This should be an interesting auction to watch....

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am22/ame...46-m471/1202278

Auction Description:

- An exceedingly rare Porsche homologation special with fascinating provenance and storied ownership
- The 2nd of just 23 factory-built examples of the “M471” Competition Option Group 914/6; the street-legal GT
- Used as a factory demonstrator for press and commercial-filming purposes
- Further supplemented with in-period modifications sourced from the 914/6 GT conversion kit including wider Fuchs wheels, Koni shocks, and 911 S brakes
- Known as “The Strenger GT”; owned for many years by notable Porsche employees including Erich Strenger, Paul-Ernst Strähle, and Gerhard Blendstrup
- Documented by Porsche historians Jürgen Barth, Wolfgang Scheicher, and Brian Long, multiple Porsche publications, and historic imagery

THE 914/6 ‘M471’

In a March 1971 sales bulletin entitled “The Competition Option Group,” Porsche quietly offered a special equipment package (internally known as “M471”) aimed at homologating the 914/6 for SCCA C Production racing. Modifications included wide steel fender flares, a steel flared front valance, 21-millimeter wheel spacers, flared fiberglass rocker panels, and 6x15 Fuchs alloy wheels. According to the famous “Gotha-Hoppen” memo, the factory produced just 23 M471-equipped chassis (effectively the “street” 914/6 GT), in concert with another 16 “M491” examples (the racing 914/6 GT), and 400 “GT Conversion Kits” supplied to dealers.

2 OF 23; A FACTORY CAMERA CAR

Porsche factory documentation indicates that this 914/6, car number 0233, is the 2nd of 15 M471 examples produced in 1971. It was delivered new to Hahn Volkswagen-Porsche and clothed in Tangerine paint over a black leatherette interior, with further factory specifications including GT-spec front and rear anti-roll bars (14 and 16 millimeters, respectively), a center seat cushion, and Michelin tires. The originating dealer had struck a deal to assist with Porsche’s racing endeavors, and indications are that this car was initially used as a demonstrator. From Hahn, it passed into the hands of dealer and former works driver Paul-Ernst Strähle, who registered it with the plate “SAU 3506.”

At some point very early in the car’s life, it was further upgraded at Werks 1 with several of the performance parts featured on 914/6 GT Conversion Kit. Among these were additional roof bracing bolted between the windshield frame and the targa bar, Koni front struts, 911 S brakes, and a staggered set of wider, GT-specific 15-inch Fuchs alloy wheels. Recaro sport seats and matte black exterior stripes were also added. Later in its history, the original 2.0-liter flat-six was removed for undocumented reasons and replaced with the presently installed 1972 914/6-based engine.

In the spring of 1972, 0233 was used as a camera car at the Nürburgring Nordschliefe to film a commercial introducing the 1973 914 2.0. This M471 shared the track with three 914/6 GTs, filming them as they circulated. Historic imagery indicates that at least the larger wheels had been added by this time, and a communications antenna was installed in the rear driver’s quarter panel during filming.

THE STRENGER GT

On 17 May 1973, Strähle sold 0233 to Porsche Art Director Erich Strenger, then indicating approximately 36,780 kilometers. Strenger had enjoyed a two-decade relationship with Porsche by 1973, making an indelible mark on Porsche’s visual history. His accomplishments included serving as the first art director for Christophorus, Porsche’s official magazine. He also designed the first Porsche catalog in 1951, most of the company’s early brochures, and countless promotional racing posters from the 1950s through the 1980s. Over the ensuing years of passionate ownership, Strenger happily documented several of his trips across Continental Europe within the pages of Christophorus. In a 1983 issue of the PCA’s Panorama magazine, Strenger famously commented that inquiries on his beloved 914/6 were turned away by his price: $1,000,000.

In 1988, Strenger finally sold 0233 to his friend Gerhard Blendstrup, with Strähle’s assistance. Blendstrup also had a history with Porsche, working first in Stuttgart in R&D and later heading marketing activities for Porsche Cars North America from Reno, Nevada. By 1997, Blendstrup and 0233 had retired from Nevada to California. After another decade of California residence, Blendstrup sold 0233 to the consignor, an active PCA member and consummate 914 aficionado.

This unique 914/6 was in very good condition, but having researched its history, the consignor was determined to return it to a significant previous state. This would include replacing the Recaro seats and returning the bumpers to their chrome finish (Strenger had them painted). A complete 1971 vinyl interior, carpet kit, OEM rubber seals, chrome trim, and even a Sigla windshield were sourced from the NOS inventory of 914 specialist George Hussey’s Automobile Atlanta. The car was also refinished in its factory-correct Tangerine by Mirek’s European Auto in Oldsmar, Florida.

Having completed its restoration in early 2008, the consignor reports that it has required nothing but routine maintenance since then. Within his care he has added nearly 5,000 miles (~8,100 kilometers) while displaying this important M471 at numerous PCA events and concours. The Strenger GT has been most notably included within the Historic Display area at the 2008, 2011, and 2019 editions of the PCA’s annual Porsche Parade.

Probably letting this one go so he can focus on racking up the miles on the Sahara beige

Asking because my euro is set up this way, but aren’t lower blinkers supposed to be lit when headlights on? Or are they supposed to go out when switching from parking to headlights?

All the best Steve! What are you doing next?

Charlie

Steve G's car?

Yes

Wow Steve, this is a huge offering. I remember when you acquired this car and saw it in California before your ownership. GLWTS.

The owner was a picky seller.. it was a bit rough ..Steve has done it Justice ,,and time is on his side ..Congrats.. GLWS

1 of 23 factory M471's.
You could call that rare in the world of Porsche cars.

How much is this going to "hammer" for?

Any guesses out there?

I heard from a couple people that Juergan Barth is in some trouble back in the old country... something to do with fraud concerning car histories, etc... doesn't sound good.
Haven't read that anywhere however. Hmmmmm

https://www.early911sregistry.org/forums/sh...itzerland/page7

I know this car very well as Steve and I have been friends for about 40 years. I took the engine out when he had the car painted and reinstalled it ( that is a story to be told over a ). Steve sold me the GT Recaros that Strenger had put in the car ( low backs)

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this car was the 1st Car on my 4 Post lift 15 years ago

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I hope he gets at least 2 people who have to have it and start a Bidding WAR!

My Guesstimate - $700k

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That registry read was most certainly interesting. Toss that thesamba ad into the mix.

I'm going to say 290K

I’d guess b/t $750-900k. The buyers premium is rather steep and could alone equal the cost of a decent 914-6.

Other than the flares, wheels and brakes what is included in the 471 package ?.....
Engine, sways, oil cooler ....????
As I recall there is a factory steel flare car (a 6) here in NJ

I thought it was flares and wheel spacers instead of wider wheels. No engine mods in the normal 472 configuration but the Strenger car is different. I thought it’s a 2.4 or 2.7. I think this car is special because of the Strenger association. It’s a special six but $290k still seems pretty special to me. I don’t think it’s 916 territory. Just my opinion.

At Okteenerfest several years ago next to George's M471. Two very rare 914s!

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herr strenger had taste in spades when it came to graphics (we know).

paint job is to die for.

i wish i wish i wish i had a miilion bucks................

think that car will go for a stack, special.--

i like those seats that were once in it too.
thanks for posting those photos of the chairs.

Georges M-471 brought $500k and Steve's is nicer with a Better History.

Quite frankly, I'm amazed he is selling it

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Bob Chapman's Excellence magazine article on "The Strenger Six 914-6 M471"
https://www.excellence-mag.com/issues/184/a...he-strenger-six

This is from Brett Johnson's article in the Oct 1989 Excellence Magazine
"The Rarest 914s 0f All: 916,914-6 GT, M471
http://p914-6info.net/PDFs/914-6%20M471%20...0Oct%201989.pdf

914-6 M471 Option Package
"ln March of 1971, a sales bulletin mentioned an option package that was
available for the 914 /6. lt was referred
to as the M471 option package or competition option group. The bulletin states
"Option Group M471 can be delivered
without restriction, that is, such cars can
be registered for regular road use." The
option package consisted of:
Widened Fenders, front and rear
6Jx15 Light Alloy Wheels with
Tires 185/70 VR 15 (M400)
Longer Wheel Mounting Bolts with
21 mm Spacers on front and rear
axles.
The only item unique to this particular
option package is the flared steel front
valance. The flares and rockers were
shared with the GT and wheels and
spacers with the 911. No rear valance
was fitted. U.S. spec. cars had the side
reflector mounted lower and slightly
more forward than on the standard cars,
due to the flares."

The the Porsche/Audi dealer doc from Armando's fantastic pbase 914-6 GT site
https://pbase.com/9146gt/documentation_9146...n_bulletin_7147

Rory,

I saw an M471 Silver -6 at Fred’s in the 1980’s. It had original silver paint complete with the usual psoriasis that was common in the era. I poured over the car seeing wonderful almost undetectable welds for the flairs that appeared factory. Otherwise, it was a stock -6. I know that Steve knows of this car.

Charlie

Guilty as charged!  Yes it is true, I'm selling the car that I love more than life itself. Hey, maybe it won't sell and I'm ok with that. I'll just bring it back home and be perfectly happy.
RM Sotheby's contacted me back in November and after a 20 minute phone call and a follow up call about 2 weeks later, I agreed to the process. That's it. Nothing more to the story. Well, there is one other thing; Every time I think about no longer owning this very special 914-6, I get sick to my stomach.

PS:  A shout-out to my old friend Charlie up there in VT.  Do you still own 0311?       
Joe and his silver M471 that spent most of their lives in NJ are no longer in NJ.

Below is a photo and short story from Pano September 2020 with a slightly more accurate description than the photo and story posted by TC from the October 2011 issue of Pano. Neither description was written by me. For that matter, neither was the RM description.
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That's the car I saw. Silver and a bit scruffy. I think it had a flared front valence
and rockers....rear valence ? can't recall. Otherwise pretty standard.
Never saw it at Freds. 80s was well after I spent time in Califon.
I saw it at a NNJR event

Steve, good luck with the sale. I've had the privilege of seeing this car in person and it is incredible. I wish you the best for the future.

Another potential million dollar 914 !

@SirAndy

my question is "Do you giggle when you look at the plate on the car?"

@73-914
There's a whole discussion about that plate in one of the older threads ...

I don't recall ever seeing a thread on the plate but I assume you may be referring the pig reference. A little funny story...... When I first met Gerhald I remember us talking about the plate. Gerhard looked at the platen and with a grin said, "That's so Erich"

Rob, so nice to see you pop up on this thread. Hope all is well.

I drove the M471 on a 25 mile exercise on Friday. What a fabulous car in all respects. I love everything about it. But for whatever reason, it's going across the block at RMsothebys Amelia Island in March. Freaks me out just thinking about it. However, I could be wrong but I just think it's the right time.

Steve,

Yes, I still have 0311 and never plan to part with it. We are in the middle of a good old fashioned winter with lots of cold and snow! I hope all is well.

Charlie

Wow Steve! I can't believe you are letting that car go!
John Strakele and I will be there to watch the auction.
Good luck. I hope it brings millions. It deserves it!

Dave

Steve,

Take the ungodly amount of shekels you will get for this car happily, knowing you still have Sahara Beige to fall back on.

Ansbacher

+1 I was wondering which was the mistress

Lovely cars and best of luck!

Steve was out for a ( last ride?) on Super Bowl Sunday. I was on the way to a party and saw the M-471 from at least a half mile away. I caught up to him and shouted "don't you have something better to drive? LOL"

Steve will miss this car when it's gone!