In the world of automotive enthusiasts, the fusion of history, engineering, and art often leads to extraordinary creations. One such remarkable project unfolded when Lanzante, a British motorsports and engineering company, persuaded Porsche to release 14 1.5 L V6 F1 turbo engines developed by Hans Mezger and previously used by McLaren in the mid-80s. The goal was ambitious yet captivating: to transform these engines into unique vehicles, each bearing a piece of Formula 1 history.
The journey began in the mid-80s when McLaren approached Porsche to develop the V6 F1 turbo engine. Without an F1 car for testing, Porsche, led by Lanzante, decided to push the boundaries by placing the iconic engine into a 1987 Porsche 930 Turbo. This collaboration aimed not only to pay homage to the golden era of Formula 1 but also to create a drivable piece of history like the one featured in the video below by Magnus Walker on YouTube.
Lanzante has slowly been building these F1-powered 911s for a few years, but the one in this video is exceptionally cool. O’Gara Coach in Beverly Hills, California was responsible for the commission, enlisting former F1 racer Stefan Johansson to give the car a custom paint scheme, as it uses the engine from his McLaren at the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix, where he finished in seventh place.
Johansson’s distinctive design, inspired by the colors of his helmet and featuring a leaves motif, transformed the car into a moving canvas. The result, known as the Tag Turbo SJ87, stands as a testament to the seamless integration of automotive engineering and artistic expression.
This unique fusion of history, engineering, and art showcases the limitless possibilities when automotive enthusiasts join forces to create something truly extraordinary.