This one is not like the others...
12-26-2013, 11:29 AM
#16
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Here is the source: A German car magazine visited the archives and posted a series of pictures. There are quite a few interesting ones relating to the front engine Porsches; also a 965 prototype with an Audi V8 engine in the back, and in one picture, the snout of the 989 (4-seater) clay model is visible.
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/b...r-7944656.html
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/b...r-7944656.html
most underrated forum post I've yet seen.
thanks a mil. and first born girl to be named Nicole.
12-26-2013, 12:44 PM
#18
Three Wheelin'
12-26-2013, 01:40 PM
#19
Nordschleife Master
12-26-2013, 03:08 PM
#20
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Wow, great find. 
Seems like development of front engine cars came to abrupt halt. I wonder how that decision came to life, and what were internal reactions..
Seems like development of front engine cars came to abrupt halt. I wonder how that decision came to life, and what were internal reactions..
12-26-2013, 03:29 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
12-26-2013, 10:01 PM
#22
However, yes. Designing and building a car entirely from hand no longer exists.
Great post. A lot of prototypes that have been long forgotten now surface. The amount of prototypes in those photos is astonishing. Anyone notice the RS2?
Hands down post of the year!
Happy Holidays!
12-27-2013, 12:27 AM
#23
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Thanks, all! I wish I could offer more context, but I really don't know much more than what the pictures show.
Obviously, they were trying to figure out where to take the 944, before they settled on the changes for the 968 - the line to the destination is not always straight, and this may have bee one of the detours.
I hope that one day, they'll put the 989 in the museum while I happen to visit my family in Stuttgart. Even though it's just a clay model, I would really love to see it. To me, it looks so much better than the Panamera...
I grew by 1 inch after reading this...
Obviously, they were trying to figure out where to take the 944, before they settled on the changes for the 968 - the line to the destination is not always straight, and this may have bee one of the detours.
I hope that one day, they'll put the 989 in the museum while I happen to visit my family in Stuttgart. Even though it's just a clay model, I would really love to see it. To me, it looks so much better than the Panamera...
I grew by 1 inch after reading this...
12-27-2013, 02:01 AM
#25
Three Wheelin'
As for the rear engine 944 concept, it's really great to see they tried it. Not that I doubted it, but...
The 944 turned out to be a brilliant car.
Speaking of completely handmade cars ― no computer, it was probably an explosive revelation to discover that separating the engine and transaxle, front to back, resulted in a nearly 50/50 weight distribution. It's 5 inches and wide to capitalize on this phenomenon. The late 80s was a time when Porsche needed a worthy sports car to fill a new market niche, so they presented golden technology, that they probably held for years, in the 944.
It's just kind of funny that more people might have appreciated a rear engine 944, even if it was as a sacrifice to performance.
12-27-2013, 11:32 AM
#27
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12-27-2013, 12:12 PM
#28
Nordschleife Master
...and them connect them both with a solid steel shaft instead of the regular prop shaft & UJ's to cut drivetrain losses. Genius!
12-27-2013, 04:25 PM
#29
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The translation on the OP image:
In this 944 engineers turned simply times the drive train and flanged to a drive off the front axle. Finish was the four-wheel drive with a flat four-cylinder engine in the rear.
