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- Chassis # WP0AA095XJN165073
- 1 Of 39 Examples Produced For The Rothmans Series
- A Genuine Weissach-Built Factory Race Car
- Extensive Service File & Recent Thorough Servicing
- Retaining Much Of Its Original Componentry
- Campaigned In The Rothmans 944 Turbo Cup
The Overview
What began as the Porsche Challenge in 1986 soon became the Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup: a Canadian-national, single-marque race series beginning in 1988. The Rothmans Series was first class. It was sponsored by some of the most reputable names in motorsport, it was televised and it awarded lucrative winnings: the season champion won a seat in a Rothmans-backed 962C at the next year’s running of the 24hrs of Le Mans. The series existed for just 3 years and during that time just one model took to the circuit courses: the purpose-built Porsche 944 Turbo Cup.
The Porsche 944 Turbo Cup car is a titled from new, Weissach-built Porsche, the very first Porsche built at Weissach with the intentions of Cup racing. Though externally similar, no fewer than 52 notable enhancements differentiate the Cup cars from the catalog 944 Turbo. The Cup weighed in at some 600lbs lighter than the standard car and received numerous performance enhancements such as magnesium wheels, intake and oil sump, as well as bespoke brakes and Bilstein suspension. A turbocharged 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine sent a rated 250 HP and 272 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle and a limited-slip differential.
The example offered here is chassis JN165073, built in late December 1987. Finished in Alpine White, JN165073 is the 12th of just 39 Rothmans Series spec cars and 1 of 2 cars campaigned by Canadian dealer Mark Motors of Ottawa. Mark Motors took delivery of the vehicle in late April 1988 and enlisted grassroots racer David Seabrooke to campaign the car for each of the 3 seasons. Seabrooke made frequent televised appearances and would go on to earn multiple top 10 finishes.
It is said that Seabrooke retained JN165073 after its official time on track before passing the car along to one Robert Munro, who commissioned a complete restoration in April of 1991. In July of 2002, ownership of the car passed to Dr. Ronald Teitjen, a prominent Connecticut-based Porsche Collector and Historic Race Car driver. Tejten would campaign and track the car regularly at private track and various PCA events according to the vehicle’s logbooks. Continuous and meticulous maintenance since 2002 is evident in the vehicle’s history file. Under the care of the current owner, JN165073 has been thoroughly gone through in preparation for its next season of racing. Services include a comprehensive refreshing of fluids, lighting, gaskets, and filters, and most notably a replacement driver’s window and turbocharger.
Today the car wears much of its original componentry including Magnesium wheels and intake, a fiberglass hood, and a scrutineer’s seat. It should be stated the bumpers are aftermarket replacements and the hood pins are of a contemporary design. Within the vehicle’s history file exists its CASC and PCA logbooks as well as a spattering of invoices, correspondence, and various period photographs.
These Turbo Cup cars are both beautiful and eminently usable. They are eligible for HSR, PCA Club Races, and more, and would surely excite the discerning eye of any rear-engine purist at Concours events.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
Currently, this car is finished in the same color scheme of Turquoise, blue, red, and gold as it would have raced in the Rothmans cup with. The paint presents as one would expect for a race car last restored in 1991 and used regularly since. The color is bright and vibrant, and the graphics still present well although there are numerous flaws throughout the car. There is heavy stone peppering on the front bumper as well as some larger chips on the bottom edge. Minor chipping around the headlights as well. There is also some heavy peppering in front of the rear wheel well as well as some minor chips in the back bumper area. The body panel fitment is ok for an older race car, relatively straight with some off-center gaps as well as the hood fitment which could stand to be adjusted. The rear panel in between the tail lights on the back of the car is coming loose on the passenger side.
glass and trim
There are some scratches on the trim around the doors. The windshield shows heavy peppering but no delamination around the edges. The rubber gasket around the windshield is in good shape and rubber gaskets around the car are all in generally good shape. The rear glass shows some delamination around the edges.
wheels
The wheels are finished in body color and are presentable. The paint does show some chipping and scratching, especially around any sections where tools were used such as the lug nuts and air valves
notable flaws
Overall, the car presents as one would expect from an older race car that was restored in 1991 and used since. There are typical signs of track use but nothing out of the ordinary for a car of this intention. Please refer to the detailed photos above to get the best idea of the current condition.
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior is again what you would expect from an older race car. There is chipping of the paint on the cage. The Kirky race seat has decent foam and the cover remains in good condition. The belts are complete but older, dated 2017, and would likely need to be replaced before any competitive racing was carried out. The dash is in ok order, a bit diary from years of use but solid. The carpets are dirty but complete and fit well. The door cards are present and in decent shape showing some wear in areas that they rubbed against the cage in the door. The passenger seat is the original Porsche script seat with good seating surfaces, tight bolsters, and only a few minor stains. The Marc Motors Ottawa Porsche placard is attached to the dash still and an awesome memento of this car's past life!
functionality and accessories
The interior appears to be straightforward gauges appear to work as they should quick disconnect wheel functions as it should headlights are obviously in operable. The windows roll up and down as they should and the doors open and close with the stock factory handles with no issues. The HVAC system appears to function and the blower spins.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay once again appears as you would expect from an older race car. One of the hood pins has the attachment broken off. It appears as though the engine bay as a whole has been well taken care of. All of the components look in good order with no visible signs of any issues. There are the appropriate placards as well as some original Porsche stickers present. Some of the plastic components show signs of age and discoloration as you would expect. The inside of the engine bay is painted white as the car was originally delivered in this color.
trunk area
The trunk area is in fine order. The carpets fit a bit loosely but other than that roll bar attachment points look solid and overall no issues are present. The original Porsche factory options sticker is still fixed to the back wall of the trunk area underneath the carpets.
Underside
The underside of the car shows some signs of its race car past in the form of dents and dings on the rockers. It appears that someone jacked the car up wrong at one point, leaving dents in the rocker panels. Components appear to be well serviced and looked after though.
mechanicals
engine
Mechanically the car has been well cared for and it shows in the strong running and driving nature of the car. If fires right to life, sounds fantastic and healthy, pulls strong, and shows no issues.
transmission
The transmission shifts smoothly with no issues. The clutch feedback feels appropriate with positive feedback and good take up.
brakes and suspension
The brakes and suspension feel solid with no real issues to note. The ride is harsh on the streets but feels solid with no odd behavior on the track.
tires
Tires are Hoosier slicks in two 45 x 45 x 16 on all four corners. Dates are written on the tires as being six of 2018.