine placement not much similar.
Posted by: eyesright Nov 21 2016, 07:37 AM
Sorry have to say 'no'. Having had the opportunity in the last month (twice actually) to see and hear a 917 in person I have say that's it's much different than our beloved 914s. The tube frame construction and that 12 cylinder engine make for quite a different car. Other than mid-engine placement not much similar.
Okay, no tube frame and needs 8 more cylinders but it looks about the same doesn't it? And easier to get into,...egress and price.
Posted by: sb914 Nov 21 2016, 08:16 AM
Posted by: Tom_T Nov 21 2016, 11:00 AM
Well, for the 2.0 motor at least, 917 engineer Mezger who designed the 917 motor, also had to design the 2.0 because the VW engineers claimed they could only bore/stroke their 1.7 to 1.8 max - but Mezger had other ideas & made it work.
Of course, then VW was happy to put the Mezger 2L flat 4 into their Bay Window busses for a bit more "juice"!
Also, Porsche had loads of racing experience with the Middies from the 550, 718 on up to the 917 (& beyond), & wanted to apply what they knew was better handling to a street car - ergo the 914 4 & 6 was created.
So there are a couple of more 917 ties for the 914s.
Tom
///////
Posted by: second wind Nov 21 2016, 11:44 AM
Thank you sb914.....that picture says it all!! Of course there are some differences ...duh....but big picture and the right mental attitude we are blessed with an awesome similarity.....
gg
Posted by: Mueller Nov 21 2016, 11:47 AM
Sorry have to say 'no'. Having had the opportunity in the last month (twice actually) to see and hear a 917 in person I have say that's it's much different than our beloved 914s. The tube frame construction and that 12 cylinder engine make for quite a different car. Other than mid-engine placement not much similar.
Okay, no tube frame and needs 8 more cylinders but it looks about the same doesn't it? And easier to get into,...egress and price.
Help fund my 2/3 scale 917 engine and you can have a 12 cylinder
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=296565&hl=917*
Posted by: struckn Nov 21 2016, 03:48 PM
A Go Cart is just a little 914.
Posted by: Beebo Kanelle Nov 21 2016, 05:39 PM
Absolutely ! Without a Doubt.
Posted by: rgalla9146 Nov 21 2016, 06:49 PM
They're the same.
Except for the 500 lb, 500 hp. and 50% drag difference.
Posted by: RickS Nov 21 2016, 11:40 PM
And I always thought they were closer to the 550 Spyder without the cool body lines.
Posted by: GeorgeRud Nov 22 2016, 03:17 PM
Or early Boxsters ( the prototype/show car, not the finished product).
l
Posted by: Scott S Nov 22 2016, 06:24 PM
Check out my new 930. I mean, c'mon its pretty much the same....
Attached image(s)
Posted by: ripper911 Nov 22 2016, 09:50 PM
Check out my new 930. I mean, c'mon its pretty much the same....
I might rather drive that than a 930.
But, I've never driven a 930...
Posted by: moldygreg Nov 23 2016, 11:48 AM
Since we're talking 917's.
Got to visit VRM this last Saturday as part of the PCA PNWR. Really amazing cars there.
Pictured here is chassis #17. 4.9L, flat-12. 600+hp. Top speed 220+mph.
Actually appeared in the film 'Le Mans'.
Love the Gulf Livery ... so pretty!
Got to peak in the cockpit; Cannot imagine driving with your feet over the wheels at those speeds!
Posted by: porbmw Nov 23 2016, 11:54 AM
Check out my new 930. I mean, c'mon its pretty much the same....
I might rather drive that than a 930.
But, I've never driven a 930...
I have
The 930, despite naysayers, is rather refined...and has that surge of speed that is pretty awesome....and sounds great.
But the teener....it is light, lithe, nimble, and fun to toss around...
You need some real highway, or track, to truly enjoy the 930....
You get to enjoy the teener on any road/highway/track
Goes back to my favourite saying...."it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow"....
Posted by: Ansbacher Nov 23 2016, 12:46 PM
Thank you ripper!! You other guys are wound a little tight today.....how about loosening up a bit? Think about it.....mid-engine Porsche in a nice square looking body. I didn't say exactly.....sheesh!!
Second Wind: You asked for opinions; people gave them. Then you "sheeshed!" the ones that did not agree with you. So why did you ask the question in the first place? If I made a statement like - A sparrow is just like an eagle because both of them are birds - I would expect sarcastic responses.
Ansbacher
Posted by: Rav914 Nov 23 2016, 03:01 PM
"it's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow"....
The absolute truth; and that's why the 914 fits the bill every time.
Posted by: The Cabinetmaker Nov 23 2016, 03:08 PM
Thank you ripper!! You other guys are wound a little tight today.....how about loosening up a bit? Think about it.....mid-engine Porsche in a nice square looking body. I didn't say exactly.....sheesh!!
Second Wind: You asked for opinions; people gave them. Then you "sheeshed!" the ones that did not agree with you. So why did you ask the question in the first place? If I made a statement like - A sparrow is just like an eagle because both of them are birds - I would expect sarcastic responses.
Ansbacher
I "second" that!
Posted by: second wind Nov 23 2016, 06:11 PM
Hey.....I thought the picture was pretty much what I was talking about, and the 930/bug comparison was down right funny. Lighten up you guys!! Sheesh was a roll of the eyes for not being able to roll with a fun little concept. We're not splitting atoms here. Try to be fun for a change.....plus I totally accept people have their own opinions but don't get mad about it.
gg
Posted by: Rand Nov 23 2016, 06:14 PM
Sheesh dude, we're all just poking fun here. Lighten up. You are starting to sound like 0u812.
Posted by: second wind Nov 23 2016, 06:22 PM
Sheesh dude, we're all just poking fun here. Lighten up. You are starting to sound like 0u812.
You got it!! Happy Thanksgiving to everyone Go Buffs!!
gg
Posted by: Gunn1 Nov 23 2016, 06:25 PM
Sheesh dude, we're all just poking fun here. Lighten up. You are starting to sound like 0u812.
Yeah that guy was wacked
Posted by: My 914 Nov 23 2016, 08:49 PM
As that side by side picture a few posts back shows, they're certainly not siblings but I do think they share some traits from the same gene pool.
Posted by: wayner Nov 24 2016, 05:41 PM
I think they look the same...
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: Seaside6 Mar 16 2017, 10:56 PM
Posted by: Michael N Mar 16 2017, 11:37 PM
Posted by: falcor75 Mar 16 2017, 11:42 PM
Would be awsome to have the number on the side read 916½
Posted by: lonewolfe Mar 16 2017, 11:51 PM
That's the Lemons race car from EASY in Emeryville.
Posted by: My 914 Mar 17 2017, 05:21 AM
I'm glad you posted this ad, even Porsche thought there were similarities.
Posted by: billh1963 Mar 17 2017, 07:37 AM
I'm glad you posted this ad, even Porsche thought there were similarities.
Wish I had a time machine.
Posted by: stownsen914 Mar 17 2017, 08:31 AM
I love 914s, but I love the car on the left even more
Posted by: Marv's3.6six Mar 17 2017, 09:43 AM
Being a teenager in the early seventies I lived in Hermosa Beach around the corner from Vasek Polak Porsche on Pacific Coast Highway. My first exposure to a 914 was to see it sitting on the showroom floor right next to an single seat racer. The similarities were striking, engine in the middle, wheels out on the corners, the size and dimensions being pretty close. Having them side by side like that was a treat and sold me on the 914 forever.
Attached image(s)
Posted by: Larmo63 Mar 17 2017, 11:45 PM
I remember when I first got my first 914 "Speedy" running, in a Walter Mitty sort of way, closing my eyes momentarily, that fine-tuned 1.7 liter fuel injected engine sitting just inches behind me, pushing me ahead of that Camry in the lane next to me, dreaming of bigger and better things to come.......ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Can't a guy fantasize a little?
Posted by: Spoke Mar 18 2017, 08:46 AM
914's are really little baby 917's!!
I agree 100%. We all know that the '60s were the awakening to the benefits of mid-engine race cars. People laughed at Colin Chapman when he brought his little mid-engine car to Indy...until he had success. Then nobody was laughing and all were designing mid-engined race cars.
The 914 was designed in the '60s and I think was a direct result of the mid-engine philosophy sweeping the racing world at that time.
And for those who astute enough to tell an orange from a tangerine, the 914 isn't a 917. However, the same basic layout was applied to the 914 as done in the 917; mid-engine; 2 seats, sleek front end, and a party in the rear. Although the 917 has 12 cylinders to the 914's 4, the 914 does have 4 lugs to a wheel to the 917's one.
The 930 was mentioned previously. Having both a 914 and 930, I'll say the 914 is much more fun to drive than the 930 if for no other reason as that fat ass end of the 930 always wants to race the front end around the curves. My 914 even without any suspension tuning handles so much better than the 930.
The 930 however can plant you in your seat when you hit the throttle. As my daughter said, it feels like riding on a roller coaster.
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