Wow! Just driven the 914/6 again....

[Keith S]

Sory, but I had to share. Ever since I bought my 2.7 MFI Carrera last August, the 914/6 has been tucked away as I planned on doing a few jobs over winter. Well, winter came, winter went (almost) and the jobs didn't get done. So, there was only one thing for it today: move my Beetle to one side, free the 914/6 from its 'prison' and take it for a drive. What a great car! Why oh why was it allowed to die? (OK, I know why but "if only....").

Driving the 2.7 cCarrera and a factory-built, stock 914/6 back-to-back is an interesting exercise: the 2-litre Webered 'fourteen-six' is such a screamer in comparison. It lacks the torque of the 'two-seven' but what a blast – and the sound is awesome. The Carrera, on the other hand, has so much torque over the 'little' motor.

The there's the transmissions: 'dog-leg' versus 915. Chalk and cheese? Old 'box is a lot lighter but far less positive (a lot of that is down to the linkage bushings) but the 915 is far more 'clunky' – although at least you know where the gears are! I almost prefer the old trans, though.

As for the handling.... No contest. Sorry Carrera.

Now, how about the 2.7 MFI motor in the 914/6? Hmmm, shame my wife says an emphatic 'No!'. They don't understand....

Anyone else done any recent 'back-to-backs'?

[Targa77]

Try switching back and forth from a 2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 and a Porsche each week. Now, that's a comparison!

[Keith S]

Originally posted by Targa77
Try switching back and forth from a 2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 and a Porsche each week. Now, that's a comparison!

I know how that goes! I think one reason the 914/6 felt so good was because I had just been out to get some gas for it in my Volvo 940 wagon! Now that IS a tank....

[david c.]

Right before I began ripping apart the suspension on my 912E back in late Jan or early Feb, there was a nice day here in Pittsburgh-a Sunday afternoon with temps about 65 or so. Don't recall the date.

Anyway, I've been driving my old Volvo P1800S all winter-basically since late October when the Porsche went into the garage. But, that was the first time I'd ever driven the Volvo. I bought it without having ever driven it. So, I never drove the Porsche after I got used to the Volvo.

Anyway, the old 86hp P-car seemed downright fast as well as tight and positive-compared to the Volvo it was amazing.

And, this was BEFORE the suspension rebuild. I cannot wait until the Porsche project is completed and I can park the Volvo for it's summer rejuvenation projects.

Then, come fall, I can return to the cruiser and park the P-car again. Two years ago, my winter ride was an 84 928S. Three years ago, it was a (gasp) old Jeep Grand Wagoneer, replete with chrome and woodgrain!

Like the seasons, it's cyclical. Each season has it's perks, but the spring (and the air-cooled Porsche it brings with it) is always welcome!

Later,

David

[widebody911]

How about switching between a 1960 VW panel bus with a 1600 and a '77 911 targa (I mean *cab*) with a 3.6?

Originally posted by Targa77
Try switching back and forth from a 2000 Chevy Blazer 4x4 and a Porsche each week. Now, that's a comparison!

[VWpete]

I here you Thom!
Drove the '59 Panel (1600) to school yesterday and then I hopped in my '77 911 (2.7) right after. I know---not quite a 3.6....It's a different world. The bus is fun and slow. The p-car is fun and fast. I find myself itching to drive the bus when I've taken the p-car out day after day! Gotta love em. Anyway. Keith---My bus is the one you chose for celeb judging at Mid-America (AKA the Real source/Tweeks) last year! Thanks my friend. I've got a pic of us shaking hands at the car podium last year!!!

Here's a pic of my other ride

[rrcrawford70s]

I own a 1970 911 S Coupe, and a 1998 Boxster. Talk about modern vs. original pure sports car. You drive the 911, the Boxster can drive you. Both have very distinct revs at redline.
The Boxster is a great everyday car, perfect for long trips. The 911 is pure fun. It does take alot more work to drive. I am looking for a 70-72 S Targa if anyone know of one for sale.

[epbrown]

Originally posted by Keith S
Anyone else done any recent 'back-to-backs'?

Well, my daily life is an fairly interesting back-to-back car experience, and I find it very fun to have 2 cars with such contrast. So much so that the SO and I have made a deal: rather than get the 964 I was planning on for my birthday, I'm shopping for a 1966 Porsche 911 coupe. In exchange, I'll sell the '83 Targa and we'll get a 3rd "more sensible" car to be determined at a later date.

(I'm fighting that last one a bit - I expect to keep the 2 '66s in shape enough for daily driving, and I suspect this is a ploy to get her hands on the RR, which is a favorite with "the girls" for running about and being seen in. I can hear it already: "Oh, just take one of your other cars, there's a bunch of us going and we need the room." Should I lose the ground war on that front, my fallback attack is making the 3rd car an old Crown Vic - "Honey, take the Ford, it's newer and has just as much room. I don't know if the Rolls is as reliable - it's so old, I worry about you driving it!" Hah!).

Why these two cars? As I've mentioned, the contrasts interest me. Both the 1966 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow and the Porsche 911 represent major philosophical changes in the way their respective companies built cars - and amazingly, those design decisions set the tone for each company for decades afterwards, each into the 1990s! The Rolls-Royce Silver spirit/Spur was built on the Shadow platform using the same basic engine, brakes, suspension, and interior accents until the mid-90s; Porsche kept making air-cooled flat sixes for 30 years as well. (I'll skip a lengthy speech on how well I think each has done at staying true to their early goals, and simply say I don't think either has done a good job.)

Both cars were originally built with the same intent (to be the best) for similar markets (the wealthy) for totally opposite purposes (luxury v. sports car) using different philosophies ("never so much as change your own oil" v. owner/mechanic). One is a 4700 lb 6.23-liiter behemoth that makes driving as comfortable as sitting in your living room, the other a 2030 lb. 2-liter speed-demon so raw you almost long for the luxurious days when we rode everywhere on horseback.


Finding a decent 1966 looks to be a challenge, though. Even setting aside the issues of rust, old age, and scarcity of parts for certain areas, there appears to be no sense of history associated with the first 911s - just about every car I've looked at has been modified with flares and other nonsense and/or had the engine replaced with a different generation.

What's weird (and worse), imo, is that every single car in the US seems to have been changed to Guards Red at some point (okay, usually in the 80s). There's apparently a mix-up: it was Ferrari that said sports cars should be red; Dr. Porsche was rather fond of brown, folks.

Ah, well - until I find it, I'll enjoy my '83.

Emanuel

[911UK]

I had a 66 deluxe vw bus and the 911 at he same time, scared my wife ****less, she said it was the brakes- too good in the porsche and non-exsistent in the bus, since sold the bus now restoring a "Barndoor bus" with 30hp could be the tortoise and the hare simon

[rcwaldo]

epbrown,


My boss is looking to sell his 1967 911. Green with only a few hundred miles on a fresh engine. Let me know if you are interested.

Chris

[dheinz]

I took the 911 to Hershey,about 2 1/2 hours from Pittsburgh.It was relatively quiet and comfortable enough to listen to the stereo and radar detector. Next day I took the 914 for a short power run. Sorry 911, but for shear exhilaration and adrenaline pumping action, my modified 914/6 wins. When both cars are sitting out in the driveway,most people invariably are drawn to the red 911,commenting how fast and nice it looks. The 914 usually gets the question "What's that?".
But just like children,each car has its own distinct personality and characteristics.
I try not to compare them to one another, because although they come from the same family they each are great cars.

[RarlyL8]

Hey Pete -
My brother has a '67 bus similar to yours but with windows everywhere. Has camping stuff inside, fridge, cot, stove,etc. He said it came that way. We drove it down to Florida a couple of years ago to set free a pet alligator I had for 21 years (but that's another story).
Our PCA is having and auto-x / dragrace next weekend at Rantoul. I'll be there, you should come.

My auto multi tasking:
78SC
V8 S10
Volvo Wagon
V8 Chevy Monza street machine

My wife pisses herself every time we take the Wagon on an off ramp. Old habbits die hard.

[VWpete]

Rarly,
I'm planning on coming to the auto-x in Rantoul on Sun. It'll be my first PCA get together since I became a member.
We'll see if I get the 964 spoiler fitted before then Maybe!
The bus is just too much fun! My first car was a '74 super beetle vert and then I bought the bus for $600 and restored it w/ a buddy of mine who does this for a living in Peoria. Sounds like your brothers got a cool camper! I bet the trip was a blast....
Man, I've had quite a car history from 16-20....
I'm not sure if i'll run because, I've never auto-x before and don't have a helmet. We'll see.....
Hope to meet you soon.
Pete

[pwd72s]

Keith, back in the early 70's, Chuck Stoddard did some hot rodding to a 914-6. Memories fade over time, but think it had a 2.4 S for power, just modest flares, so he could run 6's and 7's, tricks like increased fan air intake, but all looking very stock. He wrote a 3 part (?) series on the modification process for PANO. Can't help but wonder if he still has the car, tucked away among his collection? BTW, I agree...with the mid engine balance, the 914 has basic handling that is still superior to most cars today...hope you enjoyed your ride(s). Say hi to Jane, okay?

[Rick Cabell]

Sorry Keith, I am on the other side of the fence. I have a black 74 euro carrera also and a 914 sixer 1970. The sixer is a bit more of a sports car,but the 2.7 MFI just has that rip snort that can't be beat! Only my opinion.
Happy motoring!

[JuiceMan]

I sadly go through this back-to-back-to-back-to-back change over every week.

One day I will drive the 2000 Mustang the car is rather quick because it has a 200HP V6, 5-speed and no options helps to make it nimble. It's a nice car indeed and fun.

Then I switch over to the 2002 PT Cruiser. It is very comfortable and great looking as well however it is totally gutless and has no power. However I love the MPG

Then I switch over to the 1965 Mustang 289 Automatic and try to imagin what exactly it was like to drive V8 front engine American car fast on a curvy road in the 1960s (only one word scary) because I just turned 20. The car is a blast and has plenty of power however try to go around a curve anything over the speed limit and it feels like you are about to flip!

Then I hop into the Porsche and the whole world seems like a brighter and more enjoyable place. I feel like I am connected to the road every inch I drive the car. The handling is incredible and my senses are overloaded with the beautiful melody of the flat four and the overall nimble feeling of the car.

Yeap no doubt about it I love my 912 and one day will have a 930 sitting next to it

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by Keith S
Anyone else done any recent 'back-to-backs'?

I usually switch back and forth at least six days a week between these two:



I use one to haul medical ultrasound equipment, and the other to haul *ss from time to time.

The Ford can lift 800 lbs.
The Porsche can lift my spirits.

The Ford can make me money.
The Porsche can make me spend it.

The Ford has a great sound system.
The Porsche has a great sound.

You get the idea.

[Keith S]

Originally posted by Rick Cabell
Sorry Keith, I am on the other side of the fence. I have a black 74 euro carrera also and a 914 sixer 1970. The sixer is a bit more of a sports car,but the 2.7 MFI just has that rip snort that can't be beat! Only my opinion.
Happy motoring!

Wow! Somebody else with the same garage contents! What colour is the 914/6? Don't tell me it's Metallic Blue..... That would be too much of a coincidence! Do you have any photos?

I love this thread....

[Rick Cabell]

Keith,I have had several 914/6 cars. The current one is green. Mine to is sleeping for the winter. I will take photos when it wakes up!

[Plays with cars]

Keith, you did a great job of contrasting the two cars. Just had my '74 914-2.0 and the '73 911S at the PCA autocross this weekend. Wow, definitely related, but definitely different. The 'S' is fun for changing speed (motor and brakes), but the 914 beats it hands down when it comes to changing direction.

I have the same problem with my wife: she doesn't appreciate how much sense it makes to put a hot MFI engine in the 914. Add a brake upgrade and you've got to be approaching the ultimate street legal gokart.