A 1975 Porsche Carerra S Turbo on steroids in Reno Pt. 2

 

… continued

 

I will say the nostalgic design of the interior does make me feel like I’m sitting in a very special classic.  The seats are comfortable and still hold me comfortably, which is really great for a 37-year-old vehicle. I’d like to pipe up and add here how amazing that really is.  Is it just me? Or do cars seem to wear out faster now? Maybe, or maybe we just drive a heck of a lot more.

 

As I get out of the car I’m reminded again that this is a wonderful classic with those great 911 visual lines down the body.  One thing they did great on this build was to really preserve the stock look. Even the intercooler was custom designed for this install and maintains the original deck lid by doing so.  The exhaust has also been designed to allow this engine its much needed size and still be tucked up and hidden out of view only hinting at it’s true brutality.

 

This car is certainly an interesting contradiction, and from my understanding, was originally built for one of the Porsche execs up at PCNA (Porsche Cars North America) back in the late 1980’s. The donor engine, as I understand it, was from a wrecked employee’s car at Sport Haus and is a newer engine (1977?). The real trick is that this monster built engine puts out 500+ horsepower! This car had less than half that when the factory was selling them, I really can’t imagine what this car must be like on boost!?!?

 

I mean seriously! Nuts! Was someone compensating for something? My goodness this thing must be a hairy beast when its unleashed, yikes! Alas I won’t be getting to pilot it (insert sad face here). Surprisingly I don’t drive too many of these vehicles and some of more mysterious classic that seem to float around here are far too valuable for my butt to be playing with. Some day perhaps I will sneak away the keys of this very special Porsche and go play in the hills. I could spend my life in worst ways than sneaking up to Virginia City scaring locals with my point and shoot antics. Perhaps another day I will do just that!

 

-Charles Doyle

A 1975 Porsche Carerra S Turbo on steroids in Reno.

 

So I have a somewhat enviable job as Marketing Director for Sport Haus here in Reno. The enviable part of course is the cars for me.  I’ve had a love affair with rolling art as long as I can remember and have owned more than 50 in various forms and configurations.

Today I realized that something special was sitting in front of my desk here in the showroom.  Why is my desk in the showroom you ask? Well honestly it’s for sheer entertainment value, what a cast of characters that stroll through here! And sure why not, if I happen to sell a car for them, then so be it.  I’ll just enjoy an extra trip to the bay for some fresh crab or something ;) So anyway, there I was… face to face with a Porsche.  Not any Porsche either, turns out its a 1975 Porsche 911 Silver Anniversary Edition Model # 001! Did you read that right just now, yes you did! It’s really number 001, AND it has probably the most amazing built, total sleeper packaged, turbo engine installed in it as well.
 

So now the why, why is this beast here and why is it built this way.  I’ve tried interviewing the owner John.  Have you met John? He’s the founder of Sport Haus, some 35 or so years ago, and he still comes into work everyday in his blue lab coat overseeing and actually building Porsche engines for customers from all over the world.  Apparently there are “several” people that have also heard of him and they turn up all the time to see the “guru”.  Turns out that Mr. Guru is one fast cat too, I swear that guy practically sprints everywhere he is going! I’ve gotten a few words in passing from him regarding this car but seriously he is so busy there’s only so much I can rapid fire at the guy before he sprints off somewhere else.  You want to know more than I know about this car then YOU come down here and we can strategize just how to make that guy sit still.  When he does slow down though he drops the most entertaining stories on you about racing, or Porsches or just life! He is the real deal and a totally, amazing guy.
 

So onward, this Porsche is sitting here next to my desk and it looks like any ordinary, stock, silver ’75 911 at first glance but then the magic begins to happen.  The first thing you notice as you walk around and start studying it is all the additional chrome presumably for the silver anniversary model. Now I know, I will have several experts writing me to tell me all about it and everyone knows way more than me.  That’s fine of course but feel free to Google the car if you want to know technical stuff.  I just am a sideline observer for most makes and just base my opinion on any car I get into on its own merits and that’s what I will be focusing on.  What really strikes me first is the interior! The Germans have been holding out on me since I’ve never seen Houndstooth, plaid patterned, inserts in the seat middles and the door panels before. It really is great in it’s own unique way too and I quietly dig its style as I slide into the seat. The next thing I notice is a Fast and the Furious boost gauge residing where the clock used to be in the dash. Now what’s really cool with that is it also looks completely stock and blends right in with the other instruments, clever!
 

As I study the dash I also glance down and notice a slim little boost controller, hmm.  I also look down over my right shoulder and see a quick release, chromed fire extinguisher, which is cool since it helps match the interior. 

 

… to be continued

Shifting to highway speeds was a quick and simple affair and the car loped along lazily at 75mph when I set the cruise control.  I started climbing the hill up Mt. Rose outside of Reno and noticed that the engine tone did rise slightly but the car made no effort to downshift.  Coming off the freeway onto Mt. Rose highway, an interesting transition that involves a short residential section, I had to brake slightly to merge into highway traffic. Here was my chance as I saw the intersection in front of me open, I downshifted quickly and floored it.  The BMW M3 jumped to attention and answered with a perfect downshift and an accompanying balancing blip of its throttle. I was shocked to pop through the intersection at almost triple the speed limit, too slow to realize that this machine had quickly launched me into the license suspension zone in a matter of seconds. I was surprised by its power control and the way the DCT delivered my request for a demonstration of the M3’s V8.  Apparently that same German engineer did see it fit to write software that does listen to pilot requests at speed.  Thinking back I did notice the same transmission hesitation at parking lot speeds with the Gallardo and shrugged it off with the M3 as something inherent with double-clutch transmissions.

At the end of the day the M3 really is a wonderful machine and commands a premium for what it offers but 80K? I know that the one that went through our silent auction for only 47K was a real steal given what you get, I just don’t think I would buy one new.  The M3 is perfect for the enthusiast who doesn’t have an exotic budget but really wants something that may not garishly jump out at you in traffic. Instead the M3 lets you pilot a well-made machine at a fraction of exotic ownership.  It is beautiful and well made and slightly understated in my opinion.  When you study all of its strength and build virtues it does seem to have all the components necessary for its high retail price, I just think that a low mileage version that’s still in perfect condition is the real home run for someone if they choose to acquire this machine for their stable.

 

-Charles Doyle

I decided to put the top down before driving and was rewarded by the M3 for the opportunity to impress. The 3-piece convertible clamshell top on this car is a wonderful dance of aluminum and electric motors. The top really adds to the feel that this is a quality automobile and worthy of its high price tag.  I’m not totally convinced but given the quality of the build and the operation of the top so far I’m at least off to a good start with the M3.

 

Now on to the engine as I push the button to start it.  Now let me say this whole button pushing key fob or no key fob “vicinity” keys are pretty cool but they are getting kind of trendy so I’m not really impressed anymore.  On that note I will say that yes I did like the new Aston Martin DBS key fob in the center of the dash setup, thinking it was a clever and attractive feature and a nice interpretation of this trend. My 2007 Mercedes Benz S550 had similar vicinity key fob features even though it didn’t incorporate the dash eye candy, jewelry the DBS did.  This may open me up for several jokes I know, but it works for me. I just wish the Aston Martin folks didn’t have to call it an “Emotion Control Unit”!! I chuckle to myself as I start the M3.

 

The engine starts with a pleasant light bark and idles perfectly.  I tap the accelerator and get the impression that the throttle might be electronically controlled since it delays my prodding slightly.  I wonder if some computer programmer somewhere in Germany coded the software to eliminate senseless tactile endeavors for annoying new pilots and decided that I don’t need to be accommodated at this time by hesitating slightly.  Well ok, let’s roll this one out to the street and see what it does then.  I engaged the paddle and got to driving, moving through city streets and making my way to the freeway entrance to see what this car could do.  Even in town I could really appreciate the ease of shifts and the intuitive way the transmission shifted up and down and at mundane speeds.  When I finally was able to clear traffic and point the nose up the freeway entrance, the M3 rewarded me with effortless snap shifts through the gears and quickly and confidently popped me onto the freeway at nearly 90mph.

 

My very first thought was how much it reminded me of the Lamborghini Gallardo.  I’m sure plenty of people may argue the differences with me but for me it was all the same.  An elite, athletic machine with a penchant for fast sprints and an ability to cover the ground with minimal but purposeful efforts!  This was a wonderful machine to drive to say the least and I was very impressed with the poise the transmission was operating with.  It always conveyed a sense of beefiness and strength and added to the feeling that you were piloting something special and not a run-of-the-mill luxury vehicle.  The power was just enough to make you happy, but I unfairly compared it to the Gallardo, which has another 100 horsepower even though the M3 was strong enough and gets the job done.  It’s a compliment to the BMW M3 that it reminded me of the Lamborghini Gallardo at all and I applaud the BMW engineers for their efforts. 

 

… to be continued

So I've never had a chance to drive the E90/92/93 M3 from BMW and have always been really interested to tryout their newest DCT or double-clutch transmission when they came out with it. My first encounter with a DCT was in a 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and i really enjoyed how that transmission felt and was curious to see how a less expensive version drove.  Now I'm not really an aggressive driver but I do appreciate my sports cars, I also get into the finesse of the piloting of a vehicle that has effortless power and athletic prowess.  Now I'm all about driving at my 9/10ths, don't get me wrong, but I do like to just cruise and appreciate it when a machine can follow suit with that mindset.

Walking into my office this morning I was pleasantly surprised to see a 2008 BMW M3 Hardtop Convertible, with 25,000 miles on it, sitting in our showroom.  This white with black interior beauty ended up being here for a very short time though, getting snapped up in our silent auction a week later for only $47,000. With that said, I did have a chance to test drive the vehicle and also get to see how it acted in the city and on the freeway.

So let me just say right now its no coincidence that I just brought up the Gallardo.  The M3 shifts wonderfully and effortlessly and adds to the experience of piloting a fine machine, more on this later.  I also realize vehicle like this commands a premium, having been sold new for a little over $80,000US. With a premium comes a higher standard and I'm not one to be swayed by a brand name alone.  Walking around the M3 in the showroom you could see that the fit and finish was of typical BMW quality.  This color combination is wonderful; I am such a huge, huge fan of white exterior with black interiors! The black leather in this was wonderfully stitched and I was so happy to sit in the car and just look around at the quality of the components surrounding me.  So is this car worth over 80K new? Well yes that would be a very long debate with my girlfriend and my accountant more than anything.  But 80K? Really? What do I think?? Ok fine. Yes, I love this car but seriously come on 80K?? You make your own decision but I will say again, I really love this car. 

 

… to be continued

-Charles Doyle

What a morning! It’s not even 9:30 am and I’ve seen a yellow Ferrari 360 Spyder come in for service, moved our Mercedes SLR Mclaren and Bentley Convertible out of the show room into the wonderful sunny morning here in Reno. I then talked with a really cool guy about how much life changes and the cars we sell evolve and it turns out that he swings by the showroom with his wife once a month just to see the latest additions to our family of Porsche’s here. Fun stuff! We talked about the new Turbo Porsche, the performance is so amazing, and the handling is incredible!

It was about this time that I heard the most amazing rumble coming up behind me, and when I turned around BAM!! It was a 2009 ASTON MARTIN DBS!! Now I’m a huge fan of the Lamborghini Murcielago as much as anyone, hello V12, but wow DBS… so beautiful! So well made! Such elegant styling with the mix of Alcantara, leather, and Carbon Fiber inside the cabin.  I am now seriously in awe of this rolling piece of artwork! I still can’t believe how its incredible engine sounded and the fact that it was a 6 speed manual! And wow... it’s not even 9:30am.. what a morning!

BTW... Have you met the people that work here!! This really should be a reality show, no kidding! Im going to have to start writing about the characters here, definatly entertaining!

-Charles Doyle

 On Wednesday, November 16th, please join us for the iNetwork Business Mixer @ Sport Haus Motor Cars. This will be an event allowing local professionals to network with each other in an exclusive environment. There will be complimentary beer and light appetizers provided. Join us for this exciting FREE event! 

Check out the all new Porsche GT2 RS video. We recently SOLD our GT2 but are sure to get another one in soon. http://www.porsche.com/microsite/911gt2rs/usa.aspx

Duck Fuson, the man, the legend, the waterfowl, and our parts manager, tears up the Spectre 341 Hill Climb Challenge race in his 1974 Turbocharged Porsche 911. He claimed the 2nd place position with his 3.6L 500HP Porsche losing 1st by only a half of a second. He'll be sure to return next year with a whole new setup.

Come in to Sport Haus today and say Hi to Jim Biglieri, our new General Manager. Jim comes to SH with many years of automotive experience and brings a new positive outlook to our SH family.