50 Jahre - the book Options

[bbrock]

I'm about half way through reading my copy of 50 Jahre Porsche 914 by Jürgen Lewandowski. It's a fascinating read with a much more in depth discussion of the development and marketing than I have ever seen before. Anyone who says the 914 is a Porsche in name only has it completely backwards. I've always thought that, but this book makes it clear this car was Porsche's baby through and through. One interesting nugget is that the program committee recommended and then formally agreed that all models of 914 would bear the Porsche hood badge but the proposal was nixed when the cars were released as VW-Porsche. Anyone else read the book? I'm curious about other impressions.

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[Superhawk996]

Never really worried about those that said NARP.

How then do you explain the fact that the whole front suspension from a 911 can be moved over to a 914? Try that on a Beetle!

And then there is that whole 901 transmission thing. It wan't an accident that the transmission bolts right up to a Type 4 (introduced 1968) and a 911 case.

VDO gauges that look more like 911 parts than VW parts?

Semi Trailing arms? Wonder where those came from? VW suspiciously dumped swing axles in 1968. Did VW learn a thing or two about swing axle jacking from Porsche? Hard to say because Corvair was struggling with it around the same time too.

We many never know completely who was helping who but I saw Porsche's fingerprints on it long ago.

[bbrock]

We many never know completely who was helping who but I saw Porsche's fingerprints on it long ago.

You need to get this book. I always thought the same as you - it was obvious from the parts that Porsche at least strongly influenced the design. This book digs into the archives, board meeting minutes, internal memos, the works. It answers many questions we assumed we would never know.

Spoiler Alert for anyone who plans to read the book: VW had zero to do with the design and development of the car. They built them, but they didn't design them. Not only did they have no interest in helping design the 914, they were contracting Porsche to design most of their own cars at the time too. Even the choice of the Type IV engine made perfect sense for a Porsche. Since VW was building the cars, they did influence parts choices to some extent to keep costs down, but I haven't seen any indication those choices ever deviated from Porsche's concept or design specs. For example, Porsche speced 15" wheels and disc brakes front and rear for both /4 and /6 models and VW had 4-lug hubs and discs that fit the bill at less cost. VW tried to get drum brakes on the rear to shave cost, but Porsche wouldn't budge.

I don't think the book puts a date on the famous handshake deal, but Porsche was already seriously discussing a mid-engined entry point sports car in 1964. VW was needed to bring the concept to market.