The Simonk 3.2 M491

[Simonk]

So here’s my dedicated thread for my 1989 3.2 Carrera Turbo Look. Bits and pieces have been posted about it in various parts of the forum so I thought it would be good to bring it all together in one place.

For those that don’t know much about the Turbo Look Carrera, watch my video… or if you can’t be bothered… Back in the late 70s early 80s, people were modifying their SCs to make them look like the 930, adding the big flares to give it that fat look. There was a significant market for the widebody which Porsche identified. In 1982 Porsche were forced to stop sales of the 930 in the US due to a change in emissions laws which the 930 couldn’t pass. Porsche therefore released the M491 option Turbo Look Carrera. It catered to those that still wanted the aggressive look of the turbo now that the 930 was no longer available. For the Australian market, just 40 examples arrived on our shores between 1984 and 1989. Mine is 1 of 7 1989 models. Froggy has one of the other ones. I’ve also met the owner of a grey one which some of you may have seen at Motorclassica last year.

 

The Turbo Look is everything the 930 is except for the motor and gearbox. So you get the better brakes, suspension, and an extra 70kg which does make the car a little sluggish compared to the narrow body version.

 

I bought this one in January 2013. I wasn’t looking for a wide body as they just don’t come on the market very often as you can imagine. It was just sheer luck that it came up at the right time and I won the race to get it. It’s Australian Delivered with 195,000kms on it. I’d describe the condition as aging very well. The interior is great. It has been resprayed at some point in the original colour but I wouldn’t call it a brilliant job. If you didn’t know the car had been resprayed you’d think it was looking great for its age so it’s not something that bothers me. I’ve considered getting it redone but I don’t see the point.

 

The only modification is the DP11 muffler which sounds pretty good. I might look at doing a bit more in the exhaust department in the future. In the short term I’m going to look at lowering it a touch but other than that I’m going to keep it as original as possible.

 

Here’s a few pics from the more memorable moments I’ve had so far.

 

My first PFA SMT. Mornington Peninsula

IMG_1733_zps0e1a83e1 by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

Making my mini documentary

Porsche 911 Carrera 3p by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

The sickening run in with a kangaroo

IMG_2518 by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

Great Ocean Rd SMT

IMG_1660a by Simonk76, on Flickr

Windows Live Photo Gallery Wallpaper by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

Camping at Tidal River

IMG_2361p by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

And a couple more 

IMG_2053 by Simonk76, on Flickr

IMG_2046 by Simonk76, on Flickr

 

Here's a videos I've made also

 

 

 

[thomas911]

Very nice. 

I essentially own the same car, but in a cabriolet, M491 Australian delivered, same colour. 

Look forward to hopefully seeing it in the flesh (metal) one day!

The burning question though, do you prefer driving it over the 996?

[Simonk]

Very nice.

I essentially own the same car, but in a cabriolet, M491 Australian delivered, same colour.

Look forward to hopefully seeing it in the flesh (metal) one day!

The burning question though, do you prefer driving it over the 996?

Definately more fun to drive than the 996. It's a feast for the sensors and an experience a modern Porsche just can't give you. You know what I mean...

[thomas911]

Awesome.

When you say 40 examples, do you mean just the hardtop or cabriolet/targa as well?

[Simonk]

39 Coupes, 10 Targas and 99 Cabriolet. Don't quote me on this but from memory they were a $45,000 premium over the narrow body.

[JV911]

Very nice inded Simon 

 

I’ve also met the owner of a grey one which some of you may have seen at Motorclassica last year.

 

That would be the one with the white interior and aftermarket turbo. It's a hoot to drive!

[espskk]

 

Gday Simon, Nice write up.  Always a pleasure to read.  Must have been a quiet roo.  Didn't even wake the passengers!!  

 

Cheers Steve

[thomas911]

39 Coupes, 10 Targas and 99 Cabriolet. Don't quote me on this but from memory they were a $45,000 premium over the narrow body.

Wow! Thats a huge premium.

Any idea on what the original RRP was?

[Simonk]

Thought it was time to update this thread. It's been a long time since I've posted anything about the car but I guess not too much has been happening. Sometime last year I bought a 1 in 2 out M & K muffler with the option of capping the 2nd outlet. It's a beautiful sounding exhaust in both singe and dual mode. The down side is the fitment is terrible. I'm told it's because my 25 year old heat exchangers and cat have warped over time so i can't get both outlets symmetrical. I've tried a number of different solution since I got it but in the end, I've never been happy with the right outlet. Even if i got it perfect, it's still not going to look awesome because the opening on the right can never match the look on the left. Neither can the exhaust pipes as they have a completely different shape as they approach the tips. So today I finally have a solution that I'm happy with. I was reading about Wasserkhul's 3.0 Carrera and a hidden second outlet and figured I'd give it a crack, so out came the angle grinder.

Here's a couple pictures of the dual out.

IMG_4282 by Simon K, on Flickr

IMG_4283 by Simon K, on Flickr

 

And here's how it looks now. I was worried it might drone but it hasn't effected the sound in any way so I'm wrapt! The single out look is much better. And when I want to go the quiet option, it will take less than two minutes to remove the right outlet and screw the cap on. No need to replace the valance anymore.

IMG_5709 by Simon K, on Flickr

IMG_5712 by Simon K, on Flickr

IMG_5711 by Simon K, on Flickr

[vl gra]

Nice thread. Thanks for sharing.