911R: is there a good example of one"rescued" | FerrariChat
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911R: is there a good example of one"rescued"

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by HistoryBuff, Aug 11, 2013.

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  1. HistoryBuff

    HistoryBuff Karting
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    Jul 1, 2013
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    #1 HistoryBuff, Aug 11, 2013
    About 33 years ago I came across a Porsche in west hollywood labeled 911R. It had a lot of fiberglass body parts and round taillights and the owner told me it was so fast it would lift the front wheels on hard acceleration. I looked up something on them recently and found out they were made for rallying but somehow the program didn't pan out. There is very scant information on them--I think 20 made. I was wondering if there's a story in a Porsche magazine about one that was found rough and restored. Maybe Sienfeld has one in his collection?
     
  2. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
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    David Goerndt
    #2 davidgoerndt, Aug 11, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The 911 R was a special, lightweight version of the 911S. Four prototypes were made, then 20 production versions. To be homologated Porsche needed to build 500 units in one year. The bean counters decided there was no market so the project was dropped. Now , they are one of the most sought after 911's. Gunnar Racing has restored at least 2, #8 and #15. The February 2012 issue of Excellence has an article on #20. In Henry Rasmussen's book "Six Cylinder Supercars" #15 is one of the top ten Porsches chosen for the book. In the May 2012 issue of Excellence is another article focusing on the technical aspects of the R. John Starkey's book "911 R, RS, RSR" has technical specs for all of the 911 factory racers.
    The R is the first factory attempt to make a true race version of the 911S. They managed to remove over 500lbs from the 911S. The factory used a type 901/22 engine from a 906. The engine is a twin plug producing 210hp @ 8000 rpm.
    Here are two pics of #8
    EDIT: This example was restored by Gunnar Racing. It was involved in a garage fire and several of the parts were damaged or destroyed.
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  3. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
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    #3 davidgoerndt, Aug 11, 2013
    All you ever wanted to know about the R: Ultimate R thread
    Photos of #20 by the owner. 43 pages of "R" info including period photos from several races.
     
  4. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
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    #4 jlonmark, Aug 11, 2013
    Quite possibly the greatest 911 ever. It must be a real treat to see one. Anybody know how many of the original 24 are left?
     
  5. davidgoerndt

    davidgoerndt Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
    1,420
    Orlando, FL
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    David Goerndt
    #5 davidgoerndt, Aug 11, 2013
    According to the Ultimate R thread, there are 14-15 known to exist. All four prototypes exist, that leaves about 10-11 production versions accounted for. There might be more surviving, but the experts haven't found any so far.
     

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