Another Amelia Island Concours has come and gone. We’ve already posted all the Porsche auction results, so now it’s time for pictures. This year’s show featured the Porsche 914 and did so with a splendid grouping of significant 914 race cars. As we’ve done for the last few years, we’ve given the assignment of documenting the Porsches on Amelia Island to T.J. Kessler. T.J. is a Junior at Lakeside High School in Atlanta. His love of photography and his knowledge of Porsche comes naturally. He is the son of Lynn and Tom Kessler, owners of a 1974 911 Carrera, and the grandson of Betty Jo and Leonard Turner who for more than 40 years were the moving forces behind Porsche Panorama Magazine. Here’s what T.J. had to say about his time at the Concours.
“I really liked Amelia this year because the featured Porsches were 914/6s and the 914 is my dream car. There were more competition 914s on the field than I’d ever seen in one place and I had the chance to shoot them all.” T.J. Kessler
Porsche 916
The 916 had a full 911S drivetrain and a luxury interior, but only 11 were produced before the project was cancelled. This one is said to be the only 916 sent by the factory to the United States.
Marathon de la Route #2
This Porsche 914 was part of a one-two-three finish at the 86-hour Marathon de la Route on the Nürburgring in 1970.
Porsche 914-8
Now here’s the ultimate sleeper—a 914 fitted with an all out eight-cylinder 908 engine. It proved the 914 could handle a lot more power than it was delivered with.
Now here’s the ultimate sleeper—a 914 fitted with an all out eight-cylinder 908 engine. It proved the 914 could handle a lot more power than it was delivered with.
Monte Carlo Rally car #1
Built in 1970 for the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally, this special rally 914/6 GT also served as a practice car for Vic Elford at the Targa Florio.
Daytona Jacques Duval #5 yellow
This 914/6GT won its class at Daytona in 1971, finishing seventh overall. It’s owners say that it has never been restored and looks exactly as it did for the 24-hour race.
Lufthansa 914/6 GT # 88
One of the first of the 11 factory built 914/6 GTs, this one spent most of its life in Germany. In 1970, it was second in class at the Nürburgring and set a 1000-km lap record for the class.
Brumos #59
Hurley Haywood and Peter Gregg dominated the first ever IMSA GT championship with this 914/6 GT in 1971. After its restoration in 1988, Haywood drove it to its first vintage race win at Palm Beach.
Troutman Truck # 0P
Kevin Jeannette created his fantasy utility truck out of a 914 and painted to match the three 1970 Marathon de la Route winners.
Brumos #58
This Brumos 914/6 GT went to Mexico in 1972 for driver Hector Rebaque. It was restored by Klub Sport and has never raced since.
View Comments (1)
Hey Mr. T.J. Kessler,
Allow me to send you a super astronomical THANK YOU! For all these wonderful 914 pictures. You just made this gorgeous day even better!
I've always been a 911 devotee, but ever since I saw the first pictures (B&W) of the 914 in the '72 March issue of the French L'Automobile, I developed a Jello-like pudding 914-6 / 916 soft spot in my heart.
Have a great day, Sir and please keep your great pictures coming!