Since we are off on a Porsche tangent today and Chris has been courteous to share some rare Porsche's I might as well chime in:
Another rare (really really rare P-Car) is the 914/8. What makes this car so special? How about a 908 3.0 Liter Flat 8 stuffed in the mid-section.
Here is the 908 Flat 8 packed into a 1700lb race car
The difference's in a stock 914 versus the 914/8 from the outside.
This version is very different than the 914/6 2 liter cars that were produced.
The 914/8 shared the engine that powered the venerable 908 which ultimately became the 917 (lengthened chassis with the flat 12). Only 2 914/8's were produced. The first was instigated by Ferdinand Piech with the 908 motor packing 310HP at 9000 RPM. The second was built as a gift to Ferry Porsche on his 60th birthday which now resides in the Porsche museum.
Here are a couple of 908's in action:
Yeeeeeee Hawwwwwww!
Funny thing about the 914. The factory really didnt push its potential being it was a joint venture between VW and Porsche (body by Karmann). It had more important interests at the time namely developement of the 911. Like all manufacturers they limit the lessor models as to not compete with its flagships.
Purest's never excepted the 914 as a real Porsche. The fact is a 914/6 of the same year as the 911 , both with 2.0 engines will out excellerate, out brake, and handle better than its brethren with the correct setup. Why? Because its mass is in the middle not the rear and its 400 pounds lighter. Then we have the 916GT which came with either the 2.4 or 2.7 liter motor from the Carrera. Only 11 prototypes of the 916GT were built.
The 914 was replaced in the lineup by the 924 which we will not discuss here (ever).