A Truly International Racer: Porsche 912 RSR Restomod
Restomodding is a hobby and a talent which has spread far and wide from its traditional American roots. In past articles, I’ve discussed 10 great European restomods, and this time, it’s the turn of a car from that great sandy playground, Dubai. The car in question is a Porsche 912 RSR restomod, built by the city’s own Collector’s Workshop. The Porsche 912 RSR is a car with some history. Produced from 1965-1969, it was a downscaled 911 which came with a tiny 90 horsepower engine. Despite this, it still handled magnificently, and found victory in several rally events.
There was never an official RSR version of the 912 made, with the nameplate being mostly associated with the Carrera of the early 70s. This, then, is a truly unique car. The engine in this restomod is still small: no one’s been crazy enough to throw an LS3 under the hood. Instead, there’s a 1.8 liter flat-four without fuel injection, but never fear; it’s been fitted to an extremely lightweight car. There’s no floor mat, rear seats, or any of the customary niceties you may expect in an American machine. This car is focused exclusively on the technical.
The Porsche is a true driver’s car. It couldn’t be your daily driver, but it’s not meant to be that. That would be as absurd as going to the store in an Ariel Atom. What it does is drive. You’re intimately connected to the engine and the mechanicals, which tantalize each and every one of your senses. It’s a car that lets you slow down and smell the gasoline, and sometimes, that’s what we all need.
