Sportomatic transmission, Has anyone seen one? Options

[sarivers2001]

I just read that a very small number of 914s were fitted with an optional Sportomatic semi-automatic transmission.

Has anyone ever seen one? Pictures?

Thanks!

[burton73]

This info was in our database:
Bob B

Found online: Frank Pohl's 914-6 Sporto
Thank you very much for your interest and thank you also for your great work with the Sportomatic-platform!

http://www.sportomatic.org/sportowners/frank.htm

Concerning the numbers of cars built, I did some research a several years ago. The result was, that I found about 10 body numbers. Unfortunately, my notices are lost. but I remember details of some cars: one Sportomatic belongs to Mr. Spicka in Germany. The car runs with a 2.4 S engine. A second car was featured in the French Magazine "Flat Six" a few years ago. A third had been wrecked in Stuttgart. It was a car with many prototype features. I saved the rear bumper for my 914. I was also offered a 914/4 Sporto in 1993. This car came from Wolfsburg, where the VW factory is. From the 914/4 Sporto probably 2 have been built, making this to one of the rarest Porsche. The 914/6-version has been built in a quantity of at least 25. The Porsche statements indicating 5 been built stem from Jürgen Barth and are not correct.

My car (914 143 0120 went through about 10 pre-owners. The first was a WWII-veteran with just one leg - reason why he bought the car. The fourth owner did not like Sportomatic and built in a mechanical 5-speed-gearbox. In the late Seventies and early Eighties, the car underwent a career of an unliked child. After some further stations of not-caring possessors, there was not too much left from the car´s substance, apart from 4 layers of painting (originally tangerine 2310, then black, green and purple!!!), when I bought it and the rest was in miserable condition. Axles have been packed just on top of the interior, instruments stolen, the body sand blasted without covering glass nor cables nor plates. When we cut out the body, we removed nearly the complete chassis: no floor, no fenders, no doors, no longitudinal inner nor outer frame, no lids remaining. It was a desaster. And so was the interior, electricity, mechanics. You imagine the need for a 13-year-ground-up-restauration........ Fortunately, over the years, I could get a new interior, instruments, electric cables, a factory-new 911 T-Sportomatic -engine and a brand new gear box and so on. Somebody gave me a new converter in exchange for original 959 calipers. Strange ways to a new 914/6 Sportomatic....

Then, in 2002, the car was finally completed and drove for the first time after a 23-years rest. Unfortunately, after some kilometers, a piston burned out destroying the new (and last factory-sold 911 T) engine. Currently, I am enjoying a 2.2 E machine. Makes a lot fun. I am happy to answer all questions or sending you more photos. As soon as I have more time, I will be searching again for other 914 Sportos and sending you information.
Best wishes Frank