David993S

Here's an odd question for you 914-6 experts:
Did Porsche ever make the 914-6 with the Sportomatic transmission of that time? (my guess is no). If not, do you 914-6 experts think it is possible to fit a sportomatic transmissin to a 914-6 (or a 914-6 clone from a 914)? Given that the 914 engine/transmisison layout is opposite from the 911 of the same era with the Sportomatic, how might it be accomplished?

Thanks.

skl

Supposedly it was an option and is discussed in various Porsche books but I've never seen one. I believe a fellow from Texas who used to present at the War Bonnett tech session back in the late 70's and 80's had one as he only had one good leg, but I'm afraid I don't remember his name as it's been a few years since many of us from Des Moines and Iowa City used to caravan down to Tulsa, and then Oklahoma City.
I'm sure it could be done but would be one hell of a job. I had a 1970 911T targa with sportmatic I bought from a friend as a parts car many years back and took off all the sportmatic parts but they've been long since sold, or lost unfortunately...
Good luck!!! You'll need it...

GTgears

There was one in an article in Excellence a few years ago. They talked about the production numbers in that article but I don't remember exactly how many they made. Memory says a couple of dozen.

I am 100% sure they made them from the factory. In fact, just today I needed to look something up in the Transmission book of the Factory Service Manuals and just like they do for the early 911's they've got a section dedicated to rebuilding and servicing the sportomatic gearbox.

Jay Gratton

I know they made them as well, but I don't even think it was a couple of dozen. In fact I think it was less then a dozen.

David993S

Thanks for the info - I appreciate it. I'm actually surprised they made any, but it's interesting to know a few were made. Obviously a very rare car (for a reason )

Since some were apparently made, it is therefore possible to adapt the sportomatic trans to the mid-engine/rear gearbox configuration......any thoughts on what would be involved? Hugely difficult or within reason for a competent p-car shop?

Thanks.

racer

I have read that they built 1 example of the 914-6 with a sportomatic. I have read that it was available as an option. That said, there are sometimes Options that are never actually made available. Heck, in 30+ years of PCA events, I can recall seeing in person only 1 sportomatic ever.. It was a '74 911. The owner had one leg (hence the need).

I guess first you would have to locate a working sporto trans and all its "paraphenalia".. ie, perhaps some swithes, hydraulic controls etc; revise floorboard (?), pedals, and then wonder.. why did I do this?

I would be curious to know the actual number of Sporto 911's built to know if sourcing the parts could be possible!

mtdoragary

I bought a few 914's in 70 and 71. And I had one 914-6. I inquired at the time about a Sport-O-Matic 914-6, and was advised that it was put into print that they would be available, but there was never enough interest generated to actually put them into production. That was verified by every dealership I talked to. I believe it was nothing but a fishing expedition to gauge interest.

Jay Gratton

^^^^ Interesting.

race911

Somewhere in the recesses of my memory I recall seeing a rear shot of a 914-6 with the whole "VW-Porsche 914-6" script AND the "sportomatic" script. Home built? Who knows!

But if someone wanted to home-build, what would be the big deal? Flip the ring and pinion, all of the gearshift/actuation should be the same, pedal box different (?). Shift linkage could be a bit clunky, but the mechanical actuation isn't different, is it? Probably could even adapt a side shifter. Another thing that comes to mind is that there was a vacuum cannister in there? But as the '69-71T's all had carbs, that wouldn't be too much of an obstacle.

David993S

Thanks. That's what I was looking for. The mechanical actuation is the same as on a regular 915 gearbox but was actuated by some kind of vacuum servo.
Thanks again.
Cheers.

crater64

Some info here http://www.sportomatic.org/node/92 that at least five (5) 914-6 Sportos, and perhaps as many as 25, were built in model years 1970-71.

I have a '70 Sporto but, alas, mine is not an elusive 914-6 but a mundane 911T.

Hope this helps,
Ed

JimGinKC

I remember reading about these in Excellence, but i can't lay my hands on the issue it was in. Seemed there was some differing opinions about how many six cylinders were made, and I think they said 2 four cylinders were built also. I think Automobile Atlanta has at least one of the cars IIRC

David993S

Thanks for the additional information guys. I appreciate it.

M491

I know they built at least one. My neighbor owned one, I drove it a few times.

It was signal orange. At the time (mid 80s) it was bone stock, except for 16x6 inch black center Fuchs. It has the "sportomatic" script on the back, too.

rrogers

Jeff Gacek owned a Sportomatic which he sold to George Hussey of AA. I believe there were only 4 or 5 built. A year or so ago there was a great article on the car in Excellence magazine.