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Visit to Spyder Automobiles (pics!)
Matt Holcomb and I visited John Gregory's "Spyder Automobiles" to get Matt's new custom build distributor installed. I'll let him fill you in on the performance enhancement, but I wandered around snapping pics of some of John's clients' cars. John is the guy who built Matt's 2.7 MFI race motor.
I arrived driving the enemy! My WRX company car...  On arrival, we spotted John's track/project car. A French blue 75 911S, totally restored. The detail is amazing.  The twin-plug, twin pump MFI 2.8 is currently being built, while the current 2.7 CIS motor is in to get the car registered...  Check out the detail.. it's like NEW!  Parked next to it was John's 911-powered 356 Arbath...  Word is, John's had it upto 140mph...  Inside the workshop, I spied this concourse early S. I forgot to check which year it was... *dunce* 
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1931 Oakland Eight Special Saloon 1985 BMW E28 525e (Euro 528e) 1989 911 Carrera Sport 3.2 G50 Cabriolet |
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06-13-2002, 12:10 AM
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John fitted Matt's distributor...
 After setting the timing, they took it for a road test...  While I waited, I drooled over this 914/6 with a 3.0 (305 bhp). It's twin plug, close ratio trans and 17" wheels. One of the fastest Porsches in Melbourne.  It's got 928S4 brakes and 930 brakes...  It's an amazing workshop! 
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1931 Oakland Eight Special Saloon 1985 BMW E28 525e (Euro 528e) 1989 911 Carrera Sport 3.2 G50 Cabriolet |
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06-13-2002, 12:14 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Cornwall – SW England
Posts: 134
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Adam, do you have any more details on the 'Abarth-ised' 356? Please e-mail me if possible (fastbrit@dkp3.com). Shame about the BBS-style wheels – imagine that on early Fuchs or chromies. Very interesting concept and clearly a lot of work!
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Factory-stock 914/6 & 210bhp 2.7 Carrera (oh, and a Porsche tractor...) |
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06-13-2002, 12:18 AM
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Hi Keith,
It's a 356, which John had built by a coachbuilder friend from original factory blueprints of a real 356 Carrera Arbath. I don't recall exactly what kind of motor is in it. For a while I believed it had a 911S 2.2 motor, but someone told me recently about how it's got a steriod fed 3.0 in it. Either way, I do know that it hammers! I think Matt Holcomb's been for a ride in it. He might know the exact specs. Polished Fuchs would look awesome on it, but I think John likes "different" wheels (ie: the Borbets on the '75).
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1931 Oakland Eight Special Saloon 1985 BMW E28 525e (Euro 528e) 1989 911 Carrera Sport 3.2 G50 Cabriolet Last edited by Adam; 06-13-2002 at 12:30 AM.. |
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06-13-2002, 12:23 AM
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Quote:
Truly amazing. As for the engine, it's either a 2.0 or a 2.2 -- on carbs. Matt Holcomb MFIWDP 1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Dedicated Homepage Engine Rebuild Homepage Porsche Owners Gallery Profile Pelican Gallery Profile |
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06-13-2002, 12:40 AM
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Re: Visit to Spyder Automobiles (pics!)
Quote:
Basically, John had my rebuilt distributor modified to reduce the advance to either 27 or 26, I can't recall. This is what this $80 modification has given me: 1) An engine that can now be retarded and idle normally 2) An amazingly tractable engine that spins madly to 7,600rpm with ZERO reluctance 3) An engine that struggles to reach 80C on a cool day after 30 minutes of driving All I have to do now is upgrade to a radiator-style cooler and it'll be ready to race! If anyone wants more information on this distributor upgrade, let this bad listener know and I'll call Mr. Gregory -- pen in hand! Cool post, Adam.  Matt Holcomb MFIWDP 1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Dedicated Homepage Engine Rebuild Homepage Porsche Owners Gallery Profile Pelican Gallery Profile Last edited by Matt Holcomb; 06-13-2002 at 12:55 AM.. |
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06-13-2002, 12:51 AM
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Guys
Sorry for butting in but to help complete the story… During the eighties John and his brother owned one of the largest specialised Porsche repair shops in Victoria – save Hamilton’s, the factory accredited dealer. During this magical time, when it was impossible not to make money, they had a flourishing business handling both mechanical and body repairs. John bought the blueprints from the factory and had the body hand made by a craftsman panel beater in his own shop, the objective being to have a car that could run competitively in the Targa Tasmania race, and other club events. In the days when the Targa was an open speed event John ran this car and spanked everything, including Dino’s. I understand the car has a seriously worked 2.2 litre ‘S’ engine, though not sure about the induction. It can only be described as immaculate in its detail, even the badging has been custom made. In terms of top speed, I understand that this car will actually do better than150mph. Absolutely awesome. Great pics Adam. Matt, are you anticipating another visit to the dyno in the near future???
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Paul 1969 Porsche 911T 3.2 (Matching # engine safely in storage) 2021 AMG C43 2020 BMW X4 1979 Californian Moke |
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06-13-2002, 02:48 AM
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Location: Miami
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Hello Matt,
Beautiful car you have. I am very interested in mods you had done to your distributor. I have a 1975 911 Carrera 2.7 (U.S.  ) with 6,500 redline. I'm alway's looking for way's to imoprove the peformance. My distributor has already been updated. Thanks Eric
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1975 911 Carrera BLK/BLK |
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06-13-2002, 03:25 AM
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Paul!
Thanks. I had suspected the 3.0 story was a load of baloney. Pity about this weekend... 
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1931 Oakland Eight Special Saloon 1985 BMW E28 525e (Euro 528e) 1989 911 Carrera Sport 3.2 G50 Cabriolet |
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06-13-2002, 04:44 AM
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Paul,
I'm going to put the car on the dyno once I've done 10,000kms, which is only 3,000kms away! How's your car going? Eric, Stay tuned! Keep in mind, though, my distributor has been modified to suit a single-plug, MFI 2.7 engine with a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Beautiful car, by the way. Matt Holcomb MFIWDP 1974 911 Carrera 2.7 RoW 1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Dedicated Homepage Engine Rebuild Homepage Porsche Owners Gallery Profile Pelican Gallery Profile |
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06-13-2002, 05:13 AM
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LOW911 was (is) the outright concours winner at Flemington.
So, what's she doing there? I Forget the owners name, but I got the opportunity to have a good sticky beak - pristine, yet he drives it regularly. The exhaust note - gave her a presence, above all others five times it's value. His next project is an early Targa.
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Cheers, Sean. 94 911 Carrera 2 993 Cab http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Sean_Hamilton |
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06-13-2002, 07:57 AM
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Location: Linn County, Oregon
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Assuming the 2.4 emblem is correct, the beautiful blue early S is a 1973. But the Abarthized 356! WOW! I didn't know Gary Emory had moved to Melbourne..
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06-13-2002, 07:58 AM
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Great pics. I cannot choose a favorite, I want them all!
Why are you all parking on the wrong side of the road?
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Keitho64 05 GTO 00 911 C2 64 Corvair Chicago Burbs; the Anti-Dragon... 11 turns in 318 miles |
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06-13-2002, 08:38 AM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Austin, TX
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Adam:
Wonderful photos. Thanks for taking the time to post them! |
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06-13-2002, 07:42 PM
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1976 Porsche 911S - Sold
Rolling Thunder - Sold
'66 Charger - Sold
Beep Beep! - Sold
1989 Porsche 911 Carrera
1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 2.7 MFI
1969 Porsche 911 T 2.4
1994 Porsche 993 3.6
1969 Porsche 911T
2000 Porsche 911 C2
