The engine is mated to a 5 Speed Porsche gearbox with gears selected through a WEVO Short Shift system. The estimated top speed will be 165MPH. The car will also feature a 12V AC System from Classic Retrofit. Additionally, front and rear radar detectors along with a camera system will be installed.
The body is hand formed aluminum wrapped over the Runge "Superleicht" aluminum tube form system and an integrated safety cage. The windshield is that of a Porsche 962.
Stay tuned for more updates from Runge Cars!
I have to admit I don't particularly care for shows and I really didn't know what to expect at SEMA. My perception of the show was that it is typically geared toward hotrods and trucks, which turned out to be somewhat true however I was deeply honored and humbled at the comradery among builders and fabricators.
I had the two cars transported out while I hopped a flight from Minneapolis. I met the cars just outside Vegas to do a pre-SEMA inspection, which proved to be worth it. After spending over 80 hours polishing back in MN, the transport had leaked water in which dried into hard water spots on the RS. Even with an assortment of detailing products on hand, the spots would not lift. After running to a local auto parts store and picking up a few clever products, miraculously the spots lifted without having to sand/polish the aluminum. This is literally minutes before we were scheduled to bring the cars into the big show.
All went well with getting the cars to the Main Hall and positioned in the booth. Finally I could take a deep breath and momentarily soak in the calm before the storm...
The show opened first thing Tuesday morning and the response to Runge Cars from fellow builders, retailers and manufacturers was astonishing. The Koni booth was swarmed with cameras the entire week. I want to thank all who have supported the dream that is Runge Cars. It has been an incredible pursuit!
]]>The brewery made for the perfect venue and we had fantastic weather. The guys from 311RS brought out some very special cars for the event, shown here next to the R2.
Thank you Alex Bellus for the great Photos!
]]>Jay Leno’s Garage returns this April from CNBC Featuring Runge Cars FF006 RS. Stay tuned for the full episode of “Rolling Sculptures”!
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For more info contact Chris: 320 491 5316
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Earlier this year Jalopnik’s Jason Torchinsky host of “Jason Drives” came out to the sub zero wind-chill of MN to test drive FF004. Despite frigid weather, Jason enjoyed his time and FF004 was named one of the “Best Drives of 2016”!
Here’s what Jason had to say:
“Normally, when it comes time to pick cars to drive for my me-driving-cars-weblevision show, Jason Drives, my first thought is almost always “what’s going to make me miserable or confused?” That’s because I’m usually convinced people will only want to watch me if I’m in some sort of peril or pain. Christopher Runge’s amazing handmade car left me delighted and engaged, so in that sense, it was an absolute failure.
In every other sense, though, the car is an absolute triumph. It’s inspired by the post-WWII home-built Volkswagen-based specials war-weary people built and raced, and Chris’ modern interpretation is the stripped-down essential soul of what a racecar is.
It’s handmade throughout, with a tube chassis and English Wheel’d and hammered aluminum skin wrapping a mid-mounted air-cooled flat-four. It’s like wearing motorized speed pants; driving this car is deeply mechanical and visceral. It’s almost more prosthetic than car, and it’s also likely one of the most raw, uncut, pure doses of driving joy I’ve experienced.
Also, it was cold as fuck when I drove it, so I’m happy to say people were still able to see me in a bit of pain. –Jason Torchinsky”
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FF006-RS and FF007 The Gullwing Coupe are both underway so stay tuned for more!
]]>As you can see I gave the car a very unique but functional design cue with the “Suicide” doors. The influence came from the Heini Sauter Porsche special built in 1952. The idea was for “Ease of entrance and exit at rally checkpoints.”
I recently invested in a commercial grade polishing system. This is what restorers of vintage warbird airplanes use for a mirror finish. As you can see in the photos it is working well, and this is not the final polish!
The final numbers on this build should put it at about 1130LBS with 115HP. To find out more about build options email CRunge@TheMotoringJournal.com
]]>I went with a semi gloss black finish to accent the Porsche Pre A Drums being used on FF004.
]]>The R1 has a 91″ Wheel base, sports a mid-engine 911 Porsche powerplant, tubular mild steel/monocoque chassis with 911 Steering rack and braking. Engine output runs 280HP with an estimated weight of 1350LBS.
The body is to be finished in either painted or raw Aluminum with Matte finished accents done to the customers color choice. The design calls for full leather interior with aluminum trim. The “R1” Is available for commissioned build now. Be the first to own the R1.
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