Eric Sondel’s Porsche 911SC Carries Family Legacy
The first time we saw Eric Sondel’s bright red Porsche 911SC, it was sitting under a car cover in the back of his garage. Upon request, he uncovered it. By no means was it ready to drive. At the time, he was progressing on the build and still had a few things to figure out. He told us that he had built the car with his father, and the longer he spoke about it, the more I wanted to know.
In 2004, Eric and his father bought the car as a clean slate. Intended to be driven on the track from the start, the 911sc was enjoyed with its 3.0-liter foundation up until 2009. Then, it was swapped out for a built 3.6L engine. Additional changes were made aesthetically with 930 front fenders and RSR rears. Months later, he invited us back to see the beast’s transformation.
When we arrived, the car had just been outfitted with new CCW wheels — a stout 9.5” in front and 12.5” in the rear. He explained that he was waiting on some adjustments from CCW, as the fitment (mostly in the rear) was insanely aggressive, and not all that track appropriate. On the flip side, it made for fantastic photos!
The 535 doesn’t just look good in pictures, though. Eric says that he’s at the track every chance he gets. “Any time NASA or TMR hosts an event,” he said, “I’m likely there.”
Luckily over the course of the build’s timeline, there haven’t been many issues. This has permitted Eric with the opportunities he hoped for to accumulate more seat time. He described an incident where they lost fourth gear at a Thunder Hill Raceway Park, but that’s really been most of the trouble outside of downtime.
The rear bay holds a treat for anyone who enjoys pure, vintage details. Armed with PMO carbs, RSR cams, and a whole bunch of other goodies varied between RSR / 964RS varieties, the car not only sounds great at the track but holds its own as well. It weighs in at 2,380 pounds and sends around 325 HP to the rear wheels.
One of the most noticeable parts of the car’s exterior is the number 535, which is seen in multiple areas. Eric told me that in 2010, his father passed, and that’s when he assumed full ownership of the Porsche. “The number 535 originated from my dad racing his 1959 Porsche 356 in the 1970s,” he explained. “I wanted to pay homage to that, and therefore, 535 has been ‘our’ race number.” Cars like Eric’s have special meaning. Getting to know the back stories behind incredible builds like this is a perk of the job. With its’s clean lines, potent power and racy red tones, combined with its connection to his late father show Eric’s dedication and passion.
If you frequent West Coast racetracks, you may run into Eric and the #535 Porsche 911sc. Eric is a truly genuine and passionate person, so to talk to him about his craft is nothing short of invigorating. Be sure to follow him on Instagram @eeesondeliqus to see future updates and photos of this rad build!
Photo Gallery
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