964 AS BACK DATE PLATFORM
Our visit to SVD got us thinking about the Zuffenhaus 964-based RSR that is now in assembly stage, as shown here:
(please excuse the shop rag – the dust bunnies of our industry)
The 964 is the ultimate back date platform – body panels and lines that do not stray far from the original pen but mechanical system developments that provide for chassis rigidity, functional climate controls, antilock brakes, and effective drivetrain right out of the box.
SVD puts their signature on the 964 chassis as is well documented in the press – a synthesis of the entire era of the 911 with a nod to the early details, but as a back date platform the 964 can become more referential, more historic, more detailed.
On this example a 1990 C2 chassis was used (although the year and driveline are largely irrelevant) and was aged with the obvious deletion of rocker trim attachment points, shortening of jack posts, replacement of tail light buckets, and reconfiguring of front trunk/nose panel to accept the proper long nose latch panel and early fenders.
The details start there for the 964 back date. The Zuffenhaus car replaces the dash core structure with that from a 1972 911 and combines the early and late steering shaft/column assemblies to utilize 1972 column trim and levers. The instruments are reworked to remove the 964/993 idiot light display and use early 911 stage-lit illumination.
The cowl panel is modified for the use of early windscreen washer nozzles. A 1972 oil fill door assembly is worked into the passenger rear quarter and the 964 oil tank modified accordingly to reproduce correctly that single-year feature. The shifter assembly is modified for a 915 boot and knob, and the seat mounts are revised similarly to continue period detail within the cabin.
The 964, while never replicating the driving experience of its older siblings, can reproduce the look and feel of the long hood models – while maintaining the usability of the later models.
ZUFFENHAUS 2.8RSR CALIPERS, comparison.
A client mused upon the possibility of adapting the Zuffenhaus caliper for use on his 910 recently, and during the measuring and brainstorming work it occurred to me that other folks might like to see a physical comparison of the 2.8RSR and early S calipers:
Despite the obvious size difference, the 2.8RSR caliper fits tidily under 15″ wheels and uses the readily available 911 turbo brake pad.