Frank944

Hi,

I'm really interested in getting more info and pictures about this specific car. I mean the one here:






I plan on doing something similar with my chassis so advices and comments are welcome from everyone concerned.

V2Rocket

that things cool..

Frank944

Yeah I know it is cool but is there anyone who could help me?

SamGrant951

IIRC someone in Michigan owns it now.

Ronin951

A while back 944 Fanatic was talking about buying a Zebra car that was FS. Not sure if he ever did though.

944-LT1

Not sure if this helps but heres a page with a mere shot of the "zebra car" (its the 5th picture up from bottom) and includes the final results chart and driver. http://www.nsxfiles.com/LA_Street_race.htm

PCinDC

Yeah, That car is currently in my garage, what info would you like?

Frank944

Here's what I am searching for up to now:

-I'd like to get pictures of the final result. Different views from the inside of the car showing how the roll cage is designed, how the rear is done from top to bottom(since it is now tubular) and how is the front end now that the nose have been chopped.

-I'm also very curious to know what's the weight and balance of this 951 and if the frame has lost some of its rigidity with all those steel panels removed.

It would be very appreciated to get these informations. My plan is pretty simple, I want to get the most of what I've got (1983 944) without modifying my engine, so weight is my enemy #1 if you know what I mean!

My project car:
https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/276366-so-here-s-my-little-project.html

RedlineMan

Hmmm...

Hope the Zebra is not as cobbled up as some of his customer cars were. Be careful what you emulate!

Frank944

Yeah I know there's always a way to improve what someone else has done but it's always good to have something to start with! I'm gonna think about it more than once before I get the sawzall out of its box and cut everything blindly.

kennycoulter

thats pretty wild. is that the intercooler in the back?

Darwantae951

Isn't it the radiator?

-Darwin

Frank944

Yes it is a radiator, but why is it in the back? I really don't know...

PCinDC

Frank,
I am still working on the final result, I bought the car in need of completion about 6-8 weeks ago. I had planned on caging the 86 951 I have but found this car in a barn (kind of) and bought it for a steal, including pretty much all of the fiberglass, the huge fuel cell in the pics (which has been subsequently sold, I have no need for 32 gallons), the mock up motor and transaxle and a 86 951 front suspension (which has also been sold).

I am not sure on its overall weight, but practically all of the sheetmetal has been removed so I'd imagine it is quite a bit lighter. I am working on building the car with the drivetrain I have been working on for almost a year (yikes) and will weigh it once it is complete, which will not be until at least January.

Regarding rigidity, yes, I feel that rigidity was compromised in certain areas, most notably the rear subframe. I am taking steps to correct this but am not ready to post pictures yet. I have many pictures of the car as received.

Regarding the front clip, I just finished my plans for this and ordered the material I need to build it. I'll take pics as I build it but I wasn't planning on posting these until the car is done.

John,
There were some questionable decisions taken regarding the cage in certain areas, most notably in the rear. The main portion protecting the occupants is actually very well done - clearly TIG'd by someone who knew what they were doing, and well thought out regarding pickup points.

Overall quality is pretty good, though some welds could definitely use cleaning up, and some of it will have to be cut out and redone correctly. It looks to me like 3 welders have had their hands in this car, the first welder being the best, second being acceptable and the third needing to be redone. I am removing a portion of the rear subframe currently to correct this, the end result will hopefully be a much cleaner and stiffer design.

I would imagine part of the reason for this is to get some weight back over the drive wheels, as a lot of material has been removed from the rear of the car. Additionally, the car came with a gigantic intercooler which was front mounted, so I imagine the builder didn't have space for a large intercooler along with a large rad and oil cooler.
The body panels on the passenger side have been ducted to provide cooling to the rear of the car, where the radiator is. I was planning on installing a trans cooler where the radiator is mounted in the pics you posted. I actually hadn't seen the pictures you posted above with the radiator installed, if you have any more I'd like to see them. The radiator did not come with the car.

Also, it won't be Zebra-striped when I finish it.

Wormhole

Paul, would love to see some photos if you have any.