Punk Rock Meets Porsche; The 968
The outlaw 911 is no secret, thanks to social media, bring a trailer, and Magnus Walker, the price of the rear engine hotrod has skyrocketed in the past 20 years. These cars are now reserved for only those with deep pockets and a touch of insanity. However, as the rear engine cars become farther and farther out of reach, true enthusiasts like RJ are milking the best out of the 911’s front engine cousins.
RJ’s 968 is the best possible example of how good a front engine Porsche can be. Through its production, the 968 was a bit of an ugly duckling. Controversial looks and a high price tag meant that just under 13,000 of these cars were sold worldwide. Most of the white collar executives shopping for Porsches in the early 90’s shelled out the extra cash for a 911 or 928.
Some may see the 968 as a compromise between the two. A stock 968 feels 50% sports car and 50% GT. It is perfectly balanced but designed for comfort and low-end torque. Instead of a V8 or flat 6 like the 928 or 911, its heart is a 3-liter dual overhead cam 4 cylinder, good for around 240 horsepower and 225 ft lbs of torque.
The 968 was the final iteration of the 944 platform, but ended up being a huge departure in looks, capabilities, and price. While the 968 was more powerful, more comfortable, and more modern than the 944, it was nearly $20,000 more expensive and quickly lost the yuppie 944 crowd.
In today’s world, the 968 is unlike anything else on the road. It is comfortable, sharp, and approachable to drive, but one look in the side mirror reminds you of a time when box flares and wings went together like milk and cookies. One turn of the headlight dial and you begin to wonder why flip over headlights never took off; they are so pleasing to use. The 968 rocks the Porsche badge, but like the 928 it feels more spaceship than car.
While most 968s likely spent their lives in office parking lots being carefully looked after and driven slowly by their salaried owners, what RJ has created is exactly the opposite.
He took a white-collar car and tore the sleeves off to reveal the bulging muscles underneath. His 968 is an office executive, turned punk rock. If it ever shows up in an office parking lot again, it is sure to be sent straight to HR.
From a distance, it looks patinaed but unassuming. A closer look reveals a big wing, upgraded sway bars, a OMP WRC seat, OMP steering wheel, big bore exhaust, and sticky Toyo R1R tires. On the road, the purpose of this build is clear. Drive hard, drive fast, and try not to die.
On backroads, it is difficult to unsettle the 968. Even under hard braking and intentionally late turn in, it keeps its composure. Turn-in isn’t aggressive, but it’s extremely predictable which builds confidence quickly. It can show hints of both understeer and oversteer, but the 50/50 balance and low-end torque means grip is easy to modulate with a left foot brake. This cheaper cousin is no pendulum 911. It enjoys being thrown into corners at speed and can leave just as fast.
Under full throttle it squats like a dog taking a piss, and with little sound deadening, the cabin fills with a twin-cam battle cry. The hot rod 968 is a warrior, and not one to be messed with.
As for table manners, it has none. If you want to impress your girlfriend’s parents, this isn’t the build for you. The R1R rubber is magic on back roads, but on the highway, those tires hunt for grooves. Once they find one, they will break your wrists and send you one lane over. The brake pads are meant for track. They grab hard with some heat in them, but pulling into your apartment complex late at night they will squeal until everyone knows you are home. At idle, you can feel that big four-cylinder heart pumping through the floors, the balance shaft barely able to keep the pistons in the block. To get into that OMP WRC seat, you have to sit on the edge, pray you won’t hurt your back, and fall in. And then there is the radio. To be fair, there is nothing technically wrong with it. The problem is that only certain music fits the black on black, beat you over the head with a crowbar mood and anxt of this car. For my seat time, I was limited to songs by The Dropkick Murphys, Tool, Pearl Jam, and Black Sabbath.
RJs 968 is more than just a fun and capable toy. It is a symbol to the rest of the car community that there are still reasonably priced Porsches to drive unapologetically and sculpt to your liking. Whether it’s a sports car, touring car, or spaceship is up to you, but the truth is that the 968 is the best kept secret in the world of Porsche.
