1986 PORSCHE 911

For almost as long as the Porsche 911 has existed, people have been modifying them. What began with lightweight competition cars such as the 911R, ST and RSR eventually developed into the 'Outlaw' movement, taking the ingredients from different generations of the 911 and combining them to create something entirely individual.

This particular Outlaw started life as a left-hand drive 1987 930 Turbo, discovered as a Category-D, water damaged rolling-shell without its original engine or gearbox. Importantly, the suspension, brakes and much of the running gear remained, providing an ideal starting point for what its creator describes as his vision of the perfect 911. The brief was simple enough, even if achieving it wasn't. It needed the looks of a pre-1974 long bonnet 911, subtle hints that something more serious was going on underneath and performance to match the visuals, all without modern electronics or driver aids.

The shell was stripped by acid dipping before being galvanised and rebuilt, with the original arches replaced by steel RSR items. The rear was extensively reworked to accept the smaller 1967 911R lights, whilst RSR-style bumpers were fitted and carefully faired into the body. Inspiration came from several of Porsche's greatest early competition cars, principally the 1967 911R, 1971 ST and 1973 RSR, with the finished car painted in Porsche Grand Prix White.

Rather than returning to turbo power, a 3.6-litre M64/22 Varioram flat-six from a 1996 Porsche 993 was chosen, producing 282bhp in standard form. The engine was stripped and inspected before installation and paired with a G50 5-speed manual gearbox, rebuilt with new synchros and a Wavetrac limited-slip differential. A lightweight flywheel and Rennshift short shifter were added, whilst the exhaust combines 41mm SSI headers with a Cargraphic RSR-style silencer. The 930's already formidable braking system was retained, whilst the original Bilstein dampers were refurbished and the suspension rebuilt with new bushes, carefully selected torsion bars and anti-roll bars. With the finished car weighing just 1,030kg without fuel, the result is around 273bhp per tonne.

Inside, the same thinking continues. Scheel Racing seats from a 1971 car have been retrimmed in leather and Alcantara, complemented by lightweight RS-style carpets, early RS door cards, wind-up windows and an original 360mm Raid steering wheel. Even the original 930 instruments remain, with the now redundant boost gauge providing a subtle reminder of where the car started. There are a number of photographs of this process in the car's history file.

The result is not intended to be a recreation of any particular Porsche, nor is it pretending to be something it isn't. It takes elements from some of the most exciting air-cooled 911s and combines them into one exceptionally well considered road car.

Perhaps the best description comes from the man who created it: “Raw.” No power steering, no electronic aids and very little separating the driver from what is happening underneath. A 993 Varioram flat-six, G50 gearbox, 930 brakes and suspension, just over a tonne to move and the looks of an early competition 911. It's difficult to think of a much better recipe.