The
916 program resulted in 11 prototypes being built to gauge public reaction before
the project was cancelled. These 11 cars were built to US specification which
meant they were fitted with air con, why air con? Because unlike the 914 these
had fixed steel roofs as well as modified bodies with more aerodynamic front
and rear bumpers, flared arches to accommodate the wider wheels which were
styled on the race version of the 914, ventilated discs all round and an
uprated gearbox. So why all these improvements? Well that would be either the
2.4ltr or 2.7ltr out of the 911S and Carrera. With it weighing in 165lbs
lighter than the 911 it also meant it was the fasted Porsche at the time. The
public reaction to the car was very positive however the cost of the car was
not, the production car would have cost more that the legendary 911 but for a
car that was deemed below it in the pecking order.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Porsche 916
Could
this be the car that all Porsche enthusiast really wanted the 914 to be, after
all the 914, to some anyway, was not really a Porsche as its heart was a
Volkswagen flat four. This was despite it also being offered with a Porsche
derived flat six. It was always on the edge of both marques not really fitting
in to either. Personally I love it, its 70’s styling, mid engined layout and
removable top meant it was a true sports car of the age. Porsche though
realised the buying public wanted a little more, the result was the 916
program.
Labels:
Porsche,
Prototypes,
vw
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