Honest, I did not come up with the title for my latest article in Excellence magazine (King Cone)! Still, I’m very honored that Excellence featured my 1972 Porsche 911 T/ST in their current issue (#205).
This spring, Pete Stout suggested I write an article about my experience of autocrossing a 911 competitively at a national level. So, I registered for the PCA Porsche Parade driving competition with my co-driver Jeff Barstow. We ended up claiming the top class (MO5) win in Salt Lake City in July. Jeff was 3rd fastest overall and I was sixth.
This 911 has been under continual development since I bought it in 1998. It was a stock ‘72T when I started and has gone through RS and ST body configurations since then. It has had four different motors and three transmissions. Almost every size Fuchs wheel has been fit to this car at one time.
The current motor is a 1996 3.6 Varioram with Carillo rods, RS valves, 993 Sport cams, solid lifters, race springs, Ti retainers, remapped DME, headers, and a Sycip rally muffler (315 flywheel hp and 300 ft-lb of torque). The gearbox is now an aluminum SC unit with a 8:31 R&P and all the Wevo stuff, Turbo synchros, Guard side cover, early gears, Quaife LSD.
Other trick items include ‘67 S door panels, chromoly low-profile cage, balsa reinforced FG lids, 912 non-defrost rear glass, custom 28 gallon tank, 964 front brakes with in-cockpit adjustable proportioning, Sycip rally muffler, and twin fan-fed front fender coolers.
Although I’ve done a fair share of repairs, maintenance and finish work on the car over the years, including much of the interior, I didn't have space in my Excellence article to acknowledge all the shops that have played a part in this 911's build.
Often times proper recognition does not go out to those who deserve it, so here goes:
Squire's Autowerke - initial mechanicals, 3.2L transplant
Marv Engtsrom's Magic Customs - RS body work/paint
Fordahl Motorsports - suspension, wheels, tires, alignments
J&L Fabricating - roll cage
Chris' German Auto Service - phase 2 and 3 mechanical builds, 3.2L/Motec, 2.8L/Motec, 3.6L transplant, transmission rebuilds, electrical, etc.
Redmond European - 3.6L RS build
Eurotech Bodywerkes - phase 2 RS/ST body work
Kelly Taylor, Trace Taft, Harvey Weidman - wheel paint & refinishing
MS Road & Race, Sierra Madre, Pelican, Nick Psyllos, Eric Linden, WEVO - special parts, etc.
Elephant Racing & Game Face Motorsports - ST cooling system, suspension upgrades, etc.
TRE Motorsports - ST body parts, etc.
Steve Hogue Enterprises - custom tank and rear ST flares/bumper
Curtis Autenreith - phase 3 final ST body work/paint
Yes, I'm democratic in supporting Porsche shops all along the west coast! Those who have guided me in my planning include several Early 911S registry and R Gruppe members: Gib Bosworth, Chris Powell, Earl Green, Jeff Gamroth, Gordon Ledbetter, Steve Weiner, Dave Bouzaglou, Chuck Moreland, Chuck Miller, and of course Curtis Autenreith. And I'm sure there are more people I'm forgetting.. Thanks everyone!