‘Capturing brakes’ have an actual mystique about them. Whereas the primary automotive examples might be traced again to the early 1900s, the coach-building idea of incorporating a cargo space into the again of an present coupe design was actually made common through the Sixties and ’70s.
Whereas curiosity in capturing brakes has come and gone since then, they’ve by no means gone away. Whereas attending the 2024 Nürburgring Basic a few weeks in the past, I got here throughout a surprising instance.
I used to be about to go away the Nürburgring GP circuit when the strange-looking Porsche 944 caught my eye. My curiosity was immediately piqued, and after taking a great take a look at the ‘DP Cargo’, I met with Patrick Zimmermann, the top of DP Motorsport, and his father, Ekkehard Zimmermann, who based the corporate in 1973. Patrick was more than pleased to speak me over the particular machine.
DP Motorsport is maybe most well-known for the bodywork it designed and constructed for Kremer Porsche race vehicles again within the day, however there may be way more to the corporate than simply that spectacular accolade. DP has put its identify to quite a few race-inspired roads vehicles too, like this one-of-one 964 Turbo.
The DP Motorsport Cargo’s story started within the late Eighties when Ekkehard determined to suit the rear roof piece of a Volkswagen Passat onto the again of a Porsche 944 to successfully create a customized capturing brake. The automotive was used for per week to see how sensible it was in the true world, and off the again of that quick take a look at, the consensus was that “it needed to be constructed,” says Patrick.
Correct growth started shortly after, and eight DP Cargos – two 924s and 6 944s – had been finally constructed and bought to clients. This specific automotive, quantity 9, got here later in 1991 and has remained with DP Motorsport ever since.
In manufacturing type, the DP Cargo conversion required the rear half of the roof and hatch part to be eliminated and a fibreglass rear panel with customized home windows fitted of their place. Unique Porsche tail lights had been used however break up into two elements to permit for a wider and decrease opening into the redesigned trunk area. The rear hatch mechanisms had been taken from Mercedes-Benz 124 Wagons
Whereas the cabin options customized touches, it has an actual ‘manufacturing unit’ really feel. Ekkehard selected the pink inside scheme for this automotive to match the pink exterior, which might have been proper in style on the time. Purple on pink appears to be like fairly loopy by fashionable requirements, however I adore it.
Exterior-wise, from the entrance finish to midway down the automotive, the DP Cargo appears to be like like an unique 944 with some refined touches. The aspect mirrors are DP Motorsport objects, whereas the door handles had been taken from the Porsche 968, which was model new when this automotive was constructed. Additional upgrades had been made later in its life, together with the 18-inch Fuchs wheels and cross-drilled brakes from a 993 Turbo.
Speaking to Patrick, I realized {that a} tenth DP 944 Cargo will quickly be constructed to revive the mannequin. This may occur as a result of all of the tooling required to construct the DP Cargo – together with the unique fibreglass mould for the rear part – nonetheless exists. Patrick additionally talked about that the opportunity of a DP Motorsport 944 Cargo continuation mannequin is at present being thought of, so much more of those capturing brake 944s might be on the highway earlier than lengthy.
Steve Edward
Instagram: stevedwrd
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