That car was COOL.
- Bill C
Photograph by Mark Langello
For the second year in a row, Dave Monarchi dragged his V8-powered Porsche 944 from Colorado to Florida for our $2005 Challenge. He fabricated his own adapter to mate the 350-cubic-inch Chevy to the stock Porsche torque tube, while the hood scoop came from an L88 Corvette. He finished 21st out of 77 entries that debut year.
The cylinder heads and preowned Centerline wheels were fresh for his second appearance. Andrew Nelson, at the time a newcomer to the event, helped tune the engine. And then things went sideways: While the car did a burnout for its first run down the drag strip, “the sound of ice cubes cracking” marked the engine’s death. Dave would later find an entire piston missing.
Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, held April 18-19, 2026.
The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with HPX Show, CRC Industries, A&A Manufacturing, Knight's Automotive and BendPak.
That car was COOL.
- Bill C
It was cool. And, dang, was that 20 years ago?
My buddy bought that car post-grenade, and I installed a 355 SBC in it before bringing it to the $2008 challenge. I wish I had replaced the clutch while it was apart, as it slipped quite badly on the drag strip, netting a 13.96 at 100 mph while pedaling it in 3rd 4th and 5th.
I continually glance at my 968, scheming what I would do if that engine ever decided to fail on me...a sano, quiet, torquey, unobtrusive, fuel-injected SBC winks at me playfully...
Where is it now?
Something like that would be fun at the local PCNA autocross.
Noddaz said:Where is it now?
Something like that would be fun at the local PCNA autocross.
I sold it via eBay 3-day no reserve around Feb 2009. I shouldn't have done that. $1926 iirc. Buyer took the car to the Chicago area, and I never heard from him again.
In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :
Thank you for the reply.
I need something with an angry v8 in it. *sigh*
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