Porsche 911s Through the Years at Gumball 3000 (Photos)
The Gumball 3000 is a star-studded global race filled with some of the most powerful and eclectic cars the automotive world has ever seen. Never one to turn down a good race, Porsche drivers have been there every single year to show that they can run with the best of them. Here are some of our favorites.
1. 996 GT3
The inaugural Gumball 3000 started back in the late 90's as a way for celebrities and the well to do to blow off some steam and participate in an international motor rally. A Porches, done up in the traditional Gulf colors makes the drive a celebrity no matter who they are. The creator of the race, Maximillion Cooper, wanted to combine cars, music, and entertainment together in a carefree and rambunctious setting where participants drive all day and party well into the night, and he succeeded beautifully.
2. 997 Turbo
Since the start of the Gumball 3000 all the way up to present, Porsche has been a presence on the starting grid, which is understandable since there is still no substitute. Without fail you will see the varying flavors of Porsche; from cars to SUVs the black headlong horse has made a definite mark on the race.
3. 911 Classic
This 1970 model participated in the 2005 Rally that went from London to Monaco, which seems like exactly the sort of road trip a well to do air cooled owner would take. IF you can't afford to ship your car to Europe, you probably don't have enough money to participate in the Gumball. The Gumball race doesn't often come to the states, but in 2002 it made its first coast-to-coast run through America, going from New York City to the finish line at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. YouTube has the whole documentary of the race for free courtesy of Mischief 3000.
4. 993 Turbo
We all know and love 911s, but it's strange to think that the iconic car could have been named something slightly different. Peugot, for better or worse stopped Porsche from using a zero in the middle when naming their inaugural sports car. So, instead of a 911, we would have gotten a 901, which now just seems weird and nowhere near as exciting.
5. 964 Widebody Speedster
The Widebody Clubsport Speedster was the car created to be less hardcore than the RS but more driver focused than the normal Carrera 2. In 2004, the rally started at the Eiffel Tower and ran all the way across the Mediterrian Sea (by ferry) before returning to Barcelona and finishing in Cannes. Oscar winner Adrien Brody drove a Porsche 911 in that race.
6. RS 2.7 Rally Spec
This Carrera participated in the 2005 rally from London to Los Angeles with a roof rack full of neccessities. Behind the wheel of the car were fashion designers Mark Eley and Yorgo Tloupas who completed the entire 3,000-mile journey.
7. RUF Turbo R
In 2003, a RUF Turbo Porsche R took part in the coast-to-coast race that went from San Francisco to Miami, to show the world what RUF had to offer. The RUF Turbo R started with the 993 Turbo that put out 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque! After RUF tuned them, word on the street is that they were labeled as 490 horsepower but actually tested at over 500 horsepower.
For help with your 911, or 944, or 928, see the how to section of Rennlist.com