Porsche needs no introduction. For those who don’t know, the brand started in 1938 with Ferdinand Porsche designing the 356, an instant success and an icon among today’s motoring heads. Later on, with the 911 range revolutionizing the sports car industry, Porsche as a brand started rising to the top as a symbol for the rich and elite.
We’d say the Type 997 is the best of the modern 911s. It’s small, analog, and just about does everything a Porsche should. But, if that doesn't float your boat, then the 993 should definitely tick all the right boxes (sorry 996, but you're ugly).
Although the latest Type 992 Porsche 911 is the most sophisticated and downright fastest of them all, we think it’s shying away from what a 911 used to be.
What if you want the best of both worlds? The patina of a classic and the sophistication of a modern sports car?
Enter resto-mods. Today’s motoring world is not afraid of ‘cutting and shutting’ an old car and installing modern internals. That’s precisely what Gunther Werks’ been doing on 993s for a while.
This discussion focuses on their latest project—A Viola Purple Porsche 993 Speedster.
Gunther Werks 993 Speedster: A Closer Look
The new 993 Speedster remastered by Gunther Werks is limited to just 25 examples. On the face of it, the car looks like a normal 993. But, Gunther Werks is known to fiddle around extensively. So, expect the only ‘stock’ bit to be the filler cap. Although, there’s a good chance that’ll be new as well.
Waffle aside, the car is not yet complete. What we’re looking at is a spec done by brothers @porschelifenyc and @lloyd.rosenman. Feel free to look ‘em up on Instagram.
These gents have done quite a nice job. The spec is neo-retro. There are elements like the houndstooth seat inserts and Fuchs wheels, which harks back to Porsches of yesteryear. While the exposed carbon fiber exercise extends to the front splitter, windshield surround, the rear deck, and portions of the ducktail spoiler. Keeping it in line with the level of bespoke artistry found in modern-day Paganis and Koenigseggs.
The best part is that this one’s a Speedster. Porsche only made two 993 911 Speedsters. One was for designer Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, while Jerry Seinfeld owned the other.
What you’re witnessing is a half a million-dollar toy commissioned by the well-heeled. Mind you, that’s just us guesstimating. The sky’s the limit when you have deep pockets.
However, what we are certain of is that the Gunther Werks Speedster will use a 4.0-liter flat-six that makes 435 horsepower and 335 lb-ft of torque. All this grunt is transferred to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual with custom gear ratios, a rear differential, and a carbon clutch. It also gets six-pot Brembos up front and four pots at the back, along with a hydraulic nose lift system.
Porsche 911 Type 993: A Brief
In 1993, Porsche introduced the type 993 911, which had a more refined approach to all that was good with the Type 964. The 993 quickly gained a reputation for exceptional dependability and performance. Additionally, the 993 Porsches used a redesigned aluminum chassis that made it nimbler and more agile than the 964.
The 993 Turbo was the first to house a 402 horsepower bi-turbo engine. It was also during this phase that Stuttgart decided to introduce the first production 911 GT2. An outright animal aimed at purists who cherished the thrill of high-speed adrenaline rush.
The 993 has a special spot in Porsche history. Why? Well, the Type 993 was the last of the air-cooled 911s.
In terms of values, being the last air-cooled 911 entitles the 993 to be one of the best collectible Porsches. Regardless of your pick in the 993 generation, you’re looking at a good investment. Among Proschephiles, however, the Carrera is a favorite because of its unadulterated driving experience.
Improvements to the 3.6-liter flat-six engine took power from 247 to 270 horsepower from the 964 and made the 993 Carrera sprint from 0-60 in under 5 seconds. Another area of fiddling was the transmission. And, for the first time ever, there were six ratios in a 911 instead of the 5-speed box and the 4-speed Tiptronic.
The trademark of being a Porsche is in the way it handles, and the Carrera was no exception. It is, in fact, one of the very few cars that are so versatile that one can take it for shopping or run errands. Equally impressive was its ability to change directions at triple-digit speeds. Although modern 911s have improved by a significant margin, there’s always something cool about a vintage Porsche, and the 993 tops it off brilliantly.
Sources: Porsche, Motor1, Caranddriver