Porsche 911 Problems

There are some classics that, while very desirable, are simply too expensive for all but the well-heeled collector. That’s the way it is with the 1973 Porsche 911 RS, the race tuned version of the iconic 911.A genuine RS would comfortably sell for half a million dollars on today’s market, which puts it out of the reach of most enthusiasts. But there is a way of enjoying the thrill of the RS for much less money. That’s in the form of a replica, a car that captures the essence of the original, but is created from a more affordable model like the later 911 3.2.MODEL WATCH The 1973 911 Carrera RS is one of the most desirable and collectable Porsches of all. In its time the RS was one of the fastest production sports cars on the market.To create the RS Porsche took the 911S, also a very desirable classic sports car today, and put it on a diet that would see it shed 100 kg by doing things like removing the rear seat and the dash board clock, using thinner body panels, and fabric pulls to open the doors instead of regular handles, and covering the floor in rudimentary rubber mats.By the time it was over the RS had been trimmed to just over 1000 kg, but the Porsche formula for speed went further than mere weight loss. The flat-six engine was bored out to 2.7 litres, and with Bosch fuel-injection delivering the fuel it put out a healthy 157 kW. With its power boosted and its weight trimmed the RS was fast. It required just 5.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and would do 240 km/h when pushed to the limit.Not only did it do the business on the road it also looked the part with its large bootlid spoiler, front airdam, bold Carrera graphics down each side, and Fuchs alloy rims. It’s no wonder the RS is held in such high esteem by Porsche aficionados. Equally, given Porsche only made 1000 or so, it’s not surprising that RS prices are now so high. It shouldn’t be a surprise then that it has attracted replica makers.The RS is an ideal car to replicate. It was based on the regular Porsche 911, which didn’t change very much over a long period of time from the 1960s to the mid-’80s. The later 911 3.2 is the most obvious model to use as the base for a replica. It was released in the early 1980s and continued in production until late in the decade. It not only provides a sound foundation, requiring little modification to the body, it’s also affordable and there are heaps available here and overseas.IN THE SHOP Sydney company ZAG Automotive specialises in RS replicas. It takes a 911 3.2, mostly imported from Asia where there is an abundance of potential donor cars, and does a complete bare body rebuild on them with a range of genuine and reproduction RS parts to create a car that fits the image of one of Porsche’s most treasured classics.They usually retain the 3.2-litre engine and the gearbox that came with the car, but rework the car visually to recreate the credibility of the original RS.Buyers have a choice of options, from sunroof, air-conditioning, sound systems, and power windows among a comprehensive list of choices. They can also choose their colours, the original RS came in white with blue, green or red graphics, but ZAG will paint a car to the owner’s wishes. There is also a range of details the owner can nominate to achieve the appropriate level of authenticity.The cars are mostly left-hand drive when they arrive and are converted to right-hand drive in the build process. Once completed they require the approval of an engineer before they can be registered, and the requirements can vary from state to state so it’s well worth doing your homework to establish the requirements for your state.IN A CRASH Porsche body strength has never been questioned and that’s the primary crash protection in the early 911 and the replicas. There were no airbags, so safety reverts to the basics of construction, handling, braking and roadholding with the Porsche.AT THE PUMP If your priority is fuel economy read no further as the 911, and the replicas, are high performance cars and like to drink lots of fuel.OWNER SAYS Rohan Veal says he has wanted a classic 911 for as long as he can remember, and he set himself a goal of having one by the time he turned 30. He achieved his goal earlier this year when he took delivery of his 911 RS replica from ZAG Automotive.By then he had already owned a genuine four-cylinder 912, but found it was too good to drive. He was always worried about damaging it to really enjoy the driving experience. There are no such concerns about the replica. “I just want to drive it,” he said. “I won’t pay half a million dollars on a car to polish.”LOOK FOR • the ultimate classic Porsche look.• raw-boned performance• great rasping engine sound• affordable exotic• easy to drive dailyTHE BOTTOM LINE Not the real thing, but close enough it delivers the thrill of the original, at a price that won’t break the bank.RATING 78/100

The Porsche 911 is a triumph of persistence over perfection. By rights it shouldn’t have worked at all with its air-cooled engine slung out behind the rear axle the way it was, but determined development by Porsche over many years turned the ugly duckling into a graceful swan.Ferdinand Porsche championed the concept of air-cooled rear engines slung out behind the rear axle in a way that led to a pendulum effect when cornering that made his famous VW Beetle and the early Porsches a real handful if pushed to their handling limits.The Porsche family stuck true to Ferdinand’s formula and with endless refinement and improvements in technology made the iconic 911 sports car a true classic revered by petrolheads all round the world.The 911 replaced the 356 in 1964 and the process of evolution was well underway. The 911 3.2 was one of the early signs of what was to come from Porsche; it was bolder, more aggressive and more powerful than the more modest models it followed.Now, almost 25 years old it’s one of the most affordable ways of acquiring a classic Porsche badge.MODEL WATCH In the 1980s Porsche enthusiasts feared the 911 would be killed off by a management determined to enter the mainstream with a series of new models with a water-cooled engine at the front and refined handling of the sort never thought possible with a Porsche badge.The 924 was a rather insipid attempt at appealing to the masses, the 944 was better, while the 928 was a much-underrated supercar. None, however, appealed to the die-hard Porsche enthusiast who couldn’t accept anything but a 911 as a real Porsche.While those front engined models have gone to the great automotive graveyard in the sky the 911 has gone from strength to strength and the company has succeeded beyond even the wildest dreams of the management in charge in 1984 when the 911 3.2 was released.Even today’s 911, a vastly different car to the original 911, has a family resemblance that is unmistakable. Every 911 has retained the 911 ‘look’ even when it’s been heavily altered.The 3.2 looked like a 911, but was subtly different to the cars that went before it. Its lines were bolder than those of its predecessors, and you could have it with the wide body of the Turbo for the ‘Turbo look’.Power came from a 3.2-litre version of the flat six-cylinder engine that was so familiar in the back of previous 911s. It had electronic multi-point fuel injection and electronic engine management and produced a healthy 170 kW and 284 Nm when at its peak. Coupled to a five-speed manual — there was no auto option — it was capable of racing from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and had a top speed of 245 km/h.By 1985 exhaust emission limits were having an effect and it was fitted with an air pump. A year later, when Australia went to unleaded fuel the air pump was deleted, but it got a catalytic converter and was detuned to 155 kW.A new stronger gearbox came in 1987, which delivered smoother shifting than the rather stiff shifting Porsche ’box it replaced. At the same time the clutch was changed to hydraulic actuation and the whole gear changing experience was changed for the better. No longer did you need massive muscles to swap cogs, it was a much lighter and more pleasant experience.The following year, 1988, saw engine power boosted to 160 kW with the availability of 95 octane unleaded fuel. Porsche offered the 911 3.2 in a choice of three body styles, coupe, cabriolet and Targa, and in 1985 made the wide body available. In 1987 all were fitted with front spoilers and the wild whale tail rear spoiler.IN THE SHOP Porsches are generally bulletproof, not a lot goes wrong with them even when they get up in the kays as many of them now are. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe under acceleration, which can mean worn bores and oil is getting past the rings. Porsche introduced hydraulic cam timing chain tensioners on the 3.2 and these are much more reliable.The Porsche interior, like all European interiors of the time, suffers under the Aussie sun, and this can lead to cracked and buckled plastics and torn trim. Cabriolets and Targas are more prone to interior damage because of the greater exposure to the sun.It’s important with all cars of the age of the 3.2 to carefully check for evidence of crash damage. The odds of any car of that age being in a crash are high, so it’s worth spending extra time making a thorough check.IN A CRASH Built before the advent of airbags and the like the 3.2 relied on its chassis to get out of trouble. The brakes were powerful, without ABS of course, and stopped the car efficiently. Porsche handling was always the subject of much discussion, and it’s worth getting some experience behind the wheel before pushing the 911 to its limits.AT THE PUMP It’s arguable that a Porsche driver is overly concerned about fuel economy. Most only drive their cars on sunny Sundays and then they rarely go far so the cost of their fun motoring isn’t very high. For what it’s worth the 911 3.2 should get 11-13 L/100 km on average driving, but push it hard and that will markedly increase.LOOK FOR • Porsche cred.• Cheap thrills• Robust mechanicals• Dodge imports• Be wary of modified cars• Great driving fun• Classic Porsche looksTHE BOTTOM LINE It’s almost 25 years old, but the 911 3.2 is an affordable classic that still looks as fresh as tomorrow.RATING 85/100

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 996, 997 and 991 Porsche 911 between 1998 and 2016 as a used buy.

Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) has issued a recall for 239 Boxster, Cayman and 911 Carreras sold in Australia due to a possible loose screw connection on the fuel collection pipes.