Former Formula 1 driver Stefan Johansson will be unveiling his latest creation at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car, codenamed SJ87, is a modified Porsche 911 that Johansson himself hand-painted and is powered by one of his former racing engines.
The SJ87 is the eighth of 11 Porsche 930 TAG Turbo builds by Lanzante, a renowned British firm known for their road-legal versions of the McLaren P1 GTR track car. These builds, announced back in 2018, combined a 930-generation 911 chassis with actual TAG Turbo F1 engines. These engines were twin-turbo 1.5-liter V-6 engines developed by Porsche and used by McLaren during the 1980s.
What makes SJ87 particularly special is that it is equipped with the engine that powered Johansson’s McLaren MP4/3 in the 1987 Austrian Grand Prix. Despite encountering numerous setbacks during the race, including colliding with a deer during practice and losing a wheel during a pit stop, Johansson finished in a respectable seventh place. The engine, however, was in its peak form development-wise. McLaren had been utilizing the TAG Turbo engine since 1984 but would switch to Honda power for the 1988 season.
In addition to hand-painting the car’s livery, Johansson’s design choices hold personal significance. The livery is a blend of various colors, including green, which references Johansson’s helmet design and childhood nickname “Little Leaf,” as well as the blue and yellow of the Swedish flag. Red and white were also incorporated to honor the Marlboro colors of Johansson’s McLaren MP4/3 F1 car.
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The modified 911 boasts a powerful 503 horsepower, which is a more manageable figure compared to the estimated 750 horsepower produced by the race car. This power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox sourced from a 993-generation 911. The car is expected to weigh around 2,248 lbs, not including the driver and fuel.
The completed SJ87 will be officially unveiled at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. However, it won’t be the only retro 911 on display. Singer, renowned for their customizations of Porsche vehicles, will also be showcasing their Dynamics and Lightweighting Study — Turbo, which is a modified 964 that pays homage to the legendary Porsche 934/5 race cars.
The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual event held in the United Kingdom, attracting motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. It features a wide range of vehicles, from classic cars to cutting-edge supercars, as well as various interactive displays and hill climb competitions. The festival provides an opportunity for car enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the rich history and exciting future of the automotive industry.
In summary, the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed will see the debut of Stefan Johansson’s modified Porsche 911, known as SJ87. This unique car, featuring a hand-painted livery by Johansson himself and powered by one of his former racing engines, is a testament to the intersection of art and performance. With its powerful engine and personalized design, SJ87 is set to captivate audiences at the event alongside other remarkable retro 911 builds, such as Singer’s Dynamics and Lightweighting Study — Turbo.
