ACE CAFE RADIO

    mardi 11 juin 2013

    TVC’s CB400 Blue Bat


    Blue Bat Lside Hay
    Having spent the last 13 years in the UK Thiago Vidal has returned to his native Brazil, but this hasn’t dented his enthusiasm for custom building. Making a cafe racer from a CB400 was one of Thiago’s childhood dreams as his dad had one when he was a child, so he decided to make it his first home build in Brazil.
    Blue Bat Clock
    Thiago found it very difficult to find a donor bike in good condition and at a good price. With the revival of interest in retro and classic bikes, many are either restored classics for big money, or in a very poor state. He eventually found one that wasn’t too far from home that could be ridden home. Due to complex legal rules around custom building and bike registration in Brazil, which we don’t pretend to understand, Thiago had just 30 days to start building the bike.
    Blue Bat Rear Lside 2
    Thiago changed the rear suspension and swingarm, lengthening it by 50mm. He fabricated a support for a shock absorber that he brought over from the UK. He kept the OEM suspension at the front of the bike, although repaired, as well as the original wheels.
    Blue Bat Tank
    To save on costs many parts were recycled or made from scratch, including the handlebars. The tank and the tail are made from aluminium, as was the headlamp, which also houses the speedometer. The tail light came from the UK as Thiago couldn’t find a local source. He shortened the exhaust to extremes, which would normally mean a very loud bike, but to keep the noise to decent levels he made a mini-baffle.
    Blue Bat Rear RsideRA MS
    After the fabrication was complete Thiago had to decide about the paint, which was eventually inspired by his Black & Blue Ford pickup truck. The appropriately named Blue Bat then had to go through a second vehicle inspection by the Brazilian authorities who, despite not being used to dealing with custom bikes, passed the bike for use.
    Blue Bat Rear LsideRA 2
    See more from Thiago on his Facebook page. His next project is going to be an XL250 which he is also turning into a  cafe racer. We look forward to seeing it.
    from The Bike Shed

    Epic Pool Party



    By JON GAFFNEY from Gear Patrol 

    Around the country, where people can’t easily access a natural body of water, they’ll flock to fake ones for some relaxation, fun, and relief from the heat. This is the seasonal blessing and curse of the fortunate few who own — or have access to — a pool. If you fall into this category and are already bemoaning your hosting duties to come, may we remind you of the wise words of “Uncle” Ben Parker Voltaire, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Think that bowl of corn chips (“but they’re restaurant style!”) and playing some Jimmy Buffet from your puny laptop speakers answers the call? You are woefully mistaken.
    It’s time to take your waterside shindigs to another plane. What we’re talking about is the kind of event that’ll haunt Charlie Sheen’s dreams and leave the neighborhood gabbing for decades. Your supply list is ready. Just add hundreds of your closest friends, several college cheerleading squads for good measure and a few ATM trips’ worth of dead presidents.

    Tervis Tumbler

    Tervis-Tumbler-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    There is nothing worse than diving in the pool (only if it’s safe to do so; pool bottoms always win), and coming out a half hour later to a disgustingly warm drink. Since 1946, Tervis tumblers have been solving this common plight with a double-walled construction that keeps your social lubricant frosty. Each is made in ‘Murica at Tervis’s North Venice plant. We recommend getting the 16-ounce tumbler so you can properly hold a pint, and be sure to get the add-on handle for a solid grip while you’re in the shallow end, lounging.

     

    Giant Floating Ride-on Alligator

    Giant-Floating-Ride-on-Alligator-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    You’ll need a new one every year, and possibly every pool party depending on how seriously you take your Steve Irwin impression. Dolphins, sharks, seahorses, ducks and killer whales are other options that might tempt you from the shelves. Don’t give in, unless the alternative is noodles. No one likes to see a grown man grinding a giant neon tube between his legs.


    Ecoxgear Ecoxbt Bluetooth Floating Speaker

    ECOXGEAR-ECOXBT-Bluetooth-Floating-Speaker-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    No music, no party, as far as we’re concerned. Your outdoor home theater monitors will have the dance party set covered, but poolside, this ECOXGEAR ECOXBT Bluetooth Floating Speaker is your best bet. It’s completely waterproof, floats, and anyone can link up to it with their smartphone and play DJ for a bit.


    Floating Pong Tiki Table

    Floating-Pong-Tiki-Table-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    You retired your throwing arm years ago for good reason. Beirut (also known by its Latin name, beer pong) should rarely leave the grounds of a college campus. Aquatic festivities are a possible exception. With holes for either 10 or 6 Solo cups, ball holders and a surface you can actually bounce on, the Tiki Table has everything you need to keep people partying. We suggest water pong for a lager-free pool.


    Wet Products Smash Ball Paddle Ball Set

    Wet-Products-Smash-Ball-Paddle-Ball-Set-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    Paddle Ball is a summertime staple. You can play it with a drink in your hand, and it’s a great excuse to pair off with someone you’d like to know better. Save your Nadal serves for the courts — welting your partner isn’t the way to her heart.


    GOING RATHER THAN HOSTING? BRING THIS
    epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-sidebar
    Westward Leaning Color Revolution Sunglasses
    The sacred duties of sunglasses are threefold: protecting the ole baby blues, looking cool and keeping your wandering eyes hidden. Westward Leaning’s Color Revolution shades are a classic Wayfarer-esque frame made from 8mm Mazuchelli acetate (most sunglasses are made from cheaper polycarbonate, or from 4-6mm acetate). An acetate frame also has the ability to conform to your uniquely shaped dome; the stems can be bent to your preferred fit with the help of a hairdryer. The lenses are mirrored blue, bringing back fond memories of the ’80s. Combined with the tortoise-shell frames, they toe the line between classic and fun. $180
    Topo Designs Cinch Tote
    You could opt to haul your clothes to and from the party in a backpack, but only if you’re ready to be asked how summer school is going. It’s time for a tote. The Topo Designs Cinch Tote is made in the U.S. from 1000D Cordura, which will hold up against the most abrasive poolside patio you toss it onto. It has nearly 20 liters of capacity, and the cinch top keeps errant cannonball splashes from frying your Kindle. It’d be a shame if you couldn’t get yoursummer reading done. Not that’ll you have time for that anyway. $89
    Ralph Lauren Beach Towel
    A good beach towel is an investment. A crappy one will cost you less, but your dermis will pay the price every time you need to dry off. Ralph Lauren makes great high-quality linens; this beach towel is made from 100% plush cotton terry to baby your skin whether you’re drying off or just laying out. At 70 x 40 inches, it provides more than enough square footage for a poolside nap. $87
    Sperry Men’s Boat Lite 2-Eye
    You may not spend your summers on a Yacht in the Mediterranean like the party host, but that shouldn’t dissuade you from including a little nautical swagger in your look. Boat shoes of all stripes, colors and makes will suffice — but these new takes from Sperry boast a modern pop of color without going full-blown country club. They’re also 30% lighter than traditional boaters, a serious advantage when rushing to the aid of a single guest in search of a volleyball teammate. $95

    Cinebox Home 16 x 9 System

    Cinebox-Home-16-x-9-System-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    The pool may be the main event, but projecting a continuous stream of Rick Ross videos in the background will absolutely help the vibe. Open Air Cinema’s 16 x 9-foot system is an easy solution for projecting video content for up to 250 of your closet groupies to gather ’round. Kits include a rugged outdoor audio visual console capable of HD and 3D as well as speakers, but the real kicker is an inflatable screen that’s easy to set up (even five daiquiris in) thanks to the provided stakes, tethers and air blower.


    U.S. Cooler Brew Cave

    Brew-Cave-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650xpx
    According to Brew Cave’s website, U.S. Cooler’s product is “the largest kegerator on the residential market”. This anti-panic room is designed to hold over 30 cases of beer and up to six kegs. One keg can be connected to the external tap for on-demand draft beer. Once you (finally) run out of beer, think of it as summer’s answer to the sauna. Why it belongs at your shindig is pretty obvious.


    The Daiquiri Whacker

    Daiquiri-Whacker-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650xpx
    Blend frozen concoctions anywhere you damn well please with redneck flair thanks to this gas-powered monstrosity. The speed adjusts with a simple twist of the grip throttle, just like riding a motorcycle, minus the chance of death by tree bear hug. No matter how crazy things get, though, always keep the lid on. (Then again, a daiquiri fountain rivaling the Bellagio’s could be just what the after party needs.)


    AquaClimb Sport

    Aqua-Climb-Sport-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650xpx
    Rockwall climbing, poolside. It’s the kind of stuff that makes life insurers cringe. Aqua Climb makes a variety of “walls” for residential purposes, but you want the sport model, designed for large recreational facilities — like the kind found on state college campuses. It’s more imposing (and impressive) and gives you plenty of height to show off just how dedicated you’ve been at the gym. Never mind how deep your pool actually is.


    Corkcicle Chillsner

    Corkcicle-Chillsner-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    The drafts from your Brew Cave should satisfy the bulk of your guest list, but there will invariably be one guy who won’t stoop to anything less than the Trappist monk import he brought on his own. The Corkcicle Chillsner is an ingenious device to keep any open bottle cool longer after it’s left the protective custody of the fridge. And yes, guests can still sip their beer while it cools.


    Loll Designs Adirondack Rocker

    Loll-Designs-Adirondack-Rocker-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    Two of America’s favorite lazy seats spliced into one genius chair. It also comes with an installed stainless steel bottle opener below the sitter’s right arm. There goes your reason to get up.


    Dedon NestRest Hanging Lounger

    Dedon-Nest-Rest-Hanging-Lounger-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    You’ll need to take a break from hosting duties now and again to relax. Think of the Dedon Nest Rest as your own personal trust tree. Its plush, cushioned interior holds two loungers comfortably and allows those inside to see out while preventing peepers from looking in. Hang it under your favorite piece of shade or use the base for a free-standing hut. Hefner’s grotto will have nothing on your VIP party either way.


    Oborain Pre-Fab Outdoor Shower

    Oborain-Pre-Fab-Outdoor-Shower-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    There was no way you could account for the sheer scale of your raging in your original house planning; you’re justifiably worried about your master bathroom sanctuary being trampled. Luckily, Oborain’s pre-fab showers look great and are easily installed. Multiple sizes are available depending on your group cleansing preferences.


    The Frontiersman 30-inch Trailer by Yoder Smokers

    The-Frontiersman-30-inch-Trailer-by-Yoder-Smokers-epic-pool-party-gear-patrol-650px
    This trailer-mounted rig inspires awe from competitive BBQers and packs enough surface area to grill for the entire U.S. Navy. Yoder will also completely customize it your specifications with up to three doors. Feeding people won’t be an issue — if you can finding someone capable of manning this beast.

    Honda FT500 - Lorenzo Buratti


    Written by Ian Lee.
    Big 500cc thumper engine. Good ground clearance. Hell, the FT in FT500 stands for flat tracker. It’s a good start for a custom build, that is if you are able to see past the 80s plastic fantastic styling, and even more unique if you keep the Comstar styled wheels, even though they aren’t the most popular option. Lorenzo Buratti could see past all that, his latest build a 1982 Honda FT500 named ‘Metropolitan’. Here is the build concept in his words: ‘it’s all about a city playbike, light and manoeuvrable in traffic, low seat, something different to the hundreds of café racer styled bikes’. Café racer it ain’t, but it would sure cut a mean image tearing down city streets, and the sound would definitely match the imagery.
    Starting out with the commuter friendly FT, this model of bike was chosen because of it’s light and agile frame, reliable engine and low seat height. The factory fuel tank was discarded, an Aermacchi Harley Davidson unit sits in it’s place, airbrushed with a city skyline to keep with the ‘Metropolitan’ motif of the bike. Perched behind the tank is a seat leftover from a previous scrambler build, recovered in leather and mounted backwards, with 3 inch thick leather attaching it to the tailpiece. Also fashioned from leather, to make the bike rather unique, is the dashboard cluster, something Lorenzo admits ‘not all people can agree on that’.
    Starting out with the commuter friendly FT, this model of bike was chosen because of it’s light and agile frame, reliable engine and low seat height. The factory fuel tank was discarded, an Aermacchi Harley Davidson unit sits in it’s place, airbrushed with a city skyline to keep with the ‘Metropolitan’ motif of the bike.
    Perched behind the tank is a seat leftover from a previous scrambler build, recovered in leather and mounted backwards, with 3inch thick leather attaching it to the tailpiece. Also fashioned from leather, to make the bike rather unique, is the dashboard cluster, something Lorenzo admits ‘not all people can agree on that’. 
    Performance modifications include a K & N filter, and another remnant of the scrambler build, the awesome frame hugging silencer. To be able to perform in city streets the way Lorenzo envisaged, the bike is fitted up with Hagon shocks on the rear, the original rims being repainted black and retained for the build.
    In a special touch, the stock brake discs have been re-profiled with holes, then machined in a CNC mill. The headlight, originally fitted to a Ducati Monster, sits beneath a wider than factory set of handlebars. 
    From rather plain beginnings, Lorenzo Buratti has stripped away a lot of the pretence asked of bike aesthetics in the 80s, and shown that ‘hidden beauty’ can be something to consider when looking at a bike to modify. The Buratti workshop is a fan of mixing aesthetic quality with functionality, for instance in regards to the ducktail: ‘All the back is built up, starting from an aluminium sheet, just hammered and polished by hand. A very light one, not just about the weight, but I try to do something light also for the eyes’. And all this with the premise of building something with style, using the tools at hand in his garage. It’s inspiring that Lorenzo Buratti could see past the acres of plastic, past the rear guard that seems to go on forever, to see a beautiful diamond, hiding in a polyethylene rough.

    Test 24H du mans : UNE BELLE PRESTATION POUR LES DEUX ALPINE A450.



    L'Alpine A450 avait déjà parcouru plusieurs milliers de kilomètres d'essais avant d'arriver au Mans. Mais c'est aujourd'hui, sur la piste qui a sacré la Renault Alpine A442B le 11 juin 1978, que le prototype de l'équipe Signatech-Alpine a pu réaliser ses premiers tours de roues dans la Sarthe.

    Sur une piste restée humide durant une bonne partie de la journée, les deux Alpine A450 ont cumulé 133 tours (soit 1812,657 kilomètres) avec différents types de gomme pour préparer les prochaines échéances.

    « Nous avons eu l'occasion de valider notre nouvelle définition aérodynamique type ‘Le Mans' même si la météo n'a pas été très favorable », soulignait Philippe Sinault, Team Principal de Signatech-Alpine. « L'équilibre de l'Alpine A450 est bon. Les pilotes trouvent que l'auto est facile à piloter. Ils sont en confiance. La performance est aussi au rendez-vous. La météo nous frustre un peu. Il va falloir affiner notre programme lors des prochains essais. Bravo à nos pilotes qui ont parfaitement géré ces tests difficiles. Ils ont d'ailleurs été - tous les quatre - en tête de la catégorie LM P2 durant la journée. »

    Longtemps détenteur du meilleur temps des LM P2, Nelson Panciatici terminait finalement au deuxième rang : « Nous avons pu tester deux types de pneumatiques lorsque la piste était sèche. L'objectif n'était pas de chercher la performance. Ce deuxième temps est prometteur pour la suite. L'Alpine A450 est très saine. Je pense que ça va aller très vite dès les qualifications ! »

    « Nous sommes parvenus à bien adapter la voiture aux différentes conditions météorologiques », se réjouissait Pierre Ragues. « Nous étions dans la bonne plage d'utilisation des pneumatiques. Tout a fonctionné. Je me suis vraiment senti à l'aise. J'ai roulé sans prendre de risques. J'étais sur un rythme que je peux tenir en course. »

    En action ce matin, Tristan Gommendy était aussi conquis par l'Alpine A450 : « C'est une journée très positive pour l'équipe. Nous comprenons de mieux en mieux tous les paramètres qui entourent les pneumatiques Michelin. L'équilibre général est très bon. Je suis impatient de pouvoir rouler sur le sec pour bien ressentir le potentiel de l'auto dans ces conditions. »

    Contraint de boucler dix tours pour obtenir sa qualification pour les 24 Heures du Mans, Paul-Loup Chatin s'est acquitté de cette tâche dans la matinée avant de pouvoir pleinement se concentrer sur son programme d'essais : « Je n'avais aucun objectif de performance durant la matinée. J'ai découvert la piste en prenant mes marques sans pression. Dans l'après-midi, j'ai commencé à oser un peu plus. J'ai pu davantage exploiter le potentiel de la voiture malgré le trafic en piste. L'équipe a fait du très bon travail. Je me sens exceptionnellement bien dans l'Alpine A450. »

    L'équipe Signatech-Alpine visitera l'usine Renault Le Mans - ACI ce lundi. Et dimanche 16 juin à 17h00, l'Alpine A450 n°36 sera présentée Place de la République, au Mans, pour les Vérifications Administratives et Techniques.

    Les chiffres
    Alpine A450 #36
    Matin (piste humide) : Pierre Ragues 4'00''391
    Après-midi (piste sèche) : Nelson Panciatici 3'39''642

    Alpine A450 #37
    Matin (piste humide) : Tristan Gommendy 4'03''174
    Après-midi (piste sèche) : Paul-Loup Chatin 3'40''907

    Source : Alpine
    via Endurance-Info

    PORSCHE PROFESSORS FROM THE OLD SCHOOL


    Classic 911s seem to be on a tuning high pitch at the moment, with the likes of Singer Vehicle Design in the States and Rauh-Welt in Japan merging old school looks with more modern ’90s chassis and bringing the appreciation of ’70s and ’80s 911s to a new generation. There’s no doubt that these teams produce exciting takes on the legendary model, but they are hardly the first to reinterpret Stuttgart’s finest. For that, you need to go back to the mother country and a team who have been tricking out Porsches since before most of the young pretenders were born. Welcome to DP Motorsport, celebrating 40 years of reinventing Porsches this year and still producing some of the lightest, fastest 911s on the planet.
    Alongside Kremer and Joest, DP Motorsport (‘Design & Plastik’) are synonymous with tuning racing Porsches, and in fact the Kremer and DP closely collaborated during the 1970s to produce some of the most iconic racing Porsches ever: the K series of GT monsters.
    Kremer made the weapons system under the fibreglass, but those iconic bodies came from the pen of this man, DP Motorsport founder Ekkehard Zimmerman. It’s almost difficult to believe that this modest and friendly chap was responsible for beautiful brutes like the K3 and K4.
    As the ’80s came round, Ekkehard began to make his own race cars, designed and built in-house: the slant-nose DP series, which could be summed up in the three words. Lighter. Wider. Faster.
    Rewinding slightly, DP have never been just about race cars. They are true Porsche artisans, hand-crafting their own takes on not just the 911 but also some of the less obvious road car output – and often in a completely stunning fashion.
    Ekkehard had joined Ford in Cologne in the late ’60s, which is where he cut his teeth in the business. There he built up his knowledge of both aerodynamics and vehicle design, and by the ’70s he was creating his own fibreglass parts for formula cars in his spare time. The Porsche seeds were planted soon after: he started working on new body parts for Porsche-owning friends, which spurred him to leave Ford and set up on his own, and in 1973, DP Motorsport was born.
    His involvement with Kremer came about through an introduction by a mutual friend: his first commission was to modify panels for the Kremer ’73 RSR, and he also began making his own spares for Porsche road cars. Mere replication wasn’t enough: in every curve and line Ekkehard could see room for improvement, so he began to create his own body kits with deeper bumpers, larger wings and wider flared arches.
    Ekkehard wasn’t always operating outside Porsche though: he worked with the factory to design the long-tail version of the 908/03 – the sides of which are among the racing ephemera hanging on the walls of the DP workshop.
    The K1 to K4 followed later in the decade, with the last full collaboration being the CK5 prototype.
    The Kremer connection has recently been rekindled, with the former company’s decision to make a continuation K4 – the DP team currently have the half-completed car in their workshop. I’ll have an update on their progress in a separate story.
    But road cars were the origin and always the main focus for DP: they produced street versions of the 935 from 1978 (Mario Andretti owned one, for example)…
    … and then even converted race cars for the road, most famously with the Group C 962s they converted in the late ’80s.
    Yet again, DP were there first, decades before more recent conversions. Each 650hp bi-turbo build took over 1,000 hours and a hundred times that in Euro equivalent cost. The nose from a crashed DP962 now hangs on the wall of the workshop. I wonder if the crash had anything to do with the 3 second 0-60mph and 340kph top speed?
    Ekkehard’s son Patrick now runs the company, which like a number of firms in the tuning business went through a difficult time in the late ’90s. But DP is enjoying a new lease of life in the modern period, able to combine their decades of experience with new composite materials and technologies to create cars which are just as wide as ever (though standard classic narrow is a popular option), but now even faster and lighter.
    They’ve enjoyed an explosion of projects in the last decade, both recreations of some of their classic designs in modern composites and refinements of modern Porsches like the 997 and Boxster. Even some Italian metal has come through the door, with the odd Ferrari and Lamborghini project also undertaken.
    DP are based near Cologne, as they have been for the majority of their existence. The workshop is buzzing with activity, with Ekkehard, Patrick and their mother joined by seven employees. Visiting straight after surviving the Nürburgring 24 Hours, any tiredness on the part of Larry and I was soon shaken off as we walked into the showroom…
    … as this quartet of DP Porsches amply demonstrated what makes the firm so special. DP might have gained their fame through their work on hand-crafted exterior styling, but they are just at home on a complete ground-up build, starting from the inside out.
    This yellow DP64 RSR 3.8 is a specialist track day car, but also had an interesting story. It had been built independently as a race car in the ’90s, but then in the early 2000s the car was brought to DP in order to create a 993 GT2 replica, which Patrick completed and supplied, unpainted.
    Then five years ago another customer turned up at DP with the same car, just as Patrick had delivered it several years earlier! This time it was completely stripped back and rebuilt as a wide-body RSR to make a ferocious, no-frills track day car. Like a number of the recent DP projects, it’s sitting on Fuchs forged 18″ wheels, a larger version of one of their heritage rims.
    Then there’s the DP944 S2 Cargo. From the front, so far so normal…
    … but from the rear. It’s mind-bendingly awesome. I won’t go into fine detail here, as we’re planning a full feature on this car in the future.
    But suffice to say that this is one of eight built in the late ’80s and early ’90s, kept by Ekkehard at DP. The rear is a completely bespoke design, though the tailgate uses the electronic closing mechanism from a Merc 124T station wagon. And there’s a slim chance that a continuation run could happen, if the right clients appear…
    This beautiful RSR Superlight knocked us out. From the outside it looks classic but relatively normal, but then Patrick talked us through the build. ‘Light’ doesn’t begin to sum up just how little this 3.0SC conversion weighs.
    Every tiny weight-saving detail has been taken into account: drilled hinges, plexiglass windows…
    … lightweight fuel cell, stripped interior and all carbon panels.
    That means 292hp for 850kg. Basically, it’s an automotive weapon.
    Outside is Patrick’s own development car: his Sleeper 3.2. Like the Superlight, this 911 has some serious power to weight numbers. It’s 270kg lighter than standard.
    Hanging out back is the 3.2 litre with a lightweight flywheel and titanium exhaust.
    Again, all the panels are carbon, and this all means a fine return of 270hp on 905kg.
    Interiors are just as important to Patrick: DP now make replica 935 ‘lollipop seats’…
    … the moulds for which sat in the main workshop – next to a complete kit of parts to build a replica K3!
    That brings us neatly to the manufacturing area, where a number of DP’s team were hard at work on a range of replacement body parts.
    Various materials are used depending on the customer’s needs: although carbon would be the default choice, cost obviously comes into it…
    … plus vintage racing cars normally have to stick to their original spec, so in that case fibreglass is still used.
    Developing new pieces is laborious and time-consuming, with negatives made from original handmade test pieces to create the initial moulds.
    Wooden bucks from across the 40 years of the company were stacked up in every available space.
    It turned out this was barely a quarter of the number they had…
    … as more were stashed on a mezzanine and yet more are in storage. It gives you some idea of the range of modifications DP have made over time.
    There’s constant development, with existing parts used as starting points to create new pieces. Which means more new moulds… and so it goes on!
    Ekkehard might have pulled back from full-time running DP, but he’s still fundamentally woven into the fabric of the company and his current long-term personal project was still in the workshop. It’s known as ‘The last project of Ekkehard’, though that seems hard to believe for a man with such a passion for Porsches. It has been ongoing for quite some time, but appeared to be nearing the final stages of completion. Its 350hp 3.5-litre flat six was looking like it had come straight off the production line.
    As usual with a DP build, you need to get up close to appreciate the subtlety of the exquisite workmanship. For this 911, Ekkehard has used his trademark approach of removing all the separate sills to create a single seamless body shape. Doing that has repercussions all around the car: the door corners have to be rounded off, for instance.
    The glass is recessed into a U-shaped channel to be completely flush, rather than just dropped into a straight rectangular space…
    The wheels are branded Fuchs forged alloys, fitted with vintage-style Michelin rubber.
    Looks, lightness and build quality are a given, but the way a 911 drives is also woven into DP’s modus operandi. The instability that can sometimes affect these retro builds has been eliminated with some clever work at the front of the car.
    As with most Porsche tuners, the base car of choice is the 964: produced in large numbers it provides a more modern platform to work from and is generally a car that is easier to drive fast than the previous generations. But chopping them around at the nose to make the old bodywork fit can introduce serious lift at speed, so DP have their own bespoke nose styling that makes the classic look work but also produces a hugely more controlled driving experience.
    On the other side of the workshop, under wraps, was also an original 906…
    … and its beautiful engine was being tended to on the workbench, showing one of DP’s fibreglass covers.
    Patrick is also not just aware of the new kids on the Porsche block, but he’s even worked on a recent build where he’s supplied the interior to complement a Rauh-Welt wide-body exterior. As a designer himself, he’s excited by the work that’s going on around the world.
    The future of DP may be weighted towards the past, but that’s just fine with Patrick.
    In his opinion, it would be pretty much impossible to come up with something like a K3 for the modern generation: the factories just have too much money and computing power nowadays for a privateer to have a chance of producing something as game-changing as was possible all those years ago.
    Sitting outside next to Patrick’s Sleeper was this sorry-looking 911, awaiting some of Patrick’s rare and precious time to become another DP special. Perhaps you’re looking at your next car?

    Words and photos by Jonathan Moore