Porsche museum secret 924.

[Jonny944CS]

Excellent new video from Porsche unveiling some of their prototype vehicles from several decades ago.

A new find is a late 1970s style attempt at ultra low-drag drag bodywork on a 924. Not too pretty and still at the 'lash-up' stage, but interesting none-the-less. The car was apparently designed for a world endurance record attempt and sports a huge turbocharger mounted where the pop-up lights and washer reservoir normally sit on a 944 (some engine pics in 911&PW) - exhausting through the front wing!

2:16 - Shows a good shot of some 'proper' rear suspension turrets, suitable for running coil-overs with rose joints and the load capacity to support an enormous fuel tank?

(link now corrected)

 

[Peter Empson]

That's very cool, not pretty but then a race car doesn't need to be.

 

[944 man]

I see that they show the Baby Porsche (984) too, which is a Frontrunner...

 

[jwindwood]

Link doesn't work for me ?

 

[944 man]

Easily corrected

Thats Part 1

 

[jdpef356]

I wonder why they kept it hidden[]

 

[Jonny944CS]

I wonder why they kept it hidden

Maybe 'lost' is a better description than 'secret'.

The implication is that it has only recently been "descovered under blankets in the old warehouse, hidden behind a mountain of crated engines and components".

 

[TTM]

Thanks for that.

Interesting to see those hood louvres and where they are placed...
Is there a mention when these cars will be available on display to the public?

 

[Jonny944CS]

Water-cooled inlet manifold for minimal aero drag:

 

[TTM]

Stunning!

Would love to know if it used a separate coolant circuit, etc

 

[George Elliott]

Water-cooled inlet manifold for minimal aero drag:

They really understood the advantages / necessity? of water to cool turbo engines reliably, ironic considering the air-cooled past of the company.

Really interesting, do I recall certain 1980's VAG engines with water-jacket temperature control?

George
944t

 

[Jonny944CS]

Some more details from Transaxle.net

Porsche 924 Turbo - Speed Record Try


- On August 27, 1976 the development started trying to beat the Daimler-Benz C111 diesel sports car record.
- The C111 had broken 16 records (eg. covered 10000 miles at an average of 156.4mph) at June 12, 1976.
- 255hp was available using an early turbo engine called Type 931.
- 280km/h should be possible.
- Both front and rear wheel openings covered.
- 200 liter fueltank.
- By April 1977 drag was optimized at Cd=0.268
- In May 1977 time was booked at Nardo in Italy.
- The car ability to beat the C111's existing speeds was looking marginal.
- The project's budget was threatening to double the amount of DM271800 that had been approved.
- The project was cancelled in 1977 and the car was stored in the company's museum.