This rally Porsche is based on a 1966 911, so with a two-liter boxer engine and a short wheelbase. At the time, the air-cooled six-cylinder power did not exceed 160 horsepower, but that was more than enough to make the car quite tricky if you didn’t know what you were doing at high speed. The two-liter boxer has cleared the field. For this rally project, a specially prepared 2.7-litre engine was built, finely tuned on a roller test bench – with the power set at a whopping 250 hp! In order to transfer that amount of power reliably and safely to the asphalt, a special five-speed gearbox has been built for this 911, in which the gear ratios follow each other for optimum acceleration power. After all, a high top speed is of little use in a rally car.
Of course, this power bundle is not ‚just‘ put back where it belongs, in the back of the 911. To prepare the car for rally use, the body was completely welded through. As is customary in the highest categories of rallying, this construction gives more rigidity – which in turn has a positive influence on the driving characteristics. But no unnecessary risks were taken in that area either: the car is fitted with adjustable shock absorbers from Proflex, which make it easy to find the right settings for every type of surface. Of course, the Porsche has upgraded brakes behind its black Fuchs wheels, because the car must also be able to be brought to a halt safely and quickly from full speed. Electric power steering makes the driver’s life a lot easier; after all, a special stage should not become a game of arm wrestling.
The spotlights on the nose of the car immediately catch the eye; less conspicuous are the skid plates under the front axle and under the engine, which provide good protection for the technology on a bad (or no) road. The driver and navigator are well protected by a strong roll cage, which is firmly connected to the body.
It goes without saying that all accessories are there to drive this 911 to rally success. The bucket seats and four-point belts ensure that the occupants are securely strapped into the machine. On the dashboard, both a mechanical tripmaster and an electronic GPS timer are placed, which makes this 911 suitable for rallies of various organizations. The small sports steering wheel is useful for even faster steering movements, and creates that little bit of welcome extra space for the driver’s legs.
Not only the specification and preparation make this Porsche a superb example, the condition of the technology and the body are also beyond doubt. The dark blue paint gives the car a friendly look – as if there is no bad blood in it. Until you open the throttle … At Peet Classics we have had the pleasure of driving many 911s over the years, but this is probably the most spectacular of them all.
You are more than welcome to come over to Peet Classics’ showroom in Voorschoten to come and view this rally-911.
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