Tuesday 10th April 2012

You Know You Want To: Porsche 911 ST

'Never raced or rallied' is a classic used ad cliche but this one has, and by no less than Chris Harris who tempts you to have a go yourself

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This probably should have a different title because in response to the statement, in this particular case, I can proudly say 'I have'.

The owner of this gorgeous machine just sent me a note saying he's selling it. I drove it at the 2010 Nurburgring 1000KM and, from memory, we finished 13th overall from about 110 starters.

If you've got 165,000 Euros you know you want to

The car is an exact recreation of a 1971 911 ST and built by the absolute masters at these exercises, Roitmayer, who are based near Munich.

In race trim the 2.5-litre six has around 250hp and it weighs around 1,000kg. It is, by some margin, the best looking 911 I have ever seen. I spent several minutes just staring at it in the pit garage when I arrived for the race.

The ST is a fascinating piece of 911 history because it doesn't actually exist as an individual model. It was a kit sold by Porsche to its motorsport customers, which they then added to a stock 911 S. So when people describe a 911 ST, they normally expect it to have the wider front and rear wings, 8- and 9-inch Fuchs wheels (sometimes Minilites at the rear). But in reality an ST could have anything from a 2.2 to a 2.5-litre motor and narrow bodywork. I know of one with a sunroof.

To me, they are the most beautiful long-bonnet 911s: still delicate, but with added menace.

Here's some onboard from the race. This was the longest stint I've ever done in a race car. The tank was vast, and in wet conditions I did well over 2 hours in the thing. No hardship with that spectacular noise.

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1971 PORSCHE 911 ST
Price: 165,000 Euros
Why you should: Gets the Harris seal of approval, and he's pretty fussy about old 911s
Why you shouldn't: Erm...........

See the ad here

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Harris drives the 911 ST

 

[sinbaddio]

Wow - mega

[garypotter]

2 Hours non stop on a race track, no wonder your passenger looks TIRED!! he he

I do like the length of the gear change in these old porsches, certainly not a quick shift, but I am jelous what a great day that must have been racing the 911.

[pSyCoSiS]

Epic.

Chris - you're a lucky bd!

[Krikkit]

Why is there a spare in the cabin? Surely no tyre changes on an active track?

[Dan Trent]

garypotter said:

2 Hours non stop on a race track, no wonder your passenger looks TIRED!! he he

[anonymous-user]

Krikkit said:

Why is there a spare in the cabin? Surely no tyre changes on an active track?

Better balance init

[Dusty964]

Stunning machine.

[anonymous-user]

Gorgeous car and stunning sound. I want!

[BBS-LM]

That 911 makes good noises.

[dave stew]

I find it difficult to add anything valid when commenting on these wonderful cars... Suffice to say that I too think that they are extremely desirable and look/sound brilliant.

[sanctum]

Gorgeous, but what is the small gauge on the right of the binnacle (almost centre of the video shot)? Looks suspiciously like a boost gauge, but I thought it was an NA 2.5?

I am intrigued.

[MIP1983]

Somthing keeps being tweaked or adjusted with the right hand, just behind the steering wheel, what is that out of curiosity? Stereo? (5:29 for example)

Very brave wet driving, I'd be terrified in those conditions.

[Cotty]

That look a whole lot of fun.

[gr88]

reduced to selling mates cars....

shame on PH

next you'll be signing celebrities sons.....

shame on PH

cash for questions and fiddle expences next

and a pension for life

shame on PH

[Presuming Ed]

When thats the same price as a Touring 2.7 Rs, I know which I'd prefer.

[Zajda]

sanctum said:

Gorgeous, but what is the small gauge on the right of the binnacle (almost centre of the video shot)?

I'd say it's a 2nd rev counter, more accurate(responsive) and with a different scale, but what I know.

MIP1983 said:

Somthing keeps being tweaked or adjusted with the right hand, just behind the steering wheel, what is that out of curiosity? Stereo? (5:29 for example)

Look at the windscreen wipers.

Edited by Zajda on Tuesday 10th April 13:25

[Dave Hedgehog]

how much?

I can offer you the OH for it

[tosh.brice]

If there were 110 starters, why do we hardly see anyone else on the track? (OK, I did not watch all of it, so maybe there was a big bunch in a part that I skipped!) (But this is a 'serious' question!)

[groomi]

How driving should be: Controlled, sonorous and rewarding.

[fatboy69]

What's not to like about that? I'd buy it just for the colour scheme!!! It's a fantastic car with a superb soundtrack.

Ever so, ever so, ever so (slightly) jealous of Mr H.

Git!!!!!!!