This is an exciting project! Former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson will unveil a modified Porsche 911 at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The car, code-named SJ87, is the eighth of 11 Porsche 930 TAG Turbo built by Lanzante, a British motorsports and engineering company known for their road-legal versions of track cars.
SJ87 features
The SJ87 features a turbocharged 1.5-litre V-6 engine from a TAG Turbo Formula 1 car. Specifically, it is powered by the engine used in Johansson’s McLaren MP4/3 during the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix.
Although that particular race didn’t go well for Johansson, the engine represents the pinnacle of its development. The TAG Turbo engines were developed by Porsche and used by McLaren in the 1980s.
Stefan Johansson has also personally hand-painted the car’s livery. The design incorporates elements such as green (referencing his helmet design and childhood nickname “Little Leaf”), blue and yellow (the colours of the Swedish flag), and red and white (for the Marlboro colours of Johansson’s McLaren F1 car).
Performance Specs
While the race car had an estimated horsepower of around 750 hp, the road-going 930 version will have a more manageable 503 hp. A 6-speed manual gearbox from a 993-generation 911 will send power to the rear wheels. The estimated curb weight of the car is 2,248 lbs, excluding the driver and fuel.
The completed car will be unveiled at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, which begins on July 13th. It’s worth noting that Singer, another well-known company specializing in modified Porsches, will also be presenting their Dynamics and Lightweighting Study — Turbo, a 964 model inspired by the Porsche 934/5 race car from the 1970s.
The modified Porsche 911 with the TAG Turbo Formula 1 engine offers several benefits:
- Performance: A turbocharged 1.5-litre V-6 engine from a Formula 1 car provides impressive performance capabilities. With an estimated 503 horsepower and rear-wheel drive, the car will likely deliver exhilarating acceleration and high top speeds.
- Unique Driving Experience: Owning and driving a car with a Formula 1 engine is a truly unique experience. The combination of the iconic Porsche 911 chassis and the powerful racing engine will provide an unmatched driving sensation and a sense of automotive history.
- Engineering Expertise: The collaboration between Lanzante and Stefan Johansson brings together the engineering prowess of a respected motorsports and engineering company with the experience and knowledge of a former Formula 1 driver. This partnership ensures that the car is built to high performance, reliability, and craftsmanship standards.
- Customization and Personalization: The hand-painted livery by Stefan Johansson adds a personal touch to the car. It incorporates his design elements, helmet references, and national flag colours, making the car uniquely express his identity and racing career.
- Motorsport Heritage: Using the TAG Turbo Formula 1 engine in the modified Porsche 911 pays homage to the racing heritage of both McLaren and Porsche. It represents a piece of motorsport history, as the TAG Turbo engines played a significant role in Formula 1 racing during the 1980s.
- Collector’s Value: Limited production and highly customized vehicles like the modified Porsche 911 often have strong collector’s value. The car’s rarity, unique features, and historical significance can make it highly sought after by automotive enthusiasts and collectors.
Conclusion
The modified Porsche 911 with the TAG Turbo Formula 1 engine offers a thrilling combination of performance, unique driving experience, engineering expertise, customization, motorsport heritage, and collector’s value.
With its powerful engine, hand-painted livery, and the collaborative efforts of Lanzante and former F1 driver Stefan Johansson, this car represents a remarkable fusion of automotive history and modern engineering.
Whether you’re an avid car enthusiast, a fan of motorsports, or someone who appreciates the artistry and craftsmanship of customized vehicles, the modified Porsche 911 will captivate and provide a one-of-a-kind driving experience.
