by John Glynn | Jun 17, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Modified Porsche Hot Rods, Project Cars
Fellow Porsche hot rod fans will totally get this Porsche 911 Targa Speedster. Originality crew, avert your eyes now.
Vincent in Colorado emailed me last night with pictures of his Porsche street rod creation. Known affectionately as ‘Butzi’, it’s a lightweight Speedster-style project, based on a 1971 911 E Targa. Inspired by a visit to the Porsche Museum, close inspection of the 550 Spyder and 909 Bergspyder hillclimb special drove Vincent to create a lightweight version of his early 911.
Hot Rod Porsche 911 Targa Speedster
“I bought my 1971 Porsche 911E Targa in California on 9/11, 2000. Always maintained by Andial, the car had been stolen from its previous owner, but subsequently recovered. While stolen, it had picked up body damage: a smashed front wing and door, clipped in a collision. Now far from immaculate condition, it was ready for a transformation along the lines of home-brew early race cars.
“I welded in rear flares to fit 8 x 15” Fuchs wheels, and added lightness to the entire body. Fibreglass bumpers, bonnet, deck lid, and front fenders keep with the lightweight build theme. I have yet to weigh the car, but you can be sure it’s in the 1800 lb range (800 kilos).
eBay Porsche Parts Find
“The most challenging part of the build was committing to the Speedster theme. This required removal of the original Targa roof components and fabricating the windshield. I got lucky and found the rear clamshell on eBay.
“Powered by the original 2.2-litre engine, refreshed and on Webers with the 901 transmission, I’m enjoying driving it, but have to start work on the suspension and get some ideas on paint. Originally silver, I really like the early Porsche race cars in white, hence the theme it is now: in various shades of white primer, awaiting the next stage.”
As a Porsche feature car veteran, I like the hot rods: cars with personality. I rarely get super excited by perfect Porsches that the owners won’t drive due to spotless condition. For me, a Porsche on the move is the real deal: even Zuffenhausen drives its museum exhibits every now and then.
Vincent’s 911 Speedster is towards the opposite end of the Porsche preservation spectrum, but this doesn’t make it less engaging. It’s a work in progress, and sometimes progress has to shake a few cages. Kudos, Vincent and Salut, Butzi. Keep on rocking in the free world!
by John Glynn | May 26, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Project Cars
I recently encountered this very tidy Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Turbo Look. The car was brought in to a Porsche specialist to inspect a noisy wheel bearing, but the issue has turned out to be slightly more serious.
The giveaway was a problem pushing the car more than a few feet before it would lock up and go no further. Pushing it back a little and then forward, it would roll on another bit before locking again. The prime suspect is the diff, which could be in trouble. Unusual for a 3.2 Carrera you might think.
Pull the engine cover release, lift the tea tray fitted to these Turbo Look Carreras and one possible explanation for the diff woes is uncovered: a whacking great supercharger bolted to the crankcase. We likey very much.
This blower is an Eaton, also used on some Jaguars. The supercharger is the same one being used on a supercharged hillclimb Porsche Cayman with sequential transmission – more on that later – but the install is quite different. I think I may know where it was done: currently gathering some more information.
Paxton Supercharger on Porsche 911
When I first got into Porsche, one of the very first 911 guys I met was John, who owned a very smart 3.2 Carrera in one of the dark blue metallics. John lived in London and owned a supercharged 3.2 Carrera Coupe, using a Paxton blower.
I vividly remember one run up the M1 to Donington Park for a private museum tour. I was on the inside lane, he was in the middle. Sitting at 85/90 mph with the roof and windows down on my SC Cabriolet, John was on and off the throttle, giving me the full supercharger/eardrums experience: pretty exciting.
Horsepower from Supercharged Porsche 911
Pelicanites who have supercharged their 3.2s with Whipple, Paxton or Auto-Rotor blowers claim to be seeing up to 425bhp at the flywheel from the add-on. 400 horsepower in a standard Carrera would be a bit of a handful. At least the Turbo Look 911s get the proper 930 brakes and suspension, plus the chunky tea tray tail to hide this install and control the rear lift at speed.
More common power from a supercharged 3.2-litre 911 (US spec motor) is 340-360bhp, with instant torque and plenty of attention from the boys in blue if you don’t watch the right foot. Owners report the main consequence from the added power as drastically shorter transmission life.
I’m excited to see this car in a bit more detail, and what the transmission looks like when dissected.
![Porsche 911R Rear Quarter Panels: Lightweight Parts]()
by John Glynn | May 1, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Modified Porsche Hot Rods, Project Cars, Race and Rally
Our fourth post from EB Motorsport this week features these brand new Porsche 911R rear quarter panels, tooled up and ready for delivery from the Doncaster-based historic Porsche superstars.
A direct replacement for original steel panels, the lightweight rear wings bond to your steel shell. It goes without saying just how much weight these lighter composite panels save over solid sheet steel, plus of course you can save the steel rear quarters you take off and refit if the fancy takes you in the future.
Anyone fitting these panels will be aiming at an authentic recreation of the super-lightweight SWB Porsche 911R race car, and already have a full multi-point FIA or similar level roll cage fitted.
Full Range of Porsche 911R Conversion Parts
The 911R rear quarter panels are part of a complete range of 911 R replica conversion parts now offered by EB Motorsport: everything from lightweight Porsche 911R front wings with built-in sidelights and indicators, to deep 6 and 7R Fuchs wheels and all parts in between.
The boys have just taken delivery of another ’68 911 shell and are going for the ultimate lightweight 911R build. I am totally into this plan! Will share build pics along the way.
by John Glynn | Apr 30, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Project Cars
The third post in our week of catching up with Yorkshire’s EB Motorsport shares news of these trick Almeras bumper and arch body kits for Porsche 911. Note this picture shows the kit without bumper accordions installed: they would be fitted afterwards.
Almeras Porsche 911 Bumpers: New Deeper Front Spoiler
Formed to fit impact-bumper 911s with standard front wings and SC rear arches, the boys have recently tooled up to manufacture slightly modified front arches and this this deep front spoiler version.
Seen here on the 1975 911S mule used by the manufacturing team to ensure a great fit, the additional depth is obvious. Period pictures from the late ’70s and early ’80s show exactly the same version on Almeras cars of the period.
I know the shallower version looks and works great on rally cars, but the deeper kit was run more in period, as the cars were mainly run on Tarmac events. “What’s the rationale behind producing this deeper version?” I asked Mark. “It looks awesome!” was the answer. Good answer.
Here’s a link to the full range of EB Motorsport Almeras Porsche and 911 SC RS parts.
About Almeras Porsche
Started in 1975 by brothers Jacques and Jean-Marie Almeras, the Almeras Frères soon made a name for themselves on the European rally scene. With two notable wins in wide-arched Porsche 911s on both the 1978 Monte Carlo and 1980 Tour de Corse rallies, the firm became synonymous with a bespoke style of lightweight bodywork, designed to cover wide cut-slick tyres on Tarmac rallies.
Other Almeras wins included the 1978 French and European Rally Championships with Michèle Mouton in a 911 Carrera RS, and the 1980 Spanish and European Rally Championships with Antonio Zanini. I’ve always loved the look of these bodykits and have quite a few Almeras models on the shelves in my office.
![Porsche 911R Rear Quarter Panels: Lightweight Parts]()
by John Glynn | Apr 29, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Project Cars
Continuing our week of EB Motorsport news, I recently spoke to Neil who has used EB Motorsport Porsche panels to backdate his Porsche 911 SC.
What is Backdating?
Backdating is taking a later Porsche 911 and converting it to look like an earlier car. As the swooping roof line and much of the structural detail of the classic Porsche 911 body shell was unchanged for almost thirty years, it’s a popular way to get classic looks for a lower price.
Neil started with a 1982 Porsche 911 SC. The SC makes a good base for backdating for a number of reasons.
- The 911 SC shell was galvanised from new, so while there will be rust it is not always terminal
- Some of the rusty bits you change anyway through backdating
- The car is very simple and promotes DIY maintenance
- The 3.0 engine has excellent power and the chassis is ripe for lightening
- The 915 transmission, suspension and brakes are an improvement on an early car
- SCs are still cheaper than 3.2s (i.e. better 😀 )
EB Porsche panels include the ‘longhood’ early 911 bonnet, and early lighter bumpers front and rear. Neil also bought a lightweight roof panel, which he plans to use on the next build stage. “I fitted the panels and vinyl wrapped it in matt black to use the car and decide on the next changes. I also gold plated a few parts and installed a roll cage.
“The plan now is to change it a little, make it more Singer-inspired using EB Motorsport parts, including 911 ST front wings, 911 RSR rear arches and slightly different bumpers. I’ll fit the lightweight roof skin, probably install a centre-fill fuel tank and have it painted rather than wrapped.”
Ferdinand Magazine’s own backdate 911 project – based on the 1976 Porsche 912E shell I have stored in San Francisco – will kick off some time in the future. I will also use EB Motorsport parts, as the quality is so good. I’m looking forward to seeing what Neil does next on this very usable daily driver-style 911 SC base.
by John Glynn | Apr 23, 2014 | Porsche Cayenne, Project Cars
Back from a week of tearing around seeing family in Ireland with our LPG-powered Porsche Cayenne (below at Bunratty with daughter 2 and nephew 1), I came out the back gate yesterday to find it had made a new friend.
Connected to the rear of the Cayenne was a Zafira. By the jaunty angle of approach, I could tell the friendship was accidental. The Zafira had slipped the tethers of its handbrake and rolled down the hill to say hello at speed.
Porsche Cayenne Crash Damage
I was heading off to a meeting, so located the owner, got it uncoupled and discovered a reasonable dent in the Big Pig’s backside. My damage was not as bad as the other car, but the bumper has softened and localised paint is cracked. Parking sensors seem to have given up too, so it will take some work to sort this one.
Love my Cayenne but one of us must be cursed! I’d like to be optimistic but seems the pre-cat oxygen sensors are also playing up, causing shunting at low revs in high gears. Probably original so wear and tear: my Porsche specialist will be having a look.
Edit: First Porsche Crash Estimate
The first estimate for the repair of this damage is back. Parts £530, labour £360, paint £230. About £1500 all told. Let this be a lesson to all of you: Cayennes are not cheap to run around in! No doubt I will find better estimates. As this could have been me paying for the damage if I had not found it like this, I am going to sort some sort of accident camera recording system for inside the car also as too many fraudulent accident claims in the UK now.
A friend is dealing with complete insurance fraud against his company at the minute. So far the insurers have paid out £25k on courtesy car hire and he is now battling a £75k personal injury claim for a car pulling straight out in front of him, then braking hard as it exited a roundabout. Fraudsters everywhere.
