I recently bought a 1975 914, no engine or transaxle, as part of the purchase, but enough of the car left that it makes sense to do some sort restoration project with it.

I was thinking I would do a GT tribute project out of it, but I am curious to see what the community feels is important to label a project as "GT Tribute"

From what I gather the key elements of such a project would include the following.
- pumped up engine (is a 4 cylinder 2.0L qualify)
- 5 lug conversion
- bigger brakes
- suspension upgrades
- GT fender flares
- appropriate interior additions (console and gauges for example)

Are any of these non-negioable to classify a project as a GT Tribute. Or is more like "I'm doing a GT Tribute, lets have some fun, and let's do a really awesome details job" that is more important.

Trying to gauge how to go about such a project that would results in the greatest value at the end of the project and also get kudos when showing it off

To me it simply means having GT flares.

The basic m471 package was mostly cosmetic to give the cars a "competition" look.
And the one thing that stands out the most from that package is the flares.

So really, any car with GT flares is a "GT Tribute".

Of course, there is no limit of how crazy accurate a replica of a real GT you want to build. But i assume that wasn't your question.

When I think of GT tribute cars, I look for steel flares with flared valance and rocker ends, 6-cylinder motor, GT style exhaust, (twin pipes out the rear center of the valance) RS finished deep Fuchs, left side ignition switch, polished front hood hold-downs with pins, Gas filler on the hood, front mounted oil cooler and opening in the front bumper/valance and possibly a hockey-puck steering wheel. I also like them in traditional crayon colors.

The common answer would be -6 cylinder and flares

I myself am surprised that all “gt clones” have bigger motors

That is what I think of as a resto mod more than a factory GT
When you see another brand of car built as an original tribute they maintain the displacement of the original car. Think Penske Camaro. Or boss mustang. Those clones would maintain stock displacement.

No one does what the factory did and keeps the displacement as the factory did for racing classes when real GT cars were built


I race a 2.0/6 with 906 cams, 81mm pistons, twin plug, and the motor is built as real gt cars were by specifications that were racing legal

But that is just me
And the path I took in my project


Again I think the most common answer is flares and big -6

Brant

It’s whatever makes you happy.

It is NOT possible to build what I consider a "tribute" car and make money.

A correct Tribute will have most of the period correct pieces on it.

This is a recent build of a pretty nice one.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=358279

I ended up buying the 916 stuff off of him.


It's pretty easy to match the outer appearance.
Flares, RSR style wheels, hood pins, trunk hardware, engine cover, and lights.

To be what I would consider a Tribute you also need big gas tank, fiberglass hood/trunk lid, mechanical light buckets, correctly routed oil cooler.

If I was shooting for Tribute I'd start with an early chassis as well.

Multiple changes by 75 (which made it BETTER IMO) sort of "blow it" for the perfect period correct clone.

High strung small six and tailshifter tranny are part of the mix IMO.


Much easier (and better performance) to build a simple conversion...

Sky's the limit with a conversion, engine and drivetrain too.

Here's a serious conversion thread using a Ferrari drivetrain.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=359314


and, as a newbie

Gt Flares, rockers, valances, and a 6 for sure! Agree with Mepstein.
Hope to see pictures soon. Good luck with the project!
You can check out any number of threads on 914-6 GT conversions for reference and here is mine http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=261197

I think I did fairly well with my tribute. Steel flares, 2.4s 911 engine, GT lines, GT front bumper cut out, GT style fuel fill, GT oil puke tank, GT inspired e brake setup

mb911 Ben's car is for sale...


Ben makes some of the best -6 reproduction parts on the market today.

If you are thinking about doing one you WILL end up a customer...

https://914-6werkshop.com/

Event the factory m471 package doesn't include half of what you listed.



Factory m471 914/6 GT Equipment
- Steel flares
- 6Jx15 Alloy wheels with 185/75VR15 tires
- 66mm wheel bolts
- 21mm wheel spacers front and rear

That's it ...

Kind of sorta. Not sure I really ever want to sell it

and as Andy points out.
they didn't come from the factory with RSR finish wheels

deep fuchs yes... but not RSR

7's were not even legal in the early years, and the reason they added the spacers for track.

brant

Is it possible to find a GT fuel tank?

Well if you ask me, I have a different take on the 914GT than the race car version. All very official, well-documented and legit.

The 914GT was a Euro market 1974 model year 914/4 2.0L commemorating the 100,000th 914 made. Offered in two versions Black/Sunflower Yellow & Light Ivory/ Phoenix Red. They were made in limited quantities, loaded up with optional/special equipment, paint scheme, front spoiler, a new side stripe design, and even a dashboard medallion. Many gravitate towards the flared car/big motor version and I appreciate them of course, but the 914/4 version is just as interesting to me and a few of us here on this forum, if not more so. Join us if this interests you too.

AKA the 914 Jubillaumsmodell (100,000 914 celebration) in Europe
AKA the 914 Limited Edition in the USA
AKA the 914 SL (Sports Limited) in Japan

I know, I know...I am on the path less travelled...but diggin' it.

Don't hate me.

While i appreciate the LE cars as much as the next guy, i think we all understood the OP question to be about the /6 GT cars, not the /4 LE cars.

Yes, they reused the GT moniker. Yes, they reused the m471 package name.
No, this thread isn't about '74 LE cars.

Such a grumpy moderator

Thank you all, this was great. Fun hearing everyone's perspective. Gives me good direction as I think through the project.

Even the hair sort of matches...

When I think of a GT, I think of the pbase site. https://www.pbase.com/9146gt/9146gt_front_m..._oil_cooler_no1
I used this site to construct my GT cooler, lines, etc. However not against it, but I had no interest in a GT clone with fiberglass hoods, hood pins, roll cage, headlight motor delete, etc. I’m more of a fan of the 916, with bigger motor, 916 trans, etc. But I like the removable top and stock chrome bumpers. As Mark stated.. whatever makes you happy.
Funny but all the GT’s had 901 gear boxes and small motors, except for the Recaro GT. Recaro bought a GT and converted it to a fire engine. It was too heavy, so it went back to the factory and was retrofitted with a 2.9 engine and 916 trans like the Brutus 916.
https://www.recaro.com/recaro-group/press/p...rom-recaro.html

I agree with Steve. Driving a race car in the street is fun at first but gets old really fast. Even just buckling into five point seat belts and not being able to roll down the passenger window or pick up your phone from the floor is a pita. The noise looses its appeal pretty quickly and rarely will a significant other travel with you. The guys who go too far with their suspension learn that what works well for the track isn’t much fun on the street. I’ve been in a couple 914’s and a bunch of 911’s that fit the above description. The owners either sell them after a bit or rarely drive them. Fun to look at but not the best direction for most people.

I’ll call most any 914 with flares and a six a GT but I’m no gatekeeper. If your “GT” has a four cylinder or Suby, it’s all good.

One last nit pick. I don’t see many people these days trying “alternative” flares. Thank you. Personally, I could never warm up to anything other than factory style flares.