This might be one of the most unique high-horsepower cars in this price range
The Porsche 944 is a fun classic sports car with all sorts of potential for those who want to do a little customization. It also happens to be great for those who want to do a whole lot of customization, as shown in this case. This wacky and wild example demonstrates that with an LS V8 mounted behind the seats and a body that looks worse than the Aitekx Robotruck.
This thing started as a stock 1987 Porsche 944 with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine. The seats, the dash, and the center control stack all look pretty stock. Of course, if a driver were to turn their head at all they might notice the glass pane right behind them.
It separates the occupants from the engine bay where a GM LS4 V8 sits. According to the ad on eBay, it makes 400 horsepower (298 kW) and mates up to a manual five-speed Porsche gearbox. That’s a huge bump over the stock four-cylinder from the late 1980s. Back then, this car would’ve made about 150 hp (111 kW).
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The seller says that all of the power features work too, including the windows, door locks, sunroof, gauge cluster, and seats. The area that the original engine used to inhabit is now a storage space and looks well done. What doesn’t look so hot is the exterior of the car. No doubt, modifications to help the V8 breathe were necessary but that doesn’t explain what’s happened here.
The slanted nose of the original 944 is long gone in favor of a bullnose sort of situation. A wire mesh grille now stands proud along with both round and rectangular fog lights at the front. In the rear things look even stranger as the blocky tail lights are long gone in favor of slanted rectangular lights that are floating in the bodywork. Another wire mesh grille surely provides heat extraction there. Dual exhausts rise out of the bumper and signify that this isn’t your average 944 in case it wasn’t wildly obvious already.
The seller admits that the paint job “is a 10 footer tho” so don’t expect it to get better in person. In any case, this is potentially a whole lot of “unique” for just $17,000. Of course, for that much cash, it might be possible to find a 944 with a V8 swap upfront that still looks as good as the original.
Image Credit: Area 51 Motorsports LLC