To Badge Or Not To Badge, Purist vs. Polished - A 914 Identity Crisis Emphasis on the Emblem Options

[Tom_T]

the hood badge in & of itself is a "prototype feature" not used on any production cars initially sold to the public.

I don't agree with your use of the word "prototype". IMHO, you're using it in a much too general context.

There were only very few real 914 prototype cars and none of them should be part of this discussion.
Again, the car pictured on the owners manual is *not* a prototype.

There are plenty of production cars with hood badges to talk about (even if dealer installed).

I find it irritating that you need to refer to anything remotely deviating from production as "prototype".
IMHO, that dilutes the very meaning of that word.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Probably "pre-production" is a better term used in most auto mags of the day for the first few trial models of a car built on the actual production line.

However Andy, & for those wondering if the photo in the owners manual is a pre-production, production or prototype - if you compare the photo below as posted in the first post....

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-15092-1353424313.jpg)

...

.... with the photo on the lower right of page 33 in Brian Long's "Porsche 914 & 914-6, The Definitive History of the Road & Competition Cars" (the later March 2006 printing with the Delphi Green & Beige interior car on the cover), you will see that this is the same exact 914-6 pic therein denoted in the caption as a "...914/6 prototype...." - but in the above case the background has been cropped out (I'm pretty sure they would overlay exactly if at the same size of the car's image).

I won't post a copy of that pic here, due to copyright infringement issues, so the folks here will just have to pull the book off the shelf & look it up "old school"!

It is indeed a pic of a prototype 914-6 showing the hood badge in the owners manual pic posted here, unless you're claiming that Brian Long was wrong in his photo caption noted above.

This isn't an O&H nailed topic where we're trying to keep permutations of the discussions out, but an open O&H topic which is supposed to be open to full discussion about & related to the topic(s).

That said, let us not further hijack his post with our discussion, and just agree to disagree on theses prototype matters, and respect that the original poster & maker of this topic appreciated my additions - prototypes included - and leave it at that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Tom_T]

Ideally I'd like to have two. A pristine, all-original car and one that I could (intelligently, not put a Boxster body kit and other ridiculous add-ons) modify and soup up power to. A nicely done conversion. Then, since it would obviously exceed its originality, I would have no problem cresting that one.

EDIT Below: I added some engine & headlight pix & info....

It's more cost effective & easier to store a 2nd hood painted to the car - then run the hood badge if that's what you prefer, & use the unadorned one for CW events where it matters. It's just 4 bolts to change out, but some time to get the panel joints right.

BTW - with PCA it doesn't matter either way until you get to national Parade, and only then if it's a close tie or challenged as not original. IIRC just a couple of years ago the top 2 914 class winners had hood badges in Illinois I think. Local regional & zone concours do not judge on originality at all anymore - just on how clean & well prep'ed the car is (I judge in Zone 8).

PS - I think it would be awesome to do a 914-8 tribute car build like you mention for that 2nd car, using the flat 8 magnesium/aluminum alloy case 908 aircooled engine & all of the brake, suspension & other upgrades as with the two 914-8 prototypes above! That would be a hot screamer & period correct! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)



.

And I agree about the flares on the 914-8 vs. the 914-6/GTs - the latter looks like a current Detroit pick-up or SUV lump of a flare, whereas the 914-8's look like they should've for any 914 & similar to the smooth bodywork flares as used on 911 series cars of that day.

PSS - forgot to mention that they are dual hi/lo beam headlights on the 914-8.

[SirAndy]

It is indeed a pic of a prototype 914-6 showing the hood badge in the owners manual pic posted here, unless you're claiming that Brian Long was wrong in his photo caption noted above.

Citing a reference (book) that is known to have more errors than Gene Simmons had mistresses is not really proving anything.

I most certainly question how Brian Long came to that conclusion.

I have a list of all the real prototype shells that were delivered by Karmann to Porsche.
That list is surprisingly short and most of them were /4 chassis!
Of the few /6 shells even fewer were build into actual road worthy cars.

Unless Brian Long (or anyone else for that matter) can produce a VIN number that falls within the prototype VIN range, i call BS on that one.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[Tom_T]

It is indeed a pic of a prototype 914-6 showing the hood badge in the owners manual pic posted here, unless you're claiming that Brian Long was wrong in his photo caption noted above.

Citing a reference (book) that is known to have more errors than Gene Simmons had mistresses is not really proving anything.

I most certainly question how Brian Long came to that conclusion.

I have a list of all the real prototype shells that were delivered by Karmann to Porsche.
That list is surprisingly short and most of them were /4 chassis!
Of the few /6 shells even fewer were build into actual road worthy cars.

Unless Brian Long (or anyone else for that matter) can produce a VIN number that falls within the prototype VIN range, i call BS on that one.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Okay, but let's leave it lie & not debate it further here..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[tumamilhem]

[/quote]
PSS - forgot to mention that they are dual hi/lo beam headlights on the 914-8.



[/quote]

DAMN! I was right! I've never seen those before! Those dual headlights look awesome! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Yeah if I could afford to have two and convert one, I'd definitely like a nice (not cheesy kit looking) V8 conversion. Too bad I'm broke and for the most part mechanically inept. :/

[sixnotfour]

dont drill holes, cut the posts off the back and use 3m double back trim tape, Or a decal....then you can move it around, because everyone will tell you where it should be and or you can take if off.

I run the sticker.

[tumamilhem]

dont drill holes, cut the posts off the back and use 3m double back trim tape, Or a decal....then you can move it around, because everyone will tell you where it should be and or you can take if off.

I run the sticker.

I wouldn't use a sticker. If I badge it I'd use the actual period-correct metal shield. Wouldn't the tape leave residue on the paint, especially after it gets hot? Also the heat I think would make the tape brittle over time and you'd want to make it secur to where it doesn't fall off from deterioration or stolen or damage paint.

[Pat Garvey]

the hood badge in & of itself is a "prototype feature" not used on any production cars initially sold to the public.

I don't agree with your use of the word "prototype". IMHO, you're using it in a much too general context.

There were only very few real 914 prototype cars and none of them should be part of this discussion.
Again, the car pictured on the owners manual is *not* a prototype.

There are plenty of production cars with hood badges to talk about (even if dealer installed).

I find it irritating that you need to refer to anything remotely deviating from production as "prototype".
IMHO, that dilutes the very meaning of that word.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Well Andy, we've found common ground!

Crest shouldn't be there - no matter placement.

It's bogus.

Anyone ever see a prancing horse on a 246 Dino? That would be bogus too.

Prototypes are just that - prototyypes. Engineers playing with NON-PRODUCTION cars.

"We don't need no stinking badges..."

[scotty b]

dont drill holes, cut the posts off the back and use 3m double back trim tape, Or a decal....then you can move it around, because everyone will tell you where it should be and or you can take if off.

I run the sticker.

Magnetic hood badges (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[tumamilhem]

[/quote]


Magnetic hood badges (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
[/quote]

I thought about that. But could get stolen. Also the magnet is metal on paint. Will eventually damage paint. A buffer could be used, but would make the magnet insecure to the hood. Best thing is to commit to it or not.

[MDG]

Might just be the camera angle . . . but this dood got it totally wrong. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

Down . . . and to the left. Or is that right?

[Eric_Shea]

Didn't the 914-S have a badge? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Bunch-O-Lads need a life...

[tumamilhem]

No the 914S didn't have a badge because it was never sold that way. There were ads for it but what they ended up doing was just calling it the 2.0.

[dlestep]

If one has a need to put an incorrect Porsche crest on the 914, the 944 silver crests look better, in my view, if I were to consider it.
I think the black background Wolfsburg crest would be more appropriate for the 914/4. I would never punch holes in the front trunk lid.
Since I no longer have my Porsche 2.4 donor engine and running with the T4, my
grill will not carry the P O R S C H E lettering. Yes, that too isn't correct for the
Porsche of American import, but I don't care.
If it doesn't have a 6, at least for me, it isn't a Porsche, but a Wolfsburg replacement
of the Ghia, which it is. The 914/4 has always had an identity crisis.
Engineering-wise, the 2.0 T4 matched the push-rod 356 power and was sufficient as an entry
level Porsche platform, and at the same time a sporty VW, that was a high-end Ghia
replacement.
The marketing guys were retards back then and failed to understand the huge
gap that has always existed between VW and Porsche. The 914/4 was a 1 mile
bridge across a 5 mile river by Porsche people, and a 5 mile bridge across a 1 mile
river, as far as VW people were concerned.
POA tried to tie them together with marketing mumbo-jumbo, Porsche/Audi/VW.
Even the 914/6 was considered ONLY a VOPO in Europe.
Despite everything, the 914 created its' own racing heritage, and its' own niche.
I always remind Porsche people (with airs), that real purpose-built Porsches
are mid-ship, and to go sit in a 904 prior to sitting in a 914. Now STFU !
[sidebar] I have always preferred Ferry's 914/8 over Piech's hideous version.

[sixnotfour]

if a thiief wants it they will take it.
When I owned the infamous Steel Top 914 someone removed the hood emblem with a screwdriver, Now that did some damage.

[scotty b]

If one has a need to put an incorrect Porsche crest on the 914, the 944 silver crests .[/i]

944 had the same gold crest as every other Porsche. All the silver crests you see are aftermarket. If you know otherwise I'd love to see the proof. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[Eric_Shea]

No the 914S didn't have a badge because it was never sold that way. There were ads for it but what they ended up doing was just calling it the 2.0.

No way!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[Pat Garvey]

No the 914S didn't have a badge because it was never sold that way. There were ads for it but what they ended up doing was just calling it the 2.0.

No way!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

WAY!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[mepstein]

I'm waiting on the multi page 914-S photo documentary. You know he's going to go there...

[MDG]

I'm waiting on the multi page 914-S photo documentary. You know he's going to go there...

Mark, there is a very comprehensive thread on that here.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=107851





(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif)

you're welcome.