Porsche 912 Gets The Restomod Treatment By KAMM Manufaktur, Could This Be A Better Buy Than A 911?
Kamm Manufaktur have produced probably the best argument for not getting a 911, and this restomod may actually be a better bet.
Specialising in the 912 from 1965 to 1969, Kamm, founded by Miklós Kázmér in Budapest, Hungary, focus on the lightest of all the road going 911 and 912s. The short wheelbase body coupled with the smaller 4 cylinder engine offers the best balance of a comparable 911. The slim profile and simple lines also add to the appeal.
The Kamm 912c restomod is a modern take on the 1960s sports car, but without adding the things that detract from what is a purer driving experience. The aim to keep the experience of a 1960s racer but with a few modern materials and some suitable updates.
Starting with an original 912, KAMM sets out to completely restore the car before turning the base vehicle into what is a bespoke creation for each owner. Much of the outer steel is replaced with carbon fibre, a technique seen with Tuthill 911k, but coming in at 100 kg less.
You can’t tell where the carbon has replaced the steel, which is a good thing as that would reduce the appeal of such a car. The bonnet and the boot floor beneath, if that makes sense, are both carbon fibre. So are the engine cover, the wings and both the doors.
Those modifications are quite well hidden, but on this prototype, you can make out the carbon weave through the paint, just. Underneath though you’ll find custom coilover suspension mated to new factory suspension. All bushes and rubber components are new, and the brakes are from the 964.
The engine bay reveals more use of carbon fibre and shows quite clearly how losing a couple of cylinders from the engine allows the weight to move further towards the centre of the car. It was always said that the 912 was the better balanced of the 911 and 912 offerings. It just lacked the outright performance. The 1.6 litre flat four producing around 90 bhp would not have made the 912 as fast as it looked.
KAMM use a bored out to 2.0 litre engine from Swiss suppliers JPS Aircooled, who have developed their own cylinder heads for such units, and the 912c now has a much healthier 170 hp. That low kerb weight of under 750 kg means that the power to weight ratio is around that of a second generation 996 GT3.
As each car ordered is a unique build, there are bespoke paint finish options and interior design. Speaking of the interior, it’s not quite factory 912. The door cards, foot guards and dash panels are finished in carbon fibre. Even the long throw gear lever is carbon. But if a customer so wishes, the original dash and interior trim can be refitted. This show car of course comes with all available options, including a rather nice Tilton racing pedal box.
The KAMM 912c is a road car, but that wouldn’t quite describe its character. It’s set up as a firm track focussed drive with a quick 1.7 turn lock to lock steering rack and short throw suspension.
The engine is mated to an original Porsche 901 five-speed gearbox with a KAMM racing clutch so has that lovely dog leg first layout, coupled with a slow shift.
Then list of options are extensive. You can retain the rear seats, even specify audio options. The luggage areas are nicely trimmed and there is even air conditioning and bespoke door mirrors which really do look the part. If you wanted you could have a roll cage fitted, just not an FIA spec one.
Light weight, racing like feel and a tuned flat four cylinder engine with a redline of 7,200 rpm this car is built to be driven hard. And it’s hard not to want one, if you can find the around £280,000 or so needed. This includes the doner 912 but can be more if that car needs extensive work, less if it’s good.
Build slots are limited, so if you are thinking about it, don’t wait too long.
KAMM Founder Miklós Kázmér said, “The KAMM 912c has been years in the making, and I am proud to share my vision of the perfect 912 to the world. Budapest has a surprisingly well-developed car culture born out of a desire for individuality. During the socialistic era, drivers had to be creative, home-tuning whatever cars they could get hold of into race machines. This love of car culture, and a burning desire to make whatever was available as fast and as beautiful as possible, spawned a talented and dedicated Budapest car scene. In the 90s things changed as borders opened and Hungarians gained access to western cars and Hungarian car enthusiasts evolved. KAMM is a proud son of Budapest car culture, striving to turn original classic cars into fast, reliable, and perfected versions of themselves, all whilst keeping the analogue driving experience intact.”
KAMM 912c Technical Specifications
Body:
- Carbon fibre
- Fully restored and reinforced
- Lexan windows
- Total weight: 750kg
Engine:
- 912 2.0 litre, JPS Aircooled 616 engine
- 170HP
- Fast road tune
- High-compression 10.5
- Rev limit 7200RPM
- KAMM carbon Carrera cooling
- Weber 44IDF carburettor
- 123ignition
- KAMM bespoke stainless steel
Gearbox:
- 901/2 5-speed (dogleg)
- ZF LSD Differential
- Porsche aluminium, hydraulic, racing clutch
Brakes:
- Front – Porsche 964
- Rear – Brembo aluminium
- Ventilated front and rear discs
- Hydraulic handbrake
Suspension:
- Front Custom coilovers by KAMM
- Rear adjustable arms
- Adjustable front and rear sway bars
- Adjustable front and rear dampers
Interior:
- KAMM carbon fibre seats
- Electric Air-Conditioning
- Lightweight carpeting
- Carbon fibre interior trim
- Tilton pedal box
Wheels:
- Centre-lock 3-piece wheels
- Yokohama AD08RS tyres
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