In late 1985 Porsche developed the 944 “Weissach turbo cup race car” to provide amateur enthusiasts with a cost effective entry into motorsports.
Porsche initially designed to participate in a single-marque racing series run in conjunction with 1986 German ADAC Supercup races, but soon spread to Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria , USA, Canada and even Czechoslovakia.
The original 1985/86 German cars had a K26/6 Turbo producing 220 ps, this was soon upgraded to the 26/8 Turbo producing 250 ps. The French series ran from 1987 to 1990 and these cars ran without catalytic converters and an upgraded fuel system and produced 290 PS.
Essentially standard-production 944 Turbos, the Cup versions included a magnesium oil sump, a smaller generator, stiffer suspension, reinforced gearbox, wider tires and modified engine components including a revised turbocharger. In addition, the 944 Turbo Cup cars were fitted with an eight-point roll cage, driver’s Recaro racing seat, manual windows and, for weight-saving measures, were stripped of many interior components.
In Detail
| type | Racing Car |
| built at | Germany |
| engine | M44/51 Inline 4 |
| position | Front, Longitudinal |
| aspiration | K26/8 Turbo |
| valvetrain | SOHC 2 Valves / Cyl |
| displacement | 2479 cc / 151.3 in³ |
| bore | 100.1 mm / 3.94 in |
| stroke | 79.0 mm / 3.11 in |
| compression | 8.0:1 |
| power | 186.4 kw / 250 bhp @ 6000 rpm |
| specific output | 100.85 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 195.31 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 242 nm / 178.5 ft lbs @ 3500 rpm |
| driven wheels | Front Engine / RWD |
| front brakes | Vented Discs /w Vacuum Assist |
| rear brakes | Vented Discs /w Vacuum Assist |
| front wheels | F 40.6 x 20.3 cm / 16 x 8 in |
| rear wheels | R 40.6 x 22.9 cm / 16 x 9 in |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones |
| r suspension | Semi-Trailing Arms |
| curb weight | 1280 kg / 2822 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2400 mm / 94.5 in |
| front track | 1478 mm / 58.2 in |
| rear track | 1450 mm / 57.1 in |
| length | 4230 mm / 166.5 in |
| width | 1735 mm / 68.3 in |
| height | 1275 mm / 50.2 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~270 kph / 167.67 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~4.9 seconds |
Auction Sales History
1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Cup WPOZZZ95ZGN154076. The Drendel Family Collection. Formerly the Property of Lloyd Hawkins. Significant Factory Race-Prepared Specification. Desirable 944 Turbo Variant. Professional Restoration to As-Delivered Specifications. Accompanied by a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. A Rare Four-Cylinder Turbocharged Porsche. Auction Source: The Amelia Island Auction 2012 by Gooding & Company
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