As a lot of you find out, your initial desire or vision changes. Butch went from a perfectly adequate starter replica fitted very basically with enough character to say, "Hey, I look like a speedster."
But having traveled a lot of 356 miles in my past, I opted to do a little tuning here and there. What if my '57 speedster circa 1971 had bumpers with driving lights...oooh or one of those fancy luggage racks the newer SC's had?
Or what if the floor hadn't rusted through on my '56, would I have tried my hand at rallying? I could learn to read a stop watch; a map, well that's another story!
...and what if I wasn't the only guy to watch the notorious video, King of the Mountain? A fast speedster would be sort of cool!
So a perfectly accepatable replica speedster morphs into the monster it is today. Fast, as sure footed as fifty year old technology allows, and now reliable to travel up and down the state or across the countryside. Butch gets nearly 20 MPG at speeds in excess of those posted along our roadways. I've never figured MPG at lesser speeds because, well, I seldom travel at lesser speeds.
He comes with nerf bars, they came off for this last show we were in in San Louis Obispo. He also has stock bumpers and bumperguards fitted with an additional set of period-style driving lights.
Top, two toneaus and side curtains are all in good shape. He has a second set of wheels and tires; tires are next to new Dunlop 195.60.15 fitted on eight spoke mags which were refinished for Knotts two years ago.
Most of you have read about the upgrades, but a quick review would include wiring and fuses that equal their tasks, re-bolstered seats and a new look. The stereo can actually be heard as it kicks with a 200 amp whatcha-call-it under the bonnet. The altenator has been super-sized to handle the lighting and sound system demands.
There is a very subjective art project under the hood. Suffice to say it is not for everyone. Facts is facts and there are original hand bills from the sixties as well as rally bits from the fifties and sixties and a host of artifacts and racing memorbillia...($$$ expended unimportant but if you peled it out in four sections and mounted & framed it, you'd have about $5500 worth of cool art)
Butch comes with guages and switches and cooling equipment, pre-oiler and a fire system plumbed front and rear. The tach was redone by Palo Alto Speedo for a Carrera likeness and the ability to better track Butch's capabilities.
The exhaust is Tangerine Racing's design for 914s and has been cosmetically enhanced over time. The magic is underneath and Chris is a master at bending and welding. It is ceramic coated and includes the 'quiet can' for a softer, gentler Butch. The quiet can doesn't create a bunch of restriction either.
The thread titled 'More than the sum of its Parts' motivated me to look at what I want to do next. I'm not a money-is-no-object kind of guy, but I haven't put a lid on spending when it comes to my Porsches or wanna-be Porsches. The bargain basement $$ figure bounced around on that thread for Butch's engine was sort of a hoot. Call raby and ask to have one built.
I'm in no hurry to sell Butch as it finally quit raining out here, but because I spend money on my cars doesn't mean I'm entirely warped; Butch will be in part, funding the next build: Butch II, the sequel.
For now I'm off to look at a '72 911S
Slide show available but the link said it was timed out or some damned thing. Printed details and specs available via snail mail.
