Bespoke retro 911 on sale: Retro 911
SL Clubsport offers blend of old and new
Readers with a passion for Porsches, take note. I have just stepped out of the SL Clubsport – a radical new fast-road and trackday performance package for classic Carreras – after a few very wet, very sideways laps at Rockingham. And now I can’t get rid of this inane, boyish grin.
A fellow SL Clubsport convert, RMA trackday MD Graham Clarke (himself an ex-racer and GT3 owner), sidles up and, kindly, sums up the sublime SL experience for me: ‘It’s the most fun you can ever have driving.’ Big words about a small car…
Very small in fact, compared with the GT and RS mechanical-grip monsters that are coming out of Stuttgart these days. Of course, the early Carrera’s diminutive proportions are all part of the SL Clubsport’s retro charm, along with its corresponding low weight and passion for sliding.
Thanks to an extensive strip, acid dip and bespoke rebuild, this first SL Clubsport has a wet weight of just 930kg. The lithe shell is powered by a JZ Machtech-rebuilt 3.2-litre pushing out a reliable 270bhp, with a similar torque figure, thanks to a set of massive PMO carbs.
But this demo car is just a taster for the brand. As the SL Clubsport build process is totally bespoke, Sean Lockyear – the SL in the car’s name – can offer any engine, transmission and brake specification you desire, not to mention interior and exterior finish and paint colour.
The minimalist SL Clubsport is all about a unique blend of retro and modern. Examples? This car’s five-speed gearbox is from an early 915 (oft criticised for lack of feel), but is mated to a feisty LSD and has a clever Wevo Racing internal gate and shifter, giving a very positive feel.
The direct gearchange, throttle and brake action are complemented by a bespoke pedal box, while an oversteer-marker steering wheel, Porsche-embossed bucket seats, Schroth Racing harnesses and Alcantara dash and door trim adds to the motorsport-bred feel.The 911’s torsion bars and damper set-up has been uprated and mated to fresh polyurethane bushes, and the wheels may be old-school Fuchs (what else?) but they are clad in modern, sticky, semi-slick trackday rubber.
Light, agile, fast, functional, well thought out, immaculately built and presented, the SL Clubsport really is rather a lot of fun. Prices start from around £45k - visit seanlockyear.co.uk for more details.
