In September 2014 I was watching a video of my friend’s race car on youtube and off to the side was this video (Two Abandoned Cars 1970-1973 Porsche 914 1.7) I usually check them out to see if it is a 914/6.
Halfway thru the video he approaches the 2nd car and right away I notice the marker lights on the roof. In case you didn’t know they were used at night for the crew to identifying the car and also to signal the pits from the car before radios were affordable.
The best part (at 5:20) Charles says: "Took this Porsch and built it for racing, totally destroy the value of the car when you do this.."
gms
Mar 26 2018, 11:48 AM
So I start looking thru my data and find a car that raced at the 24hrs of Daytona in 1973 The car in the video is yellow inside and the fender flares are correct, also Lee Cutler (the driver) is from Sarasota FL.
I do a google search and find a later (1975) picture of the car and see it was painted black now everything matches. This was also one of the cars missing from my research for the IMSA 914 book.
I have to find this car!! Using clues offered in this video I find the building (you can see the address is 1345 in the video). Here is the fence from google street view. Click to view attachment
I called Steve Gaglione and he was kind enough to drive down from Tampa. He shows up and the car is right were I sent him on the map, the shop owner is there and by 1pm I make a deal with the car’s owner!
I think Glenn told me a -6 conversion but could be wrong
rgalla9146
Mar 26 2018, 01:50 PM
Doesn't appear to have an OE 6 front engine mount. Oil tank, Koni double adjustables, rear hubs, etc. etc. etc.....well done Glenn ! Any rust ?
gms
Mar 26 2018, 02:01 PM
It is a 914/4 converted to a six and yes it will be a challenging restoration but certainly worth saving
SirAndy
Mar 26 2018, 02:04 PM
mb911
Mar 26 2018, 02:07 PM
QUOTE(gms @ Mar 26 2018, 12:01 PM)
It is a 914/4 converted to a six and yes it will be a challenging restoration but certainly worth saving
And not turn into a kit car
mepstein
Mar 26 2018, 02:36 PM
QUOTE(mb911 @ Mar 26 2018, 04:07 PM)
QUOTE(gms @ Mar 26 2018, 12:01 PM)
It is a 914/4 converted to a six and yes it will be a challenging restoration but certainly worth saving
And not turn into a kit car
I was just going to say it would make a great 917 based kit car or maybe a fiat X19 replica.
mb911
Mar 26 2018, 03:05 PM
Its is a really cool story.. Can't wait to see it in person.
mepstein
Mar 26 2018, 03:07 PM
Yes, glad you got it Glen!
Larmo63
Mar 26 2018, 04:19 PM
I'd make it into a 904 replica.
pete000
Mar 26 2018, 04:29 PM
WOW, I worked at South Point Motorcars in Sarasota when I was in JR College. It was around 1982, I don't remember ever seeing this 914 though. It must have been a partial sponsorship to get parts for cost. Very cool Save ! South Point was a small Porsche + Audi/Mazda dealer back then. I used to prep the cars when they came in off the truck. Fun times back then. I used to make sure there was always a Porsche out back in the detail shed at lunch time so I could sneak out and drive it around the neighborhood ! They are still in business but moved up the road and on the other side of the street, much bigger now.
gms
Mar 26 2018, 04:51 PM
QUOTE(pete000 @ Mar 26 2018, 05:29 PM)
WOW, I worked at South Point Motorcars in Sarasota when I was in JR College. It was around 1982, I don't remember ever seeing this 914 though. It must have been a partial sponsorship to get parts for cost. Very cool Save ! South Point was a small Porsche + Audi/Mazda dealer back then. I used to prep the cars when they came in off the truck. Fun times back then. I used to make sure there was always a Porsche out back in the detail shed at lunch time so I could sneak out and drive it around the neighborhood ! They are still in business but moved up the road and on the other side of the street, much bigger now.
That is interesting! This car was raced from 1972 to 1975. Did the Cutler family still own the dealership when you worked there?
I just noticed the lower collar on the rear Koni. I don't remember ever seeing that before. Is that the standard height adjustment devise on the double adjustable ones ?
Dion
Mar 26 2018, 05:38 PM
That’s an awesome find Glenn. Nice detective work congrats. Look forward to hearing more.
ndfrigi
Mar 26 2018, 06:05 PM
The chart showed the entry for race was 73 and 74 for this 55 car number. But why is it the front bumper was from 75/76 rubber? Maybe it was replaced on a later year.
Montreal914
Mar 26 2018, 07:41 PM
Great story! Congratulation on the purchase.
dug
Mar 26 2018, 08:52 PM
QUOTE(gms @ Mar 26 2018, 10:46 AM)
The best part (at 5:20) Charles says: "Took this Porsch and built it for racing, totally destroy the value of the car when you do this.."
Effing hilarious!
Blue6
Mar 26 2018, 10:05 PM
Will be watching.
EdwardBlume
Mar 26 2018, 10:19 PM
Looks like the car ended up in the right hands.
Congratulations!
pete000
Mar 26 2018, 10:22 PM
QUOTE(pete000 @ Mar 26 2018, 03:29 PM)
WOW, I worked at South Point Motorcars in Sarasota when I was in JR College. It was around 1982, I don't remember ever seeing this 914 though. It must have been a partial sponsorship to get parts for cost. Very cool Save ! South Point was a small Porsche + Audi/Mazda dealer back then. I used to prep the cars when they came in off the truck. Fun times back then. I used to make sure there was always a Porsche out back in the detail shed at lunch time so I could sneak out and drive it around the neighborhood ! They are still in business but moved up the road and on the other side of the street, much bigger now.
When I worked there It was a father who owned it and his son was head sales guy. I imagine it was them who still owned it in the 80s.
Kaeferfreund
Mar 26 2018, 11:55 PM
Glenn, great story - or just the beginning of it
I think this racer is now in best possible hands and I hope you could bring it back to exactly the condition of the 73/74 race series.
Thanks for sharing the link
BR
jmitro
Mar 27 2018, 06:37 AM
cool story!
Cairo94507
Mar 27 2018, 07:22 AM
Terrific work to find and purchase this car Glenn. I look forward to seeing it come back to life.
JmuRiz
Mar 27 2018, 08:02 AM
Sometimes the youtube algorithms lead you down a good rabbit hole of content. This is the ultimate rabbit hole.
Best of luck, very cool car and story!
siverson
Mar 27 2018, 08:09 AM
Awesome story and nice find!
-Steve
11tenths
Mar 27 2018, 09:51 AM
Terrific investigative work.
The 'Thrill of the Hunt'; we all do it, looking down driveways and alleyways wherever we go, hoping to see a familiar profile under a cover...
Even if you get to corner your quarry, hesitation and second guessing often lead to it slipping through your fingers.
Sir- I salute you!
Cheers- Harry
Johny Blackstain
Mar 27 2018, 09:55 AM
Nice!
gms
Mar 27 2018, 03:13 PM
Thanks for the positive feedback! This car found me and wants to be on the track again so I will make it happen.