Chip Ganassi's Porsche 914/6 Hits the Auction Block
This rare Porsche 914/6 has a notable ownership history.
Rare and Notable
The 914 is one of the more underappreciated Porsches built throughout the automaker's long history, chiefly because it's not exactly what one might call fast. However, there are those that do love the 914, and it seems as if Motorsports Hall of Famer Chip Ganassi is one of them. The former driver and current Ganassi Racing CEO owned this particularly rare 1971 Porsche 914/6 for a while, and now, it has crossed the block at Bonham's Amelia Island auction.
Photos: Bonhams
More Exciting
The 914/6 addressed the regular 914's deficiencies in terms of power by replacing its four-cylinder powerplant with a 2.0-liter flat-six that churned out 110 horsepower, which is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. With a four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes, the 914/6 was a fun car to drive, as well as excellent in the handling department, and thus, it's not a surprise that Ganassi wanted to own one.
Photos: Bonhams
Options List
Aside from its ownership history, this particular 914/6 Targa is a sublime example of its breed with cool Signal Orange paint, along with a nifty options list that includes things like an electric heated rear window, a limited-slip differential, a tinted windshield, an antenna with a loudspeaker and noise suppression, as well as light metal wheels.
Photos: Bonhams
Back to Life
Originally purchased by Vernon W Gurzenoa of Somerset, Pennsylvania on July 20, 1971, this 914/6 wound up in the possession of Ganassi in 2012, at which point the racing legend subjected the car to a full nut and bolt restoration to bring it back to its original condition, and that process was documented fully along the way.
Photos: Bonhams
Exhaustive and Extensive
Today, there simply aren't many nicer examples of this particular model out there in the world, as this one retains its original owner's manual and maintenance booklet in its original pouch, as well as a Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity. It features its original, numbers-matching engine and transmission, touting a correct restoration that was both exhaustive and extensive.
Photos: Bonhams
Big Investments
Fittingly, this particular car is also listed in the 914/6 Registry and has just 61,000 original miles, though the seller just gave the car's engine an overhaul recently as well. They dished out a total of $38,950 refreshing the old Porsche, on top of who knows how much money was previously spent restoring it.
Photos: Bonhams
Big Money
Shoppers were certainly eager to get their hands on this cool classic, as bidding reached an astounding $148,400 at auction before the hammer fell, making this easily one of the most expensive Porsche 914s in history. Given its condition, history, and rarity, however, that isn't a massive surprise, at least.
Photos: Bonhams
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