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This is the original (1 of 1) prototype 4 cyl 911 engine built by Chuck Beck in the 1980s.  There is a long history with this motor, how it was conceived, the selling of some tools and parts to Dean Polopous (who made the "Polo" famous in the Porsche world).  This engine is a true piece of automotive history, as well as automotive art, with a great back story.

It started life as a new 3.2L 911 and Chuck milled the center 2 cylinders out of the case and  put it back together.  Custom made SCAT crank.  Custom headwork by Chuck. Custom Carrera 6 cams with a 10K RPM redline!!  This thing screams like a Formula 1 race car...  Genuine Weber 48 IDA carbs, custom ignition, custom valve covers, modified 911 fan shroud with Spyder script and Beck Upland badge.  Dyno'd well over 200hp when first built (hasn't been on dyno since).  It was run for a few events and a few magazines and then put on the bench.  Chuck tore it down in 2015 for all new rings, bearings, inspection and reseal. We planned to use it in a custom 356A restoration but wound up using a WR2.1 356 push rod motor instead.

The cost to build one of these "polo" motors today starts around $36,000 with a wait of up to 1 year.

This engine is mechanically like new and ready to run.  It has a slight crack in the red gelcoat of the fan shroud, the throttle linkage and plug wires show their age (in finish only), but otherwise it is clean.

Asking $25,000 and will consider reasonable offers.

 

1957 Beck Speedster(Speedster)

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I ran into Carey at the Phoenix Club Porsche meet (SoCal). We saw this beautiful black 356 pulling into the exhibit area. It had a Polo engine (plus 911 suspension & 5-speed), the owner was explaining the engine to admiring bystanders, then revved the engine which almost instantly went to 8,500 RPMs. The sound of that engine and feeling the power coursing out the exhaust was mind-blowing....

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DEAR SANTA....... 

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There are many more practical alternatives to this motor as El Frazoo mentioned. 

This motor was built because Chuck's competitors were complaining that his spyder had a regular 911 motor (6 cylinder). As a result, he cut it down to 4 cylinders and still beat them! This motor was an intellectual exercise by Chuck -- because he could. 

Anand

Yes, there are much more practical options when comparing to a one off custom built race engine.  As alluded to above, it is a matter of fun & cool factor, with the added benefit of super-bike acceleration and Porsche 911 reliability, but is mainly just  "because I can"...  It is akin to cramming a Ford Taurus SHO motor in the back of a $h!tbox Festiva or building a motorcycle chassis around a Lamborghini Espada V12... Some would call it biggest d!c& in the locker room syndrome... we call it Chuck.

We filmed for an episode of Leno's Garage a few weeks ago.  Jay wanted to highlight some of the crazy projects Chuck has done in his lifetime.  We did the main filming at Chuck's shop in Atlanta (our R&D facility).  Then we went to the West GA Mud Pits and watched Jay drive the Rockstar mud truck.  

New season starts June 15th but we do not know our episode date yet.

Hello All, hope everyone is doing well and your rides running good.  I've been off this site for about 6 months due to some personal family issues and unfortunate illness so apologies to those of you that pm me and got back to them late. I'm ready to get back into this so looking forward to chatting with you all. Carey, I sent you an email, Lane, how's that Coupe running? or is it still building?  Anyway, chat soon and have a good weekend you all..

chines1 posted:

The bike certainly draws a crowd!  When filming with Leno and his crew a few weeks ago they were all over Chuck's shop looking at the Spyder, Lister, SHOGun, etc... then there saw the bike and it was all over.  I'd be willing to bet that when the episode airs it will be the feature "vehicle". LOL

...really kind of interesting as I didn't know that CHUCK BECK lived here in Atlanta until I went to a 'Caffeine and Octane' thing last week which is an experience in LOUD and OBNOXIOUS cars and motorcycles.  there were a bunch of guys on mufferless bikes who parked next to my demure Beck.  After I cleared my senses and eardrums, I started talking with the guys and I mentioned a guy who had a Masseratti  (?) engine stuffed on a bike frame and the guy came back immediately with, "You must be talking about Chuck Beck"...which kinda blew me away.  I guess he must wield  some kind of wild Mojo stick.

My comments above were not meant to take a stand on water vs air, or how many RPM's can we turn, or "but it just doesn't sound right", all of which I fully understand.  I was just looking at torque and HP alternatives.  And when the answer to "Why?" is "Just because we can.", well, there is nothing more to say.  A V12 Lambo motorcycle?  Sure, why not??

Pls post up loud and clear when the Leno/Chuck show is going to air.  I want to be sure to see that one.

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