911 Porsche World

PLOTTING MY FOREVER PORSCHE

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Variety, they say, is the spice of life. When it comes to Porsches, I’m not so sure. It seems more like a malaise to be resisted. Once you start chopping and changing cars, the chase becomes addictive and change for the sake of change takes over. Satisfacti­on rarely ensues. Contentmen­t requires long term commitment.

That’s the theory, anyway, and with all that in mind I’m attempting to decide on my forever Porsche, to settle down once and for all. I’ve been here before, of course, in possession of what I thought was my forever car. But events somehow conspired against it, not least my own lack of forward planning. Anyway, if I can remedy that latter failing, a permanent solution might just be possible.

Inevitably, budgetary concerns play a large part. But so do factors like longevity, not just in mechanical terms, but also when it comes to legislatio­n and road legality. I’ve narrowed it down to two closely related options. Exhibit A involves a first gen 987 Cayman with a rebuilt Hartech engine, probably to include a capacity increase to 3.9-litres. Exhibit B would entail a second gen 987 3.4 Cayman in more or less factory specificat­ion.

A marginal decision if ever there was and, on paper, you’re looking at a similar budget for either option. I’ve seen gen 1 cars with scored engines sell for around £6000 recently. Add a full 3.9 rebuild to that and you’re in gen 2 3.4 territory. The Hartech 3.9 option has the obvious advantages of performanc­e and a fresh engine, not to mention the fun factor of having something a little different. The gen 2 car is more straightfo­rward to achieve – just buy the car – and will also be easier to insure.

It’ll be newer, too, and qualifies for Euro 5 as opposed to the Euro 4 emissions rating of the older car. That might one day be relevant when it comes to entering city centres and the like. However, I won’t award the gen 2 car for being more saleable compared to a modified gen 1, which it would be, since the intention would essentiall­y be to never sell.

Another plus point for the earlier car is the apparent fact that it’s much easier to find one with extended leather to the door cards and dash. I’ve been scanning the classified for about six months now and I’d say the number of gen 2 cars with extended leather might be as low as one in 30. A trivial concern you might say. I wouldn’t argue. Except to say I wouldn’t have one without it, anyway.

The easiest solution, and the one I may well opt for, is to allow fate to decide. Simply start shopping and go with whatever turns up first – a good gen 1 rebuild candidate or a clean gen 2. Of course, either way there will be a few tweaks required to get the thing driving just so. But even then, the overall spend would be modest compared to almost any air-cooled 911. Anyway, that’s the rough plan. I invite you to watch this space and, if history serves, whatever happens it’s bound to go a bit wrong...

Say what you like about them, but 911 & Porsche World’s elite squad of journalist­s and Porschephi­les have opinions aplenty on all manner of automotive matters. And this is where they get their two-pages’ worth

 ??  ?? The perfect Porsche? It’s a never-ending quest, but for our man Laird it could be a 987 Cayman with a 3.9-litre engine conversion
The perfect Porsche? It’s a never-ending quest, but for our man Laird it could be a 987 Cayman with a 3.9-litre engine conversion
 ??  ?? JEREMY LAIRD
JEREMY LAIRD
 ??  ?? BRETT FRASER
BRETT FRASER
 ??  ?? STEVE BENNETT
STEVE BENNETT
 ??  ?? CHRIS HORTON
CHRIS HORTON
 ??  ?? PAUL DAVIES
PAUL DAVIES
 ??  ?? JOHNNY TIPLER
JOHNNY TIPLER
 ??  ?? DAN TRENT
DAN TRENT

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