STOLEN Porsche 908 Motor Recovered!!!

[Wayne 962]

Part II of the saga continued today, when we reaquired one of the remaining missing engines - an NOS 908 3.0L engine that would fit a late-60s era 908 chassis. The value of these engines is around $125K - $150K, and this one was in danger of being sold out from under us. A few friends who saw the post on the 917 engines spread the word, and the potential buyer (who had already wired and paid for the engine) contacted us.

Needless to say, the stolen engine is back in the hands of the Vasek and Maria Polak Charitable Foundation. Some of the "cast of characters" in this story have accused me of snagging the engines to angle a commission on their sale. Please note again: I am personally donating my time and Pelican Parts' resources to the charity - I have no financial interest in this, and I am working hard (with the help of some Pelican staff who have also donated their time) to make sure that we maximize the dollars raised for the charity by the sale of these engines. If you do a search on Google, you will find a whole host of various hospitals and cancer research centers that have benefited from Vasek Polak's generosity.

There have been a few people who have doubted that the police would actually let us take the 917 engines, instead of placing them in an impound yard. I have some additional photos below to show some of the action.

In addition, depending on whether the foundation approves, I am planning on having an open house sometime in the near future at Pelican, so that people can come down and view the display. Not since the racing days in the 1970s has a collection of NOS engines been together in one spot. It certainly is a good chance to see the engines close up (they are very difficult to see when they are installed in the car). All proceeds from this event, of course, would go to the Vasek Polak charity.

There are more engines that are missing. Please see the other thread I will post in a few minutes. Anyone with information should contact the lead investigator, Paul Cohen at 310-589-9002 or ispyinla@aol.com

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Here's a rear view of the 908 engine. I must say there is something really cool about the 908 engines. Maybe it's the fact that you *could* fit one into a 914 (like the factory did). It's probably because they are a 911 engine on steriods, and a bit more useful to the average joe than a 917 engine.





Here's a photo of the stolen 908 engine sitting in the back of my Nissan Pathfinder (the Pelican truck). I can honestly say, out of all of the engines and Porsche parts carried in this truck over the past ten years, this engine is the cleanest, rarest, and most expensive one of all.





Here's one of the 917 engines currently in our warehouse. This one appears to be NOS (New Old Stock), as even the engine case has that original cosmoline-type finish to it. These engines have sat around for a while though, as you can tell from some of the cracking in the spark plugs.





Here's the 771 907 Hillclimb motor. Arguably the rarest of the bunch, but also probably the least in demand. This is the eight-cylinder version of the venerable Carrera 4-cam motor. If you thought putting one of the four-cam motors together was difficult, try the same thing with an eight-cylinder version. The 908 engine shown in my truck above was deleveloped based upon 911 technology, and partly in response to the fact that these 771 motors required so much work to tear down and reassemble.




This particular 917 engine seemed to have an engine type and serial number stamped near where the distributor is installed.





Here's one of the 917 engines as we found it - wrapped up in plastic wrap and stored for the past 4-5 years.





Here we are on the way to "reaquire" the engines, accompanied by the Whittier Police.



Driving behind another Police car on the way there.



The police watched on as the crates were opened, and the engines were identified by the pictures that were taken prior to the theft.





Here are the engines outside, getting ready to be picked up by the trucking company for transport back to Pelican Parts in El Segundo. In the background is a Whittier Police officer making some final notes for his report, and he is talking to Paul Cohen, the lead investigator on this case.

[Jandrews]

Now that's cool! I don't care who you are, that is cool!!


JA

[Jgordon]

Unbelievable. Great story. When the dust settles, I hope you give us the full, sitting-by-the-fire-on-a-cold-day version.

[ischmitz]

Nice pictures... Are you still planning on the high-res photo documentation for each of the engines?

[Joeaksa]

Keep going, get the perps and the rest of the parts. They deserve to be out in the open and given a good home!

Joe A

[Wayne 962]

Originally posted by ischmitz
Nice pictures... Are you still planning on the high-res photo documentation for each of the engines?

Yup - just too busy right now chasing them down...

-Wayne

[908K]

Hi Guys
I'm new here but I was very pleased to hear that you have recovered these stolen engines especially the 908.

I am currently building a 1966 GT40 and also a recreation 908K, I wish I could afford this 908 engine for my project.

Regards

Chris.

[Sean_irl]

Brilliant story...well done to all.

Theres a movie in the making here!!!!

[PhatRedHead]

nice work wayne, never seen anything like 'em, great photos, keep 'em comin' and keep us filled in on new info!!!

hypothetically, are there parts still around for some of those motors?? is some of the stuff same as "normal" p-car motors or is all stuff that is specialized and spiffy?

thanks for educating a dummy!

Phatty

[Wil Ferch]

908K:
Your attempt at a 908 clone is fantastic !!!...please keep us informed!

Here is a thread about a gentleman who built a 910 clone from scratch. Maybe you two should talk--->

910 clone!

- Wil

[Grady Clay]

Wayne,

When you have time, please put each engine on your scales and report their weight/condition. Something that is missing in the literature.

Best,
Grady

[juicersr]

You know, i've always been in love with the flat 8.... what a great engine. What a great sound (heard one at Monterey a few year ago.) Why oh why couldn't Porsche have developed the flat 8 instead of going to a water cooled 6? It seems a more logical evolution. Can you imagine the 997 with a flat-fan/flat 8 making over 400 hp with todays technology (efi, modern management, etc)....Talk about cool. You could even possibly work on it yourself (what a concept for a modern car) Oh what could have been.

[Wil Ferch]

Engine would have been longer and two extra cylinders may have been hidden under the rear parcel shelf sheet metal.

Wouldn't pass emissions or drive-by noise tests....wouldn't be able to get high specific-hp numbers demanded of today's cars ( limited to two-valve head design).

Other than that...yeah...perfect...

- Wil

[juicersr]

I could do without the rear seats of my SC in exchange for 2 extra cylinders and double HP!

[Lorenfb]

It appears that the BMW race engines which were also part of the theft have
not been recovered?

[88911coupe]

Wow, if those engines still had their a/c compressors they'd really be worth something! :-))
Seriously though, this is a great story and congrats to all at Pelican who worked to pull it off.

[912UK]

wow what a story even reached UK shores. What a way to find the stuff..

[syncroid]

Originally Posted by Wayne @ Pelican Parts

In addition, depending on whether the foundation approves, I am planning on having an open house sometime in the near future at Pelican, so that people can come down and view the display. Not since the racing days in the 1970s has a collection of NOS engines been together in one spot. It certainly is a good chance to see the engines close up (they are very difficult to see when they are installed in the car). All proceeds from this event, of course, would go to the Vasek Polak charity.

I would be interested in making the drive down there for this. Keep us posted please.
Its refreshing to know that there are still honest people left in the world.

[Grady Clay]

Vasek put me in his 908 at Willow one weekday. I had arranged the sale of a 906 to a friend and we all went to that “Garden Paradise” of Willow Springs. There isn’t a willow or a spring within 50 miles. HeHe. I turned faster laps than Milt. Vasek’s scheme was to inspire Milt to go faster.

Best,
Grady