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Author: Olly

Deep dive: Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar

It’s hard to imagine a modern supercar competing in the Paris-Dakar Rally, but that’s exactly what the Porsche 959 did back in the 1980s. This video from Porsche’s “Top Five” YouTube series explains how the 959 morphed from supercar to rally car.

The all-wheel-drive 959 was designed with an eye toward Group B rallying, but the category was eliminated before the car was ready. Instead, Porsche shifted focus to the grueling Dakar Rally.

After some success with all-wheel-drive versions of the 911 in the Dakar Rally, Porsche entered three prototype 959s in the 1985 running. These cars had similar bodywork to the road car (which didn’t start production until 1986), and a simplified version of its all-wheel-drive system, but with 911-spec engines. All three failed to finish.

In 1986, Porsche returned to the Dakar with upgraded 959 rally cars. They sported a more sophisticated all-wheel-drive system with multiple modes, while a 2.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-6 similar to the 959 road-car engine replaced the previous naturally aspirated 3.2-liter flat-6.

1985 Paris-Dakar Porsche 959 to be sold at auction

The Dakar-spec engine made about 400 horsepower, down from the road car’s 444 hp. This was done to account for the unavailability of high-octane fuel along the desert race course, according to Porsche. The automaker also fitted larger fuel tanks, and reinforced suspension.

Porsche once again entered three cars for the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally, which finished first, second and sixth. That was enough for the automaker which decided to then retire from desert rallying.

With its emphasis on electronics and lightweight materials, the 959 road car helped set the template for the modern supercar. Meanwhile, the Paris-Dakar rally cars are now likely too valuable to ever see dirt and sand again. Even one of the unsuccessful 1985 cars sold for nearly $6 million at auction in 2018.

If you want to delve further into Porsche history, check out the automaker’s “Top Five” videos for rally cars and secret prototypes.

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December 31, 2020
MODIFIED AUDI A3: LORD OF THE STANCE – FC THROWBACK

Welcome to this week’s FC Throwback, where we take a look back at some of our favourite previous feature cars. This week it’s Jason Allen’s modified Audi A3 from 2014…

Feature taken from Fast Car magazine. Words Nick Turner

The term wheel whore used to describe someone who has a severe addiction to hoarding, buying, selling or swapping seriously awesome hoopage. Attracted to shiny round-shaped objects, sometimes in a sexual manner. Based on this, we can safely say that our mate Jason Allen is the king of the wheel whores, and lord of the stance!

He’s not shy about showing off his motor either. This modified A3 swaggers around the show scene like a dirty little slut-hoe for all to see! This isn’t the first time we’ve had a go on the Audi. Not so long ago it was featured with its black coat and pink Rotiform TMB rims, now it’s back for seconds!

Jason had the Audi back down with the lads at Reflex before our snapper even had chance to pack away his camera. Mr Allen isn’t one to do things by halves either, it was all or nothing for this modified Audi A3! The standard bumpers were taken off and replaced with Audi S3 parts, but not before a touch of smoothing. To complete the kit, they added a set of skirts and an RS3 front grille.

With plans to fit an even wider set of rims, the front and rear arches have both been flared out. The real transformation came by way of a complete colour change to grey. “I’ve always been a fan of grey cars and I wanted something similar to Abarth grey that Matt at Reflex has on his Lupo, it went from there,” Jason tells us.

Filling out those flared arches are a set of staggered 9x19in and 9x10in Rotiform Race TMBs with plenty of dish! These are the 14th set of wheels to grace the Audi and when you consider he’s only owned it for two years, that’s pretty impressive whoring!

It doesn’t stop at an exterior overhaul either! Luke at Plush has once again worked the shit out of that needle and thread to create one of the most beautiful interiors we’ve ever seen! Up front sit a pair of Recaro CS Sportster seats finished in bright pink with matching door cards, gear gaitor and centre console.

The real change is in the back though. The rear seats have made way for a killer install! A pair of five-gallon air tanks have been mounted on custom frames just behind the front seats. Feeding the tanks are a collection stainless steel hard lines that add even more detail to the build. Beneath the air tanks sits a top-of-the range Audison Thesis amp that’s been sunk into the false floor. The install continues on right up to the boot with an Audison bit-one processor and iPad mounted onto more framework, perfect for Jason’s regular Facebook updates! The whole lot sits on a bed of black Alcantara. Smashing.

So there you have it. It’s not easy to bag yourself a second feature on the same car but, Jason has reinvented his Audi, making it even bigger and better than before. For that we doff our caps and wish Jason and his glorious chariot farewell, until next time – because it will be back!

TECH SPEC AUDI A3 8P

styling
Audi S3 bumper, sideskirts & rear bumper, RS3 front grille, smoothed off aerial, shortened rear plate recess, flared front and rear arches, full re-spray in grey

chassis
Staggered 9x19in and 9x10in Rotiform Race TMBs, Airlift Superslam bags, Tarox 6-pot brake upgrade

tuning
1.6-litre TDI, remap

interior
TT RS steering wheel, Recaro CS Sportster seats, rear seats removed, iPad 4 integrated into air install, Dakota digital gauge mounted into vent, full re-trim in bright pink and Alcantara, Plush Automotive custom air install, colour-coded 5-gallon air tanks, Accuair E-level management with custom illumination, stainless steel hard lines, twin 480cc compressors

audio
iPad mini integrated into front dashboard, Audison Thesis amp and sub, Voce speakers, bit one processor

thanks
Plush Automotive – they always give 110% effort into making my car the best it can be and always make the silly deadlines possible, Brian and all the boys at Rotiform for all the custom splits they’ve made for my car, Dooka Detailing for all the endless hours he’s put into the car, Matt and Jonny at Reflex Auto Design for doing a stunning job on the re-spray and all the other work, Specialist Tyres in Letchworth who supply & fit my tyres for me!

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December 31, 2020
2020 McLaren Speedtail headed to auction

When the McLaren Speedtail was unveiled two years ago, the entire 106-unit production run had already sold out despite a near-$2 million price. Now one of those supercars is scheduled to cross the block at an RM Sotheby’s auction on Jan. 22.

That car is Speedtail number 36, which was ordered on July 20, 2020, and delivered to McLaren Philadelphia (despite not being street legal in the U.S.) a few months later, according to the listing. It’s still virtually brand new, with just 30 miles on the odometer.

The car has over $170,000 worth of options, according to its build documents. It’s painted in MSO Heritage Atlantic Blue, with white stripes and wheels, and a gloss carbon-fiber front wheel cover. The interior features a mix of satin carbon-fiber and Alcantara trim, with vintage tan aniline leather upholstery and contrast stitching. A suitcase designed to fit the front trunk and a gold-colored titanium tool set are included with the sale.

McLaren Speedtail number 36 (photo by RM Sotheby’s)

McLaren envisioned the Speedtail as a successor to the legendary F1, reflected by its three-abreast seating layout and 106-unit production run (matching the F1). Its focus on road rather than track use also echoes the F1, which was designed as a road car first, and only modified for racing after owners requested it.

The Speedtail has a hybrid powertrain built around a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, producing a total of 1,055 horsepower and 848 pound-feet of torque. McLaren previously quoted 0-186 mph in 12.8 seconds, and a 250-mph top speed.

McLaren may not launch a supercar that surpasses the Speedtail for at least a few years. The automaker is reportedly dialing back its range-topping Ultimate Series, with the next model—a successor to the P1 plug-in hybrid—due in 2025.

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December 30, 2020