The Legend of the "914 S" & "914 SC", Myth or Fact? Options

[Tom_T]

<edit update>
For the ADHD crowd & reading challenged & the just impatient....

The `73 MY's "914S" is a "Trim Designation" or "Trim Package" - the same as was the "914 LE" in the `74 MY.

It was official by Porsche & Porsche+Audi/Volkswagen of America for North America, & likewise for th Porsche distributors of the "914S/914SL" in Japan & "914SC" in the UK.

However, in the case of North America, Porsche Germany made Porsche+Audi/VoA drop the "914S" designation after running the program for over a year - from early -1972 in the pre-release campaign - through about March 1973 - apparently after pressure from the 911 crowd at PCA objecting to it confusing them over their911S's. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Period!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

See my Post #205 on page 11 for more details - or just read on below & through the ensuing facts, then debate by the naysayers. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

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CLIFF NOTES VERSION: (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)
- for those not interested in looking at cool old 914 stuff from back in the day"!

1. Porsche+Audi marketed the 914/4 2.0 "fully loaded" as the "914 S" in ads & sales brochures from Summer 1972 to about Jan/Feb 1973, then Porsche made them stop.

2. The British Distributor similarly marketed the 914/4 2.0 from Summer 1972 through 1976 as the 914SC, but was never told to stop.

3. Neither was ever badged as either a 914S or 914SC.

4. If one is interested, read the stuff posted here from that 1970's period.
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There has been talk from time to time on here & elsewhere, about whether there ever really was a "914 S" &/or "914 SC"? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
- especially amongst those of us with USA 1973 MY 914-2.0's from the first half of the 73 MY production!

Well - as many things 914 - the answer is an unequivocal "Yes & No"!

I can answer more definitively regarding the "914 S" in the USA & Canada/North America, since I researched that recently to better plan for the restoration of my early-73 914-2.0. However, I was already well aware of the "914 S" terminology back in 1975 & it's having been dropped unceremoniously at PAG's insistance during early 1973, because I'd reviewed MT & R&T road test articles on the "914 S"/914-2.0 which bracketed the change & made mention of PAG's forcing it to be dropped while researching the purchase used (3 yrs. old) of my one & only 914-2.0 which I bought in Dec. 75 & still own (2nd owner).

I also had 3+ years before that, gotten a "free" copy of the 12 page early 1973 MY 914 sales brochure from the Downtown LA Porsche+Audi dealership, from a classmate whose parents eventually bought him one for his graduation (oh to be so lucky! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) ). In it, it referred to the "914 S", as shown in the pix on the following posts here of the similar current brochure which I had to buy last year, having misplaced the other! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

But we will have to ask that some of our Brit Teeners out there (both of you! - just kidding! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ) to add in regarding your "914 SC".
- Yes, the Brits had "something completely different," as in the Monty Python bits!

First - "No" - 914's were never officially badged as either a "914 S" nor "914 SC" by either the Porsche+Audi US/Canada nor the British Isles distributors, and definitely NOT EVER by the factory.

North American 914s with the GA 2.0 motor were badged with the familiar separate "914" & "2.0" badges on the right rear body panel above the rear bumper & to the left of the right taillight.

Whereas the rest of the world's 2L's with the GB engine were badged with the familiar long "914-*-Porsche" between the rear trunk lock/button & right taillight (where "*" is the VW roundel Logo), with the 2.0" badge below that & aligned with the first long badge next to the right taillight.

USA/Canada - Porsche+Audi 914 2.0 Badging:


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Rest of the World's 914 2.0 Badging:


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<edit>
For many, this above is enough to know & take/keep the position on "no" - but it is NOT the whole story, much of which is not known today unless you were around then. If you're in the no camp, your point is taken & no need to torture yourself by reading on - unless you want to add some other documentation/pix from the period which relate to this subject - then please do so.

However, this post isn't here for a debate - although it seems that we have a lot of "master debaters" logging in here with a burning desire to prove someone - anyone - wrong. Even to the point of agreeing with me then saying I'm wrong, and one re-posting information which I'd already posted in an effort to prove me wrong! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)

I'm just presenting some factual documentation here on what the "914S" thing was all about - so others will know that there is some basis to it, even if it was not a "real" 914 model nor badge name. I have also thrown in some of my own thoughts, speculation & opinions, which I hope are clear from the way I've stated things (IMO, IMHO, I speculate or suspect or estimate that ... , etc.) that they are just that - which is not to claim that they are "facts".

As you can tell by my edits here, I'm getting a bit frustrated with the "master debaters," conspiracy police, & those who consider "914S talk" as heresy - but it did exist - to a point, as the following explains & provides period documentation to back it up. To the point - it is an indisputable fact that Porsche+Audi in the USA & Canada marketed the then new 914/4 2.0L model as the "914S" from Summer 1972 through about December 1972 or January/February 1973 -period! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
<end edit>

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Today, one of our member vendors here - RJMII - makes custom aluminum badges in a "914 S" design, and could customize anything else - including "914 SC" - should someone want one for display purposes or fun in a temporary attachment/placement. However, IMHO I would not recommend placing one in the rear badging position, because you'd have to weld/braise/putty to fill in the mounting stud holes, which is NOT a good idea nor an acceptable "Originality" approach.

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Second - "Yes" - The Porsche+Audi US/Canada distributor did in fact initially market the "new for the 1973 model year" (MY) 914/4 with the GA 2.0 engine as the "914 S" from mid-72 through early 1973.

While the British Isles distributor marketed their GB engined 2.0's as the "914 SC" from mid-72 through the end of the 914's run in 1976.

Oddly - according to both the period articles in the left book below & commentary by the second book's author - Porsche never asked them to drop the "SC" nomenclature - even after the "911 SC" was introduced later. Whereas their almost immediate objection to the US Porsche+Audi arm using the "914 S" in marketing, what that they were concerned that it may confuse the public with the 911S & detract for that far more expensive car's sales (more than 2x the 914-2.0' price in 73 MY).

A fair amount of factual back up for both of these "914 S" & "914 SC" marketing programs can be found in the 2 books whose covers are pictured below - both of which are still currently available in print from numerous sources - so I won't duplicate that information here.



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Additionally, Porsche+Audi printed both 4 page & 12 page 914 full color sales brochures for the US & Canadian dealerships, both of which clearly & unequivocally referred to the "914 S" - not a "914 2.0" at that point in time (although the terminology was eventually changed to "914 2.0" by the 74 MY as seen later).

Front & Rear Covers of 4 page Porsche+Audi 914 Sales Brochure referring to "914 S":


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... continued ....

[carr914]

Also what do you think SC stands for?, because even the 911 guys can't come to an agreement on that.

SC = Sport Coupe


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

This starts the debate the 911 guys have had for a long time.

You know that Porsche made a 911SC Cabriolet, right? Kinda tough to have a Super Coupe Convertable.

[SirAndy]

Also what do you think SC stands for?, because even the 911 guys can't come to an agreement on that.

SC = Sport Coupe

This starts the debate the 911 guys have had for a long time.

On German cars, from the '60s to the '90s and even today:

The letter "S" has traditionally always stood for "Sport".
The letter "C" has stood for "Coupe".
The letter "I" has stood for "Injektion".


But what do i know, i just grew up there ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Andy

[Tom_T]

Also what do you think SC stands for?, because even the 911 guys can't come to an agreement on that.

SC = Sport Coupe

This starts the debate the 911 guys have had for a long time.

On German cars, from the '60s to the '90s and even today:

The letter "S" has traditionally always stood for "Sport".
The letter "C" has stood for "Coupe".
The letter "I" has stood for "Injektion".


But what do i know, i just grew up there ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Andy

I don't disagree Andy, but the application was far from consistent between makes, countries, regions - let alone worldwide. A case in point for a German make of the era - well technically Austrian - is the BMW 3.0 CS & 3.0 CSi ~ yes the "i" is for the injected model (vs. carbureted), but did they intend "CS" as "Coupe Sport" or something else for the "S" - since it was clearly a Coupe.

In any case relevant to the subject matter here - what "SC" means in Germany, USA or Canada for any particular make & model, nor for prior/later Porsche models, nor our own personal theories on it, is really not the point relative to this topic on "914 S" & "914 SC" marketing programs. So myself, Any, TC, etc. are offering our guesses& other info., but not really answering the real question here. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

What we're interested in knowing more about, is what the British/UK distributor of the 914's specifically meant in coining "914 SC" - so we're still missing that bit of info. from our Brit Teeaners or another member here who really knows. I was unable to find what they meant by that reference in the articles reprinted in the "Porsche 914 Portfolio" book noted above.

So does anyone out there have further info. on the UK's "914SC" marketing program?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[SirAndy]

A case in point for a German make of the era - well technically Austrian - is the BMW 3.0 CS & 3.0 CSi ~ yes the "i" is for the injected model (vs. carbureted), but did they intend "CS" as "Coupe Sport" or something else for the "S" - since it was clearly a Coupe.

BMW was Austrian? Huh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
You do know what BMW stands for, right?

As for the 3.0 CSI, it's a perfect example of what i said above ...

The CS was the carbed 'Sport Coupe' while the CSI was the injected 'Sport Coupe'. Or 'Coupe Sport' in this case.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

[Tom_T]

A case in point for a German make of the era - well technically Austrian - is the BMW 3.0 CS & 3.0 CSi ~ yes the "i" is for the injected model (vs. carbureted), but did they intend "CS" as "Coupe Sport" or something else for the "S" - since it was clearly a Coupe.

BMW was Austrian? Huh? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
You do know what BMW stands for, right?

As for the 3.0 CSI, it's a perfect example of what i said above ...

The CS was the carbed 'Sport Coupe' while the CSI was the injected 'Sport Coupe'. Or 'Coupe Sport' in this case.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

Brain Fart! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) - how about Bavaria!
.... unless they really meant to badge it AMW! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Coupe Sport ... is that different than Sport Coupe from Porsche? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
... or did they mean Coupe Super? ... or Super Coupe bass-ackwards?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I believe I stated the CS & CSi correctly above! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Nuff said - cuz this self-flagellation is not answering what the Brits' meant 914SC to mean! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[SirAndy]

or did they mean Coupe Super? ... or Super Coupe bass-ackwards?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I don't recall anyone ever using the word "Super" with regards to a "S" badge on any German automobile.

I have no idea where that terminology came from.

But i only spent 35 years in Germany, it's possible i missed a thing or two ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

[Tom_T]

or did they mean Coupe Super? ... or Super Coupe bass-ackwards?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I don't recall anyone ever using the word "Super" with regards to a "S" badge on any German automobile.

I have no idea where that terminology came from.

But i only spent 35 years in Germany, it's possible i missed a thing or two ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

Ummm....maybe how about S for Super in the 356 line-up, since both badging was used, and the 911S was also referred to as "Super" on that 356 carry-forward in some Porsche literature. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)