1970 Porsche 914/6 GT [Typ 47]

1970 Porsche 914/6 GT [Typ 47] in Przed rajdem, Documentary, 1971

Class: Cars, Coupé — Model origin:

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Comments about this vehicle

Author	Message
dsl ◊ 2011-01-12 17:53	Quote:"Back in 1970 Porsche's competition department looked towards the 914-6 as a possible alternative to the 911 as a rally weapon. It made sense, too, because the car had won much praise for its exemplary handling. The first public outing for the works cars was in the 1970 RAC Rally for a lone 914-6 GT, crewed by Claude Haldi and John Gretener. And even though the event was seen more as an evaluation exercise, the 914-6 GT finished a creditable 12th overall. All eyes were then set on the Monte Carlo Rally, an event in which the 914-6 was expected to excel. Three works-prepared cars were entered, driven by Bjorn Waldegard, Ake Andersson and Gerard Larrousse all highly skilled drivers who knew the Monte like the backs of their hands. But the weather was to deal the Porsche team a cruel blow. The 1971 Monte Carlo Rally was the snowiest on record, and the drivers were quoted as preferring the more tail-happy handling of the 911 under such conditions. Had the event been dry their views might have been quite different, because the neutral handling of the mid-engined 914-6 GT would have been a positive advantage on dry Tarmac stages. Unfortunately two cars, those of Andersson and Larrousse, were forced to retire with gearbox problems, but Waldegard soldiered on to finish a worthy third overall. Sadly, though, this marked the end of Porsche's support for the 914-6 in competition despite the fact that a 914-6 GT had won its class at Le Mans in 1970. It was a shortsighted decision, because the 914 in all its forms went on to become a formidable competitor in many areas of motorsport, especially in the USA." from http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/boxster_rally_car.htm (towards bottom of page). Photo of one 1971 RMC 914-6 at http://www.pbase.com/9146gt/image/56583651 . -- Last edit: 2011-01-12 17:54:43
Weasel1984 ◊ 2011-01-12 17:59	Interesting background!
dsl ◊ 2011-01-12 20:18	Also see Link to "www.supercars.net" for a huge account.

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Message

dsl

◊ 2011-01-12 17:53

Quote:"Back in 1970 Porsche's competition department looked towards the 914-6 as a possible alternative to the 911 as a rally weapon. It made sense, too, because the car had won much praise for its exemplary handling. The first public outing for the works cars was in the 1970 RAC Rally for a lone 914-6 GT, crewed by Claude Haldi and John Gretener. And even though the event was seen more as an evaluation exercise, the 914-6 GT finished a creditable 12th overall. All eyes were then set on the Monte Carlo Rally, an event in which the 914-6 was expected to excel. Three works-prepared cars were entered, driven by Bjorn Waldegard, Ake Andersson and Gerard Larrousse all highly skilled drivers who knew the Monte like the backs of their hands. But the weather was to deal the Porsche team a cruel blow. The 1971 Monte Carlo Rally was the snowiest on record, and the drivers were quoted as preferring the more tail-happy handling of the 911 under such conditions. Had the event been dry their views might have been quite different, because the neutral handling of the mid-engined 914-6 GT would have been a positive advantage on dry Tarmac stages. Unfortunately two cars, those of Andersson and Larrousse, were forced to retire with gearbox problems, but Waldegard soldiered on to finish a worthy third overall. Sadly, though, this marked the end of Porsche's support for the 914-6 in competition despite the fact that a 914-6 GT had won its class at Le Mans in 1970. It was a shortsighted decision, because the 914 in all its forms went on to become a formidable competitor in many areas of motorsport, especially in the USA." from http://homepage.virgin.net/shalco.com/boxster_rally_car.htm (towards bottom of page). Photo of one 1971 RMC 914-6 at http://www.pbase.com/9146gt/image/56583651 .

-- Last edit: 2011-01-12 17:54:43

Weasel1984

◊ 2011-01-12 17:59

Interesting background!

dsl

◊ 2011-01-12 20:18

Also see Link to "www.supercars.net" for a huge account.

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1970 Porsche 914/6 GT [Typ 47]