Porsche's first V8-engined road car, the 928, was originally intended to replace the 911. That didn't happen, but today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 911 has had its rear-mounted flat-6 replaced by a V8. That might make it an 829, but does its price make it irreplaceable?
If the ancient idiom that one man's meat is another's poison still holds sway, then fully 67% of you were willing to drink the Kool-Aid proffered by the seller of yesterday's oddly appealing 1992 Crown Vic-up. That fully framed Ford may not have worn its heart on its sleeve, but it most certainly unfurled its freak flag out back, in full stranger ranger fashion.
Today's candidate also sports something less than factory rump-wise, but it's a little more subtle, and a lot more potent in its execution. Are you a fan of Jerry Lewis? No? Not so French? Well, back in the sixties he starred in a comedy called The Bellboy, where he played, of all things, a hotel bellboy. In one scene he is tasked with bringing the luggage from a guest's car up to their room. Unfortunately the car in question was a Volkswagen Type I - uncommon in the U.S at the time - and in true screwball comedy style, Lewis ends up attempting to drag the flat four up the hotel's stairs. Today's 1975 Porsche 911 is similarly motivated from the rear, but any attempt by a hospitality employee to lift its engine would likely result in him busting a nut as this Slantnose is powered by a honkin' big SBC.
First off, what this car is not - this isn't a Porsche purist's wet dream. Based on a 1975 naturally aspirated 911, it's still non-pressurized, but instead of the 130-bhp of the original 2.7-litre aircooled flat six, the seller says it now rocks a crate motor EFI V8 that he claims to have dyno'd to the tune of 345 hp at the wheels. It's remarkable that you can even fit all 5.7 litres of V8 in the space originally planned for an engine half the displacement and three quarters the cylinder count - as well as being much flatter. But fit it does, obviously aided by the rubber duck spoiler sprouting from the engine compartment lid.
Helping get all those horses to the ground are a 930 Turbo gearbox and what the seller calls ‘steamroller tires' in back, which are wrapped around Fuchs-centered BBS rims. The brakes are also claimed to be 930 parts, which if true should provide for impressively short stopping distances. The Turbo look extends to the rear fenders which are wide enough to claim Kardashian lineage. The car is a non-sunroof coupe, heartiest of the breed, and is covered in a coat of arrest-me red. The paint looks reasonable, and he says the window frames have been powercoated so they should remain feeling summer-fresh for a good while. The interior is likewise been renewed, with white-faced gauges, recovered seats and door panels, and an overall appearance that doesn't project the douchiness it possibly could have.
Usually car ads, whether eBay or Craigslist tend to go light on the description, typically ending up something like: Car for sale, not sure what kind, may contain chickens. This seller however, goes into extensive detail regarding every aspect of his Chevy-powered Porsche. Want to know the size of the anti-roll bar? He's got you covered. Condition of the pedal cluster bushings? Check. And it's all useful information about the car, not blowin' smoke up your ass history of the brand or why some particular rust bucket will make a perfect car for your next family vacation. No rust here, plus it looks like it has only done a little more that 3,000 miles since its rebirth as a push-rodder. And to top it off, at 2,615-lbs he claims it's lighter than the 260-bhp Turbo of the era. Check out the ad for the litany of changes that went into this beast.
Despite having gone on a diet, the seller says it still handles like a Turbo, and that means you might want to practice going backwards before driving it as just like Tiggers and bouncing, that's what those things like to do best. A lot of weight over the back end, and a too-light nose meant that when pushed the Turbos, and by extension this SBC-edition, will bite you like rattler in your skivvies. But hey, that's half the fun!
Before anybody can have that fun however, they'll have to plunk down $24,900 for the honor. A bone-stock ‘75 911 in similarly decent shape would probably set you back nearly half that amount, so figure you're paying 12-large for all the extra horses and the slanty nose, which is a take it or leave it item for some. Considering the whole package, what's your take on that $24,900 asking price? Does that make this a can't-lose Slantnose? Or, is that price make this car more Martin and Lewis than Martini?
You decide!
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