I drove the 911 Sport Classic at Le Mans... a true retro-911.

[Emission]

I've been fortunate to drive some pretty cool cars recently, but I always go back to my 80s-era 911 when it comes to raw driving pleasure.

However, two weeks ago I was handed the keys to a 2010 911 Sport Classic in France — completely unexpectedly! It was the factory prototype of all things (the identical car is featured in Excellence), and I used it as transportation to/from the track to my lodging about 30 miles away. I spent three days with the car, and was also able to drive it during parade and hot laps on the full Le Mans circuit during the Le Mans Classic event (side-by-side with the GT1, 917, 935, etc...)!

It's obviously a modern 911, but the retro-touches are very cool. Start with a Carrera S... add in a normally-aspirated 408-hp engine, 6-speed manual transmission, limited-slip differential, wide-body hindquarters, Duck tail, Fuchs, woven seats and you have one hellava cool car. It drives every bit as well as it looks.

I thought you guys would get a kick out of it. My full story is on Autoblog:

Quick Spin: 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic is proof that money really can buy happiness — Autoblog

Feel free to ask questions...

- Mike

[Dueller]

Your life doesn't suck

[regency]

Damn........wow.

[mickey356]

I hate you!

[kiwiokie]

You are truly very fortunate. Thanks for sharing.

[motobri]

My favorite 911,

Of course, cause we can't have it.

The video clips make it sound unreal.

How does it sound from the seat?

Is it true the stripes are vinyl?.

That car stares at me every day on my pc desktop.

My only hope is that someday they will unlock that color for paint to sample.

[Emission]

Originally Posted by motobri

My favorite 911,

Of course, cause we can't have it.

The video clips make it sound unreal.

How does it sound from the seat?

Is it true the stripes are vinyl?.

That car stares at me every day on my pc desktop.

My only hope is that someday they will unlock that color for paint to sample.

It sounds really good (just like the video). Unlike the raspy GT3, the Sport Classic has a very smooth sound to it and a perfect idle (the GT3 seems to hunt). It's not obnoxiously loud, but it does turn heads under throttle. In all honesty, the exhaust was a big part of the emotional equation. It sounds great from the driver's seat!

I just sent an e-mail to Porsche re the stripes. I never looked that closely.

The color is the most controversial part of the car. You either like the gray, or hate it. It is not a "flat" gray, per say, but a primer-like color with a glossy clearcoat. The car in my pics was very dirty and dusty, so it may have masked the shine.

You know, here is a behind-the-scenes pic of when I grabbed the car at the Paris airport (parked next to a C2S PDK... that is not my binder on the hood!). It was in a dark underground parking garage, so I attempted a 1 second exposure with a hand-held... with expected results. Although blurry, the color and gloss are very accurate.

- Mike

[motobri]

Originally Posted by Emission

The color is the most controversial part of the car. You either like the gray, or hate it. It is not a "flat" gray, per say, but a primer-like color with a glossy clearcoat. The car in my pics was very dirty and dusty, so it may have masked the shine.

Very cool. Looks like chalk.
I noticed that dirt on the @ the emblem. You think they'd sell that thrashed media car for half price?

[motobri]

Btw, can you ask them when that Carerra GTS is coming?

Poor man's US sport classic maybe?

[Jim Richards]

A dirty Sports Classic? Criminal! They might as well just get rid of it. I can take it off their hands.

[MrPerkles]

Nice story Mike
I had a good look around the sports classics in the parking field beautiful machines except I thought the wheels were horrible even though I realy wanted to like them.
Air con that weekend would have been wonderfull

[hessel1974]

My 911 stood about 100 yards from the porsche stand with both the sport classics, the 959 and carrera GT. (And the 917's of course ) We had 16 cars there with the classic 911 club Netherlands.

It looks stunning, even better as in the pics. There is something about that colour which really stands out. Great car!! If only I had the money.....

[Emission]

Originally Posted by hessel1974

My 911 stood about 100 yards from the porsche stand with both the sport classics, the 959 and carrera GT. (And the 917's of course ) We had 16 cars there with the classic 911 club Netherlands.

It looks stunning, even better as in the pics. There is something about that colour which really stands out. Great car!! If only I had the money.....

Hey, that's the other car in your pic! It was at the event on Saturday, but I didn't see it on Sunday (so we parked "our" Sport Classic there).

Yes, it was VERY hot that weekend. It was good to get into the cars (A/C) and cool off, but I would have preferred to run with the windows down to hear the exhaust.

This was my first time to the event. I was very impressed by the quality and diversity of the Porsche Club cars. You guys really made the show spectacular!

Here are a few shots of the Porsche corral (I took 500+ pics). Maybe I got a shot of your car?









- Mike

[Emission]

I was able to drive the circuit twice that weekend (plus I was a passenger for some hot laps).

The first time I took the Sport Classic out, I was in line waiting with a ton of other Porsches for the track to clear. There were hundreds crowding the "pits" as we lined up for our runs. Many were snapping pics of the Sport Classic and asking me questions, but I don't speak French so I simply stood there and smiled. I noticed that all of the other cars were running with both seats occupied... but my passenger seat was empty.

Seizing the opportunity, I asked a young teenage boy who was snapping pics of the Sport Classic with his dad if he wanted to go for a ride. He spoke a little bit of English, but with my pointing to the passenger seat... he knew enough. He turned to his dad and said "Papa?" in an permission asking tone... his father yelled back without hesitation (and with a big smile) "Oui, Oui!"

So, the kid strapped in the passenger seat and I took him for some laps on the full 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit. We didn't talk much, due to the language barrier, but he had a smile like the Cheshire Cat as I pushed the Sport Classic through the corners and hit 150 mph on one of the straights!

He kept saying "I love Porsche" (as he held on for dear life) and giving me the thubs-up.

I am sure I made his "holiday" vacation, but his awe and enthusiasm also made my day. It was really nice sharing the car's performance with a young enthusiast.

- Mike

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by hessel1974

My 911 stood about 100 yards from the porsche stand with both the sport classics, the 959 and carrera GT. (And the 917's of course ) We had 16 cars there with the classic 911 club Netherlands.

It looks stunning, even better as in the pics. There is something about that colour which really stands out. Great car!! If only I had the money.....

I would love to have that car. Mmmmmmmmmm.

[911jettat]

Originally Posted by Emission

The first time I took the Sport Classic out, I was in line waiting with a ton of other Porsches for the track to clear. There were hundreds crowding the "pits" as we lined up for our runs. Many were snapping pics of the Sport Classic and asking me questions, but I don't speak French so I simply stood there and smiled. I noticed that all of the other cars were running with both seats occupied... but my passenger seat was empty.

Seizing the opportunity, I asked a young teenage boy who was snapping pics of the Sport Classic with his dad if he wanted to go for a ride. He spoke a little bit of English, but with my pointing to the passenger seat... he knew enough. He turned to his dad and said "Papa?" in an permission asking tone... his father yelled back without hesitation (and with a big smile) "Oui, Oui!"

So, the kid strapped in the passenger seat and I took him for some laps on the full 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit. We didn't talk much, due to the language barrier, but he had a smile like the Cheshire Cat as I pushed the Sport Classic through the corners and hit 150 mph on one of the straights!

He kept saying "I love Porsche" (as he held on for dear life) and giving me the thubs-up.

I am sure I made his "holiday" vacation, but his awe and enthusiasm also made my day. It was really nice sharing the car's performance with a young enthusiast.

- Mike

Mike,
I was one of those crazies taking pictures as they let you guys loose on the track... I was told to ask anyone with an open seat for a ride. That was a great experience you gave to the kid!

More pictures here: Picasa Web Albums - Udo - Classic LeMans

[Emission]

Originally Posted by 911jettat

Mike,
I was one of those crazies taking pictures as they let you guys loose on the track... I was told to ask anyone with an open seat for a ride. That was a great experience you gave to the kid!

More pictures here: Picasa Web Albums - Udo - Classic LeMans

You nailed a picture of me! Very cool. Porsche supposedly had a photographer taking pics of us on the track, but none have materialized. Had I known you were there, I would have taken you out with me. Next time (in two years)!

- Mike