Old Porsche, Don't see many of these.... Options

[914junkie]

Those pictures look like they were taken after 1977 and it has a "for sale" sign in the window so if it's the same car he must have changed his mind about selling it.
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[Lavanaut]

I suspect this is the same car. It is one of the first 904s to be built, #904-002.

Oh my. Those pictures are absolutely incredible. Thanks for posting them.

[ArtechnikA]

I shoot the interview today with that guy as soon as I cut the show I will let every one take a look and yes I shoot the engine bay. The car is real its a prototype
has a 6 not a 4

If it's George, say hi for me, although I doubt he will remember my name.

(And yes, Vern Covert's car was red when I saw it.)

[degreeoff]

OK I'll say it......I think its butt fugly! I know I am the only one......lol I see why it never had a big run. On the flip though it is an A+ for uniqueness

[ArtechnikA]

I see why it never had a big run.

It was Porsche's first experience with fiberglass. You get the feeling they were looking at the Corvette saying "how hard could it be?" So the fabrication was quite expensive and heavy. The ladder frame was pretty flexible.

So add to that the cost and complexity of the 2-liter 4-cam and it was just impossibly expensive for a road car. It did fit the FIA homologation rules for GT cars, as there is a teeny 'luggage area' up front sized to -exactly- fit the "FIA Standard Suitcase." But it was never really competitive, so it didn't sell well to racers either.

And by this time the handwriting was on the wall for the 901 as it was then known. 904 was an interesting placeholder car in the line. Almost seemed like it was done to provide an alternative to the Abarth Carrera which used the same engine.

Having been around them both, I almost think I'd prefer the Abarth, but as they're both serious mid-six-figure cars, I don't spend much time dreaming about either one.

I will say that if you can find a copy of the Panorama article in which Vern and Ada Covert decided to just go touring in their car and spent about a year on the road just driving around, north in the summer, south in the winter (with a miniature Dachsund!) it is a classic. -That- I do spend some time dreaming about - the freedom to spend a year on the road driving a really cool car.

[Richard Casto]

Close to 30 years ago when I first started autocrossing and also fell in love and puchased my first 914, we used to autocross at a facility owned by Henry Payne. Henry was a Porsche collector and had a 904, 906, 907, 908 and a 910. He passed away last year.

Anyhow, I was very young and not very knowledgeable of Porsche history and Henry would occasionally autocross the 904 (904-066). I didn't know the importance or rarity of that car at that time. If I knew then what I know now, I would have enjoyed the experience a lot more.

[TJB/914]

I love 904's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

Many years ago when I finished my restoration some plus (10) years ago I went to my first auto show and hooked up with this original 904. We were Porsche featured on the hill at the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance show. I was new to Porsche & didn't know how rare this car was. The owner was a long time owner with the 6-cyl engine in it. I sat in it and he offered me a ride, along with the life history of the car. If only I knew what I know today (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) I think the guy still has the 904 and it's only comes out on rare occasions, "to old to soon to dumb to know at the time" I ask myself many times, why didn't I take more pictures??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Tom

[jim_hoyland]

If he got it in 1977, it is probably real
Ugly color though...it should be silver.
Did you get any shots of the engine bay?
Rich

I shoot the interview today with that guy as soon as I cut the show I will let every one take a look and yes I shoot the engine bay. The car is real its a prototype
has a 6 not a 4

Glad you guys got the interview and more pictures. I sensed there is more to this story.

How can we see the interview ? Can you post it on YouTube ?

[IronHillRestorations]

Iteresting! I'm 180 from Degreeoff, the 904 is probably my favorite Porsche, several elements from that car were carried over to the 914.

I've even considered getting one of the good kits.

[JFJ914]

I see why it never had a big run.

So add to that the cost and complexity of the 2-liter 4-cam and it was just impossibly expensive for a road car. It did fit the FIA homologation rules for GT cars, as there is a teeny 'luggage area' up front sized to -exactly- fit the "FIA Standard Suitcase." But it was never really competitive, so it didn't sell well to racers either.
I will say that if you can find a copy of the Panorama article in which Vern and Ada Covert decided to just go touring in their car and spent about a year on the road just driving around, north in the summer, south in the winter (with a miniature Dachsund!) it is a classic. -That- I do spend some time dreaming about - the freedom to spend a year on the road driving a really cool car.

Well it's been a long time, but my memories were that it was quite sucessful in its intended mission of winning the under 2 Liter class. I'd have to dig very deep in the old pile o' magazines, but I seem to remember wins in the Targa Florio, Le Mans, Sebring, Nurburgring ect.

As far as the styling goes, it was stunning in period and nothing has changed my mind today.

As regards its being a road car, it was the last Porsche dual purpose race/road car.
Without a doubt, race was its intention, as touring would have been better done in a 356!

[ArtechnikA]

Well it's been a long time, but my memories were that it was quite sucessful in its intended mission of winning the under 2 Liter class. I'd have to dig very deep in the old pile o' magazines, but I seem to remember wins in the Targa Florio, Le Mans, Sebring, Nurburgring...

So much for my memory ;-)

Yes, Le Mans win in 1964 and wins in both Prototype and GT in 1965.
The Sebring win is legendary.

[Al Meredith]

Sometime in 1966,67 or 68, I was stationed in Atlanta, Ga with the US NAVY. Yes, the Navy in Atlanta, and RBM motors was a Porsche Dealer and they had a 904 on the showroom floor for $10,000. My pay at the time was $76.00 every two weeks, a little out of my reach. I think a new 911 was about $6,000 at the time. I got married in 67 and married into a 365 Cab. I've had some kind of Porsche ever since, but no 904.

[EdwardBlume]

The 904 is awsome. I'd love to hear some driving impressions, and how close it is to a 914/6 = / -.

[ChicagoPete]

Iteresting! I'm 180 from Degreeoff, the 904 is probably my favorite Porsche, several elements from that car were carried over to the 914.

I've even considered getting one of the good kits.

Chuck Beck makes a really great replica of the 904. I think all of Chuck's replica's are awesome and ridiculously powerful. I saw him at Road America with his prototype 904 a couple of years ago and it looked near perfect.

He has a video on his website of his 904 dogging a 427 Cobra at Roebling Road. Not that surprised about that, I have seen him driving his Lister like a madman on the track.

http://www.chuckbeck904.com/

Peter

[jc914]

I must agree I Love the 904 what a great looking car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[TJB/914]

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[Pat Garvey]

Saw this at the Cars & Coffee this am in Irvine. Owner says he got it in 1977. 904 ?

Right? Wrong? Can't telll without looking inder the bonnet. Will say this much - the wheells are incorrect.

[ericread]

I think i just wet myself ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

Andy;

Does this have something to do with the 904 or do you have a condition? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol3.gif)

[SirAndy]

I think i just wet myself ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

Andy;

Does this have something to do with the 904 or do you have a condition? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Yes ...

[iamchappy]

This is the place to go looking...

http://www.the904store.com/