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- Chassis # WP0AA0950JN165096
- 1 Of Just 39 Produced For The Rothmans Turbo Cup Series
- A Genuine Weissach Built Factory Race Car
- Campaigned By The Famous Ron Fellows In The 1990 Season
- A Nice Original Example Showing Just 10,099 km From New
- Includes Original Magnesium Oil Pan, Fellows' Steering Wheel, Numerous Other Spares, Logbook, And Period Photos
This car is currently located in: Philadelphia, PA
The Overview
In 1986, Germany introduced the Porsche 944 Turbo Cup series to the world, a one-model championship that put the 944 in the spotlight. Two years later, in 1988, Porsche Canada’s manager and former racing driver David Deacon brought the series to Canada and after securing sponsorships from some of the biggest names in motorsport, named it the Rothmans Porsche Turbo Cup. Apart from a healthy purse for the series winners, the season champion won a seat in a Rothmans-backed 962C at the next year’s running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The races eventually spread overseas to countries like France but remained extremely popular in Canada.
The “Turbo Cup” cars, as they came to be called, were 944 Turbo models built by the Weissach factory specifically to race in the Cup Series. These racers weighed around 600 lbs less than a regular 944 Turbo and came equipped with numerous performance enhancements such as magnesium wheels, intake, and oil sump, a smaller and lighter alternator, bespoke brakes, and Bilstein suspension. The inside featured a steel roll car along with a Recaro racing seat and the absence of any convenience features like air conditioning. The 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine got a larger output turbocharger, sending 250 HP and 272 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle with a limited-slip differential and close-ratio 5th gear. Only 39 examples were ever produced by Porsche over the series’ three-year lifespan, making the 944 Turbo Cup one of the rarest Porsches one could own.
This particular example, Chassis # WP0AA0950JN165096, is a low-mileage 944 Turbo Cup with only 10,099 km (6275 miles) on the odometer and a single private owner. On top of multiple podium finishes throughout its history, this pedigreed racer was driven by famed driver Ron Fellows in the 1990 Series to an 8th Overall finish and still proudly wears that same livery.
Just before the last race of the 1990 series, the engine was reportedly rebuilt by Ron Fellows team and still has the Porsche stamped lead clamps adorning the engine. Following the end of the series, this Porsche was purchased by the second owner in 1990, who removed the magnesium oil pan to keep it safe (The rare magnesium oil pan is included with the sale of the car). The car is all original from the rear quarters forward, including the hood, windshield, and other glass. Despite being involved in a rear-end collision with Ron at the wheel during the 1990 season, the accident damage was repaired properly, leaving the car in the proper spec and condition.
This rare Turbo Cup will need some normal timeout and safety items addressed before it is ready to hit the track again but it runs and drives without an issue as it is. These Weissach factory-built Porsche race cars are few and far between, making examples at this price point with such low mileage and exceptional history, an absolute must-have for both Porsche collectors and race enthusiasts alike. Given their pedigree, they are eligible for HSR, PCA Club Races, and more while also perfectly gracing the lawn of any Porsche-specific Concours event.
Upon purchase, the new owner will receive a copy of the logbook, numerous spare parts, including a seat, suspension components, the original steering wheel utilized by Ron Fellows, a 944 Turbo Cup transmission, the original magnesium oil pan, and more, along with period photos featuring this 944 Turbo Cup in its glory days.
The Details
exterior
body and paint
The body of this example is very straight overall, free from any obvious dents or big dings, and all of the shut gaps are very good for a race car. All of the graphics are applied in the correct places and look very nice with minimal sun fading. The painted hood graphic is original from the last Rothmans Turbo Cup race it was in, as is the original turbo cup-specific fiberglass hood. The car was originally red. There is evidence of green in some areas from when it was painted in the Fuji Film livery during the 1988 season prior to its current livery.
The paint is nice and consistent throughout, and the stickers are applied with care. Overall, the car is very presentable cosmetically, especially considering it is a race car. We believe the process graphics sticker on the roof is original, as are the stickers on the windshield. The windshield appears to be original as well, with factory stickers still applied to it.
As seen in footage of the Rothman series in 1990, during this car’s last race with Ron Fellows at the wheel, it did spin and hit a barrier, causing damage to the rear, which was properly repaired by the previous owner who replaced the rear valance trunk floor and rear sections of the quarter panels. Overall, this car is cosmetically excellent per race car standards, and you really wouldn’t touch anything if you intended to do some vintage racing or even take the car on the show field.
glass and trim
All of the glass appears to be original with correct insignias, including the windshield. The windshield does have some small stone peppering throughout, but no cracks or other serious chips are evident.
All of the exterior trim fits nicely and is relatively supple for its age, considering it is a race car.
wheels
interior
seats and surfaces
The interior is acceptable for a race car with the original original cage still intact, the original date-coded Riccaro seat and passenger seat in place, with carpeting in place from the rear seats forward. The carpeting in the rear seating section has been removed. The current steering wheel installed is incorrect, but the nice original Ron Fellows steering wheel comes included with the car. The odometer shows 10,099 km which we believe to be original.
functionality and accessories
All of the gauges appear to function correctly. The headlights have been removed.
If racing is the goal, all of the time-out items, such as the racing harnesses, seats, etc. will need to be addressed prior to any track time.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is extremely original with its original magnesium intake and factory stickers present throughout. It even comes with its original magnesium oil pan included. The engine bay is highly correct for a turbo cup car with its original suspension strap bar mounts, no power steering, and its correct fiberglass hood. As told by the previous owner, who bought the car in 1990 from the original team, he claims that before its last race, the engine was rebuilt by Porsche and sealed with lead clamps that are still present on the car. We believe the engine is original to the car and has the correct prefix number.
If racing is the goal, all of the time-out items will need to be addressed prior to any track time.
trunk area
The trunk area is sparse and completely empty, with no carpeting. Acceptable for a race car.
Underside
The underside is original and tidy for a race car.
mechanicals
engine
The car cold starts well and sounds very healthy, with a loud growl coming from the turbo cup-specific Walker exhaust, which sounds wonderful. The car makes linear, smooth power throughout all the gears, and there are no issues to note. If racing is the goal, all of the time-out items will need to be addressed prior to any track time.
transmission
The transmission feels great, with no grinding upon shifting or other issues to note. However, the clutch is a bit on or off and chatters sometimes upon takeoff.
brakes and suspension
The brakes function as they should, stopping quickly and smoothly and free from chattering or fading. The suspension feels firm and tight over bumps, with no issues to note. Again, if racing is the goal, all of the time-out items will need to be addressed prior to any track time.
tires
The original magnesium cup wheels still have their original tri-coat pearlescent finish albeit they are fairly beat up. Currently, it has Hoosier Slicks in good condition but with 2016 date codes.
driving experience
The 944 Turbo Cup feels incredibly special when sitting behind the wheel. Just knowing you are sitting in a Weissach-built, factory Porsche race car from the 1980s is a special experience in and of itself, but when coupled with the sound of the exhaust, the Recaro seat wrapped around your sides, and the perfectly balanced cornering characteristics and power, the experience is truly unmatched. They do everything right, on and off the track. These are tame, street-able cars when you want them to be and ferocious track terrors at the drop of the green flag.
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