SG Archives: Porsche 944 Turbo

 SG Archives: Porsche 944 Turbo

Singapore - 24/8/23 - The Porsche 944 is an oddball Porsche if you read back in Porsche's lineage. Noted as "front-engine heresy", the beginnings of the front-engine Porsche sports car, the 924 and up, was seen as a shocking twist to what Porsche offered to customers at the time; from rear-engine Porsche, to front-engine rear-drive sports car. 

The origins of the Porsche 924 can be traced back to a contract commissioned by Volkswagen in 1972. Under the project code EA 425, Porsche's role was to design plus tune the car, whilst Volkswagen would supply their parts bin to assist with the project, not including their hard requirements, of course.

Porsche 924. Credit: Porsche UK

Whilst the contract never materialized into what it should have been, Volkswagen, after terminating the contract, offered Porsche to buy back the original design and help build it via their Audi plant.

Imported Porsche 924. Source: Satay by the bay 2022 meet

All is history past that offer. Porsche bought back the design, with no body panels from the initial EA 425 project being used in preparation for the new Porsche. It would be labeled as an entry-level model to the Porsche lineup.

Whilst touted as one of the best handling sports cars of its day, much of the 924's shortcomings would be improved on when the 944 was released. 

Porsche 944. Credit: Porsche

Among the new body panels, a replacement Porsche motor replaced the soon-to-be fully-supplied Audi 2.0L, a less Volkswagen-derived interior was underway, to say less of the 944 Turbo that would be touted as fastest car sold in America when it debut.

This Singapore-bound 944 is a Turbo, and is one of the last few 944's still in the land since day one. I believe there still is one red 944 cabriolet, one greenish 944 still roaming the country (As of 2023). There may be more, but from the top of my head I can only recall these three.

This car is for sale at the time of writing, so in the event should you be interested in owning this rare piece of Porsche history, you can have a look here.

 

(Photos taken in January 2022)

Currently, 944's can be imported into the country to be registered under the classic scheme. There has been at least one new unit already registered, so the populations of these front-engine Porsche's can slowly rise, but here's hoping these original scheme units last as long as they can.

~Efini

SG Archives: Honda Civic Type R (EK9)

 SG Archives: Honda Civic Type R

Singapore - 20/8/23 - Today in 2023, most EK chassis Honda Civic's are at best, the SiR. The SiR is the EK4, which is the next best to the Type R.

The Honda Civic has lived a infamous lineage, beginning production in 1972 and still thriving in 2023, with the FE/FL chassis model, its 11th generation. Whilst the Civic had some level of performance prowess in its early days, namely starting from the EF (4th gen), the infamous Type R nameplate only appeared on the Civic in its 6th generation.

Image Courtesy of FIA

What differentiated the Type R from its SiR sibling, apart from paint and iconic graphics, was the B16B motor and rigid chassis over similar trims. Paired with a mostly red interior and a titanium shift knob, Honda had made what is effectively, the birth of an icon.

Whilst a sedan, the Civic Type R has
definitely give nrise to one of the most 
popular platforms in the Japanese car scene.

The CTR (Civic Type R) was introduced in 1997, meaning that early models can only be registered in Singapore as early as 2032. As this post was written in 2023, there's a whole 9 years before any of that magic can happen.

Currently, the mostly agreed on on-the-road figure for the EK9 is 2. I have been told stories of owners converting their chassis to EK9's through certain methods, but otherwise, the official figure of EK9's that stayed as EK9's since day one is two. At the time of writing, one unit is visually stock whilst the second sports an almost, if not complete Spoon set.

Back in 2022, I managed to chance upon the visually untouched unit, the photos being shown above located in Millenia Walk. Just the previous night did I manage to find it again. You'll have much more luck finding exotics, but my best wishes to you should you want to find one of these in the wild.

~Efini

Initial D Night Vol. 4

 Initial D Night Vol. 4

Singapore - 20/8/23 - Some unedited stills from the Initial D Night car meet. What came from passing a friend items turned into sitting an hour and a half soaking in some cars.

A turnout of not just four icons, but a few extras, namely a R34 and NSX, two cars which are icons themselves. The photo drop starts from here, feel free to look at what you like!

 

Of notable mention that fits the Initial D theme is the Honda NSX. Of course, the other cars that joined shouldn't be excused. The Mitsubishi GTO, Nissan Skyline R30, Mitsubishi Colt, Subaru Impreza's and the other cars had their own measure of coolness. Those that drove in EK4's and EG's; you make me want one. 😅

Next on the list are the itasha. Not that they're bad to be segregated away from other cars, but I dare say that itasha cars have something unique in their expression and personalization compared to the rest.

Thanks for having a little read and looking at the photos, until we meet again!

~Efini