Daffy The Race Duck

We at Elferspot Magazine are constantly looking for exciting vehicles and their history behind them. Of course, we are particularly interested in the people who, driven by love and passion, turn these cars into special vehicles. This time we were allowed to talk to Carl, who owns a very special Porsche 964.

Hello Carl! Thank you for taking time for Elferspot magazine. We follow you on Instagram for a while and your profile says: Racer, Porsche maniac and Photographer. That sounds promising and we are looking for people like you. You describe yourself as a Porsche maniac. How did that happen?

Like many, I grew up loving race cars.  The Porsche 911 has such a unique and beautiful shape.  Couple that with its race breed performance and I was completely sold at an early age.  Air cooled 911s are my absolute favorite cars.  They are just tough as nails and so rewarding to drive.  Most other super cars out there just can’t take real track duty for any extended period of time.  Both of my 911s are setup for the track and just run like demons, smiling at the end of every session or race.

So you also drive on racetracks. What do you like most about it?

The track is a safe environment where you can push you and your car to the limit and then some.  It’s such an incredible rush.  I’m now an advanced driving instructor with PCA and a PCA club racer.  When I’m not on track, I’m thinking about my next weekend at the track. A great friend of my often says “Race car driving makes a heroin addiction seem like a mild craving for something salty.”  It’s just an insane addiction.

“Race car driving makes a heroin addiction seem like a mild craving for something salty.”

Your beautifully modified 964 is called Daffy. How did this name come about?

My 74 Carrera racecar is named Taz.  It just seemed fitting to name it after the Tasmanian devil.  That started the Loony Toons naming.  My 964 is black with a ducktail.  She is a crazy black duck so I named it Daffy.

She is a crazy black duck so I named it Daffy.

You made your 964 very individual. Can you tell us something about your modifications? Who made it?

I bought the 964 with the track in mind.  I wanted to build an air cooled GT3. The motor and gearbox were built by Jeff Gamroth.  The motor is a heavily modified 964 motor now making 381hp.  The gear box is a 6 speed from a 993 with short gears, steel syncros and a Guard race limited slip differential.  She’s been stripped of most creature comforts including AC, heating and rear seats.  I’ve got her down to 2650lbs but a good friend of mine has plans to get her down to 2550lbs. The suspension is also heavily modified.  The front suspension is from a 993 GT2.  I’ve got adjustable coilover shocks and upgraded brake system that includes larger brakes and a dual master cylinder. The exhaust is a custom Gamroth set of headers with a modified dual center exhaust from a GT3. Cosmetically I’ve done just minor things.  Updated mirrors, ducktail, half cage, bumpers and the tow hooks.  I’ve also powder coated a set of MY02 996 wheels black.  They were the lightest wheel I could find that looked good on the car.

How often do you use your 964?

I drive it to work 3 times a week.  Without AC in the Texas heat it can be a bitch sometimes.

If you could choose another 911, which one would you take?

That’s a TOUGH one.  Part of me would love a new 911 Turbo just to have all the creature comforts.  I would thoroughly enjoy daily driving it.  On the other hand, I would love to build an old ST and really get all the weight out.

Without AC in the Texas heat it can be a bitch sometimes.

You are a professional photographer. What are your main motives?

I actually work in oil and gas primarily.  Photography and cars are my serious hobbies.  I photograph portraits and fashion.  I also enjoy photographing cars.  My favorite is to combine subjects so I’ve started a series with both fashion models and old vintage cars.

Many thanks, Carl. It was a pleasure speaking to you.

My favorite is to combine subjects so I’ve started a series with both fashion models and old vintage cars.

Pictures: Carl Fehres, all rights reserved!
Text: Elferspot Magazine

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