Replica 904 Carrera GTS

[Fishcop]

My wife recently noted that I haven't been the same since pretty much finishing my car (I know they're an ongoing thing, but mine is where I want it for the time being). She noted that I tend to thrive on a project.... Hmmm

I do seem to enjoy the building and tinkering even more than the driving these day too. I was even contemplating building one of the ubiquitous "clubman" cars that are available these days.

I've always loved the Carerra GTS and have read that the Chuck Beck 904 replica is pretty much close to 'go' full production. Price will be around 50-60k USD without engine and transmision, plus the costs of getting one here... http://chuckbeck904.com/

Considering Porsche only built 100 or so of the real thing for homologation, and there's not that many of the originals left, I got to thinking that there might be real value in building myself a close replica 904 running as much correct stuff as I can (I have a 2.0 engine under the work bench). Even if I ran way over budget, I suspect I'd still be in cheaper than buying an S these days. Plus there's the advantages of the car being being somewhat impervious to rust

I also understand that a good replica can get FIA approval for competition... So does that mean I could get a CAMS logbook and compete in such a car?

It's just pie in the sky stuff at the moment - but do you guys think it would be a relatively good long-term project? Would I stand to lose my coin? Would I be better of spending this kind of coin on restoring another 911?

As usual advice/opinions are always welcome!

Cheers

[Terminator]

The sickness lives on

[griffiths_r]

no idea whether you would lose money or not, but it sure sounds like fun!

can you get your wife to talk to my wife?!?

[alexwebster]

John,
we had a 904 replica similar to what you are speaking of. I am more than happy to give you the low down on what you can do here. But basically you won't be able to run the car in anything other than Marque Sports type events, as well as regularity. Bascially CAMS say that if the chassis number is not real, the car does not get a log book to say that it can compete in the category that it is was originally driven in.

We had a 3.0 litre in ours, and remains with the new owner in Melbourne.

Not much room in them either, but boy did it go!!!

[NT911]

Alex's 904 was quick... yes, not much room... but very quick.
No idea about $$ etc. but would certainly stand out. A 550 would be sweet too.

[OBRUT]

john

i'm with you on the clubman option - especially when i see an ad like this:

http://www.my105.com.au/classified.asp?id=8157

what about bikes? andrew is planning a triumph bobber build at the moment. lots of cafe racer inspiration here:
www.deus.com.au

you can explain to the wife that they're more show than go and you're thus unlikely to kill yourself on one...

i know where you're at as i'm also a compulsive tinkerer. (my latest project is restoring/converting an 80's 12 speed treadly into a stripped down, single (fixed) gear bike)

[Fishcop]

You guys should see all the crap under my house... I've got remote control helicopters and planes, scaletrix slot cars, all kinds of Porsche bits, all kinds of tools. And a wine cellar I put a bid in for a clubmate's recently rolled 3.2 G50 Carrera, but he's decided to repair it... bugger, it would have made a great backdate candidate.The clubmans are brilliant to drive, but they really don't 'do my biscuit', but one of the Qld P-car clubbies has just ordered a Westfield XTR (Lemans looking thing that runs a Hayabusa engine). I still don't think it's me, and you cant road register them (I think).I've had a bit of a fantasty to re-create a F2 inspired open wheeled Porsche hill-climber with tube frame and the spare 2.0 engine I have. But I'm not good enough an engineer to put a frame together...I was a serious bike nut in the past, but was present at two separate bike fatalities involving good friends just before I got married... my wife is super-anti two wheeled transport. I know that doesn't mean I can't build a nice Ducati Imola replica or similar, but it's best for me to stay away from temptation A 550 Spyder is an option... but only if I shoehorn a 6cyl in there But from what Alex suggests, there's still no real chance of getting something like this logbooked.Who's got some half finished priojects out there?

[griffiths_r]

john
i know that "you will never own another bike again" feeling... it only took one fatality and a trip overseas for me though.
what about buying an ariel atom and swapping the engine out for a flat 6?!?

a green frame duke super sport would be nice... or even a 450 desmo (any pictures mr upwey?!?)...

what about a 356 outlaw with a 3.2 in it or something?

[alexwebster]

Rich, why swap the Atom motor, it has over 300 bhp!!!

And a 356 with a 911 is great - our yellow car is just awesome to drive and very quick too!!

[Paul W]

I’m very envious about you being in the market for another project, perhaps after your spouse has spoken to Rich’s wife she could speak to mine???

I would still love to do a 911 speedster with a 2.7MFI engine. How about you take this on so I can live through it vicariously?

[SIR70t]

John there are several Spyders normally on trademe.co.nz with Suburu turbo flat 4's in them, look very 'bike' like.

How about this

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Volkswagen/photos/a-136666173/p-55694545.htm

Shane

[John S]

John,
if you want to register the 904 for road use, I don't think you could use a Porsche engine unless of course it is a current one ie. has to meet current emission regs. It would still be lots of fun with a WRX donk

If you're interested in clubbies I would deffinately give you a shove in that direction. About ten years ago I purchased a brand new PRB kit here in Sydney. Excellent kit,then, based on Toyota parts 4AEG motor, sprinter g/box & diff etc. It weighed 535 kg and with a standard 118 hp it still had a better p/w ratio than a 3.3 turbo.
Today's PRBs run either Ford/ Mazda duratec or Honda S2000(240 bhp
I had as much fun assembeling that car as I had driving it, and oh boy was that a fun car to drive....

Once my T is back on the road I will be looking for another clubbie, just to complement the 911

cheers

[OBRUT]

"I would still love to do a 911 speedster with a 2.7MFI engine."

don't get me started on early 911 based speedsters. i even went as far a buying a targa once - then bottled before the chop... i still like to think i could do a really good one.

[CamBiscuit]

Clearly in order for the club to move forward, and to allow an increase in the cars per member ratio, we need to organise some group 'wife / girlfirend therapy' !

[griffiths_r]

maybe the club needs to acquire a warehouse in each capital city to "hide" our cars in... I am sure we could all get away with at least one extra car if the wife didn't see it parked in the driveway everyday...

i think my next porsche project (because I am sooo far through the current one I can afford to think about the next one!) is a CRC equivalent. maybe something along the lines of a 2.5 twin plug in the back of a 356...