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I know that many of you do care for backdates. However I have always loved the classic look of a 73 long nose 911 S. I have also wanted the daily drivability of a 964 or 993. When I first saw the singer 911 about five years ago, I couldn’t believe how amazing that car was and also couldn’t believe the cost. Unfortunately I’m not in the financial stratosphere of being able to afford one.
I also really enjoy track days and over the last six years have progressed through several different track oriented cars. I recently sold my .2 GT3 which I daily drove on rare occasions and tracked approximately eight times a year. I wanted to daily drive it more, but it got to be too much of a pain trying to use it for both purposes and I left it in track set up most of the time. As I’ve gotten faster over the past few years, many of my track buddies have also encouraged me to move away from a street car to a fully prepped race car. Last thanksgiving, one of my track friends who was an excellent driver, destroyed his GT3 on the track. Fortunately no one was injured, but it definitely got my attention. So I sold my GT3 to go down another path.
Last February I purchased in 1990 Carrera 4 from Fabie Abreu at Abreu motors. I commissioned him to do an interior and exterior backdate project for me that got started in late March. My idea was to have a backdate car that I could daily drive in the southeast year round.
I then planned to gradually save money and have William Knight build me a 4 L six butterfly direct injection engine for it, and have Bill Rader build a C2 transmission conversion for it, and then use William’s suspension and brake upgrade set up for it. This would be my budget Singer that I could daily drive. I would then save and buy a used Clubsport or GTB-1 car or some other “built” 911 for track use.
Fabie has just finished my backdate project and I could not be happier. He has been wonderful to work with. He kept me updated consistently on progress. He pays close attention to the details and I cannot say enough nice things about him. I pick up my car next week and cannot wait to enjoy. It is way too pretty to put on the track. I have attached a few pictures.
William called me about a month ago and presented an opportunity to buy a wrecked 1997 GT-1 Porsche race car that had a freshly built 3.8 liter 6 butterfly direct injection twin turbo engine that he said could easily be “re-tuned” and would be awesome in my backdate. I bought it.
My decision now:
1. Put the engine in my backdate. Sell off the rest of the parts. Get a less expensive race car (spec boxster/cayman).
2. Leave my backdate mechanically stock and enjoy daily driving it. Rebuild race car and use it for the track and occasional HSR or vintage racing.
3. Leave backdate mechanically stock and enjoy. William says several people want the race car now. Sell race car, keep saving and get Clubsport/GTB-1/Built new gen 911, etc.
How much suspension, tire and brakes will you have to match the 3.8TT? Has the chassis been reinforced in anyway? It is sweet for sure.
William says that he has a whole setup that he has done for multiple clients for both suspension and brakes that can more than handle the power. I don’t know all the details, but I know it involves changing to modified 993 uprights , coil overs, brembos, etc
Let me push you off the ledge. My 993TT converted to RWD, sorted to light track duty but still streetable is a dead guy car. Not many people went this far with a 3TT because of its ability to retain value over the years. It will be impossible to duplicate for the price I paid for it and is special.
Great looking car! Congrats! I have been following Fabie's builds and car sales. One of my buddies just bought a nice C2 964 from Fabie. I like option 1. Blow it out on the backdate and have just a phenomenal daily driver. Get a cheaper track car that you can track without worries.
By the way, what stereo head unit did you go with? It looks great!
I have also been following Fabie and the backdate projects and I agree that he did such a fantastic job that it’s too nice to track! It’s a beautiful backdate, enjoy it!
Update on my backdate. I have had it home for several days and I have put about 300 miles on it. This one fantastic car! The craftsmanship is just top notch. The car runs perfect. There’s not one rattle or squeak and it sounds amazing.
if any of you are considering a Backdate project, I would highly recommend Fabie Abreu.
Regarding the engine, some one wants to buy the racecar. I have agreed to sell it. It just doesn’t seem right to separate that particular racecar from its engine. I have to figure something else out to add a little power.
Update on my backdate. I have had it home for several days and I have put about 300 miles on it. This one fantastic car! The craftsmanship is just top notch. The car runs perfect. There’s not one rattle or squeak and it sounds amazing.
if any of you are considering a Backdate project, I would highly recommend Fabie Abreu.
Regarding the engine, some one wants to buy the racecar. I have agreed to sell it. It just doesn’t seem right to separate that particular racecar from its engine. I have to figure something else out to add a little power.
How has your experience been with this backdate, assuming you still have it?
There is one for sale for $300K on AT right now and I'm curious about the quality, fit, finish, performance, etc., especially from someone who's owned one for a while. Thanks in advance - really nice looking car!
964 Backdate advice
