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Will the 987.1 Cayman become the new HotRod?


Kerry

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For around $50-60k, I suspect the first edition Cayman S cars are representing some of the best bang for your buck in the Pcar market. I realise that as a platform for a hotrod this is quite different from 10 years ago when it was a 30 or 40 year old long bonnet, or a G series 911 that you might have picked up to make your 73RS or IROC clone. The Cayman doesn't have the direct linkage that a 911 does, but it does have a place in the Porsche heritage, something that Porsche have recently acknowledged.

Porsche chose the 718 racer moniker to align the new Boxster/Cayman platform to however I think the Cayman has more in common with the 904 (also listed as a design influence on the original 987 design) than the 718, and as an exercise I tried to reimagine the 987.1 Cayman as a Walker/Singer-esque homage to the 904 with some fairly simple aesthetic changes.

(in addition those obvious mechanical upgrades - springs/GT3 plenum/rasping exhaust)

- Urban Outlaw rims

- Green (yes, 70's Rayban green) window tinting

- Some custom decals

- A repositioned "Cayman S" emblem, and an added sixties gold  P O R S C  H E  logo

Thoughts?

(Anyone else spend their Saturday evenings doodling while "she who shall be..." watches complete crap real estate shows...?!)

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Interesting topic, and one that I have pondered for some time. I'm not sure Porsche knew just how good the Cayman platform was going to be when they conceived it back over a decade ago. I have long argued that the Cayman could conceivably become  the flagship model in the Porsche line-up. If you think about it, it's a less compromised and more 'modern' sportscar platform than the 911. Better balanced, more evocative with the engine right behind the driver, and in 981 guise, one of the best looking coupes on the road, period.

I think some clever development work, and a few performance tweaks could give birth to a far superior car that the 911 could struggle to match. And I'm coming at this from the 911 faithful as a 997.2 owner. A future classic maybe (I'm hoping anyway) but possibly never as good a drivers car as a well sorted Cayman. Mid engine will always trump rear engine in my opinion. 

I think the only reason we haven't seen the true potential of the Cayman (until the GT4) was Porsche protecting its 911 market. Now that 987 Caymans have become affordable, I am fully expecting to see backyard and semi-professional tuners turn out some amazing cars in both the looks and performance departments.

Who knows, in 20 years from now I may even be one of those guys who picks up a 'clapped out' 981 Cayman S for a full restoration, complete with a naturally aspirated [gasp], flat 6 [gasp], raspy exhaust [what the?] and manual gearbox [head scratching] and turns out a real drivers car that defies the laws of (911 owners) physics.

Go forth and conquer Cayman fans!

 

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W

For around $50-60k, I suspect the first edition Cayman S cars are representing some of the best bang for your buck in the Pcar market. I realise that as a platform for a hotrod this is quite different from 10 years ago when it was a 30 or 40 year old long bonnet, or a G series 911 that you might have picked up to make your 73RS or IROC clone. The Cayman doesn't have the direct linkage that a 911 does, but it does have a place in the Porsche heritage, something that Porsche have recently acknowledged.

Porsche chose the 718 racer moniker to align the new Boxster/Cayman platform to however I think the Cayman has more in common with the 904 (also listed as a design influence on the original 987 design) than the 718, and as an exercise I tried to reimagine the 987.1 Cayman as a Walker/Singer-esque homage to the 904 with some fairly simple aesthetic changes.

(in addition those obvious mechanical upgrades - springs/GT3 plenum/rasping exhaust)

- Urban Outlaw rims

- Green (yes, 70's Rayban green) window tinting

- Some custom decals

- A repositioned "Cayman S" emblem, and an added sixties gold  P O R S C  H E  logo

Thoughts?

(Anyone else spend their Saturday evenings doodling while "she who shall be..." watches complete crap real estate shows...?!)

 

Not bad at all!. Like the decal on the rear wing. Sort of reminds me of the 944 Turbo S effort (which was on the front wing), but more cohesive. 

Nice 3.8 Carrera S engine transplant for a DIY GT4, and you're golden. 

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Yeah I likey. I will take one of those stripes please. I think you are right re the outlaw thing too. The Cayman has more in common with the original ethos of the 911 and pcars then the current bunch (awesome cars that they are though). A LSD and a 3.8 motor would be all sorts of fun. I have a 2.7 with PDK and am not sure if my box would take significantly more power and, secretly, I love the 2.7. Shorter gearing would be my first mod. 

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No offence to Cayman owners, But the Crocs rear/end hatch needs some design improvements it still says Boxster to me, ;)     

None taken, I think it's one of the best views of the car. Dem hips.

 

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No comparison. No offence to Boxster owners.

 

media.jpg?id=d52d7ff202c85cc022995b78e83

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None taken, I think it's one of the best views of the car. Dem hips.

 

gallery10large.jpg

 

That clear engine cover looks awesome, but it would make the cabin very noisy. If it was a track beast no problems, but for a driver I need some comfort. I must be getting old ;) 

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That clear engine cover looks awesome, but it would make the cabin very noisy. If it was a track beast no problems, but for a driver I need some comfort. I must be getting old ;) 

You and me both!. Does look good though. 

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None taken, I think it's one of the best views of the car. Dem hips.

 

gallery10large.jpg

No comparison. No offence to Boxster owners.

 

media.jpg?id=d52d7ff202c85cc022995b78e83

You must have your beer goggles on it is where the Cayman comes from

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No offence to Cayman owners, But the Crocs rear/end hatch needs some design improvements it still says Boxster to me, ;)     

 I have read up on a post on those clear engine covers and from memory I don't think they were all that noisy.

Not sure about the hatch comparison with the Coxster.   I just love the shape of the Caymans, just about a perfect shape IMHO  

You and me both!. Does look good though. 

I think it was on a PLANET 9 thread.   I will try and find it again, and post it up, and I think from memory they are about $500.00 U.S.

They do look good...

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 I have read up on a post on those clear engine covers and from memory I don't think they were all that noisy.

I don't know from experience, but I do know that the standard cover has a butt load of foam sound deadening under it.

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You must have your beer goggles on it is where the Cayman comes from

Beer goggles securely in my pocket. I didn't say they weren't related, I said they didn't compare. The Boxster, (not an ugly car itself), has a push-me-pull-you design with the front and back looking very similar. The Cayman's roof line is clearly 911 based, and the rear hatch does away with the bulbous look of the Boxster's rear. 

Worth remembering that in the not too distant past, 964s were accused of not aging well. Probably only second to Targas as the least favourite 911. Look how that's turned around.

For the record, I've always though 964s looked gorgeous, but I got slammed for that as well ;)

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Nice concept, but does the 996, especially a series 1, make a better choice due to being less expensive again? Or something that is even less expensive again, yes people already think there is too much front engine hype on here..... the 924/ 944 /968?? and dare say even a 928??

With regards to the 718 link that Porsche is pushing... I cannot believe that everyone has missed the obvious real link to an earlier P car.... the Boxster, now more so with the flat 4, is a modern take on the original Porsche (and hence the Cayman is as well), 356 no.1, mid engine roadster :) and throw in the 914 as a stepping stone. So in essence the Boxster is closest to Mr Porsches' original idea of what a sports car should be.... ponder that one (and the Cayman is a Boxster with a roof)....

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Nice concept, but does the 996, especially a series 1, make a better choice due to being less expensive again? Or something that is even less expensive again, yes people already think there is too much front engine hype on here..... the 924/ 944 /968?? and dare say even a 928??

I think the point is more about the fact that the Cayman is a better layout than the 911. I know I was looking at 996's and 997's for ages and after weighing the options, I found the Cayman S the best platform. The 924/44/68 is a great balanced platform that I really like, but I think they are too far removed from the iconic 911 for people to really embrace. I will just leave the 928 alone as some people get sensitive ;) 

The Cayman is basically how Porsche have sorted out the inherent flaws in the 911 platform, but keeping the essence. Still with the iconic flat engine config and flowing lines.

There are already several cars, particularly in the states, with full GT3 running gear, or big turbo set ups that really look amazing.  

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Jeff will make you one Niko

They really do give it a great look.   The one from Perth Cars and coffee above submitted by Diamond 911ticks the boxes for me.:wub:

  I wouldn't mind getting one but an exhaust is the next thing on the wish list, then maybe the cover.B)   

Excuse my ignorance Lee, who is Jeff

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They really do give it a great look.   The one from Perth Cars and coffee above submitted by Diamond 911ticks the boxes for me.:wub:

  I wouldn't mind getting one but an exhaust is the next thing on the wish list, then maybe the cover.B)   

Excuse my ignorance Lee, who is Jeff

Haha. He is talking about me. You obviously are lucky enough not to have seen my youTube channel ;) 

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