Lightest 911 - Lots of Drillium!
Discussion
ChocolateFrog said:
620kg is pretty light.
As Jonny said, less than half the weight of the Porsche's current lightest car.
It's quite impressive. Although it appears a little primitive in execution, it's no simple task to do properly and without totally compromising structural integrity.As Jonny said, less than half the weight of the Porsche's current lightest car.
PTW ratio of ~290bhp/t isn't to be sniffed at either!
WojaWabbit said:
ChocolateFrog said:
620kg is pretty light.
As Jonny said, less than half the weight of the Porsche's current lightest car.
It's quite impressive. Although it appears a little primitive in execution, it's no simple task to do properly and without totally compromising structural integrity.As Jonny said, less than half the weight of the Porsche's current lightest car.
PTW ratio of ~290bhp/t isn't to be sniffed at either!
I’m probably missing the point though.
I wouldn't like to be in that in any sort of accident. It looks like the roof pillars would crumble and there is no side protection whatsoever.
No wonder he would track it at Curborough as it's one car on the track at a time there.
Does look cool though and you can tell it handles and goes well. Colin Chapman was right...
No wonder he would track it at Curborough as it's one car on the track at a time there.
Does look cool though and you can tell it handles and goes well. Colin Chapman was right...
robemcdonald said:
It’s a great video. The car goes a bit too far for me though. Drilling holes in bars?? Why not just use a carbon fibre rod?
I’m probably missing the point though.
Because drilling holes is much, much cheaper than buying carbon fibre? I’m probably missing the point though.
And arguably cooler.

BubblesNW said:
I wouldn't like to be in that in any sort of accident. It looks like the roof pillars would crumble and there is no side protection whatsoever.
You think a factory 911 of that era has side impact protection? Watched it last night. I'm torn, he's obviously very knowledgeable and been passionate about air-cooled cars since before I was born but as someone else has said I think the execution is lacking / strange.
You can't possibly say without carrying out fairly complex FEA whether or not you've excessively compromised something by lightening it. Which he obviously hasn't done. And the holes themselves are a bit 20th century.
I can't help but think that a small investment in a basic XY NC machine (he's clearly got a very successful business behind him) would have made a massive difference to the look of the project, some nice triangulated or formed pockets would look miles better and would be lighter still.
Still, it looks a riot to drive although I'm not sure I'd fancy driving around in colander with no seatbelts!
You can't possibly say without carrying out fairly complex FEA whether or not you've excessively compromised something by lightening it. Which he obviously hasn't done. And the holes themselves are a bit 20th century.
I can't help but think that a small investment in a basic XY NC machine (he's clearly got a very successful business behind him) would have made a massive difference to the look of the project, some nice triangulated or formed pockets would look miles better and would be lighter still.
Still, it looks a riot to drive although I'm not sure I'd fancy driving around in colander with no seatbelts!
Muzzer79 said:
robemcdonald said:
It’s a great video. The car goes a bit too far for me though. Drilling holes in bars?? Why not just use a carbon fibre rod?
I’m probably missing the point though.
Because drilling holes is much, much cheaper than buying carbon fibre? I’m probably missing the point though.
And arguably cooler.

I enjoyed the video, but was really expecting a lot more carbon, titanium and exoctic materials. Rather than just drilling everything to within an inch of its life (which was fairly impressive).
I thought the wheels would be Mag, bodywork must be lighter still if pre-preg carbon as opposed to fibreglass with balsa reinforcement, and there must be a huge amount of weight in the fasteners also if not Ti?
I thought the wheels would be Mag, bodywork must be lighter still if pre-preg carbon as opposed to fibreglass with balsa reinforcement, and there must be a huge amount of weight in the fasteners also if not Ti?
Timbo_S2 said:
I enjoyed the video, but was really expecting a lot more carbon, titanium and exoctic materials. Rather than just drilling everything to within an inch of its life (which was fairly impressive).
I thought the wheels would be Mag, bodywork must be lighter still if pre-preg carbon as opposed to fibreglass with balsa reinforcement, and there must be a huge amount of weight in the fasteners also if not Ti?
It’s almost like he has approached it from a 1960s 70s perspective, almost like “this is what they could have done at the time” I thought the wheels would be Mag, bodywork must be lighter still if pre-preg carbon as opposed to fibreglass with balsa reinforcement, and there must be a huge amount of weight in the fasteners also if not Ti?
Still massively impressive though.
Such a shame that Porsche has only paid lip service to removing weight from the 911 for the last 20ish years.
You can only admire the dedication to getting that car to 625 kg…I’d love to drive it to see what it feels like. A SWB with the standard 130 bhp is a lovely thing to drive…this must feel amazing.on a country road. I notice he’s got the suspension lowered…think I’d have the car on standard suspension to let it “float” a bit more.
You can only admire the dedication to getting that car to 625 kg…I’d love to drive it to see what it feels like. A SWB with the standard 130 bhp is a lovely thing to drive…this must feel amazing.on a country road. I notice he’s got the suspension lowered…think I’d have the car on standard suspension to let it “float” a bit more.
Kawasicki said:
Curledge said:
Weight is a killer in modern cars.
Carbon tubs is the future, lighter and better strength/rigidity
Customers seem to prefer them heavyCarbon tubs is the future, lighter and better strength/rigidity
Let's face it though....you need to reduce weight by more than 20 or 30kg to make a difference...unless it is badly positioned in the car i.e. high up like a targa roof.
I really enjoyed the story and appreciated the workmanship ...
Having always used seat belts I don't think I could press-on without ... and I worry a little about mixing ali and steel without careful insulation to avoid electrolytic corrosion .... which I guess would otherwise unpredictably lighten it more ?
I wonder also what the weight distribution is now with fuel and passengers ?
Having always used seat belts I don't think I could press-on without ... and I worry a little about mixing ali and steel without careful insulation to avoid electrolytic corrosion .... which I guess would otherwise unpredictably lighten it more ?
I wonder also what the weight distribution is now with fuel and passengers ?
Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


