Zeigler-Bailey reveals $1.6m bespoke 911

HIGH-END automotive design, advanced engineering and exclusive manufacturing techniques are alive and well Down Under characterised in specialist automotive manufacturer Zeigler-Bailey’s new Z/B 4.4 Porsche 911 project.

Focusing on G-Series cars from 1975-89 it is the brainchild of entrepreneur and classic Porsche collector John Zeigler Jr and automotive and mechatronics engineer, Greg Bailey, the Z/B 4.4 is designed and assembled in Melbourne.

Zeigler-Bailey restores and re-engineers customer-owned models delivering what it describes as “a truly world-class, modern analogue sports car experience”.

However, entry to the Z/B 4.4 world comes at a price… a whopping, all-inclusive $A1.6 million (plus donor car), with delivery time of approximately 12 months.

“The extent of our re-engineering of customer-owned, 1975-’89 Porsche 911 G-series cars is unique,” said a Zeigler-Bailey spokesperson.

“We have engineered compromise out of the equation, with a purpose-designed steel platform that accommodates new thinking in suspension, cabin ergonomics and electronic architecture.

“Our Australian designed, aluminium billet 4.4-litre air-cooled engine is equivalent to the in-house movement of a premium watchmaker.

“The Z/B 4.4 has been engineered to comply with all applicable Australian Design Rules and Australian Standards.”

Targeting a (well-heeled) global market, Zeigler-Bailey’s cars are for a certain type of driver “who demands a level of individuality and emotional connection that’s getting harder to find in today’s showroom offerings”.

“Even supposedly exclusive supercars may fail to deliver on a simple wish-list of manual transmission, analogue driving engagement and distinctive sports car style,” the Zeigler-Bailey spokesperson added.

“For those driven to be different, the Z/B 4.4 redefines the boundaries of premium retro-styled performance, advanced engineering and individualisation.”

Delving a little deeper into an actual car we find the Australian-engineered coupe, while based on the classic Porsche 911 G-series models of 1975-’89, introduces an “unprecedented” amount of substitution of its platform and the components and systems within – including its unique, aluminium billet 4.4-litre air-cooled engine.

The Z/B 4.4 utilises an innovative, symmetrical platform that equalises the assembly of right- and left-hand drive versions and enables retrospective conversion within eight hours.

The bespoke (re)manufacturer currently has six pre-sold Z/B 4.4 cars at various stages of production with three already at or near completion, with a further three of the highly modified body shells now ready for internal fit-out.

Production is planned at 10 cars per year for the Australian market.

Zeigler-Bailey says the 4.4 is not a “resto-mod”, but is in fact “unique”, with an Australian designed and up-to-the minute sheet steel platform, engine, suspension, electronics and driver ergonomics, clothed in classic Porsche cool.

For the mechanically appreciative, the engine is an Australian built, naturally aspirated 4.4-litre air-cooled six-cylinder machined from an aluminium billet cranking out a claimed 300kW/500Nm.

The vehicle tips the scale at 1325kg (kerb) and rides on a Le Mans prototype-derived multi-link front, push-rod rear suspension.

Outer body panels are in carbon-fibre with steel doors and boot lid for ADR compliance.

The Z/B 4.4’s customer personalisation “goes beyond the specification of interior equipment, colour and trim, to the ongoing adjustability of settings for its bespoke digital instrumentation, ride and handling settings for the suspension, and track-only tuneability for its engine”.

For the driver it also means an uncompromised seating position and alignment of controls, enhanced by the first height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel to be fitted in a car of this type.