Porsche has by no means been one to draw back from making uncommon fashions. We’re speaking fashions the place lower than 10 have been produced, just like the 964 Turbo Cabriolet and the 993 Speedster. Amongst these rarities is a explicit Porsche that wasn’t really a Porsche in any respect: the VW T3 B32. It doesn’t appear to be a Porsche, it’s not badged as a Porsche, however it should undoubtedly sound, like a Porsche.
In 1986, Porsche was fielding two 959s within the Paris Dakar Rally pushed by two groups: René Metge partnered with Dominique Lemoyne in a single, and Jacky Ickx with Claude Brasseur within the different. And whereas these 959s have been engineered to be off-road beasts, able to dealing with the hardest rally on the earth, they have been nonetheless fast. With a 2.8-liter 400 horsepower flat-6, not a lot might sustain with them, together with help autos. Porsche did have a 3rd 959 available, which was thought of to be used as a help automobile, however the staff wanted one thing each greater and quick.
One thing else Porsche had available was a VW T3 van. Sadly, they have been hilariously sluggish, and couldn’t sustain with the fast-paced nature of the race, the place like each race, each minute counts. So reasonably than search for one other automobile or attempt to make do with what that they had, Porsche engineers set to do what any gearhead would do and modded the T3 vans to work with their wants.
Whereas commonplace T3s have been obtainable with an array of engines, starting from 1.6-liter flat fours and I4’s all the way in which as much as a 2.6-liter I5, they have been all sluggish. So reasonably than mod the prevailing engine, Porsche took a 288 hp flat-six from a 911 3.2 Carrera and dropped it within the engine bay. Engineers then mated that flat six with a Porsche transmission that routed energy to the rear wheels. And since this was meant to maintain up with rally racing, engineers additionally gave the T3 a novel suspension setup and greater brakes. It was stated to have a prime velocity of solely 116 mph, however in actuality, it was round 135 mph.
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Whereas somebody rapidly glancing at a VW T3 B32 won’t be capable to inform it aside from an everyday T3, Porsche did a number of issues to tell apart it. There have been bigger 16-inch wheels with Fuchs rims, further facet vents to chill the larger engine, entrance and rear skirts, and a bigger exhaust.
Inside there was a full leather-based inside, a Porsche badge on the steering wheel, and auxiliary gauges beneath the middle console, behind the shifter.
Whereas it’s not identified whether or not or not this factor ever had any manufacturing intent, it’s believed that just seven examples of the T3 B32 have been ever made. Whereas it wasn’t publicly offered, some ended up in personal arms, particular prospects who had a relationship with Porsche. Just a few of those even have Porsche VINs. And a few can be found for sale.
The instance you see above is one that’s listed for sale at a Porsche vendor: Porsche Centrum Gelderland. It’s presently listed at €364,900, which with the present trade charges to the U.S. greenback, that’s over $375,700. It’s in want of a little bit of restoration as there’s some put on right here and there, however aside from that it appears to be like nice. While the years have given us Porsche SUVs and a sedan, we could by no means see something like a Porsche van once more.
