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Picking up where the classic air-cooled 912 left off, this feather-light Porsche restomod is proof that four cylinders is more than up to the job
by Amrit Balraj on September 28, 2024, 13:00The Porsche 912 was the original ’affordable Porsche’, - where customers essentially got a 911 with the economical engine from the Porsche 356 SC. It was one of the first models to open the door to Porsche ownership to a wider range of customers. The 912 quickly garnered a cult following within the Porsche community, proving that you do not need crazy power to have a fun driving experience. Now a restomod firm from Budapest, Hungary KAMManufaktur is reintroducing the 912l in a modern avatar and calling it the 912c, where the ’c’ stands for carbon fiber, a go-to material of choice for shedding weight while not compromising rigidity and this one has a lot, as you’re about to find out.
With the 912c, KAMM’s idea is to offer you the pure, analog experience of a 912 wrapped in a contemporary, lightweight shell with a brand-new engine, developed by Swiss-based JPS Aircooled. According to founder Miklós Kázmér, his inspiration for this project was the 1967 Porsche 911R, which was an ultralight version (800kg or 1,763 pounds) of the 911 built for homologation, that was worked upon none other than the great Ferdinand Piëch and his team. Given this historical connection, I was curious to find out more about this modern interpretation of the 912.
- The 912c is built by Hungarian firm KAMManufaktur
- The 912c features a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine developed by Swiss firm JPS Aircooled
- The 912c costs $350,000 to build with a donor car and $390,000 to build without.
Lightweight, With A Fiery Heart - The 912c
The 912c features a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower, surpassing the output of a contemporary Porsche 911S by 100 horsepower. The engine was developed in collaboration with Swiss motorsports experts at JPS Aircooled and boasts upgraded heads, a higher compression ratio (10.5), uprated conrods, and a stainless steel exhaust system. Instead of carbs, the engine features KAMM’s modern electronic fuel injection and individual DbW throttle bodies. The engine functionality is optimized thanks to an ECU from Life Racing. The transmission is sorted through a five-speed manual gearbox that can be configured for long-range road use or a close ratio for track use.
While 190 horsepower might not seem like a lot in today’s restomod world, the 912c’s party trick is its exceptional power-to-weight ratio (0.115 hp/lb), thanks to its ridiculously low curb weight of around 1,650 pounds. This makes it even lighter than the 911R that I mentioned earlier. For some more context, the lightest modern-day 911, the 911 S/T weighs 3,056 pounds. So what’s the secret? The lightweight body is achieved with the extensive use of carbon fiber and other lightweight materials like Lexan polycarbonate for its windows. I believe KAMM has hit the sweet spot between performance and daily driveability, especially for people looking for that classic car driving experience. If you occasionally want to put your foot down, up a winding canyon road, the 912c’s reworked and modernized engine would be able to more than put a smile on your face.
On the topic of long-winding roads, the people behind the KAMManufaktur also have extensive experience in motorsports so expect the ride and handling to be, bang on the money. The TracTive coilover suspension system, a popular choice among 911 restomod builders like Theon Design, offers a significant upgrade over the stock torsion bars. With five adjustable settings, ranging from comfortable to exceptionally stiff, it allows you to easily tailor the car’s handling for a myriad of driving conditions, including track days.
| KAMM 912c | |
|---|---|
| Motor | 2.0-Liter, 4-Cylinder Air-Cooled 616 Engine |
| Horsepower | 190 Horsepower |
| Torque | 168 foot-pounds |
| Transmission | 5-Speed |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.8 Seconds (Est) |
| Top Speed | 148 MPH |
| Curb Weight | 1,650 pounds |
| Price | $350,000(With Donor), $390,0000 (Without Donor) |
A Deliberate, Balanced Driving Experience
Now coming to the part about how much this is going to cost you. With prices starting at $350,000, if you have a donor car ($390,000 without one), the 912c is for die-hard air-cooled Porsche fans. This may sound steep for what is still a four-cylinder, but as I’ve already explained, power and displacement isn’t the full story here. Also, when you consider the price of an original 911R, now costs millions (this one sold for $3.6million at Sotheby’s in Monterey back in 2021), the 912c suddenly starts to make a lot more sense. Now 350k is not a small figure by any stretch of the imagination, but you will be able to get your hands on something that is bespoke and extremely low-production, with an experience reminiscent of Porsches of the 1960s, with some motorsports pedigree thrown in for good measure.
The 912c has the potential to be a future collector car. Every unit is built to order and can be customized to your exact specifications. The firm only recently delivered the first 912c, chassis no 001 to a private collector in Miami. KAMM plans to make only four units per year and you better hurry if you want to book yours, according to the company’s website, only two more slots are available for 2024
Amrit Balraj
When not reading up or watching videos about obscure and rare automobiles, Amrit spends his free time planning imaginary road trips on some of the best driving roads in the world, preferably in an old truck with a motorcycle strapped to the bed. Read full bio
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