While building something like a Porsche 917 from scratch using only a scale model might seem a little scary to some, it didn’t stop this guy. Neither, apparently, did the lack of funds or knowledge to finish it. Found on eBay earlier this week by the folks over at BAT, it's for sale with no reserve other than the $40k starting bid
According to the seller, he built his frame using measurements directly from a 1:18 scale model. Once the frame was complete he mated the chassis to a suspension system from a C6 Corvette and two three liter, water-cooled flat sixes pulled from 2007 Subaru Tribecas (connected at the crank). The power from the motors is delivered by way of a single, standard 5-speed Tribeca automatic. The guys at BAT question it’s ability to handle the 490 HP created by the dual Suby set-up and I tend to agree with them.
As you can see from the pictures, and the video, there’s quite a bit of work left to be completed. I’m not sure I would want to be the one to take this for its first drive on the track, but a very perverse side of me wants to see someone buy it and finish it. See the full listing here.
If you really want some entertainment, head on over to Bring A Trailer and check out all the comments on their original post. Some of them are pure gold!
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View Comments (12)
Is that rebar in the suspension?
Greg,
It wouldn't surprise me at all.
Please don't report on Subaru engines being put in Porsche cars. An accurate or near accurate replica or even an outlaw modification using genuine Poesche engineered components is newsworthy to your constituency. This, however, is not & encourages practices that should not be followed.
MKW
Mike, while I agree with you about not wanting to "encourage the practice", I can't agree that it's not worthy of a post. This guy did, after all, attempt to recreate one of Porsche's most iconic racing cars ever using only a scale model for reference. As to the quality and accuracy of his work, that's not for me to decide as I've never built any car from scratch. I can say, however, that this particular story was THE most popular in last week's newsletter receiving more than double the pageviews of the next most read story. It obviously resonated with readers in one way, shape or form.
As always, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
Good point & thanks. If he had used 2 911 6's, or some other Porsche engineered power I'd be all for it. But in retrospect I agree with what you are saying.
MKW
Mike. These engines were designed in conjunction With Porsche! All the Porsche engines are too long to fit. That's why the replica companies haven't tried it. I was looking for authenticity so I took the plunge to build the most authentic 917 in the world.
Thanks Pepper for an Intelligent and respectful comment on my creation. Most people who have produced or accomplished Nothing in their lives, have the most disparaging and immature comments.
The only thing holding this project up was the lack of an aftermarket computer to run it. Now that I have one, I need a knowledgeable tuner in my area to install it. As of 10/7/17, it is sitting and waiting for that person.
Mike You are not alone in your ignorance of other peoples work. If you had done the decades worth of hom4ework I Did, you would realize that my car is the most authentic 917 short of LMK's and Maybe, Bailey's. Neither of these companies offer a 12 cylinder Boxer engine. Mine is the Only one!
Well, it took me a minute or 2 to figure out what this was all about.
Looks like I said something 3 years ago that I should not have. Also looks like I acknowledged 3 years ago that PepperGirl's analysis was the better view. Not sure why any of this is coming back up today, but I do apologize for how I expressed my initial thoughts on the use of Subaru power on the car. And I will say that I do greatly respect the effort to construct the 917, even with the Subaru engine. It is indeed newsworthy & I should not have implied otherwise.
Also, for what it may be worth, I have, in fact, constructed a car from
the ground up (after years of research) with a lot of help from others so I may not be quite as ignorant as you have presumed. Nevertheless, my remark was misplaced and, again, my apologies for offending anyone in regard to the Subaru comment. It wasn't intended to disparage the magnitude of the project and it was, in retrospect, a very ppoor way to raise a my concern/opinion about Japanese power in a Porsche.
I trust that the project has now been completed & I hope that you are enjoying it. Whatever the mechanics are, it does seem to me to be something of an engineering marvel. A brave undertaking for which you are to be congratulated.
MKW
This guy is amazing. I can't wait till he posts future progress. He's done great work considering he's on a budget. I hope he is successful at the track.
Thanks Victor. It is so close I can taste it. It would have been running 7 years ago if there was an aftermarket company who made a computer to run it. To my dismay, the 2007 EZ30 ECU can't be reprogrammed like most others can. I have a computer now but need someone to install it. That person is hard to find for No Money!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkAhDB_1vZ0