Crazy Idea No. 671:

[cegerer]

2 weeks in the woods away from civilization allows one's mind to wander for long periods of time So I concocted in my mind the ultimate early 911 hotrod - sort of a cross between a 356 Outlaw and an R-Gruppe machine. One of the features would be a 1-piece tilt-up rear body section similar to that of a 550 Spyder. Ruling out cost, are there any structural reasons why this wouldn't work? -- Curt

[Bill Douglas]

You didn't stumple across a plot of marijuana...

Some serious track cars have a removable back section. It may be the 935 cars - I'm not too hot on model names of the track beasts.

Good idea. I really like some 356 Outlaw cars with a mean but functional look.

[pwd72s]

Curt? Welcome back! Glad you thought of something while you were casting flies & swatting skeeters...

[cegerer]

"You didn't stumple across a plot of marijuana... "

Not that I know of ....

This Outlaw is the impetus for the idea:



My idea is a 911 version. It would probably start life as a short-wheelbase 911 coupe rescue project. Stripped to the bare minimum (2000 pound weight goal), this would be a minimalist car all the way. I envision cooling slots for an oil cooler in the rear quarter:



Custom made steel wheels (maybe 16 inch diameter). Interior stripped to metal and painted; no carpet/door panels/etc. 1-piece vintage racing seats

Motor? Probably an RS clone - something that can rev to 7000RPM easily in any case. As mentioned, tilt-up rear body work custom fabricated of fiberglass. The top seam of the rear deck lid would be maintained but extended down to each wheelwell arch. The deck lid along with the rear 1/3 or so of each fender would be 1 piece. Rather than the standard grill, slots would be molded into the fiberglass itself. Leather hold-down straps for front and rear lids.

" Glad you thought of something while you were casting flies & swatting skeeters... "

Hey, ya got to do something between reeling in those monster browns!

[Jim Garfield]

Hi Curt,
I figured that you must be on vacation.
I was at Linwood Beach the second week of
Aug. but with visiting family and all, the time
flew by. I never seem to be able to do as
much as I plan to do when I'm out there.
But we will have to get together for that
beer when I'm out there sometime.

Was this 356 featured in Exellence 2 or 3 yrs.
ago? The owner was getting married and towing
a small vintage trailer around for his honeymoon?
Looks familiar.

[cegerer]

Hey Jim, sounds like you were arriving when we were leaving. Oh well, maybe next time around. Not sure if it was in Excellence, but here's the link to the 356:

http://www.partsobsolete.com


-- Curt

[Jim Garfield]

Curt,
Yes, this is the same guy that I was thinking of but
a different car. On his website if you scroll down to
the 356 Special - That's the car that I remembered.
If you read the article it mentions the trailer, and the
specs include a towing capacity of 1800lbs!

The photos that you posted jogged my memory (I think
that it was those great looking wheels) about the article.
I'm pretty sure that it was in Excellence although I haven't
been able to track down the issue. I thought that the car
was very cool looking, the details all appear appropriate
even though it's all "made up". It is ironic in that it was this
article that made me decide to a) start looking for a vintage
Airstream (which I found 3 yrs ago, a '67 Caravel) and b) to
start looking for another vintage Porsche. When I started look-
ing I was considering a 550 replica but it was just too impractical,
so compromises being what they are I ended up with a semi-
practical 911. And no I don't intend to tow the Airstream w/the
911.