It is every gearhead's dream to add a Porsche to their garage. The German automaker produces the iconic 911 and a long lineup of powerful, precise-handling sports cars. They are as capable on the track as they are entertaining on the streets, all without losing comfort and durability as daily drivers. Porsche is able to achieve all this by taking a different approach to designing cars. While some models like the Porsche 911 have enjoyed a long run running into decades, some were one-off hits that are today very rare gems, like the forgotten Porsche 916.
Undoubtedly one of the rarest Porsches ever made, the Porsche 916 was planned for the 1972 model year, but never actually went into production. Today, any collector would be glad to add one of the few 916 prototypes still running around to their collection. Here are the things everyone forgot about the Porsche 916.
9 The 916 Came Before The 914
Many say that the 916 resembles the 914, but it is the 916 that came before the 914. Porsche introduced the 916 at the Paris Auto Salon in 1917, featuring many unique features like flared fenders, a steel roof instead of Porsche's famed Targa top, and 7-inch wide Fuch five-spoke wheels. You will be forgiven for calling it beefed up 914 with flared fenders
But it is the 914 that borrowed elements from the 916, seeing it came before the 914 entered production.
8 Polar Opposite Of The 914
While the 916 and 914 share a lot in looks, beneath, they are polar opposites. Both represent different ends of the spectrum. While the 916 fetched high prices, the 914 is touted as the cheapest Porsche a car enthusiast can buy, although recent times have witnessed a hike in resell value. The 914 was a collaborative project between Porsche and Volkswagen and was to add to Porsche's entry-level bestseller, the 912 and Volkswagen's Type 34 Karmann Ghia.
While the 914 was a polarizing junior Porsche, the 916 carried the vision of a different future, where the little mid-engined sports car received a massive injection of power from a big flat-six engine.
7 Was Lighter Than Other Porsche Models Of The Time
Porsches come in lightweight packages, with weight optimization always a top priority for the German automaker. In the 1970s, the 911 was among the lightest in Porsche's lineup, then came the 916, which was significantly lighter.
Plenty of lightweight parts went into the 916. From fiberglass bumpers to door panels made of lighter parts which lowered the car's weight further. The result was a 2000-pounds package. For context, the 1971 Porsche 911 S Coupe weighed in at 2,249 pounds.
6 Was Faster Than A 911
The 916 borrowed the 911's flat-six power mill. Factor in the lighter weight of the 916, and you can see why the 911 had no chance performance-wise. The 916 was hands down the best performing Porsche during those early days of the 'long nose' 911. The car was good for a 145mph top speed and was the fastest in Porsche's 1971 lineup.
The 916 was deemed too fast for general use, and perhaps the threat posed against Porsche's flagship 911 was one of the reasons the project was canceled.
5 Only 11 Units Were Built
There are rarer cars out there, but with only 11 examples, the Porsche 916 has a shout for one of the rarest cars ever built. It is also undeniably one of the few Porsches only true enthusiasts have heard of. All the 916s were prototypes, and their limited status is something collectors who have one are happy about.
In Goliath's list of the rarest cars in the world, the Porsche 916 features alongside cars like the Oldsmobile F-88, Ferrari 250 GT Spyder Convertible, and Rolls-Royce 15 hp. That's some good company to keep.
4 Only One 916 Was Shipped To America
Over the years, we have seen plenty of cars fail to make it to the United States, and Americans miss out on awesome rides. Much can be attributed to the substantial differences between the American market and those in Europe. We wrote about badass exotic cars you can't drive on American roads, because they were never built for this market. The Porsche 916 could have made that list, except it actually made it to these shores.
Only one 916 unit was built to US specs and shipped to the United States, and today you can view it at the Automobile Atlanta Museum in Marietta, Georgia.
3 The 916 Was Once The Most Expensive Porsche
When Porsche announced the 916 at the Paris Auto Salon, they were already in a sales slump, which makes it more interesting they slapped a $14,000 price tag on the car, which was unheard of for a Porsche, making it the most expensive Porsche of that period. So, the 916 offered no hope of reversing the slump, and Porsche consequently canceled the project.
At its price, the 916 was closer to the Ferrari Dino than it was to its 911 sibling, which went for about $10,000.
2 Had Curious Quirky Looks
With the 916, Porsche took an entirely different direction with the exterior design. Many Porsche fans might not be quick to take into the car's body style, but its bulked-up 914 with wide fenders and reworked bumpers vibe can easily grow on anyone.
The 916 was like no other Porsche, and compared to the dominantly rounded and long nose 911, this car's shape looked quirky, thanks to the sharp stroke lines at the canopy and front fascia. But the departure from the regular Porsche Targa roof to a fixed top made it less appealing to the eye, although it was advantageous as it stiffened the body, making it more agile than its other Porsche siblings.
1 Today, Porsche 916s fetch About $1 Million
The 916 might have proven too fast for Porsche to sell, but you can own one for about $1 million if you are lucky enough to find a willing seller. Currently, there are no 916s on sale. The original prototype and formerly factory-owned 916 dubbed Brutus sold for $1,052,909 at the Retromobile auction.
The yellow 916 gifted to Louise Piech, sister of Porsche executive Ferdinand Piech, was also estimated to cost about $1 million at RM Sotheby's Monterey online auction, which goes to show the 916 is among the most desirable classic Porsche cars.