The Porsche' prototype You've never heard before

The Rarest One Some time ago we discussed about the unique Porsche 914 model that appeared in the 1970s in 2 versions as follows Porsche 914/4 and Porsche 914/6. And one of the models derived from the Porsche 914/6 version which also has been made the prototype and known no less unique.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 by Carrozzeria Eurostyle under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz. (Picture from: De L'essence)

And the Porsche prototype in question is the Porsche 914 Goertz which was specially made in 1970 under commisioned of Albrecht von Goertz a German noble whose full name is Count Albrecht Graf von Schlitz genannt von Goertz von Wrisberg who is known as an industrial designer who started his career as a bank clerk in Germany but as Adolf Hitler rose to power pre-war, Goertz decided to move to London, remaining only briefly and in 1936 emigrated to the United States then settled in Los Angeles.

The Paragon Coupe Concept is designed by Albrecht von Goertz and built in 1939 based on a Ford Mercury. (Picture from: De L'essence)

In that time to earn a living, Goertz worked at a car wash, in a factory for aircraft engines, and at a flight service. In 1938, he rented a small garage and began to modify Ford Model A and B models. In there's also where he later built his first concept car called the Paragon Coupe (based on the Ford Mercury) is first exhibited at the New York's World Exhibition back in 1939.

The Porsche 914 Goertz's body appeared with a tapered nose and a roofline that extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake. (Picture from: De L'essence)

Then during the 2nd World War he closed the business and joined the US Army in 1940 and served in military services for 5 years. Shortly after war ended, Goetz met with Raymond Loewy, an American famous industrial designer whose realized Goetz's potential in the design field after seeing the Paragon Coupe design, offered a design training scholarship then asked him to join the Loewy's design studio. Albretch von Goertz accepts but not for long, he decided to leave because prefers to be independent.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype seen here remains the one and only example of the ‘914 Breadvan’ ever produced. (Picture from: Carsthatnevermadeitetc)

In 1952, Albretch von Goertz established his own studio named Goertz Industrial Design Inc. in New York. Turn out, his talent as a designer is not limited to the automotive industry alone, as he also designed pen products for several world firms, designing clocks, watches, bicycles, kitchen appliances, refrigerators, cameras, fountain pens, sportswear, furniture, etc.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype is powered by a F6 engine with a capacity of 1,991 cc, and capable producing power of 110 hp (82 kw). (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

As in the world's automotive, he is also known as the person who designed cars for BMW, including BMW 503 and BMW 507 in the first half of the 1950s. Even, he was also known as an early contributor to the design of the legendary Toyota 2000GT and the first generation Nissan Silvia.

And for Porsche, he claimed to have submitted a design proposal in the 1960s. When the German manufacturer was thinking about the Porsche 356 successor, Goertz submitted a design proposal, but was rejected. As we all knew, the Porsche 901 or then called Porsche 911 not designed by Albrecht Goertz.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype designed by Albretch von Goertz as his personal design interpretation of the Porsche 914. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

So when the unique Porsche 914 model was launched in 1969 which gets a lot of criticism from the public due to its unusual design, Goertz is like not wanting to throw away the opportunity to show to the Stuttgart-based automaker how's should the 914 car be designed. This time, he's not send the sketch design on the paper, instead he built it directly from the Porsche 914 that he bought in the Porsche dealers.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype has an extended straight back, ending with sloping sail panels that gave the car the appearance of a shooting-brake-style sports car. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Reportedly, the car that he bought and used as the donor were the Porsche 914/6 GT which had just finished to race at the 1970 24 Hours of Le Mans in the 6th position. So Albretch von Goertz made its design and the plasticine model as well, after finished then all of them sent to Italy, as the bodywork making was handed over to Carrozzeria Eurostyle, a coachbuilder company based in Turin. Before the donor car arrived in Italy and was still on its way, the elements were ready to be installed so then the car model could be shown at the Turin Motor Show.

At the rear of the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype there is an active spoiler which is intended to support the car's aerodynamic factor. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Once completed, the car appears in a distinctive breadvan style that is very different from the original, which looks to have a combined form of the Jensen GT, Lotus Europa, Ferrari 250 'Breadvan,' and Smart Roadster Coupé. It could be said, the result that is quite astonishing to attract the attention of the Porsche staffs.

The Porsche 914 Goertz prototype built in 1970 under commissioned of Albretch von Goertz and was first shown at the 1970 Turin Auto Show. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

But because the German automaker doesn't really see where and how to position the Goertz-made model in its production line, plus internally the manufacturer has a new joint project with the Volkswagen to develop a front-engined sports car. Well, that's a project that will give birth to the Porsche 924 model a few years later. And it can be assumed that the car remained to be a prototype forever due to the German car manufacturer again refused to produce it.😢

Albretch von Goertz kept the car and used it as a personal ride, before donates it to the Langenburg Automobile Museum, which is located between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. After the Porsche 914 Goertz prototype, he never again collaborated with any car manufacturers and his designer career ended by designing a grand piano for the Steinway & Sons in celebration of the 125th anniversary of their factory in Hamburg. He passed away in 2006, and brought the story of the strangest concept in Porsche history. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER | DELESSENCE | PETROLICIOUS | CUSTOMCARCHRONICLE | WIKIPEDIA ]

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