News - page 72

If you’re a Porsche purist, few names evoke as much nostalgia and admiration as the Slantnose. Originally introduced in the 1980s, the Slantnose, or “Flachbau,” (flat nose in German) was a radical departure from the traditional 911 design, featuring a distinctive sloped front end. Inspired by the 935 race cars, a dominant force in motorsports at the time, Porsche produced three generations of the 911 Turbo Slantnose, with a total of 948 units built. Fast forward to more recent times, and U.K.-based digital designer, Khyzl Saleem, a.k.a Kyza has reimagined the modern 992 generation 911 GT3 as a Slantnose, blending retro charm with contemporary aesthetics.

The world of automotive history is replete with iconic vehicles that have shaped and captured the imagination of enthusiasts. Among these, the Porsche 935 stands as a symbol of engineering prowess and racing dominance. However, even within this legendary lineage, one car stands apart: chassis 935-001.

When I first learned about this 1976 Porsche 935 in the iconic Martini colors, chassis 935-001, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of history behind its sleek lines and aggressive stance. What you’re looking at here is the first 935 ever built, a factory prototype that played a pivotal role in Porsche’s racing legacy. Estimated to fetch anywhere between $4,500,000 to $5,500,000 with Gooding and Company at the upcoming Monterey Car Week, it’s a piece of motorsport history that any prestigious car collector could only dream about owning.

As the name suggests, RSR Project is the culmination of a group of enthusiastic folks who are very fond of the 1973 Porsche 911 Rennsport Rennwagen (RSR) race car, a legend that defined Porsche’s motorsport prowess. Founded in 2017 by Richard Schickman based out of New York, the company’s mission is to work closely with their clients and transform air-cooled 911s into razor-sharp classic sports cars with a modern twist. Their latest creation, a 1986 example bathed in the iconic Gulf Oil livery, is a masterclass in restomod execution. The aesthetic isn’t just for show, it’s a reminder of Porsche’s motorsports dominance.

If you’re a Porsche fan, when you hear the term ’roof tent’ your mind most likely goes to lifted overlanding SUVs kitted out for off-road adventures. Porsche too has now made a roof-mountable tent which is the perfect addition to your next camping trip. Conceived by Studio F.A. Porsche, the design and merchandising arm based in Zell am See, Austria, the roof tent is a multifunctional rooftop tent that allows you to camp wherever you park. It can be folded away into a hard shell case in black/light gray or black/dark gray color combos.

Porsche unleashed its ultimate 991 at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The 911 GT2 RS Clubsport was the 991 generation’s swan song, a track-only monster stripped down to its racing essence. The Clubsport was the road-going GT2 RS on steroids, based on the 991.2. It took everything that made the standard car a legend – insane power, razor-sharp handling, and a hunger for speed – and amplified it to eleven. But unlike its road-legal sibling, the Clubsport was stripped of creature comforts and lavished with race-ready components, transforming it into a pure-bred track weapon. This particular 2019 911 GT2 RS Clubsport, chassis number 39 of a limited 200-unit run, now up for sale is about as close to a street-legal Le Mans prototype as you can get without needing a FIA license and a team of mechanics on retainer.

If you are a model car collector, Porsche Design of America, Inc. is offering a limited edition, 1:18 scale model of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS (982). This high-quality collector’s model showcases impressive attention to detail, capturing the essence of the real-life sportscar. Crafted primarily from resin with metal components, the model offers a luxurious feel and durability. The white exterior with green accents and a black interior faithfully replicate the original design.

If you’re a fan of Tom Cruise like I am (Top Gun fan here), a piece of cinematic history from one of his earliest hits is set to roll across the auction block. The iconic ’79 Porsche 928 Coupe (Chassis no. 9289201213), immortalized in the classic 1983 film "Risky Business”. It’s not that long ago, that this very car crossed the auction block at Barrett Jackson back in 2021 for $1.8 million. Now; it will be once again offered at auction, this time at the Bonhams’ Quail Auction in Carmel, California, at the upcoming Monterey Car Week (August 16, 2024).

In a world where Porsche customization often leans towards subtle refinements, the Indecent 005 stands as a bold outlier. While the air-cooled 911 has become synonymous with wide-body kits and retro-inspired builds, most notably exemplified by the cult following of RWB Porsche transformations, the newer generations have largely escaped such radical alterations. Founded by Akira Nakai, RWB, short for Rauh-Welt Begriff, is a Japanese Porsche tuning company renowned for its wildly aggressive and handcrafted wide-body kits. While they have worked on some newer models, their core clientele and aesthetic appeal lie in the timeless design of older air-cooled 911s.

Recaro Automotive is one of the most well-known OEM seating companies and the news of its bankruptcy filing has sent shockwaves through the car world. The brand has been around for more than a century and is synonymous with performance and bolstered comfort. Several high-performance models and race cars have been fitted out with Recaro seats and it has been a fixture in enthusiast circles and motorsports for decades. In 2020, Recaro Holdings was split into different entities as part of when it was acquired by Michigan-based Raven Acquisitions, but this bankruptcy specifically targets the automotive division. The company has cited extreme price increases, a loss of major contracts,s and a lack of development of new products as some of the main reasons. While their aircraft, gaming, and child safety businesses remain unaffected, the heart of Recaro – automotive seats – is in turmoil.

Porsche has unveiled a one-off 911 GT3 RS that pays tribute to the legendary Joseph (Jo) Siffert. The Swiss racing driver was renowned for his exceptional talent and charismatic personality. Born in Fribourg in 1936, Siffert’s passion for speed began early, with motorcycle racing before transitioning to cars. His career spanned Formula One, sports car racing, and various other motorsports disciplines.

The latest spy shots of the upcoming 2026 911 GT3 and Touring models are out and we have some juicy details to share. But to understand a bit more about the upcoming model, we need to look back at the 991 generation GT3 first. The last time that the .1 Gen to .2 Gen upgrade happened on the GT3, was back in 2017 after a three-year gap. The 991.2 received a bigger 4.0-liter engine derived from the Porsche 911 GT3 R and Cup racing cars with an output of 500 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. There were a lot of redesigned and tweaked bits to make it aerodynamically better, increasing downforce by 20% with no compromise on drag. But, the most endearing thing Porsche did was listen to their customer base and bring back the manual transmission as an option. You could also opt for the lightning-quick PDK, both systems sending power to the rear wheels. As seen on the 991 generation, given that it’s three years since the 992.1 GT3 came out, the timing for a .2 GT3 seems imminent.

Look, I’m not a fan of seeing cars turn into bloated monstrosities with every new generation. From compacts to sedans, sports cars, and even pickups, the average car has ballooned by a whopping 20% over the past two decades. That’s right, 20%! Safety, hardware, and tech – they’re all just excuses to pack on the pounds.