Porsche's 917 was a breathtaking yet deadly instrument used to bludgeon race car drivers with at least 600 horsepower, and onlookers with knee-weakening bodywork. Decked out in Martini livery, it's second in its visual presence only to the Gulf-liveried example made infamous by Steve McQueen in Le Mans. Such famous decoration could make any car look more alluring and sportier, as evidenced by this 924 that looks exorbitantly faster than it really is. Find this 1977 Porsche 924 Martini & Rossi Edition
in Portland, OR for $2,225 with one day to go via eBay.
A few stripes in red and blues over white paint do wonders for the undeveloped lines of the early 924. It would be easy to make an emotional purchase here, seeing as you practically owe it to your childhood self to pick up sorta related to a 917 for only $2 grand. Then reality sets in, and you realize you just bought a base 924. Not the 944-engined 924S or the turbocharged 924 Turbo. Just 125 horsepower from an Audi-sourced 2.0L, water-cooled four. Maybe 917 drivers will give you a generous head start at vintage track days.
These cars showed their strengths with adroit handling and a platform ultimately capable of handling significantly more horsepower. At about 0.1% the cost of a well-kept 917, and with about 20% of the horsepower, it's probably the cheapest way to get such a famous livery with a modicum of the prominence, all as original equipment. Just pipe some turbocharged flat-twelve engine noises through the Blaupunkt stereo (better hope you can get an 8-track of it) and you're ready to live the ultimate Porsche illusion.
PhiLOL actually likes the tuna here, but abhors structural rust. Save the manuals.
Pretty, not a ton of money. Who cares if it's slow? I bet it could give my AW11 a run for its money on the track.
ReplyDeleteI just emotionally purchased it. I picked a horrible day to quit Zoloft.
ReplyDeleteHey, better car for less money than my AW11. Mein Gott, what a stupid purchase that was. Bought it thinking I'd only be out a little money if I crashed it into a tire wall. It's nice not to care about your track car, and yet even enjoying it I still don't care about it.
DeleteSloth - any updates on your Martini 924? We'll gladly post a Reader Ride / DT FTW success story here if you care to share.
DeleteThat gearshift needs a bris.
ReplyDeleteThat was hilarious. Near spit out my coffee. But please - the image first thing in the morning.... now this 924 is "forever unclean!"
DeleteFunny how the Porsche snobs have driven up the prices on 911's while destroying the prices of other Porsches (924,944,928) with their rear engine rhetoric. Back in the 80's these were actually more respected than the "outdated" 911.
ReplyDelete^^this.
DeleteSuits me fine.
Sold $3553. Looks well bought to me. There is 3500 bucks worth of new trim pieces in the cabin. If it runs at all that is a big plus..
ReplyDeleteI know where two of these hoopties sit. I put them in the current grave... Not a drop of corrosion but all the soft and rubbery/plasticky stuff was just about done... Still I wanted the pair. Just to maakr track day warrior from them.
ReplyDelete