1977 Porsche 911 50

This amazing Porsche represents one of the greatest air-cooled 911 driving experiences Silverstone Auctions have ever enjoyed. Starting life in 1977 as a UK-delivered 911 Lux, it has been transformed into one of the finest examples of a retro-modified car imaginable. Very few cars could come close in terms of specification, performance and build-quality. Designed and built by Porsche Central Operations in 2014, the car was completed as a one-off project to compete amongst all other Porsche centres as part of their "50 years of the 911" restoration competition.

The brief from Porsche Central Operations in Reading was to create a no expense spared car, that not only utilised all of their resources but demonstrated their restoration ability to a global audience. “As part of the project the workshop doors will be left open to enable staff and customers to engage with the Project.”

Chassis number 9117301478 was built on 5th January 1977 and first registered on 7th February that year. It was fitted with a 2.7 litre engine developing 167hp and was enjoyed by 5 previous owners. In 2006, the car was taken off the road and stored in largely original condition by the Porsche Centre Guildford. In 2014, the somewhat tired 911 made its way to Porsche HQ in Reading to be “restored/transformed into a 1970's RS replica with some special modifications.”

The project began in earnest under the leadership of John Manning, Andy Keywood, Andy Orr and 5 other Porsche employees. The car was stripped to a bare shell and prepared for a complete nut and bolt rebuild. At this point, the decision was taken that all components on the completed car should reflect the very best of 50 years of 911 development and evolution.

Whilst the shell was being stripped, sandblasted, repaired and readied for paint, some key project decisions took place. The completed car would be painted in Viper Green, a colour that epitomised the seventies era. The wiring would be replaced with modern electronic systems and the suspension would be to a full RS specification all round. The front brakes would come from a 930 3.3 Turbo, the rears from a 3.2 Carrera and the cockpit would boast a brake balance control switch. The gearbox was to be rebuilt with strengthened main bearings. The exhaust system would ideally be loud but not insufferable on the road, and on a standard set up should retain a purposeful but not excessive growl, however, the system should also be adjustable to a full straight through race mode, whenever appropriate.

The engine decision was to remove the original 2.7 unit and replace with a development 993 powerplant from the Porsche Technical Department. This was stripped, and nut and bolt rebuilt with "Cup" cams and a Wolf engine management system. In fact, the engine was tuned live over the internet late one evening with Wolf technicians in Australia, helping ensure the best was extracted from the motor. It was then put through its paces at Porsche Silverstone by some of the in-house racing drivers, and their reports can be best described as… “Phenomenal.”

Having spoken with Porsche, Silverstone Auctions can confirm that the engine has been dyno tested at just over 300hp, and the power-to-weight ratio is equivalent to a race specification 1974 Porsche RSR. The results are simply incredible, and we feel this bespoke 911 represents the ultimate reincarnation of the 911 RS concept. It has been built by some of the finest Porsche technicians in the business and the number of hours spent on this vehicle can not even be calculated. The driving experience is simply out of this world and for that reason, Porsche Reading themselves have a significant emotional attachment to this vehicle and consequently, they would like the new owner to contact them to ensure that "their baby" can return to HQ for routine maintenance.

An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire a 911 that is 1 of 1, and would have cost well over double the guide price to achieve by a private individual. Inspections are more than welcome, and a full breakdown of this extensive project is available to prospective bidders via email.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwa7eQTETnA