Porsche
916

Why it matters

The 916 was Porsche's planned top-of-range 914, a fixed-roof six-cylinder coupé intended to rival the Ferrari Dino 246. It was cancelled shortly before its public debut, leaving 11 cars as the only examples.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Porsche 916 (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 916)
  Photo: Prova MO · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Porsche 916 (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 916)
  Photo: Stahlkocher · CC BY-SA 3.0
• Porsche 916 (Wikimedia Commons: Porsche 916)
  Photo: Stahlkocher · CC BY-SA 3.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

After a modified 914 finished sixth overall at Le Mans in 1970, Ferdinand Piëch saw room for a faster, more luxurious road version. The 916 gained a welded steel roof, flared arches, new bumpers with an integrated air dam and 911S running gear, with flat-six engines of 2.4 or 2.7 litres. It was due to appear at the October 1971 Paris show but was cancelled about two weeks before, because Porsche judged it could not sell enough at the planned US price of about $14,000. One 1971 prototype nicknamed 'Brutus' and ten 1972 cars were completed.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Genuine 916s carry chassis numbers 9141430195 (1971 prototype) or 9142330011 to 9142330020 (1972 cars). Body features are a welded steel roof in place of the 914's removable panel, 914/6 GT-type flares widened for 7-inch wheels, and aerodynamic bumpers with a front air dam unique to the 916; underneath are 911S vented discs, anti-roll bars, Bilstein dampers and a reinforced floor.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   Porsche Museum: 50 years of the 914 Level A Porsche Newsroom

   • Eleven vehicles were equipped with six-cylinder engines ... christened the 916

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Porsche 916 Concept (1971) – Stuttcars Level B

   • 11 prototypes built before cancellation

   Accessed 2026-11-11
3. 3
   1972 Porsche 916 (SHIFT/Monterey 2020, lot 151) Level C RM Sotheby's

   • All the 916s are believed to survive
   • based on a standard 914 tub manufactured by Karmann, but extensively modified by Baur
   • welded in a new steel roof panel
   • front and rear fascias were of molded fiberglass
   • 0 to 60 mph time under 7 seconds

   Accessed 2026-11-12
4. 4
   Porsche 916 Concept (1971) Level B Nicolaos Dellis · Stuttcars · 2010-02-07

   • flat-six, mounted in a central position
   • 2,341 cc
   • 190 bhp at 6,500 rpm
   • 215.6 Nm (159 lb-ft) at 5,200 rpm
   • Five-speed manual
   • Wheelbase: 2,449 mm
   • Curb weight: 907 kg
   • about 145 mph for the 2.4-liter cars

   Accessed 2026-11-12