Many Porsche restomods observe the identical system: begin with a 964 or big-bumper G Sequence 911, then “backdate” it to appear to be an early Nineteen Seventies 911S or 2.7 RS. Broadly talking, that’s the strategy the Paul Stephens restoration home has taken with its bespoke AutoArt vehicles since 2002. Now, nevertheless, the UK specialist has modified path with a restomod that rejects nostalgia and sees the traditional 911 by means of a up to date lens. Meet the 993R.
Based mostly on the ultimate evolution of the air-cooled Porsche 911 (created from 1994 by means of 1998), the 993R goes again to the longer term with a spread of upgrades from later, water-cooled GT fashions. Paul Stephens explains that the temporary was to “take a Carrera and uplift all the pieces by 25 p.c.” Inspiration got here from the “much less is extra” ethos of the cult-classic 911R, each the 1967 unique and its 2016 sequel.
The 993R, a restomod Porsche 911 from Paul Stephens.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
Regardless of having extra energy (330 hp) and fewer weight (2,690 kilos with fluids), the 993R is resolutely targeted for the road. On slim UK roads particularly, which means slim hips are greatest, so every construct will begin with a Carrera 2, quite than the Carrera 4 with its wider haunches. By the way, each vehicles nonetheless have a smaller footprint than in the present day’s 718 Cayman.
Taken again to reveal steel, the 911’s shell is seam-welded for energy and its rain gutters are eliminated to enhance aerodynamics (a trick Porsche used on the 959 supercar, aiding in the direction of its 197 mph prime pace). The fiberglass entrance and rear bumpers are made in-house and weigh simply 20 kilos every, whereas the elongated rear spoiler has ram-air vents like a 996 GT3. And Porsche Motorsport’s thinner glass helps save just a few kilos, too.
Regardless of having racy specs like 330 hp whereas weighing solely 2,690 kilos (with fluids), the 993R has been resolutely targeted for the street.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
The 993R’s adjustable suspension can be sourced from the racing division in Weissach, and combines with Tractive Ace adaptive dampers (additionally customary gear for Ruf and Pagani). Stephens didn’t desire a obvious touchscreen bolted to the 993R’s dashboard, so a easy twist-knob presents 5 preset ranges of journey stiffness. In a uncommon case of newer wheels trying proper on an older automotive, the 18-inch rims come from a 996 GT3 RS. Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires, they cowl the stronger “Large Purple” brakes of the 993 Carrera RS.
Raise the lid of a daily 993 and its 3.6-liter flat-six is barely seen beneath a muddle of ugly black plastic. The “R” revision from Stephens, in contrast, has an beautiful engine bay worthy of a present automotive. The view is now dominated by a sophisticated 996 GT3 plenum, particular person throttle our bodies and a 993R-branded shroud for the fan, whereas the air-con system (now electrical) has moved to the entrance trunk to enhance weight distribution.
Wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires, the 18-inch rims come from the 996 GT3 and canopy brakes from the 993 Carrera RS.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
Expanded to three.8 liters, the engine additionally makes use of 993 RSR pistons, customized camshafts, Pauter light-weight conrods, strong Porsche Motorsport lifters and a 997 GT3 crankshaft and oil pump. Peak energy arrives at 7,400 rpm, with the limiter more likely to be fastened simply past 8,000 rpm. “It’s an engine that was designed to rev,” explains Stephens. “Turbocharging or supercharging was by no means an choice. It is advisable work for the facility and really feel it construct.”
Inside, the 993R is straightforward however fantastically efficient. A lot of the panels have been reconstructed from fiberglass to make sure a flawless match, then retrimmed in mushy Italian leather-based. Previously plastic elements such because the column stalks and heater controls (even the ignition key) are changed by cool-to-the contact aluminum. There’s a USB for charging your telephone, however no infotainment—although it’s an choice, in accordance with Stephens. So too is a “Touring” specification, with rear seats quite than the half roll cage filling the again.
The three.8-liter flat-six encompasses a polished 996 GT3 plenum, particular person throttle our bodies and a 993R-branded shroud for the fan.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
The air-cooled engine sounds offended and insistent at idle, its single-mass flywheel rattling like a race automotive. It quickly settles down on the transfer, although, with 2022-spec sound deadening to muffle the commotion. Solely if you get past 5,000 rpm does the 993R start to actually sing: a hard-edged, visceral howl that feels as bodily as it’s acoustic. Infotainment? Who wants it?
Paul Stephens will supply a 360 hp model of this engine, together with a 4.0-liter unit that would prime 400 hp. For the street, nevertheless, in a automotive that weighs 331 kilos lower than a inventory 993 Carrera 2, you actually don’t want extra. The 993R is massively tractable, with out the low-speed stutter or shunt that afflicts some tuned flat-sixes, and its notchy six-speed guide gearbox is a pleasure to make use of. The throttle even has a particular tab that will help you heel-and-toe. And as for a zero-to-60 mph time, 4.5 seconds is what may be anticipated, plus a prime pace north of 170 mph.
For the inside, many of the panels have been reconstructed from fiberglass then retrimmed in mushy Italian leather-based.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
The 993R remains to be unmistakably a 911 to drive. There are quirks, such because the floor-hinged pedals, the upright windshield and the steering wheel that obscures half the dials. However extra basically, there’s the sense of weight switch, of throttle-adjustable stability and the fantastic tactility by means of the Momo wheel. English nation lanes are a notoriously powerful take a look at, but with the shocks on their second-softest setting, the automotive didn’t bump or thump as soon as. “We wished it to be day by day drivable,” says Stephens. Mission achieved.
The elongated rear spoiler has ram-air vents like a 996 GT3.
Courtesy of Paul Stephens.
In reality, I can’t consider many vehicles I’d quite drive every single day. The 993R delivers a superb mix of old-school thrills with simply sufficient trendy luxurious and civility. If Porsche had constructed a 993 GT3, I believe it will have appeared one thing like this. A beginning value of round $480,000 (plus a donor automotive) pushes the price of a Paul Stephens restomod into the realm of great supercars. And just like the latter, with solely a handful more likely to be constructed every year, it should stay a uncommon and particular sight.
Click on right here to see all of the images of the Paul Stephens 993R Restomod.
The Paul Stephens 993R restomod based mostly on the Porsche 993.
(function(d, s, id){ var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.async = true; js.defer = true; js.src = "https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));