The subject is a rare classic: a 1992 model-year Porsche 911 America Roadster. It is a limited-production cabriolet variant of the Porsche 964 Carrera 2 that features a Turbo body. This means that it featured the mechanical setup of the Carrera 2, but it borrows wheels, fender flares, brakes, and suspension from a Turbo.
Porsche only built 250 examples of the 911 America Roadster from 1992 to 1993, making it a rare creation. Originally, the classic featured an air-cooled 3.6-liter flat-six engine, delivering 247 hp of max output and 228 lb-ft of peak torque. Sending power to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission, this engine allows the 911 America Roadster to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.6 seconds.
Around 31 years since its birth, this particular 911 America Roadster has dropped the flat-six engine. Instead, a custom electric motor (from Tesla Model S) is its propulsion source with a limited-slip differential. This motor provides around 500 hp of max output and around 369 lb-ft of near-instant torque, making it nearly as powerful as Taycan 4S. This power level allows the 3,200-lb Blackbird to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under four seconds.
Fully restored at Sacrilege Motors, Blackbird gets its juice from a 62-kWh battery with the CCS Rapid Charging system, allowing fast charging. The all-electric single-gear classic can travel up to 200 miles before needing another recharge.
Named after the supersonic Lockheed SR-71 aircraft, Blackbird prides itself in retaining the same weight distribution as the original Porsche 911 America Roadster. This way, this EV conversion still has the classic characteristics of a Porsche 911 while leveling up its performance and reducing environmental impact.
The upgraded performance of this Porsche 911 America Roadster EV conversion isn’t just because of its more powerful electric motor. Its other specs are all performance grade, including its suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires.
On the front suspension, Blackbird employs two-way inverted custom Penske race shocks. On the rear suspension, meanwhile, the converted 911 EV features three-way adjustable remote-reservoir custom Penske race shocks.
Stopping power comes courtesy of Brembo performance brakes with slotted rotors (front and rear). This Porsche 911 America Roadster EV conversion rides on Fiske three-piece custom forged wheels wrapped with Michelin PS2 235/40ZR-18 tires on the front, and Michelin PS2 295/35ZR-18 tires on the rear.