by John Glynn | Feb 10, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Modified Porsche Hot Rods, Project Cars
Jan sent me some pics of the Turbo Look Porsche 911 Carrera he’s building as an RSR-style hot rod out in Hamburg. We’ve been chatting about using a Twinspark WEVO Porsche shifter to sharpen up the gearshift of his 911, and interesting ideas to tidy the inside.
This is my favourite kind of project: a constantly evolving development. Just as every 911 owner is always changing and picking up new inspirations, so those inspirations must find their way onto classic Porsche canvas.
It’s as yet decided what route Jan will take on gearshift. So far he’s got SSI heat exchangers and a two-out muffler, an upgraded chip, 9-and 10-inch Fuchs, Bilsteins and new bumpers. There might be a paint to do, or not. Looks cool as it is, though the sharkfins have to go.
Hamburg is a very cool place to build cars. Going out there soon to see the Prototype Museum. More news on that coming up.
Got a 911 hot rod build in progress? Send your pics to me as they are always up my street. Ferdinand is the home of hot rod Porsches. Email mail@ferdinandmagazine.com.
by John Glynn | Feb 8, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Project Cars, Race and Rally
Just had these pics through from our mate and Japanese Historic racing champion, Tetsu Ikuzawa, of his immaculate short wheelbase 911 fitted with lightweight Porsche doors made by Yorkshire’s EB Motorsport.
Now the Japanese distributor for EB 911 parts, Ikuzawa’s car also runs a bonnet, deck lid, bumpers, polycarbonate headlight lenses, side and rear windows and lightweight engine tins from the EB classic Porsche 911 parts catalogue.
Lightweight fibreglass or ‘glass fibre’ panels on Porsche once conjured up images of ill-fitting parts that failed to inspire. EB literally broke the mould on junk fibreglass: all the EB panels I’ve seen have been of superb quality. EB Equipment has been making composite parts for the agricultural and food production industries for more than fifty years, so those boys know their stuff. And they are great fun to hang out with.
Ikuzawa’s car must be super-light now: I’ve asked him to weigh it for us. Here’s some video of Tetsu in action in a Porsche 906. Stick with it, as the early close-crop madness gets better.
Tetsu Ikuzawa drives Porsche 906 (video)
by John Glynn | Feb 8, 2014 | Art and Books, Classic Porsche Blog
I caught up with the talented artist Guy Allen this week. Guy’s the man responsible for the popular (sold out) t-shirts and print ranges previously offered at impactbumpers.com: our forum and website for fans of the 1974-1989 Porsche 911.
ImpactBumpers.com celebrates its 8th anniversary in Feb 2014, so I’m looking at doing some birthday shirts. While awaiting said fabulousness, take a look at Guy Allen’s latest Porsche print: the IROC Porsche 911 RSR, striped in Race of Champions colours.Very cool – of course I got one.
The sweet livery is also right on message with protests and adwork inspired by LGBT concerns at the Sochi Olympics. I read an interesting piece on Putin politics and diversionary tactics in The Guardian this morning.
by John Glynn | Feb 3, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Porsche News
Excellent email from a Ferdinand reader in Brazil, who shares this picture of his family’s Porsche 356 Speedster. This 356 Speedster was originally owned by Ferry Porsche.
Bought by his dad in 1981, the car came via a young Brazilian Porsche racer who was sadly killed at Le Mans, then a local businessman and through a series of family friends. Eventually found unloved and in need of restoration, the Speedster was brought back to life and has been enjoyed as a living, driving entity ever since.
“It’s not a concours car by any means,” says the owner, “but it is in good shape. We like to drive it on weekends, and go to our local events, so we prefer to have a road-going car, than just a piece of art standing still.”
I’m getting a few more details. It’s an early chassis number for the Type 2 models, shown on the Porsche Kardex as a “Versuchwagen” fur T-2 (T2 prototype), and listed as first owned by Ferdinand Porsche Junior (Ferry Porsche).
Absolutely super cool. Colour changed from Aquamarine to Red somewhere down the line, but easy change it back if you consider that important. Ferry would be happy that it’s still in use and bringing joy.
by John Glynn | Feb 2, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
Former BFG Porsche 962 motorsport PR chief Michael Hodges has returned to his desk following an inspirational trip to the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, and sends details of a classic 1968 911 coming up for sale at Brooklands Historic Auction next month (March 8th).
“Restored by the current vendor to a very high standard, this fine example should whet the appetite of any serious Porsche collector,” says the auction description. “This is, without doubt, one of the finest 911’s we have seen for some time.”
I note that Silverstone Auctions also has a 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Targa in their Race Retro sale, on 22nd-23rd February. Originally a Silver Sportomatic, it is now McQueen Slate Grey with a manual gearbox.
The early car is estimated 42-48k, but who knows what might happen on the day. The C3 Targa is no reserve, but I wouldn’t expect it to be cheap, as it looks good in grey on 15″ Fuchs. 90k miles too, which is roughly same as my engine with a few snapped head studs.
Targa paint is pretty recent so have a good look at the body. The interior looks original and is super rare. Please don’t change it if you buy the car: that is very cool. Consider going back to Silver and don’t be too worried about the Sporto. Our friends at Racing Restorations are very good with Porsche paint and body restoration.
by John Glynn | Jan 30, 2014 | Art and Books, Classic Porsche Blog
January 30th is the anniversary of Professor Ferdinand Porsche, who died on this day in 1951. We remember the Professor with admiration and respect, enjoying his legacy while working on the Cult of Porsche book.
In Stuttgart 1931, astride a successful career working for others, Ferdinand Porsche founded an engineering consultancy that would change the face of motoring. Porsche and his team created some of the world’s most iconic cars, and patented technology still in use today.
Already a successful automotive leader and engineer when freelance took hold, with designs including the world’s first 4wd electric hybrid, and the famous Auto Union racing cars, Professor Porsche would not create the cars which built the world’s most successful automaker, nor fully experience his family’s fame. Yet Ferdinand’s creed resonates from every Porsche produced, through one instantly-identifiable ‘Porsche line’.
Unique in the automotive world, this Porsche line drives and binds our community. A fascination with Ferdinand has underpinned my working life for ten years and counting, and brought a rewarding creative partnership with one of the world’s finest photographers, Jamie Lipman. Working with James continues to inspire great stories.
The Cult of Porsche book
We’ve wanted to create books with these stories for a while, and have finally found the ideal creative partner and patron in Ricoh, the respected Japanese imaging company. Alongside their market leading commercial electronics business, Ricoh owns Pentax cameras and has developed a exceptional range of Ricoh production printers. Keen to test their production technology to the max and sponsor real stories with passion, Ricoh has invited us to create a series of three books, collating some of our best work to date.
Two versions of each book will be available: a quality hardback version and a limited, beautifully bespoke edition. We’re revisiting some favourite stories, and have also created some brand-new material. We’ll be using a number of groundbreaking Ricoh innovations to deliver a print experience like no other! Our first book will launch at the London Book Fair in April, and Ferdinand Press will publish and distribute the books right here online.
