Project Blue Book

911UK · 14 Jan 2025

When do we hear your thoughts on driving the car ?

Chief · 14 Jan 2025

Cockneyjanner said:
Hi Chief, I’m new to 911uk and have just read this whole thread. I just wanted to congratulate you on such an amazing build. This is without doubt the best thing I’ve ever seen on any forum.
I salute you! And I hope that one day I can see this car in the flesh.

Cockneyjanner (Can't find your first name)
Thank you. I am humbled by your post. It's really good to here from people new to all this 'Hotrod at home' stuff and with such positive interaction. As you are aware from reading this (LONG) thread, it's been a Pilgrimage to my best friend and late father 'Big Al'! Thank you again, this really does make my day......

Luddite · 14 Jan 2025

Totally in awe of your craftsmanship Chief, fantastic project from start to finish.

Skoosh1970 · 11 Mar 2025

Chief, any updates.... gotta be ready soon hasn't she...?

trassalpl · 11 Mar 2025

Having recently joined this forum, I'm just discovering this awesome thread. Couldn't imagine the extent of the project when reading the first posts, and as I was going through the pages, I saw the dates get closer and closer to today, so I am definitely waiting for the next update.
Absolutely brilliant work all round, I hope to be able to do a tenth of that myself at some point!
Cheers from Barcelona
Léopold.

Chief · 12 Mar 2025

Wow! Thank you so very much Leopold. I really appreciate you spending the time to look through my random ramblings.
Car is attracting a lot of attention currently. Greatworth Classics are finishing the engine install. We have shuffled a few steps forward then back, but light is at the end of the tunnel. Sooooooooooon.

pzero · 12 Mar 2025

A simple 'like' to any of the pages on this thread seems so unappreciative. 'Like' doesn't do justice to the level of craftsmanship and discipline that one sees. Chapeau.

jonttt · 12 Mar 2025

When are you fitting the other stripe (I’ll get my coat)

Chief · 13 Mar 2025

Firstly, thank you for all the positive and amusing comments and replies.
Pzero - A simple 'like' to any of the pages on this thread seems so unappreciative. 'Like' doesn't do justice to the level of craftsmanship and discipline that one sees. Chapeau.
Very true. Hundreds of hours in the workshop and many more planning. A 'Thumbs Up!' is still appreciated, but kinda falls a little flat. So thank you for your post.
The car has been getting a lot of internet attention whilst living with Angus and the lads at Greatworth Classics. Things didn't quite go to plan with the rolling road session. Nothing major just a simple gear linkage oversight. Also we have been waiting for the exhaust headers to arrive so we can cut them up!
The main visual issue (along with power) was the 'Banana Back Box' I wanted to have the twin outlet which is seen on the GT cars. Angus has managed to get a 911 one which means modifying the header flanges to suit and adjusting the length to mate up. This will look very factory but on a '4' cylinder engine.
It will then get back on the rolling road for full mapping and power runs. I know you will ask what we expect, but as we are in the pursuit of TORQUE not BHP we can only guess currently. The professionals at Northampton Motorsport will dial in to best capture that goal. Remember this is FULLY programmable ecu stuff. No spinney distributor to trigger stuff. This is wasted spark with crank timing triggered, vacuum sucking, fuel injection, throttle positioning, fuel/ air sensing shennanagans

..........Pressures on, this best be good!

All stainless steel and retaining the heat element so the cabin will hopefully be toasty. There will be heated seats to help out old bones.

I hope to be able to start dialog with 'Dave The Trimmer' very soon. This being the last part of Project Blue Book needs to be absolutely perfect!
Pressure is on for all of us.......

trassalpl · 13 Mar 2025

I love how this has consistently gone up from "I'm going to make this car look as nice as possible, not gonna go crazy" to "f* it, let's give it everything". Looking at all the previous posts, it's clear you already knew a lot going in, but I bet this has also been a tremendous learning experience. The 914 looks like a brilliant car to work on too, and you mentioned it yourself previously. Do you still feel that's the case now that you've gone through pretty much every inch of this car?

Chief · 14 Mar 2025

trassalpl said:
I love how this has consistently gone up from "I'm going to make this car look as nice as possible, not gonna go crazy" to "f* it, let's give it everything". Looking at all the previous posts, it's clear you already knew a lot going in, but I bet this has also been a tremendous learning experience. The 914 looks like a brilliant car to work on too, and you mentioned it yourself previously. Do you still feel that's the case now that you've gone through pretty much every inch of this car?

Good Morning trassalpl,
Wow quite a deep and I guess far reaching question. This has got me scratching my chin deep in thought....
As I said right at the start, this has not been a journey, but a pilgrimage to my best friend and supporter 'My Dad'.
A utter Porsche nut all his adult life. he lived and breathed the Marque.
He always wanted me to have a 914 and I guess as you get older these things surface usually at three a.m when you wake and think 'Great Idea!'
I have to thank Angus for getting the car over from the States and generally being an ear to my many and varied hairbrained schemes......
You are correct in it has got a bit out of hand, but I thought why not try to build the Porsche that the factory would have built as an 'ST'.
Then make it hopefully the best example that my Dad would be proud of. This lead to ideas that as a Pilgrimage it should be a journey of learning and discovery. So pretty much any idea I had I researched and taught myself how to do that particular task. My background is not in engineering but I have always wanted it to be. Never to old to learn stuff.
I was very privileged to received some humbling feedback from Ian Callum (Google this amazing designer). Along with all the support from members such as yourself on the progressive site. My journey continues and I learn every day. Not one project on this car has caused me to have 'Trembly Knees' when you have your eye on the vision nothing can stop you.
Thank you all.
Chief
Project Blue Book

Skoosh1970 · 14 Mar 2025

Chief, did you make a decision on the seat covers yet....? Gotta be nearly time to make that call...?

Chief · 14 Mar 2025

Hi Si,
Inching towards a decision....
I do need to have a sit down with Dave and see what he suggests, after all he is the expert.
I just need some dates back from Greatworth Classics once the engine mapping has been completed.

Skoosh1970 · 14 Mar 2025

Looking forward to the results i'll bet...?

trassalpl · Friday at 9:55 AM

Chief said:
Good Morning trassalpl,
Wow quite a deep and I guess far reaching question. This has got me scratching my chin deep in thought....
As I said right at the start, this has not been a journey, but a pilgrimage to my best friend and supporter 'My Dad'.
A utter Porsche nut all his adult life. he lived and breathed the Marque.
He always wanted me to have a 914 and I guess as you get older these things surface usually at three a.m when you wake and think 'Great Idea!'
I have to thank Angus for getting the car over from the States and generally being an ear to my many and varied hairbrained schemes......
You are correct in it has got a bit out of hand, but I thought why not try to build the Porsche that the factory would have built as an 'ST'.
Then make it hopefully the best example that my Dad would be proud of. This lead to ideas that as a Pilgrimage it should be a journey of learning and discovery. So pretty much any idea I had I researched and taught myself how to do that particular task. My background is not in engineering but I have always wanted it to be. Never to old to learn stuff.
I was very privileged to received some humbling feedback from Ian Callum (Google this amazing designer). Along with all the support from members such as yourself on the progressive site. My journey continues and I learn every day. Not one project on this car has caused me to have 'Trembly Knees' when you have your eye on the vision nothing can stop you.
Thank you all.
Chief
Project Blue Book