Little confusion on my part surrounding "M-471", Paging Dr. 914 Options

[Lavanaut]

I've been wondering about this for a long time and was reminded about it last night as I was flipping through the AA catalog and came across pics of George's blue M-471 GT. It's my understanding that the true factory GT race cars did not have the "M-471" designation, that it was technically the designation for the "GT-look" package that one could order from the factory on a /6...?

I guess at the center of my uncertainty is this: when I see "M-471" I immediately think "not a factory GT", but a factory GT look-a-like...just like the wide body "turbo look" 911s.

Can someone help clear this up for me?

Thanks

edit: forgot to say that adding to the confusion is the verbiage in the AA catalog about the "M-471 GT" and its racing history.

[smg914]

One of my favorite subjects. And thanks to all for some excellent descriptions.

I remember talking to Jurgen Barth at Rennsport Reunion III. I took all my M471 documentation with me with the intention of finding Jurgen Barth to see if he knew anything about my car. I eventually found him relaxing under a canopy and I went up to him and said, "Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?" He was very gratious and said, "Sure, have a seat." I sat down with him and we talked for about 15 minutes.

I told him about the Erich Strenger Car and I showed him that the VIN was on the infamous list (telex from Porsche to Joe Hoppen) of 48 factory built 914-6 GT's. He said that he was actually the one that compiled the list for the telex and that all the cars on the list, Porsche considered them to be factory built GT's.

Thats all well and fine but we all know there is a difference between the ones that became factory racecars, privateer racecars and the ones that became street cars.

I believe its possible all the 15 1971 M471 cars were initially intended to be racecars but many of them never made it that far. Since they were on the list they can certainly be considered Homologation GT's. Many of these cars were sold by dealers as "Street GT's" and thats accurate too because they did ended up as street cars.

I don't think you would be wrong if you referred to the M471's as any of the following:
914-6 M471 GT, Homologation GT, Street GT or just plan old 914-6 M471.

Either way, they are very rare and I am proud and honered to take on the responsibility of preserving its place in 914 history.