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In the latter part of 1983 Porsche executives were worried. Sales of their “entry level” Porsche, the 944, were starting to taper off. Plans were in the works for a “facelift” of the 944 but the release of this model was still several years out. Looking farther down the road, Porsche was working on a turbocharged version of the 944, which history would show to be a major success for the company. But in the meantime, Porsche showrooms needed something to entice new customers. So Porsche applied their tried and proven practice of producing a limited production, special interest model to pique showroom traffic. They consulted with their Rennsport (German for Motor Racing) division to develop a special model of the 944. It would come to be known as the 944R.
The concept was simple, as was necessary to keep costs under control. Take an existing Porsche street car and optimize it for track use, while maintaining street legality. Porsche did for this car what they did for others in this lineage. They reduced weight where ever they could and applied a more performance oriented suspension setup.
Weight reduction included AC, radio, power steering, and rear wiper delete as well as reduced usage of heavy sound proofing materials. Simplified door panels were designed with a simple pull strap in place of the interior latch handle and a minimalist handle for pulling the door closed. A small map pocket was supplied for sunglasses and small personal items. The rear seats were deleted and a light weight Sliverknit carpet was used throughout. Porsche Sportseats (as designed by Recaro) were specified both to save weight and provide additional side support during cornering maneuvers.
As the car was destined for track use, a lightweight (38 mm Φ x 3 mm thk) DOM tubing rollbar was installed. A padded dash was used and an electric kill switch was placed in the opening where the radio would have resided. The collapsible spare tire was maintained but, weighing in at 17 kg, it was expected that the spare and associated jack would be removed during track use. A tow point was supplied at the front bumper.
The suspension setup started with 225 mm wide tires with a square setup at the 4 corners of the car. Lightweight 15” Fuchs wheels were specified. The stock ride height was lowered by 25 mm at the front and 20 mm at the rear, providing a slight rake to minimize any tendency for the front end to become light at higher speeds. The 944 already achieved a 50:50 weight balance with its front engine / rear transaxle design and this arrangement was maintained for the R spec car. Koni dampers and heavier sway bars were specified, with 23 mm bars being used at the front and 18 mm bars at the rear, to provide a more stable platform with less body roll during serious cornering maneuvers. Most rubber suspension bushings were replaced with firmer spec items in order to attenuate suspension compliance. The stock Porsche brakes were maintained as they were found to be more than adequate as designed. A Momo Prototipo steering wheel was provided to help fully engage the driver with the track.
The stock 2.5 L in-line 4 cylinder engine was maintained, although assembly of each engine was carefully conducted by a single Porsche engine specialist using the tightest tolerances. As with the stock engine, cold air was introduced via an intake placed in the driver’s side wheel well.
The end result was a very capable track vehicle that weighed in at roughly 1134 kg (2500 lbs) without fuel or driver. This represented a 100 kg savings over the standard street car.
Unfortunately, as with many Porsche special models, the bumpers and other small items on this car did not meet US DOT specifications and thus the car was never available for sale in the US. Who knows how popular it might have been here, had it been introduced into the US market. We will never know.
Admit it! I had you going there for a second. Of course, there was never a 944R and the above story is totally fiction. But the car is real and does meet the specifications described in the article. This car has been an on and off project of mine for more years than I care to think about. It is basically done and now I plan to enjoy it!
Actually, while looking at the pictures, I was thinking, "What a great color, but why isn't the engine compartment the same? Seems odd for a factory car..."
Regarding the photography, there is a great article on Bringatrailer this morning about photographing your car. I subscribe to most of the tips provided. I did this shoot early Saturday morning. The sun was up but still behind the trees on the east side of my driveway. So I had indirect lighting. The blue color (Adriatic Blue is what I am calling it but it's just a random mix) will look different under direct sunlight, indirect, and manmade light. I find that especially for black cars and/or black interiors, the indirect lighting allows one to slow down the shutter speed and/or open up the aperture, which allows the details of the black to show up a little better.
I am definitely not a photography "buff" but after looking at countless ****ty photographs on Craigslist, BAT, etc. I have definite opinions about what I don't like. Hopefully I was successful in my efforts.
Great job, it like looks purposeful and that's a nice color. Please mount the fire extinguisher on the floor, I hate to see anything heavy that could loosen and fly off in an accident, placed behind the drivers head.
Harvey, I read the first paragraph and knew it was a joke. The sales were increasing until the peak in 86. I don't think they would have wasted their time on the NA either. Now if that other side of the company didn't have the 911, then maybe it would have been possible.
Hey this isn't April either. You can't start creating rumors in July!
Your not far from me at all, I work in the auto park in Cary. if you ever need a hand let me know!
I was just down there the other day with my VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI. I'm still arguing with my wife over what to replace it with, with my buyout money!
Great job, it like looks purposeful and that's a nice color.
My wife said about the color: "They're going to love it or they're going to hate it." I said "No doubt". I sense she doesn't like it so keep those favorable comments coming in.
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Please mount the fire extinguisher on the floor
Good comment. I shy away from the floor only in that I worry about the floor buckling and I like for others to be able to spot it quickly, if need be. How about if I mount it low on the roll hoop tube, behind the driver's seat? I like a spot where the driver can reach it.
Apparently, "they" did make a 944R. I don't think it was the factory, rather a dealer or Porsche Sweden special. It didn't even have a great specification on it. Sport seats and clubsport running gear are the highlights.
It isn't very exciting, especially compared to your version!
Originally Posted by StoogeMoe
Now if that other side of the company didn't have the 911, then maybe it would have been possible.
Because the 911 was set to be phased out, they actually did a lot of development work on the 944 and 928. Much of it unrealized or taking longer than planned.
Originally Posted by harveyf
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Please mount the fire extinguisher on the floor
Good comment. I shy away from the floor only in that I worry about the floor buckling and I like for others to be able to spot it quickly, if need be. How about if I mount it low on the roll hoop tube, behind the driver's seat? I like a spot where the driver can reach it.
If the floor buckles in such a way that you can't access the extinguisher, you probably have bigger problems than fumbling for an extinguisher.
It's current position, I don't think it would matter if it is visible to others, as accessing it would be awkward and too time-consuming.
Also you may consider putting padding on the main hoop.
07-09-2017, 09:30 PM
944R
