Restoring and customising old Porsches is big business and big fun. One only has to look to the Magnus Walkers, Tasso Charalampidis’ and Nakai-Sans of this world to see some of the finest examples. In Australia, however, a man by the name of Jeff Dutton created his own unique Porsche back in 1992, which he called the 356 Silver Bullet Hot Rod.
The car is an amalgam of some Porsches from years gone by, beginning with a 914-6 chassis that’s had a 356 body placed on top. Of course, the 356 body has been heavily modified, having had the roof removed and then replaced in a much lower position for the hot rod look, as well as having been lengthened to stretch over the chassis. All the body panels have been modified too, with the bonnet featuring a race-style fuel filler cap, as well as Porsche 718 RSK-style side vents, driver’s side mirror, transmission and engine access covers.
The Silver Bullet is powered by a mid-mounted 3.0-litre flat-six engine from the 911 RS, which offers 208 kW. The car sends its power to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission sourced from a Porsche 915 and rides on 17-inch disc wheels, which are slowed by ventilated and drilled discs sourced from the Porsche 934.
The interior is suitably ‘raw’ and simple, in keeping with the hot rod theme. The windows are all Plexiglass, while instruments and gauges are from a 911 and VDO. The bucket seats and wooden steering wheel are all very 50s racer, while a fire extinguisher adds a touch of contemporary race car feel.
The Silver Bullet 356 was recently sold at an auction, which is why it has come to light some twenty years after it was built, and although the auctioned price is undisclosed, we’re certain this unique blend of timeless classics would’ve warranted a fair few pennies.
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