1974 Covin 911 Turbo Replica

The Covin is a kit car replica of the Porsche 911 Turbo created by Tim Cook and Nick Vincent in the early 1980s. The pair used the CO from Cook and the VIN from Vincent to create the name of their new company, resulting in the name Covin Performance Mouldings. 

The Mouldings part of the name is important, because the firm took a real 911 Turbo and made careful moulds of its body panels in order to replicate them in glassfibre, which I think you’ll agree was very successful – if one drove past you’d just assume it was a real Porsche.

Initial versions of the Covin were constructed using a shortened Beetle floorplan and running gear, while later models featured a dedicated Covin chassis and VW Type 3 running gear.

The kit car industry is a volatile business environment and Covin was later bought by Dax, well know maker of very nice Cobra replicas. At some point during the 1990s Dax themselves were bought out and Covin production ceased.

The Covin was available in three body styles, all based on the Turbo model. The flatnose and coupé models were also offered as convertibles, but production numbers are unclear.

UYR 512M is a rare opportunity to buy a meticulously restored Covin Porsche 911 replica, a car which is now much rarer than the Porsche version itself.

This one has been restored by a close family member of the owner who, we’re told, is a very skilled engineer with a passion for cars and attention to detail. The car has been built and restored over a number of years using genuine Porsche parts and with no expense spared.

Kit cars are often let down by poor panel alignment but this one is pretty good. Maybe not quite up to Porsche standards but a convincing replica nonetheless. Unfortunately the driver’s door needs some attention as it doesn’t shut very well, but we imagine this is just an adjustment issue. 

The pearlescent white paintwork looks nice as well, although there is a mark on the driver’s side front wing, above the wheelarch. Some of the black painted areas, the window surrounds on the doors, for instance, are losing their finish.

The genuine Fuchs Compomotive split rim alloy wheels are period perfect and look spot on, although the finish is starting to show slight signs of aging here and there. We’d recommend some new tyres too, as these ones, while having plenty of tread, look quite old.

The Covin’s interior is just as convincing as the exterior – very Porsche-like. It’s all in nice condition too. In fact with the exception of a small hole in the  headlining, it’s hard to fault. 

The car’s Beetle floorpan is evidenced by the long gearstick, but then the original 911 Turbo had a fairly gangly affair itself, so this is no big deal. On the dash are genuine Porsche instruments, which, unsurprisingly, look perfect.

The black Porsche seats are in lovely condition and overall the cabin is very tidy, with just the right 1970s Porsche vibe. 911 interiors back in the day weren’t the opulent palaces they are today. These were sports cars, and they had everything you needed, and nothing you didn’t.

Kit cars get built using all manner of powerplants and many Covins ended up retaining the Beetle’s air-cooled four-cylinder engine. While this is at least vaguely correct, it’s a little disappointing in the performance stakes, and it certainly lets any enthusiast know there’s something amiss just from the noise it makes. No such problem with this example.

Under the engine cover is a Porsche 2.4T flat six (901 106101 5R), an engine Porsche had race success with. The owner tells us it has been rebuilt with new bearings and seals, and that the 130bhp output gives the car a top speed of 127mph, while at the same time getting it to 60mph from a standstill in just eight seconds.

He also points out that during the rebuild the engine was retro fitted with third generation oil-fed cam chain tensioners, which Porsche claim are bombproof, unlike earlier parts.

In addition to the genuine Porsche 911 engine (stamped 6539175*), this car, rather than relying on simple Beetle parts, has Porsche 911 front and rear suspension, together with disc brakes at both the front and rear, and independent Porsche separate handbrake brake shoes.

The car was first registered on 6th November 1973. The current owner has had this Covin for the last 21 years but is now building a house, so is reluctantly selling it. He says:

‘I fell in love with this car and witnessed its transition over the years while it was being built. When I found out it was to be sold years ago, I bought it immediately and enjoyed many road trips with my wife, in this country and throughout Europe.

‘The car always performed impeccably. It’s in excellent condition throughout and now needs to be enjoyed by its new owner who wishes to own a truly wonderful car that is cheap to insure, requires no tax or MoT, and is a true head turner wherever you go.’   

Some replicas are purely skin deep, and don’t fool anyone as soon as you turn the key – we’re thinking of AC Cobras built with Ford Cotina engines. But this one is in a different league – it has a genuine Porsche 911 engine, running gear and wheels. And the interior is built using genuine Porsche parts too.

All in all, if you can’t have the real thing, replicas don’t get much more convincing than this Covin 911. If you wanted to take it one step further you could even add a turbo…

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £13,000 - £16,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.