PORSCHE 911 L RALLY

In 1968 Porsche relented to customer demand and produced a limited run of the 911 L with the full 9552 Rally Kit fitted, factory records indicate that 28 were made in total however less than 9 of these original cars are thought to remain.

These factory prepared cars saw significant successes in rally competitions in Europe and around the world, with some of them even making their way into Trans Am and SCCA events in the USA where they were campaigned vigorously against the American sports cars of the era.

The 911 L you see here was recently discovered in storage in Finland, remarkably it’s in original condition throughout and has never seen a restoration or refurbishment – making it highly likely that it’s the most original of the remaining 911 L rally cars.

It was originally delivered to Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, the well-known principal of the AAW Racing Team based in Helsinki. AAW Racing raced the car extensively in the late 1960s and early 1970s, they replaced the original engine with a higher-performing 2.0 litre 911 S engine at some point in the car’s life, most likely to keep it competitive in the fast evolving world of European rally racing.

The current owner has elected to keep the car in “as is” condition, meaning that it still has its original Tangerine 6809 paintwork layered with original sponsorship logos from Shell, Michelin, and Pall Mall. It’s also fitted with its original hood-mounted driving lamps, dash-mounted rally timer, roll cage, racing seats and original its original racing number “35″.

With a 180hp flat-6 coupled to a 5-speed manual transaxle, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes and 4-wheel independent suspension, this is a vintage 911 that can happily throwdown with many modern sports cars out on the track and probably embarrass them quite handily if driven in anger.

If you’d like to add this car to your collection, you’ll need to attend the Gooding & Co Amelia Island Auction on the 7th of March 2014, its value is difficult to determine due to its rarity and original condition but Gooding is estimating a final hammer price in the $350,000 to $500,000 range.

Click here to read more.

All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company. Photos by Mathieu Heurtault.

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TOP FUEL II BY DP CUSTOMS

DP Customs is one of our favourite American custom motorcycle builders, their no-bullshit approach to engineering and design is uniquely appealing and thankfully they’ve chosen to stay away from the blinged-out-chrome-show-ponies that seem to be produced by almost everyone with a wrench and a goatee.

This is one of their newer bikes, it started life as a classic ’81 Harley Ironhead although almost all that remains from the original bike is the reconditioned 1000cc V-Twin. The beautiful cobalt blue paint work and matte white exhausts give the bike an almost aeronautical feel and I get the impression that this bike would be the perfect summertime coastal highway cruiser.

If you like this bike from DP Customs check out their Naked Café here, their Mele here and their Super Sano Beach Cruiser here.

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Porsche 928 GTS: An end to the front-engined debate?

Those looking for a respectable classic with brisk performance and long-distance capabilities – not to mention a dash of 1980s panache – could do a lot worse than the Porsche 928 GTS, despite what the naysayers might think…

Early Porsche 911s, and even more recent versions such as the 964 and 993, have always represented a solid investment - almost regardless of specification. Most are loved, maintained properly and driven regularly by their owners, hence one is hardly stunned into awe-struck silence by seeing a good example on the road. As Frank Jacob of German specialist Springbok Sportwagen explains, the popularity of the 911 has encouraged some buyers to look elsewhere: “We’ve been dealing with classic 911s for 25 years, but recently it seems that more and more customers are looking for something different.”

A colourful choice

That doesn’t mean you have to steer clear of Zuffenhausen; it merely means focusing your attention on the lesser-loved stable of front-engined Porsches. Of these, the 928 has arguably the best-matured shape of all, something we are reminded of during our rendezvous with a contrasting pair at the Springbok showroom. Both sport striking interior hues augmented by their exterior shades of Amethyst and Tahoeblau – each one a refreshing alternative to the commonly seen black-on-black examples.

The Gran Turismo Sport, abbreviated to ‘GTS’, formed the final chapter of the 928’s lengthy production window. With its forward-thinking design maturing nicely by 1992, a body-coloured rear wing was the most notable of the GTS’s stylistic amendments; of far more importance was the enlarged V8 (from 5.0 to 5.4 litres), and the additional 40-odd horsepower it brought.

The responsible bigger brother

During our brief test-drive, we’re reminded that although the 928 was famously intended to replace the 911, in truth it was a different being altogether. Much more of a luxurious GT with sporting genes of both a visual and technical nature (indeed, 85% were specified with the auto 'box, as these two were), the 928 eventually played the more responsible bigger brother role to the 911. Its handling was much more conventional, due to the engine being placed in what’s regarded as the ‘correct’ location to everyone but Porsche enthusiasts.

Late or early

Along with the very earliest models, which are now difficult to find in good condition, the GTS is one of the most sought-after versions of the 928. Prices currently start at 20,000 euros, with prime examples (much like the blue, low-mileage car seen here) nearer to 50,000. Having recently undergone work to the cambelt and famous passive-steer Weissach rear transaxle, for now it addresses the main downside of 928 ownership: as with all Porsches, maintenance and repair can prove costly. But for most, the refinement, looks and pedigree it offers in return will do enough to justify a wince-worthy bill every now and again. Perhaps even the rear-engine die-hards will come around one day, too.

Photos: Jan Richter

Several Porsche 928s can be found for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

adventure !!

SCRAM AFRICA 2014

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! TIC, TAC, TIC, TAC ..SUCH A SHORT TIME TO START THE GREAT ADVENTURE BUT YOU STILL GOT TIME TO BOOK A PLACE... IS NOW OR NEVER! more info at: scram@fuelmotorcycles.eu