Collector - page 12

All Porsche 911s may adhere to a similar philosophy, but each one has its set of unique features. A well-known Porsche aficionado, Magnus Walker, based in Los Angeles has made it his life’s mission to collect all model years of the Porsche 911 from 1964 to 1973, along with other sports car models of the German brand. He’s not limited to Porsche sports cars, but it is the focal point in his car collection, with over 40 models, which feature his own unique twist. As a true Porsche purist, Magnus has a soft spot for air-cooled 911s, and he started out with one of the first Porsche 930 Turbos, sold in the United States. But if you are wondering what Magnus Walker’s daily driver is, you might be surprised. It turns out, that what the famous Porsche enthusiast drives, is something even he didn’t think he would fall in love with – a modern-day 2014 Porsche 991 Turbo S, which has an interesting story behind it.

The CXX Package is like an off-the-menu package offered by Porsche to their most exclusive customers. YouTuber TJ Hunt gives us a glimpse of what this package entails in his latest video. Driving along the scenic coastal stretches of Big Sur a.k.a Highway 1, he introduces the viewers to his 1-of-1 (991.1) Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the CXX Package, a gift from his wife Sabria. If you are starting your research on Porsche’s CXX package, be prepared to go down a deep rabbit hole of information, rumors, and first-hand accounts on forums like Rennlist or Reddit, since Porsche officially hasn’t released any information on this custom package.

Porsche has no shortage of iconic race cars that have dominated in motorsports, and one very race 911 model is about to be the main star at the upcoming, Monterey Auction (August 14 and 15). We are referring to the only mid-engine Porsche 911 in existence – the GT1. The low-slung supercar was developed by Porsche for endurance racing like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. What’s special about this particular 911 GT1 is that, unlike, most cars that were used in endurance racing, this mid-engine Porsche was kept in surprisingly good condition, even after scoring many racing wins. The Porsche race car was freshly listed (on July 16, 2024) on Broad Arrow Auctions, and judging by the car’s estimated value, this 911 GT1 has the potential to become one of the most expensive Porsches ever sold, at an auction.

We can all agree that amidst all variants of the Porsche 911, there are those that truly stand out. One person who is largely responsible for shaping Porsche’s identity as a builder of epic sports cars is Hans Mezger. The German engineer started working for Porsche as soon as he graduated from the Stuttgart Technical University and would stay there until his retirement in 1994. Now, that’s what I call a dream resume. Porsche has since moved away from the Mezger design, making all cars featuring these powerplants desirable collectibles. We are taking a look at what many Porsche fans consider to be peak 911. The last Porsche 911 to feature the iconic Mezger engine - the 2011 Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0.

We can all agree that the 996 was the most controversial Porsche 911 generation. Yet, the 996 ushered Porsche into the modern age by being the first water-cooled Porsche 911 and the first (and last) to do away with the iconic, round headlamps. Like all 911 generations, the Porsche 996 had its fair share of hardcore variants. The most track-focused, naturally-aspirated Porsche 996 was the 911 GT3 RS, which was as close to a racing car as it could be. Sadly, the 996 GT3 RS was never offered in the US, and there is a good reason why.

The Porsche 935 is a track-only racecar unveiled to commemorate the brand’s 70th anniversary at the Rennsport Reunion VI in 2018. It is based on the 911 GT2 RS and is finished in matte carbon over black to give it a raw carbon fiber appearance. It is a modern homage to the legendary 935 K endurance race car and is one of only 77 units made. When it came out, Porsche offered its customers a choice of eight exterior wraps with a selection of classic racing liveries. Now the cost of these cars varied depending on the livery and other options chosen, however, they did go upwards of a million dollars if you wanted to own one new. The 935, and the racecar to which it pays homage, has a famed aerodynamic body that earned it the nickname ’Moby Dick’, thanks to its sweeping ’Whale Tail’ rear end.

The Porsche 959 is a halo supercar from the ’80s, that was ahead of its time for a number of innovations. Essentially, a predecessor to the 918 Spyder and the iconic Carrera GT, the 959 started out as a Group B Rally car, known internally as the 953. The 953s were initially entered in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, finishing 1st, 6th, and 25th. Porsche built the 959 as a road-legal version to satisfy F.I.A. homologation regulations, which required a brand to make at least 200 units.

Restomods are all the rage these days, i.e. modern reimaginations of legendary classic cars. However, HWA Chief Engineer Gordian von Schöning insists that their Evo II is "not a resto-mod". HWA was founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht in 1998, who was also one of the founders of AMG, now under the ownership of Mercedes-Benz. HWA, who have been in the game for a long time now (since 1998) reimagined the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo II from the ground up. The HWA Evo II features a lengthened wheelbase for increased stability and a wider track for superior grip. Crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, its custom bodywork conceals an equally impressive powertrain.

Steve McQueen became the embodiment of cool in his lifetime with cult classics like Bullitt, The Great Escape, and Le Mans. Despite a rough upbringing, he defied the odds to become a Hollywood superstar known for his effortless charisma, dedication to his craft, and a rebellious streak that perfectly complemented his lifestyle. This same rebellious spirit and love for adrenaline translated into a lifelong passion for motorsports.

At first glance, this looks like a run-of-the-mill 997.2 generation 911, but there is an interesting story behind the existence of this "Acid Green" accented 918 911. Back in 2010, Porsche introduced an exciting hybrid concept sports car known as the 918 Spyder at the Geneva Motor Show. There was a surge of interest in this upcoming hybrid supercar which Porsche capitalized on and collected initial deposits of $200,000, by as early as 2011. However, it would be nearly three years before Porsche would deliver the 918 Spyder in December 2013 for an MSRP of $645,000 In the meantime, Porsche felt that their exclusive clientele shouldn’t have to sit around twiddling their thumbs and offered a companion 918 Edition 911 Turbo S. For each of the 918 examples of the hybrid 918 made, they offered a companion 918 edition 911.

Be it road cars or motorsports, Porsche is a brand that is steeped in tradition and there are certain things about models like the 911, that the German marque should be very careful about changing or altering, or it could leave the Porsche faithful reaching for the pitchforks. Think stuff like the five-gauge instrument cluster with the big analog tachometer in the center, or the twist-and-turn Le Mans-style starter that sits to the left of the steering wheel.

Imagine you could capture the essence of the 1980s and build a car around it. That is exactly what Gemballa did in the mid-80s with the Avalanche, a Porsche-based sports car. Gemballa, a name synonymous with Porsche tuning since 1981, wasn’t always so focused. They began by customizing various high-end vehicles, but their visionary ideas for Porsches soon made them a leader in the early days of aftermarket tuning for the German brand. Their work set the bar for the entire luxury car personalization industry. Renowned Porsche aficionado and YouTuber Magnus Walker recently got to experience a lovingly restored Gemballa Avalanche. The vehicle is now owned by John Temerian, co-founder of Curated Vintage Supercars, based in Miami, Florida. The duo recently cruised around the city taking in the sights and talking about the distinctive Gemballa Avalanche and what makes it so special.