Steve McQueen is designated Member 001. In many ways that’s all you need to know about R Gruppe, a band of renegade Californian Porsche 911 owners, all owning highly modified early 911s. Period parts only to be used, a particular attitude needed. McQueen’s posthumous membership sums it up, awarded for his string of Porsche 911s and - of course - his uber-cool attitude. The car you see here, known as Olive, is an R Gruppe member, courtesy the car’s previous owner - and so can you be, because Olive is for sale. King of Cool like McQueen was? There’s no price on that.
But first: “You do have to be a nonconformist to be one of us.” The words of Cris Huergas, member 002 and co-founder of R Gruppe. Idea is that these pre-1973 911s take their cue from the Californian hot rod culture. So let’s take a look at this 1969 911, because Olive is no ordinary car. As you might have guessed, the name comes from the subtle - and bespoke - dark green colour way. The look doesn’t scream "look at me", like many a later bewinged 911, but leaves that to the traditional flat six out back. And this engine - a key part of the R Gruppe ethos - is appropriately modified.
Open the back lid and smile. The sculptural 3.0-litre flat six is - of course - period correct. No new fangled water cooled nonsense here. Build is by renowned German specialists Mittel Motor, to racing standards. Forged rods, high lift cams, titanium springs and bespoke heads combine with a period-appropriate custom mechanical fuel injection system. Custom exhaust makes itself known visually and to the ear. Result is a blistering 335 bhp, and a top speed estimated at 170 mph. Mittel Motor give each engine they build a name plaque: this one’s called ’Surfin’ Bird’. Sold yet?
Bulging exterior is far from standard. Wings are steel ST items to accommodate wide Fuchs alloys, exactly of the sort Porsche would supply from their parts bin. Bonnet - with centre fill for front mounted petrol tank - is custom, as is the rear lid, which isn’t shy in pointing out what make of car you’re following. If you can keep up, that is. Braking system has been, you’ll be relieved to know, uprated and torsion bar suspension has been replaced by a Bilstein RSR Coilover system.
To be part of R Gruppe is not just about owning a modified 911. It's about having hot rod Porsche nuts as your comrades, a lifestyle that is beyond cool. Olive is a sublime 911. And is also your ticket to enter an exclusive club. So it comes down to price. We’d suggest you simply mortgage everything and hand over exactly what Fast Classics, who have the privilege of marketing this 911, are asking. Namely: £169,995. A ride strapped in to the passenger seat? Don’t mind if we do, Mr McQueen.
