The "Widowmaker"......
 
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The "Widowmaker"... [PIC]

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Rich Sufficool
(@rich-sufficool)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 5121
Topic starter  

    The term "Widowmaker" has been used going back to WWll with the B26 Marauder to describe a vehicle so powerful and nimble that it's extremely hard to handle with slight mistakes that could end in a fatality. For Porsche, the first to garner that term was the 100% analog 911 (930) turbo of the late '70s. Enter this two year only 2008 911 (997) GT2. Traditionally, Porsche's GT2 models were more raw, lighter, with higher horsepower and less tech controls than their GT3 and this model was no exception. Its 3.6 liter twin-turbo flat 6 was rated at 530 HP and and to save weight, it was rear wheel drive only so you can see how easy it was to spin out. 0-60 in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph made it a rocket ship on wheels. The wide turbo body sports high downforce fixed wing with special intakes and deleted fog lamps while its interior was gutted with only 2 carbon fiber seats and track ready ceramic composite brakes. Take it to the track at your own risk. Only 1242 were built with only about 240 sold in North America.

    Model by AUTOart:

Porsche997 030
Porsche997 020
Porsche997 017
Porsche997 029
Porsche997 025
Porsche997 031
Porsche997 008
Porsche997 012
Porsche997 011
Porsche997 015
Porsche997 018
Porsche997 019

 



   
Tony Perrone, David Green, grockwood and 5 people reacted
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(@bob-jackman)
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Joined: 30 years ago
Posts: 15881
 

A mean machine in every way. Thanks for the writeup and pictures of this German hotrod Rich.



   
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Marty Johnson
(@marty-johnson)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1726
 

Actually, I owned two 1:1 "Widowmakers."  That was the title given to the Kawasaki 500 H1 and Kawasaki 750 H2 triple cylinder two-stroke motorcycles. They were called that because of the prodigious horsepower and light weight, which made the bikes difficult to ride.  At the time, they were both the quickest bikes on the market.  Nothing could touch either one of them. On the 500, I owned Detroit Dragway.  I came home with a trophy every time I raced there.   

I managed to get the 750 in 1:12 scale (wrong color), but the prices for the 500 are out-of-the-world crazy, and I haven't pulled the trigger on it.  

Kawasaki motorcycles
DSC00200
DSC00203

 



   
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(@bob-jackman)
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Joined: 30 years ago
Posts: 15881
 

Awesome bikes Marty. My only Kawasaki was a 1600 Vulcan Nomad bagger bike at the end of the spectrum from yours. The quality of the bike was out of site and the ride was like  being on a cloud. Too many years and too many distracted drivers  made me realize it was time to sell the bike.



   
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Marty Johnson
(@marty-johnson)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 1726
 

Posted by: @bob-jackman

Awesome bikes Marty. My only Kawasaki was a 1600 Vulcan Nomad bagger bike at the end of the spectrum from yours. The quality of the bike was out of site and the ride was like  being on a cloud. Too many years and too many distracted drivers made me realize it was time to sell the bike.

When I first started riding, an old guy said something to me that helped me survive motorcycle riding.  He said,...  

"There are old motorcycle riders, and there are brave motorcycle riders.  But there are no old, brave motorcycle riders."  

I remembered those profound words and applied them to my riding.  I rode for 10 years without ever having an accident or going down.  

 



   
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(@bob-jackman)
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Joined: 30 years ago
Posts: 15881
 

@marty-johnson Words to live by and I did.



   
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