1977 Porsche 911 3.6 '911-50'

Designed and built by Porsche Central Operations in 2014, this remarkable 911 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.

Chassis number 9117301478 was originally built on 5th January 1977 and first registered on 7th February that year. It was fitted with a 2.7-litre engine developing 167bhp and had been enjoyed by five previous owners. In 2006, the car was taken off the road and stored in largely original condition by the Porsche Centre Guildford prior to making its way to Porsche HQ in Reading in early 2014.

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 finished 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. We understand that Porsche confirmed at the time that "the engine has been dyno-tested at just over 300bhp, and the power-to-weight ratio is equivalent to a race specification 1974 Porsche RSR." They also confirmed that "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".

Iconic Auctioneers (Silverstone Auctions at the time) were lucky enough to be asked to handle the sale of this fabulous 911 back in 2015 and it was purchased  by its current owner, our knowledgeable vendor and Porsche collector.

He has used it lightly but has derived most of his pleasure from the car by commissioning Porsche Reading to further develop it, money no object, in the spirit of the 2014 build. They have added to the car's potency with an RSR 5-speed race gearbox with short-shifter, limited-slip differential and race clutch, all of which guarantee a bulletproof drivetrain. The Wolf ECU has been upgraded to a Life Racing Engine Management system by specialist Northampton Motorsport, taking power output up to 320bhp.This also required a new loom. The engine and gearbox oil cooling systems have been revised, corner weights and four-wheel geometry set up and the bright green instrument back plates were changed for a more conventional black (but the old green ones are included).

Our vendor has cared for the car for nearly a decade with a thick invoice file attesting to maintenance regardless of cost, with upgrades and maintenance of approximately £45,000, however, the time has come to 'shuffle' his Collection and this remarkable Viper Green is being offered at our forthcoming NEC Auction. A true 'race car for the road' with the look and sound of the ultimate air-cooled 911. Neunelfers, form an orderly queue.