Drivers of Porsche tend to be traditionalists. The water-cooled Porsche 996 was received with astonishment when it was introduced in 1997, much like how many devoted 356 drivers thought the initial 911 to be a tough departure from what they knew in 1964. However, it is now prized as a classic Porsche.
Today, the 911 is the undisputed Porsche, and collectors are vying with one another for early models. The value of the Porsche 911 is only rising.
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Why ought I to get a Porsche 996?
There is no shortage of individuals who want to acquire a Porsche 911 since it is a famous sportscar with a long history and you can spend as much money as you like on some of the best, rarest versions. The 996’s main selling point is that it’s one of the most cheap ways to purchase a 911. Although prices are starting to rise, they are still very affordable, and the 996, which is approaching its 25th birthday, is now regarded as a classic. According to Paul Kitchen, who also owns a 996 Carrera 4S and serves as the Porsche Classic business manager for Porsche Cars Great Britain, “It’s the 911 that was on the brink as it moved from analogue to digital.” “It has a really tactile nature, as you’ll discover when you get behind the wheel. Even though it feels like an older vehicle, it will joyfully cruise you to your summer vacation destination. It’s a real 911, and that much is obvious. Many people’s dreams also include having a 911 in their driveway.”
There’s no disputing that the 996’s unveiling raised some heads, but in terms of its flowing shape, it still looks a lot like a 911. The distinctive headlights, which were given the endearing nickname “fried eggs” in the initial generation of 996 cars, have grown into their appearance and are now distinct features. You can see how masterfully integrated they are into the front of the car by looking at the main headlights on the 986 and the initial iteration of the 996. The front cover, wings, and joints all perfectly transition into the headlamps. Paul claims that they have a kindness about them.
Search, click, and outcome.
With the help of the Porsche Classic Components Explorer, you can now find a selection of genuine parts for your classic automobile quickly and effortlessly. Every year, about 300 reissued components and chosen goods for particular models are made available online, along with, of course, all the pertinent information. You will discover a variety of relevant information on the various items and particular usage scenarios in addition to photos and part numbers.
There is a ton of information available to investigate, as you might expect. Why not explore the Components Explorer on your own right now to see which reissued parts are offered for your vintage vehicle. In addition, it’s a good idea to return often. After all, our product selection is always growing. We eagerly await your arrival.
The Porsche 996 Is One Of The Best Modern Classics You Can Purchase, Here’s Why
The Porsche 911 from the 996 generation has held up well over time and is currently one of the greatest deals available on the used market.
Few automobiles have a more distinctive profile and timeless design than the Porsche 911. The mechanical setup and design have little altered since the vehicle’s introduction in 1963. However, several pretty major changes were introduced with the 1998 debut of the 996 generation automobile. Porsche did annoy some of its devoted client base, whether it was with the revised looks or the water-cooled engine.
Despite this, the vehicle played a significant role in the introduction of some significant improvements to the 911 lineup. The 996 generation greatly increased the range and added a number of additional varieties. Notable examples include the initial GT3, which was offered as part of the 996.1 range, and the GT2, which was offered as a 996.2 vehicle.
The 996 was introduced almost 24 years ago, and today, it is regarded as a modern classic. Let’s look at why it is an excellent choice for someone looking for a sports car from that era.
At Werks Reunion Amelia Island, Porsche Classic and PCA debut the 996-generation Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe [with video].
The 911 Classic Club Coupe, a 996-generation 911 Carrera that underwent a nut-and-bolt restoration that featured one-of-a-kind upgrades to improve the sports car’s beauty and performance, has been introduced by Porsche Club of America and Porsche Classic.
The 2010 911 Sport Classic, a limited-edition sports vehicle that wasn’t offered in the US, served as inspiration for Porsche Classic’s restoration of the 1999 model-year 911 in partnership with PCA. The resultant Classic Club Coupe is powered by a water-cooled flat six with 381 horsepower and a redline of 8,000 rpm, together with a six-speed manual transmission, from a 2004–2005 996.2–generation GT3. The GT3’s chassis and brakes are also used in the Classic Club Coupe to ensure balanced handling characteristics and stopping capability.
The Classic Club Coupe’s design, which was overseen by Porsche’s Director of Special Projects, Grant Larson, who is best known for creating the 986 Boxster and Carrera GT, is equally vital to its performance. A special double-bubble roof pays homage to a racetrack technique to provide room for the driver’s helmet while keeping the frontal area as short as possible. A ducktail spoiler evokes the classic 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7.
The side skirts and front fascia of the GT3 were also used. The paint job in Sport Grey Metallic is both distinctive and understated. Light Sport Grey Metallic painted racing stripes with narrow Club Blau accent stripes give away the connection between Porsche Classic and PCA.
With Classic Club Coupe writing on the doors, the side stripes have the same color scheme as the racing stripes. Unique 18-inch Fuchs forged aluminum wheels with Club Blau highlights evoke the air-cooled 911s from the 1960s to the 1980s. The Porsche script is painted on the brakes in Club Blue.
For the Classic Club Coupe, Porsche Classic designed a distinctive Slate Grey interior with a perforated Alcantara headliner and woven leather door panels with twill-Pepita pattern. The Club Blau center mark on the steering wheel is inspired by motorsport. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported by the new Porsche Classic Communication Management infotainment system, which has a touchscreen.
The PCA Executive Council and Porsche Classic officials had a discussion at an In ‘n’ Out during Rennsport Reunion VI in November 2018 that led to the creation of the Classic Club Coupe. Having been severely neglected, PCA acquired a 1999 911 model year (manufactured in 1998) in June 2019. Below is a photo of the vehicle as PCA purchased it.
After that, the vehicle was transported to Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen for restoration, which required complete dismantling of the vehicle. After that, the body-in-white was strengthened and restored. The restoration’s direction was influenced by PCA, Porsche Cars North America, and Porsche AG. It was finished in February 2022.
A test mule was employed for validation testing at Porsche’s R&D facilities in Weissach, Germany, Nardo, Italy, and Idiada, Spain during the restoration process. Top speed tests, vehicle dynamics, and wind tunnel tests were also part of this. After the Classic Club Coupe was finished, the test mule was smashed.
In 2022, the Classic Club Coupe will travel through North America, stopping at the PCA’s Porsche Parade and other annual events. It will also appear at events for automobiles that are not PCA-related.
Porsche Classic Creates a One-Off Custom from a 996 911
The most significant modification in the history of the Porsche 911 came with the 996-generation model: liquid cooling. Some Porsche 911 enthusiasts may still harbor regret over the air-cooled model’s demise, making the 996 generation one of the most openly maligned Porsche 911 eras.
The crew at Porsche Classic collaborated with the Porsche Club of America to customize a 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera into a one-of-a-kind creation, shedding light on this frequently ignored sports car.
This humble 1998 Porsche 911 had a full repair while also undergoing considerable modifications, and is now aptly known as the Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe. This customized Porsche now has a ducktail spoiler akin to the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7, a double-bubble top, and 18-inch forged aluminum Fuchs wheels in an effort to mimic the appearance of the limited-production 997 911 Sport Classic.
Porsche Classic painted this 911 in sport grey metallic paint with light sport grey metallic and club blue stripes to further evoke the Sport Classic.
The engine from the Porsche 911 GT3 from the 996.2 generation is located beneath that spoiler and hood. That indicates that this Porsche has a 3.6-liter flat-six engine with 381 horsepower that is naturally aspirated. On this 911, other components from the same GT3 generation also find a home. You can locate chassis parts and the GT3’s braking system if you pull a tire off this customized Porsche or crawl underneath it.
The interior of this unique 911 received the same care and attention as the exterior. There is a ton of leather and Alcantara upholstery inside, as well as personalized details.
Every time you open the door, the name of this personalized Porsche is shown on the door sill plates and special embroidery on the headrests. Porsche also wanted to highlight its Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus system, which provides this dated vehicle with contemporary entertainment pleasures.
If you’re wondering why one of the least popular 911s required so much work, the solution is simple. According to Tom Gorsuch, president of the Porsche Club of America, “We wanted to go a new way, to base this special project on a car less obvious—a modern classic—that would appeal to a slightly different group of aficionados.”
The dash of this Porsche is finished with a No. 001/001 insignia that emphasizes the uniqueness of this construction. This unique 911 might be difficult to come by, but Porsche Classic will be happy to build you one. However, if you have to inquire about the price, you most likely cannot afford it.
Do you believe that the 996 911 will become a contemporary classic thanks to this bespoke Porsche? Or is the 996 911 destined to be mocked by purists? Post your comments about this below.
Wren Wesley
Whether it was dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford on Halloween as a young child, working on vehicles in college, or gathering irritating bits of history, Wesley Wren has spent his whole life around cars.
Porsche Classic Launches a Tasty One-Off to Kickstart the 996’s Rehabilitation
The Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe is a 1998 911 modified to pay homage to a 2009 911 that was a tribute to a 1972 911. You get it?
Poor Porsche 911, 996-generation. Early 996s, the sports vehicle that put an end to Porsche’s air-cooled history, had a slightly tainted reputation, at least among superfans in Stuttgart.
With this recently disclosed one-off, the first custom made under the recently restored “Sonderwunsch” (special desire) program at Porsche’s vintage car maintenance division, Porsche Classic and the Porsche Club of America set out to change all of that.
Starting with a stock 1998 911 Carrera, Porsche Classic stripped it down to its base metal and rebuilt it as a sort of homage to a later 911, the ultra-limited 2009 Sport Classic. Most of the 1998’s original components were destroyed and replaced with the engine, suspension, and brakes from a 996.2 911 GT3. That entails a track-ready chassis and a 3.6-liter naturally aspirated flat-six with 381 horsepower.
It is clear that the 911 Sport Classic had an impact on styling. The double-bubble canopy and 18-inch forged Fuchs wheels pay homage to racing Porsches from the 1960s and 1970s, while the rear ducktail spoiler recalls the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7. The Classic Club Coupe, painted Sport gray with light gray stripes and Club blue highlights, has the necessary badging and lettering to identify it as a one-of-a-kind custom.
The Classic Club Coupe was a product of Porsche’s own restoration team, and Porsche was obligated to put it through rigorous high-speed testing. However, Porsche didn’t want to endanger the one-of-a-kind and its exquisite finish. As a result, the company created a test vehicle that was exactly like it and put it through rigorous testing at Weissach, Germany; Nardo, Italy; and Idiada, Spain; in addition to testing in a wind tunnel. At the conclusion of the validation testing, the test vehicle was completely disassembled to maintain the uniqueness of the finished product. Talk about dedication.
Alexander Fabig, head of Individualization and Classic at Porsche, claims that the Type 996 is unfairly eclipsed by the other 911 variants.
We were pleased to use it as the foundation for showcasing all that Porsche Classic and the recently expanded Sonderwunsch program are capable of.
According to Tom Gorsuch, president of the Porsche Club of America, “We wanted to go a new way, to base this special project on a car less obvious—a modern classic—that would appeal to a slightly different group of aficionados.” What’s especially amazing about this difficult job is how seamless the finished Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe looks with the adjustments appearing to be so natural.