Porsche has by no means been one to draw back from making uncommon fashions. We’re speaking fashions the place lower than 10 have been produced, just like the 964 Turbo Cabriolet and the 993 Speedster. Amongst these rarities is a specific Porsche that wasn’t really a Porsche in any respect: the VW T3 B32. It doesn’t seem like a Porsche, it’s not badged as a Porsche, however it would positively sound, like a Porsche.
In 1986, Porsche was fielding two 959s within the Paris Dakar Rally pushed by two groups: René Metge partnered with Dominique Lemoyne in a single, and Jacky Ickx with Claude Brasseur within the different. And whereas these 959s have been engineered to be off-road beasts, able to dealing with the hardest rally on this planet, they have been nonetheless fast. With a 2.8-liter 400 horsepower flat-6, not a lot might sustain with them, together with assist autos. Porsche did have a 3rd 959 readily available, which was thought-about to be used as a assist automobile, however the group wanted one thing each greater and quick.
One thing else Porsche had readily available was a VW T3 van. Sadly, they have been hilariously gradual, and couldn’t sustain with the fast-paced nature of the race, the place like each race, each minute counts. So reasonably than search for one other automobile or try to make do with what that they had, Porsche engineers set to do what any gearhead would do and modded the T3 vans to work with their wants.
Whereas commonplace T3s have been out there with an array of engines, starting from 1.6-liter flat fours and I4’s all the way in which as much as a 2.6-liter I5, they have been all gradual. So reasonably than mod the prevailing engine, Porsche took a 288 hp flat-six from a 911 3.2 Carrera and dropped it within the engine bay. Engineers then mated that flat six with a Porsche transmission that routed energy to the rear wheels. And since this was meant to maintain up with rally racing, engineers additionally gave the T3 a novel suspension setup and greater brakes. It was mentioned to have a high velocity of solely 116 mph, however in actuality, it was round 135 mph.
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Whereas somebody rapidly glancing at a VW T3 B32 won’t be capable of inform it aside from a daily T3, Porsche did a number of issues to tell apart it. There have been bigger 16-inch wheels with Fuchs rims, extra facet vents to chill the larger engine, entrance and rear skirts, and a bigger exhaust.
Inside there was a full leather-based inside, a Porsche badge on the steering wheel, and auxiliary gauges below the middle console, behind the shifter.
Whereas it’s not recognized whether or not or not this factor ever had any manufacturing intent, it’s believed that simply seven examples of the T3 B32 have been ever made. Whereas it wasn’t publicly bought, some ended up in non-public fingers, particular prospects who had a relationship with Porsche. A couple of of those even have Porsche VINs. And a few can be found on the market.
The instance you see above is one that’s listed on the market at a Porsche vendor: Porsche Centrum Gelderland. It’s at present listed at €364,900, which with the present change charges to the U.S. greenback, that’s over $375,700. It’s in want of a little bit of restoration as there’s some put on right here and there, however aside from that it seems to be nice. Whereas the years have given us Porsche SUVs and a sedan, we could by no means see something like a Porsche van once more.
