944, Juiced

Pop the hood of a 944 and you might not be expecting this:

http://electricporsche.ca/

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Or an instrument array like this:

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These pics come from the fascinating website of an enterprising Canadian who is converting a 944 from gas to electic power. Follow the progress of this intriguing project at Electric Porsche 944.

Note that an early version of the Electric 944 put out some 300 ft/lbs of torque, with a 0-60 time of 4.8 seconds, while basically preserving the weight distribution and other aspects of the 944 that we have come to know and love.  Slightly gentler configurations seem to be evolving, but still promising a good driving experience coupled with energy efficiency and environmental respect.

Robin of Electric Porsche 944 also tells me: “I’m in the process of switching from a DC motor to a 3 phase AC induction motor (similar to what Tesla uses in their cars).
After that is complete I may look at a kit or even just some of the very helpful parts that solve difficult steps in the conversion process.”

This makes me want to run out and find (yet another) project 944 for a conversion like this! Maybe an enhancement would be suitable sound effects so that you don’t entirely lose that distinctive Porsche exhaust note …  But even a stealth 944 would have to handily beat the lackluster experience of a Prius or a Leaf, or the big bucks for a Tesla.  Here’s wishing the best for Robin!

NOTE: All photos courtesy Electric Porsche 944 at http://electricporsche.ca/.

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Post-Thanksgivikkah at Eric’s

Today’s body shop meeting at Eric’s brought the news from Dennis that his 550 model hit the concrete and broke, but he is turning the rebuild into an improvement.  In the meantime, Chris fine-tunes his door prep with the aid of the Hustler; Chris and Eric repair a dust vacuum  while I-forgot-his-name-but-not-his face looks on;  we move aside a long-term Camaro project (allegedly about to undergo yet another color change to improve its show-time potential, bringing its invested sum up to … $$$$$ … well, let’s just say that the amount would buy at least a dozen of my car)  temporarily aside; and I move a couple of steps closer to readying my replacement driver fender for primer and install.

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Thanksgiving, On A Country Road

Daughter Ivi is home for the holiday weekend, so we drive country roads while weather permits. Stopping at an abandoned barn, we reflect on the phenomenon of passing time …

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Magnus on His Irish Green ’66

It’s not that I’m particularly taken with Magnus Walker. Actually, I am tiring of him a bit. However, he did make this recent vid on his 1966 911, which in many respects is quite like my old ’66. The interior looks familiar, mine had Webers and the early dogleg shifting pattern, etc. Just for old times’ sake:

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Second Seat with Magnus Walker

The latest from/about Magnus.  If you missed any earlier posts about this certified Porsche … nut … just use the Search tool on this page.

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As Time Goes By

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What’s to love about a 944? While handling, and particularly the transcendental steering,  certainly has to be at the top of the list, one of my favorites would be the seating position, the seats, the ergonomics in general.

The cloth seats of the Blue Rascal look pretty good, are very comfortable, but see what has happened. The driver’s side bolster was intact eight months ago. Now the piping is broken and small slits and abrasions are showing at the bottom corner. I do not know how to fix this one. Probably impossible to find Porsche-logo fabric to do a wholesale reupholster job. Should I try to track down some new(er)/better seats? Lot$ to deal with for a small flaw like this. But it is bound to become only worse. Maybe I will revert to an old school (probably contemporaneous fashion of the time) approach and get some sheepskins in the meantime.  Damn.

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An Early Morning Encounter

Walking to work today. In the rain. Then this stranger appears.

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Late November Afternoon

Just to keep all systems exercised on a chilly late Sunday afternoon …

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The 550 Surprise

So I walk in to Eric’s today for our traditional Saturday morning go, and Dennis tells me that, as the resident Porschephile, I just might be interested to see the Porsche 550 project underway in the back.  What???  No way, I say.  But Dennis leads me to the area of the shop where he is working on his latest project, a commission from Jerry Seinfeld to do a sculptural interpretation of Seinfeld’s restored 550.  We can see two pieces in primer, which Eric proceeds to take into the paint booth and apply silver spray.  I watch as Eric and Dennis do a little hand-sanding on the pieces, then we all look in on Chris’ major ongoing Chevy sedan delivery project, still honing his rear door to perfection.

NOTE: If you want to see what a real-life Porsche 550 looks like, take a look at my Portland Art Museum post of several months ago.

Let’s talk about Dennis for a bit.  This guy is a one-of-a-kind artist who does one-of-a-kind automotive art.  His medium has mostly been wood, but he is also inlaying metal into wood, and has created molds for bronzes, and more.   Porsches and Ferraris show up frequently in his work, and he does tributes in his personal work to the greats in the racing world, since the time Stirling Moss first contacted him.  Dennis doesn’t just do nice models; he creates the illusion of motion and action in his forms.  Go to his website at http://dennishoyt.com and let his work blow your mind.   In the meantime, Dennis and I inspect and admire the curvaceous body of the 944, discuss the relative handling and performance characteristics of the 917 and the 956, and Dennis tells me that he is considering opening a gallery downtown to display his work.

 

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Today’s Fender Report

This morning I once again visit Eric’s shop where he opens it to some of us gray-hair project car types for our customary Saturday morning workout.  Today I start sanding the replacement passenger side fender, until my elderly back tells me to pack it in for the day…

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