Coupe - page 144

As a Porsche enthusiast and model car collector, I find the Luminex ArtCar Lamp to make for an interesting proposition. You may have seen this on your TikTok or Instagram feeds and I think it would make even the staunchest "function over form" folks reconsider their priorities. Made from stainless steel, it features a very detailed 1:18 scale model (my favorite size) of the iconic Porsche 911 2.7 RS with its Fuchs wheels and Carrera livery, courtesy of Norev. But this one is mounted vertically.

Monterey Car Week is almost upon us and Southern California is once again crawling with some automotive heavyweights and exotics. But an Instagram post by Comedian, Spike Feresten, sent me down a rabbit hole of mystery. Spotted on a transport trailer at the Los Angeles International Airport was a shape that undeniably screams: " 911 GT1 Strassenversion,” (street-version in German) that ultra-rare, race-bred unicorn from the 1990s. Born as a homologation special for the famed GT1 class, Porsche famously took on the McLaren F1 and Mercedes CLK GTR.

The Porsche 911 is a perfect representation of the classic sports car. The rear-engine model has been continuously evolving since its inception in 1964, and its lineage is easily traceable through its classic design. That said, under the pressure of increased safety and more modern tech, each new generation has become bigger and heavier. The 911 is no exception as the 992 generation is a far cry from the original models, barely touching 2,300 pounds. This is a follow-up to a recent interview with Porsche design boss, Michael Mauer where he talked about the possibility of a more compact 911 and a potential 911 E.V. We decided to envision a hypothetical, smaller variant of the Porsche 911 and take a look at how possible it is, and whether this will open the door for a fully-electric 911. Can the Porsche 911 as we know it co-exist with a smaller, but fully-electric version of itself?

The Singer ACS has been controversial since it first came out in 2021. Its rally-car-inspired looks and performance specs made a splash in the automotive world. Drawing design cues from iconic rally cars like the 911 SC/RS and the Paris-Dakar 959, the Safari-style ACS is built on a Type 964 air-cooled Porsche 911 platform. Two versions were researched and developed for a long-standing client of Singers, with the agreement that more would be built later - one for dessert rallying and one for tarmac.

When Porsche slaps the RSR (Renn Sport Rennen) designation on a 911, you know it means business. These are the most hardcore, racing variants of the rear-engine sports car and their sole purpose is to race at the highest level of competition possible. The original Porsche 911 RSR was an evolution of the already-iconic, Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS. Lighter, faster, and more aerodynamically busy, the Porsche 911 RSR was developed for the 1973, but actually, saw racing in late 1972. In February, 1973, the original 911 RSR won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Magnus Walker is one of the most renowned figures in the Porsche collector’s world. His obsession with the German brand began at a very young age when he went to the 1977 Earl’s Court Motor Show with his dad. His first love was a white Porsche 930 with the iconic red, white, and blue Martini livery. He still considers the silhouette of the Porsche 930 to be one of the most iconic in history. Over the years, his passion for the brand has manifested in a sizeable collection of vintage and some modern Porsches. His collection, which is 30 - 40 cars strong at any given time, is housed in his 20,000 square feet warehouse in L.A.’s Art district.

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.

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).

An engineer from Porsche claims that its new hybrid powertrain in the new 911 cannot be tuned. It is not a challenge from the brand for aftermarket tuners to try their luck or anything of the sort. They believe their new electric turbo system is too complicated to be tinkered with. They are however open to ingenuity and have left the E.C.U. unlocked for you to try. Tuners are a mad bunch of people and are no doubt looking forward to the challenge.