On my 72 my ignition is on the steering column like most cars nowadays, but in a few pictures I have seen them over on the left sideof the steering column like most Porsches are. How come it is different. I've seen the ignition not on the sterring column on both ealry and late models? Did they try it out and people not like it and went back to the original position?

Factory 914/6 cars have the ignition on the left of the column on the dash.

The later 914's you see with the switch on the left have been converted.

Tradition. A race car driver can turn the key with one hand and engage first gear simultaniously with the other. This is the traditional Porsche configuration.

The 914-4 was marketed to the rest of the world as a VW, not a Porsche. I suspect the igntion key location was just another gimik to make the six seem more prestigious. (yawn).

-Ben M.

ps - Please don't be offended, but could you maybe trim down the (effectively) 18 line signature to something a little lighter (3 lines is considered the polite norm)? Just a suggestion - not inteded as a jab. Thnx

happy

four bangers on the steering wheel shaft
6-ers on the left

Except for the 72 sixes which were on the column also.

Geoff

It's because of the AVAILABLE parts when the cars were assembled.

Porsche built the 6's and used available 911 parts including the ignition switch.

VW Built the 4's and used a column that they already had which included the ignition in a more traditional location, on the column.

The reason Porsche put the key on the left is bucause of racing as mentioned above by Ben M.

Drivers of other race cars would have to start the car and put it in gear with same hand. It took extra time. BTW, none of them used either hand to strap on a seat belt! -

-Mike D.

and when they did the running start at lemans......they needed both hands as soon as they got in the car! the object of the race is to go as fast as you can: whether you are running starting the engine or driving the car itself!

Interestingly, in 1970, the year that the 914/6 competed and finished 6th overall and first in class was the first year they did away with the running across the track type of start.

that is interesting.....well, the tradition lives on then!

Yeah, but how many of those were produced? I've only seen one in person. I think I've seen even less pics of a 72 914/6 (well there were the pictures of the "one" that I have seen).

VORTEX - did that guy with the willow green 6 ever contact you? I replied to your email, but the address was invalid

Course the 72 sixes weren't exported to the USA so there aren't too many here to see.
I think Porsche did cuz it was cheaper, less wires and all that.
Geoff

not only that but the metal dash-support is also different for the early /6. they probably ran out of them in 72 ...

Andy

There were less than 300 1972 914-6es made. None were officially exported to the US. That blue one in Reno was way cool, though!!

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned why the -4s had the column-mounted ignition switch: They were Not A Real Porsche!

--DD

Dave... good to see you back after a while of not posting. I like the mask avatar better. You should bring it back for a while. It's more attractive.

Did the 72 six's have an adjustable passenger seat?

ouch! he said that you be "unattractive" ....

Heh, better'n most. Most people just call me f***in' ugly!

Don't worry, though--it's about time for a change of avatar anyway. I'll start workin' on a new pic this weekend, or early next week.

--DD