0137 is a genuine 1970 Factory Test Development car first owned by Eigenbedarfsfahrzeug der (In-House Vehicle of) Porsche AG.
BACKGROUND TO THE 914/6 GT
Porsche’s strong historical links with Volkswagen we reaffirmed in 1969 with the launch of the Porsche-designed VW-Porsche 914, a mid-engined, Targa-top sports car to be assembled by Karmann of Osnabruck. At the time Volkswagen needed a new car to replace the ageing Karmann-Ghia while Porsche was looking for another option to add to its line-up. First seen at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the 914/4 used the 1,679cc, four-cylinder, air-cooled motor of the Volkswagen 411 while the 914/6 was powered by the Porsche 911T’s 2.0-litre six, which was installed at the Zuffenhausen factory where the 914/6 was finished off. Both cars employed all- independent suspension – a mixture of 911 and VW parts – to which were married four-wheel disc brakes and a five-speed gearbox.
The 914’s reputation for excellent handling was somewhat marred by criticism that the four- cylinder version was too slow, though lack of speed was never a shortcoming of the 914/6. Porsche being Porsche there was, inevitably, a competition version of the 914/6 – the 914/6GT – a small batch of which was built in 1970. The GT’s engine was tuned for 220bhp, while glassfibre panels and Plexiglas windows helped get the weight down and flared arches accommodated wider wheels.
During 1969 and 1970 the Porsche racing department built 12 special 914/6 GTs for the factory teams: three prototype and test cars; two Targa Florio practice cars; three Marathon de la Route cars; three Rally Monte Carlo cars; and one RAC Rally car.
The three 914/6 GTs prepared for the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally were driven by Ove Andersson, Bjorn Waldegaard and Gerard Larrousse. Of these 12 racing department-built cars, two were scrapped and the first car built did not have the fender flares and the full race package.
This leaves only nine actual GT cars. Of the three Rally Monte Carlo cars, Waldegaard’s was scrapped, Andersson’s was sold to Recaro and then changed into the famous Linge ‘ONS’ racetrack rescue car, which is believed to be the first modern safety car.
Chassis 914 143 0137 – DATA
Manufactured on 1st November 1970, chassis number ‘914 1430137’ is an ex-works 914/6 GT that was retained by Porsche AG as an Eigenbedarfsfahrzeug (literally: self-use car) for testing purposes. It is one of the earliest 916/6 GT works test cars, built using the internal factory number ‘914-55’ (recorded on an old label in the left-side door shut). Reproduced within the accompanying illustrated history, the original factory homologation papers dated 1st October 1971 show chassis number ‘914 1430137’ was supplied with the first ever 914/6 engine, ‘6400001’. The Porsche record card shows that this car was initially built without an engine and described as ‘Versuch’ (experimental). The same goes for the three works cars used on the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally: ‘914-56’, ‘914-57’ and ‘914-58’.
Showing only 3 owners from new the fantastic car has been accurately restored back to factory GT specification.
Chassis 914 143 0137 – HISTORY 1970 – 72
Manufactured on 1st November 1970, chassis number ‘914 1430137’ is an ex-works 914/6 GT that was retained by Porsche AG as an Eigenbedarfsfahrzeug (literally: self-use car) for testing purposes. It is one of the earliest 916/6 GT works test cars, built using the internal factory number ‘914-55’ (recorded on an old label in the left-side door shut). Within the accompanying illustrated history, the original factory homologation papers dated 1st October 1971 show chassis number ‘914 1430137’ was supplied with the first ever 914/6 engine, ‘6400001’. The Porsche record card shows that this car was initially built without an engine and described as ‘Versuch’ (experimental). The same goes for the three works cars used on the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally: ‘914-56’, ‘914-57’ and ‘914-58’.
Chassis 914 143 0137 – OWNERSHIP HISTORY
1st Owner: September 1972 – March 1997
American John Rulon-Miller purchased 0137 directly from the Porsche Factory in September 1972. A German citizen John was already successfully racing Porsches and had developed a good relationship with the Porsche race department.
John had competed principally in West German national races with occasional forays to Zandvoort and Zolder. Spreading his wing’s he raced at various European circuits including his first long distance race in the Monza 6 Hours in the European GT Championship. His career spanned several decade including successful races at Le Mans and Daytona.
John used regularly in Germany until relocated to the UK in 1975. In 1983 the he moved to Greece taking the car with him, returning back to the UK in 1984 and the car immediately went into storage until being sold to Classic Porsche specialist Mike Smith from PR Services in 1997 .
Chassis 914 143 0137 – OWNERSHIP HISTORY
2nd Owner: March 1997 – June 2019
Classic Porsche specialist Mike Smith of PR Services purchased 0137 in March 1997, the car was still painted in signal orange and had been dry stored for over 10 years.
Mike Initially attacked the restoration with great gusto but these cars are notoriously time consuming to restore and commitments to other projects meant that the work ground to a halt. The car was moved around from storage to storage until it was finally entrusted to Martin Greaves of Classic Performance Engineering in 2012 to finish the restoration. The car has been meticulously restored using original 914/6 GT parts and the supporting restoration file sown invoices in excess of £300GBP.
The car has been prepared for track use and comes with FIA papers and the aforementioned illustrated history (perusal essential).
A picture of 0137 as it was found in March 1997
ENGINE 640001
The car is currently fitted with a twin spark plug 2.0-Litre S engine, numbered 961200. This engine was fitted to the car and rebuilt in 2016 and delivers around 250bhp. It has only been used on the track for set up and testing purposes. The historically important engine case with number 6400001 comes with the car but is not currently fitted.
Chassis 914 143 0137 – OWNERSHIP HISTORY
3rd Owner: June 2019 To date
Export 56 purchased the car in 2019 to for a Classic Porsche collector to reside in a significant collection of rare road and race Porsches and the car has been presented at several prestigious European events.
More recently, ‘0137’ was put through its paces by the former works Porsche driver Richard Atwood who in 1970 secured the German manufacturer’s first ever overall victory at Le Mans, partnered with Hans Herrmann in a Type 917. That same race saw a factory-supplied 914/6 GT driven by Claude Ballot-Lna and Guy Chasseuil finish 6th overall, winning the GT 2000 class outright and beating all the works-entered 911s. All the cars ahead of it were sports prototypes.
This car represents a very rare opportunity to acquire an original factory built 914/6GT, beautifully presented, fully prepared for track use and comes with FIA papers and the aforementioned illustrated history file.
We are able to assist with race support, international shipping, transport and storage.
For more information about this Porsche 914/6GT for sale in our Cranfield facility or to arrange an appointment, please contact our sales team on 01908 921256 or email enquiries@export56.com