Total 911 No. 221

We hope you enjoy our theme of ‘Porsche alternatives’ in this month’s issue. First, we present you with 10 outstanding models from the used market that retail for less than the price of a new 992 Carrera S, then later in the magazine, we put forward the case for the Porsche 912, the last of the affordable ‘long bonnet’ classics, which helped start the 911 legend. Our mission, really, is to encourage you to think holistically when it comes to your 911 purchase. The reality is that lots of enthusiasts think they know which model they’re after – but do they really? For example, many are drawn to the glamour of owning a GT car, but actually need a 911 that will fulfil daily duties. In the same vein, a…

911 GT3 celebrates 30 years of Supercup Via a Sonderwunsch Factory Re-Commissioning project, one 911 GT3 road car is commemorating three decades of the Porsche Supercup Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and to commemorate the event, Porsche Motorsport has commissioned Porsche Exclusive to undertake what it terms a “complete re-commissioning” of a road-going 911 GT3, part of the Sonderwunsch programme. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur’s “Sonderwunsch Factory Re-Commissioning” is a label given to a recommissioning and customisation project – a technical restoration of a road car along with the modification of its exterior and interior. The Exclusive team set out to create a unique 30th anniversary livery, applied in less than six months, to a 911 GT3 road car. The detailed eight-colour paintwork design (there’s no wrap…

996 bushings Powerflex has launched a new bush for the 996 generation 911. The Front Track Control Arm Caster Offset Outer Bush (PFF57-502G) gives a caster increase of up to 0.4 degrees, providing steering pull correction or a more aggressive steering axis angle. This feature was previously exclusive to Powerflex’s full replacement arms, but is now available as an individual bush fitting all 996, 997 GT2, GT3 and GT3RS models. From £34.92. Heritage key ring New to the Porsche Shop is this Heritage key ring. Featuring the iconic Porsche houndstooth fabric, a Porsche crest and brass ring, the key ring measures 320 x 255 x 20mm and is made from leather, brass, iron and Pepita fabric. Have £30 at the ready, note down item number WAP0500340PWSA and visit shop.porsche.com to…

Contact Total 911 Facebook /total911magazine Email editorial@total911.com Le Mans Classic Dear Sir, After several drives out around the Peak District, it was time for a proper road trip, so what better than the Le Mans Classic? With only three days to go, though, the car decided to develop a misfire. As it seemed to be across the entire engine and only occasionally at idle, I decided it could be a camshaft solenoid. Two days to go and I whipped off the bumper, silencers and the right-hand solenoids. Sure enough, both were a bit sticky, so a few zaps with a 12V battery loosened them up. On to the left-hand side – one was OK, but the other barely operated. After some gentle engineering (whacking it against my tool…

Scott Gardner Job title Technical director, Bahnsport Porsche experience 15 years Dear Sir, How common are issues with steering racks on 996s and 997s? I’ve heard of a few being replaced now, so what are your thoughts on this, what tends to be the problem, and how often do you see these arise? From my side, I’ve never really heard of steering racks failing on cars, so it’s putting me off buying one as I’ve been told a replacement is £2,000 from Porsche (my budget currently stretches to a 996, 997.1, or perhaps even a 987 Cayman or Boxster, so this would be a huge expense against the cost of a car). Thanks in advance for your advice. Beth Sadler Steering racks on the 996 and 997 tend to have…

Perhaps it’s all the news of the Cayenne’s 20th anniversary that has us yearning for the wilderness – that or seeing the 911 SC Safari in a recent visit to Stuttgart – but we’ve been checking out off-road 911s this month. Start looking and there are plenty out there, with any number of builders able to make you an off-road-enabled 911 – or “Safari”, as they are more commonly known. However, there is one off-road 911 that has fascinated us for a while: the Baja. You might have come across it yourself, with TJ Russell’s, of Russell Built Fabrication, 911 Baja having appeared all over the internet and social media. Indeed, it was there we first discovered it, following the build of this extreme 911 spun off a 964 Carrera…