Brutus the 916 going to Paris in February, some lucky person will be the next owner Options

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Chassis n° 9141430195

- Factory-designed unique prototype
- The only Porsche 916 to be fitted with a 2.9L RSR engine from new
- Owned by Porsche for Corina Piëch’s use
- Exceptional restoration

€

The Prototype for the 916, car used by Corina Piëch
1971 Porsche 916 prototype "Brutus"

"Brutus" : the explanation for the rather provocative name lies under the rear bootlid of this very special Porsche : an experimental flat-six 2.9-litre, mid-positioned factory engine, capable of over 300 bhp. It was given the nickname by Corina Piëch, whose father, Ferdinand Piëch, (Ferry Porsche’s nephew), was very involved in the development of touring and competition Porsche at that time, including the 917. This prototype car was designed with the aim of adding the power the 914 lacked, to compete with mid-engined sports cars like the Dino 246 GT. This also risked upsetting the 911’s career which was under threat at that time.

Brutus was the first prototype model of 11 cars built for this purpose. Although the cars used the 914/6 bodyshell (a model limited to 2-litres), everything else was heavily modified. Brutus was the only 916 to be equipped with a factory 2.9-litre injection RSR engine, whilst the other ten cars were given a 2.4-litre 911S engine. For this reason, a rev counter graduated to 10,000 rpm was installed and the car received a more sophisticated lubrication system. Brutus was also the only Porsche 916 to be given an 85-litre competition fuel tank. The others had a 100-litre tank positioned at the front that required strengthening bars. To add extra rigidity, the Targa roof was welded to the body.

Ultimately, this experiment by Ferdinand Piëch didn’t lead anywhere, probably because the car’s performance was so close to that of the 911. However, this first factory owned prototype remained in the family, given to Corina Piëch for her personal use. She drove it around for a few years, and had the interior modified several times by Tony Lapine’s design department.
In April 1974, this unusual car was sold for the sum of 27 500 DM to Colonel Robert E. Hartvigsen, then stationed with the Canadian forces in Lahr, Germany. In 1978, Brutus was sent back to the factory for a major overhaul of the running gear and suspension. Work was carried out to the engine and gearbox at the same time (Porsche invoice of 12 649 DM). In April 1978, when Colonel Hartvigsen’s assignment came to an end, Brutus was exported to the US, and the car was first registered in America in October 1978.
A Porsche certificate, dated 29 April 1974, states that this 916 was a « limited production model : less than 10 vehicles of this model were built between 1971 and 1972. » It also indicates that « the reason this car has a 914-6 chassis number is that the standard body of a 914-6 was used to build this original prototype. »
When the Colonel died, the car remained in storage for a number of years before being discovered by a big US collector, who sold it to the current owner, a serious enthusiast of Porsche competition cars. At that time, the odometer was at 46 000 km and the car was in poor condition. The presence of rust and some bad repairs necessitated a full body-off restoration and re-spray, which was carried out to the highest standards. Major mechanical work was also required, which was complex because of the particular engine and transmission. This work was carried out with the help of Drew Slaton (renowned US specialist for Porsche RSR). The owner also called on other specialists including Jürgen Barth and George Hussey, the great 914 expert who owned another 916 which was used as a model. For the interior, certain materials were sourced in Germany in order to maintain the car’s authenticity.
The work took three years and once finished, this Porsche 916 was presented at the Amelia Island concours d'élégance in March 2017. It was then exhibited at Porsche’s North American Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, for six months before being included in the marque retrospective at the superb Petersen Museum in Los Angeles.

The car is presented in exceptional condition today, thanks to its particularly thorough and careful restoration. It is a unique piece in Porsche history and a milestone in the marque’s evolution. It benefits from having transparent history and has been owned and driven by a member of the Porsche family. This is a car with a performance that was exceptional in its day. It will open doors for its new owner to all of the most prestigious historic events around the world.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

can anyone spot the mistake in this brief history (besides giving me any credit!!! LOL)

[73-914]

We all know there are 11 of them

[pete000]

Wonder if Seinfeld will buy it?

[Andyrew]

Anyone else think this will be the first 7 figure 914?

[Gustl]

can anyone spot the mistake in this brief history

"The others had a 100-litre tank …" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

"Corina Piëch, whose father, Ferdinand Piëch" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[jdamiano]

George, Didn’t I read someplace that your 916 was built off a white 4 not a 6?

[dlkawashima]

can anyone spot the mistake in this brief history

"The others had a 100-litre tank …" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

"Corina Piëch, whose father, Ferdinand Piëch" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

Yes, Corina Piëch was born in 1960 according to the Porsche family tree, so the Corina that owned Brutus had to be Piëch's first wife, Corina von Planta.

Even more irritating, the Panorama article also gets it wrong, along with calling the 914-6 "swollen fendered." Seriously doubt that Pete Stout would ever let these obvious mistakes make it to print.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

as usual you got it!

can anyone spot the mistake in this brief history

"The others had a 100-litre tank …" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

"Corina Piëch, whose father, Ferdinand Piëch" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

yes all of the 916s were built from white four cylinders except brutus

George, Didn’t I read someplace that your 916 was built off a white 4 not a 6?

[mountainroads]

can anyone spot the mistake in this brief history (besides giving me any credit!!! LOL)

Not a "mistake" per se, but all 916s had the Targa top welded on. The way this is written is a little confusing, suggesting that Brutus was unique in this aspect.

- MR

[jdamiano]

yes all of the 916s were built from white four cylinders except brutus

George, Didn’t I read someplace that your 916 was built off a white 4 not a 6?

Since the write up said they were all built off 914/6 shells next time I’m in Atlanta I will stop by and pick up my prize. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

I believe that some of the cars were also built with 2.7 RS engines.

--DD

[ctc911ctc]

Was at The Pete on the 24th, my 'vault' (really a parking garage basement) tour guide was a Porsche guy, wish Brutus was still there.

We saw Brutus over at the Pete last month...NOT upstairs with the "Porsche Effect" among the other real bitchin examples of P cars; but downstairs in the Petersen Vault. The vault is a mish-mosh of oddities, the 916 (dusty, looking unkept) was there parked in a dark corner wedged in between sedans. The Docen verbally reminded us that you may not take photos, nor walk past the front bumper of the 916. He was very helpful with his 916 knowledge; I never knew that it was 8 cyl powered (he wouldn't listen to reason) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) So I did get an eyeful of it, even dusty it is a Gem (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) I was accompanied by a good friend that currently owns Sonauto # 40 9146gt; a few of his past cars were Kremer 935, 906, 924 gtr...so he was especially surprised by the Darwinian tour guide's lack of smarts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Gustl]

yes all of the 916s were built from white four cylinders except brutus

George, Didn’t I read someplace that your 916 was built off a white 4 not a 6?

I agree with the white "L 80 E"
but, how would you explain, that the Karmann body number indicates, that all 916 have a 914-6 shell (1310433 up to 1310442) ??

[mepstein]

yes all of the 916s were built from white four cylinders except brutus

George, Didn’t I read someplace that your 916 was built off a white 4 not a 6?

I agree with the white "L 80 E"
but, how would you explain, that the Karmann body number indicates, that all 916 have a 914-6 shell (1310433 up to 1310442) ??

I thought they were 4 chassis that were stamped by Porsche with a six vin. But it’s been years since I read the article so I might be imagining it.

[rhodyguy]

George, what year was it when the lastest restoration started?

[SirAndy]

but, how would you explain, that the Karmann body number indicates, that all 916 have a 914-6 shell (1310433 up to 1310442) ??

Since the Karmann body number was stamped in at Karmann, they could have stamped them anything they wanted.
It's not too hard to imagine that someone at Porsche asked Karmann to deliver 10 white shells stamped with a certain number range or maybe even blank with no numbers.

After all, Karmann did have "body in white" shells at the time that didn't have any stampings.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Freezin 914]

When was Brutus in Panorama?

[smg914]

When was Brutus in Panorama?

August 2018. A good article that describes a fraction of the effort it took to get Brutus restored and ready for Amelia Island.