Amazing Porsche 356 Upgraded With a 930 Turbo Engine
Originally purchased by a former airplane mechanic, this amazing 930-powered 356 now resides with a very famous new owner.
Hot Rod Roots
Hot rodding is, at its very roots, the concept of stuffing a big engine into a small car. This simple premise has endured for decades now and spans the entire spectrum of the automotive world. Case in point - this Porsche 356 packing a 930 Turbo engine, which was originally purchased in a state of disrepair by an Austrian man decades ago. Now, the car has been fully restored and lives in the collection of none other than Walter Röhrl.
Photos: Porsche
Second Chance
It all started back in the '90s, when Viktor Grahser returned home to his native Austria after living in Australia for 31 years. Grahser brought not one, but three Porsche 356s with him. One of those cars set up shop in his living room, while the other two sat in a shipping container awaiting restoration. Sadly, that would never happen. But one of those Porsches would receive a proper second life following Grahser's passing a few years later.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
Pure Admiration
That car was Grahser's personal favorite - a 1959 Porsche 356 B Roadster with a three-liter turbo engine from a 1977 Porsche 911 (Type 930). The retired airplane mechanic originally purchased the car damaged in 1981, and often simply sat next to it just to admire the car.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
Carrying On
Following Grahser's unexpected death in 2008, all three of his beloved 356s were purchased by a dealer in Stephanskirchen as part of an estate sale. Rafael Diez soon heard the story behind this trio of cars, bought all of them, and then proceeded to carry out Grahser's dream of restoring them. Which also included finishing his beloved project - the 930-powered 356.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
Test Drive
Essentially, all the car needed was bodywork and paint. So Diez sorted all of that out, but in the process, he also moved the steering wheel to the left side. After the car was finished, Diez invited Porsche brand ambassador Walter Röhrl to take this 356/930 out for a test drive. Needless to say, the two-tie rally champion came away very impressed.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
Röhrl Roadster
"I was astonished at how perfectly balanced it felt right from the start of the first test-drive," Röhrl recalled. "The low lip in front, the heavy engine behind, 260 hp—it drives smoothly and precisely, and it’s a lot of fun." It wasn't long after that that he had added the car to his own garage. One Diez dubbed the "Porsche 356 3000 RR"—3000 refers to the engine displacement; RR stands for Röhrl Roadster.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
Ultimate Porsche
Today, Grahser's idea of the "Super Porsche" wears a few other personal touches, including Röhrl’s four victory badges from the Monte Carlo Rally on the engine cover. But more importantly, it carries on the Austrian's lifelong dream of building what he considered to be the ultimate Porsche.
Photos: Porsche
>>Join the conversation about this restomod 356 right here in Rennlist.com.
For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.