What is Okteenerfest?

PORSCHE 914 OKTEENERFEST is an annual Southeastern U.S. gathering of increasingly rare, out-of-production Porsche 914 automobiles and their owners.  Essentially, it’s all about preserving the Porsche 914 automobile for posterity.

2013 was the first year of Okteenerfest.  Attendance has grown consistently from year to year.  As Okteenerfest’s raison d’être — i.e., reason for being — the 914 was produced by our venerable Stuttgart sports-car manufacturer from 1969 to 1976.

914 Porche Okteenerfest: 914 front-left at Colorado 54 Porsche Parade, 2009. Credit: StuttgartDNA
54th Porsche Parade, Colorado, 2009. Credit: StuttgartDNA

Who and what are Teeners?

Among all of us global Porschephiles, there is an avid subset of aficionados keen on the Porsche 914.  These stout souls are devoted 914 enthusiasts.  Naturally, they love all things 914 — hence the nickname Fourteeners or simply Teeners.

In the United States of America, they’re the ones behind organizing and attending the Porsche 914 Okteenerfest in their prized 914s.

What is the common connection between the Porsche 914 Okteenerfest and Oktoberfest?

So what is the significance of Okteenerfest sounding similar to, and taking place around the same time as, Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest originally was and now is a 16-day Munich, Germany, festival.  It celebrates the marriage between King Ludwig I and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on October 12, 1810.

Oktoberfest has evolved into the largest Volksfest (i.e., “peoples’ festival”) in the world.  Gradually, the start of Oktoberfest was pushed to mid- to late-September.  Why?  Because of September’s longer, balmier days.

Porsche 914 Okteenerfest: We're at the 914 Corral at 2015 Porsche Rennsport Reunion V, captuing 4 fine 914 specimens. Credit: StuttgartDNA
914 Corral, 2015 Porsche Rennsport Reunion V, Laguna Seca. Credit: StuttgartDNA

Similarly, Okteenerfest is the celebration of the production marriage between Volkswagen (i.e., “peoples’ car”) and Porsche.  It stands to reason because this marriage specifically spawned the Porsche 914.

According to Wikipedia, “The Porsche 914 or VW-Porsche 914 was a mid-engined, targa-topped two-seat roadster designed, manufactured and marketed collaboratively by Volkswagen and Porsche from 1969 to 1976.”  [Emphasis added]

So it also stands to reason that Okteenerfest is an annual gathering of out-of-production Porsche 914 automobiles and their owners.  Accordingly, they have wedded the two ideas of Oktoberfest and Okteenerfest.  Together, this wedding celebrates the Porsche 914 marque as a Volksfest.

As an American Volksfest for the U.S. Southeast, Okteenerfest is the nation’s premier Porsche 914 gathering.  This celebration has taken place from the Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina.  Inaugurated in 2013, this 914 festival has grown steadily.


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Porsche 914 Okteenerfest: Left-rear 914 Fuchs wheel at Colorado 54th Porsche Parade, 2009
54th Porsche Parade, Colorado, 2009. Credit: StuttgartDNA

Highlights of previous years’ Okteenerfests

  • George Husseys and Steve Gaglione’s M-471 GTs
  • John Forbes and Steve Limbert’s 914-6 GT race cars
  • Comprehensive swap meets
  • 40th anniversary of the Can Am 914 cars
  • Limited Edition 914s
  • “der Nebelbergring”
  • The world-famous 318 curves of the Tail of the Dragon

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