If an engine build video could qualify for an Academy Award, the latest production from Only a Roadtrip Away should hands-down be nominated for Best Documentary Short Film. Maybe even win the category. Alas, until YouTube premieres count as a “theatrical release,” it’s a no-go. It doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate this 10-minute love letter to the Porsche M44.41.
Dark and moody but without the angst, David Steca’s “The Art of the Machine – A Porsche Engine Rebuild” is a meticulous masterpiece. This is an ASMR video like no other, featuring page-turning and torque-wrenching sounds recorded in a soothing tone that is set to a background score equally cinematic in melody. What should be juxtaposing audio is actually blended in an aurally satisfying way.Â
Nothing seems to be done without intent here. Only 40 words are spoken in the entire film. Like bookends, a 20-word intro is paired with a 20-word outro to succinctly offer the origin, the why, and the what’s next (a bit of a plot twist). Even the 9:44 running time is no fluke. Okay, using a Persian rug as a work area was unplanned, which Steca commented on, “I accidentally made the rug a thing now. Guess it has to stick around.”
The precision in each frame, the details that are focused on, all have a purpose. One video commenter wrote that the engine assembly was akin to building a watch. He’s not wrong. Though different in scale, each requires an intricate level of detail to make each machine work without fail. And sometimes those details require repetition. According to Steca, filming took several days to complete. He explained in a January Instagram post:
After nine days of filming and assembly in near freezing temperatures over the last month the 3.0 16V is built. Safe to say I never put so much thought into each and every frame. Oftentimes I would repeat certain steps twice or more just to get them to feel right while still making sure this becomes a fully functional engine at the end of it. It was cold, sometimes miserable, but they don‘t build themselves.
Steca shared a behind-the-scenes video as well, which you can watch here. The engine is from a Porsche 944 S2, which Steca plans to install into his 924 S2 project car.
He notes that the engines, although a decade apart in production, offer similar outputs. Except now he’s getting power from a 3.0-liter naturally aspirated one versus a 2.0-liter turbo-four. How does it sound? That might have to be another film. There’s a hint of the throttle at the 8:11 mark, but its subtlety is well designed.Â
Steca has produced an engine build video before. Two years ago, he released “how car films should feel – Porsche 944 engine rebuild.” Although the latest film is called a sequel, it’s not the same engine being rebuilt. Otherwise, that is quite the dedication to filmmaking, and a bit maniacal. Via text, Steca clarified that the first build video featured a standard Porsche 944 engine, the 2.5-liter 8-valve. The latest video is a sequel in the respect that the engine type itself, the 3.0-liter 16-valve, is a follow-up in the evolution of that engine line. And it had been sitting on a shelf for three years. Â
In his previous video, Steca said, “For me, the final form of function, besides its purpose, has to be beautiful.” Following that belief, it’s a good bet that the finished 924 project car will be as beautifully completed as these engines. And I can’t wait to watch that documentary, but am also hoping it’ll maybe be a bit longer, like 44:41 minutes.
Top graphic images: @OnlyARoadtripAway screen capture
The love this was made with is apparent. I enjoyed this very much.
So every time a rug is micturated upon by engine oil in this fair city, it’s my duty to compensate the owner?!
Great film. (A bit unrealistic in the lack of cursing, from my experience.). I’m glad there are people who take the time to do things like this.
At least he had a bloody finger at some point.
This engine assembly as a filmed performance does nothing for me.
Sorry to hear that. It did alot for me. Anyone gotta rag?
Among the reasons one should always have a towel.
I’m with you on this. It seems awfully self important for such a dreary engine.