The Porsche name is one that instantly conjures up images of iconic design, silhouettes of fastback, spoilered rears, and pontoon, aerodynamic fronts. But not every car ever made in Munich was nearly as respected as the 911.

The 914 as it appeared at the time of purchase, circa 2010. Photo credit: {link=http://www.914club.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=332491}914club.com[/link}
The 914 seen here, belonging to Mike De (aka returf on 914club.com) is one of the lucky few to have survived some forty years of abuse, and certainly looked the part for much of its life. The New Zealander originally bought the Porsche to have as “a midmounted track car or even a certified road car” that he could romp around in, and quickly went the way of the LS swap after finding out how much a replacement flat-six would run him.
The 914 as it appears today. A night and day difference.
With the LS1 sorted, as well as an ECU and engine loom, De secured a six-speed Subaru transmission and custom-fab exhaust and had it all installed. Along the way, a turbocharger was suggested by De’s son as a way to harness more power, and a BorgWarner unit was patched in along with an intercooler post-haste.
The front of the 914 was given a GT1 front clip, while further enhancements saw to a Wilwood disc brake installation, bushing and bearing overhaul, and a repaint of the entire body. Before long, De had himself a genuine track star, and was showing it off at the local track as seen in the video above.
We hope man and machine get many more happy laps together in the future, and wonder what his next oddball project will be. Check out De’s complete build thread here.

The American flag pays tribute to the the power underneath, while the German flag honors the Fatherland first and foremost.