Daily Slideshow: 1969 Slantnose 912 Is a Nod to a Bygone Era
From its retro color scheme to its inherent rawness, everything about this classic Porsche will transform you back to a different time.
Respect Required
Younger folks may or may not be aware of, but there was a time when driving particular performance machines required an innate amount of skill and respect. Unlike modern supercars that save unsuspecting drivers with electronic nannies, there was no safety net. Failing to exercise these cautions was a quick way to meet your impending doom. Us old timers tend to have a soft spot for these basic, primal machines of old. Machines like Oszkar Bacsi's 1969 Porsche 912 Slantnose, which Jalopnik was lucky enough to try out recently.
>>Join the conversation about this 1969 Slantnose 912 right here in the RennList Forum!
Recipe for Speed (and Danger)
It's no wonder that Bacsi admitted to Jalopnik that every time he goes for a spin in his amazing ride, "he wonders if he'll come back in one piece." That might be a bit overdramatic, but you can never be too cautious, no? Regardless, you don't just hop in a car like this and immediately push it to the limit. Especially a car that weighs a mere 2,600 pounds and packs a bit more power than it did originally.
>>Join the conversation about this 1969 Slantnose 912 right here in the RennList Forum!
Crank It up to Six
And when we say a bit more power, we mean nearly two and a half times more. The original 1.6-liter flat-four is long gone at this point, replaced by a much more formidable Euro-spec 3.0-liter flat-six. According to the owner, this new mill produces a healthy 240 hp, a far cry from the original engine's 102 ponies.
>>Join the conversation about this 1969 Slantnose 912 right here in the RennList Forum!
Paying Homage
The drivetrain, however, isn't really the story here. This car is all about looks, and boy does it look amazing. The unique black and gold John Player Special livery allegedly took 40 hours to design and install, but it's a delicious nod to the highly successful (and memorable) '70s racing team. Bacsi wanted to build a car that paid proper homage to great vintage racers, and we'd say he succeeded on every level.
>>Join the conversation about this 1969 Slantnose 912 right here in the RennList Forum!
Dual-Purpose Dream
Despite its intimidating appearances and specs, however, this Slantnose exhibits some pretty solid street manners. The suspension features Bilstein coilovers, 930 Turbo sway bars, and a D-Zug alloy x-brace. It has air conditioning and a real stereo. There's a five-point harness, but also a full interior. And a large oil cooler keeps temps down in tight traffic. All of which means that this classy Porsche is every bit at home in rush hour as it is on a curvy mountain road!
>>Join the conversation about this 1969 Slantnose 912 right here in the RennList Forum!
For help keeping your Porsche running right, please see our how-to section in the forum.