Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge 2024: Moment of Glory

On October 10, 2024, a cheer echoed through the skies of Los Angeles.
The champions of the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge 2024, organized by Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), have finally been chosen. The three winners of this honor are Porsche Englewood, Porsche Louisville, and Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas. Their outstanding skills and passion have brought the charm of classic Porsches back to life in the modern age.

Now in its fourth year, this challenging event offers Porsche Centers across the United States the opportunity to participate.Preservation, Restoration, and Individualization.For the first time, a Grand National Champion was selected from the three category winners. In addition, the "People's Choice Award" was determined by public voting and judging by industry experts. Let's take a look behind the scenes at this exciting competition.

Individualization & Grand National Champion: Porsche Englewood's Challenge

Porsche Englewood has created a "1971 McQueen Gulf #20 S/T" tribute car based on a 1985 911 Carrera. This work is a reinterpretation of Steve McQueen's 917 from the movie "The Glorious Le Mans" (1971) as a 1971 Nürburgring S/T race car.

Their concept is.What if Steve McQueen had run a 911 S/T instead of a 917?"This was a bold idea. Aiming to create a car that can be used in everyday life and still be driven on the race track, we combined genuine Porsche parts and carefully selected parts from the Porsche Motorsports catalog to give it the best enhancement possible.

The 964 engine was upgraded to 3.8L with an internal throttle body. The transmission was equipped with a hydraulic clutch, and gears from 1st to 4th were shortened to improve acceleration performance. The exterior was also boldly changed. It features a custom liveries with hand-painted stripes, widened fenders, and tucked-in bumpers.

The interior also features an Alcantara headliner, Pepita patterned seats and dash pad, custom steering wheel, and an upgraded Porsche Classic PCCM radio. Just as it should be.From Vision to Victoryand led to the birth of the 911 McQueen Tribute.

Restoration & People's Choice: Porsche Louisville's Challenge

Porsche Louisville worked on a 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo. Acquired from the estate liquidation of the original owner, the car had been inactive for 15 years. Finished in a bold fiery orange, Peruvian Red, the car's resurrection was aThe Essence of RestorationIt was the embodiment of the

In order to revive the car after it had been asleep for a long time, all fluids were drained, the inside of the engine was checked for damage, and everything from the wiring to the suspension was thoroughly inspected. Each component was carefully scrutinized to ensure that hidden problems would not affect the car's performance.

The engine was completely rebuilt and tuned to the original 1977 performance specifications. The suspension was also completely rebuilt, restoring the sharp handling and precise driving dynamics that characterized the 930 Turbo. The electrical system was also completely revised and adjusted to ensure that all components work reliably.

After all mechanical, electrical, and interior aspects were addressed, the car was completely disassembled and repainted in its original Peruvian Red. Its vibrant and eye-catching appearance was restored. Exactly.Revival of Peruvian RedLouisville's award-winning 930 was born.

Preservation: The Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas Challenge

The story begins in 1997 when a Las Vegas family purchased a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo Look (M491) Cabriolet with turbo spoiler. But it wasn't until the car arrived at Gaudin Porsche that its true identity was revealed.In fact, this 1986 911 Carrera Turbo look was originally born as an M491 TargaThe first is the "I" in "I".

The team took on the challenge of bringing this car back to its original state. To ensure the engine's health, a compression/leakdown test was performed, the entire fuel system was cleaned, and the injectors were flow tested. The undercarriage and all suspension components were then dry ice blasted to remove 38 years of road grime.

The worn external shocks were replaced with genuine Porsche turbo-lock shocks, the engine was resealed with genuine Porsche piston rings, and the cylinder heads were refinished. The interior was completely stripped and the carpets and leather were steam cleaned and given a regenerative treatment.

Targa bars obtained from donors were meticulously measured and welded into place for proper fit. The rear glass took four people and several hundred pounds of force to install. The front and rear lenses were replaced with genuine Porsche parts, and the deteriorated rubber moldings around the body were replaced with new ones. The external wheels were replaced with the genuine Porsche Fuchs wheels found on the Originale 2.

Finally, a thorough paint correction was completed to restore the original mirror finish. This marks the second consecutive year that Gaudin Porsche has won in the Preservation category. They also won the People's Choice at last year's Rennsport Reunion 7.

The Future of Porsche Classics: A Fusion of Technology and Passion

Fifty-eight Porsches are participating in this year's contest. The cars participating in the Restoration Challenge will be worked on by Porsche-trained technicians who have access to more than 80,000 genuine Porsche Classic parts. The United States is home to the largest number of classic Porsches in the world. Adjacent to One Porsche Drive in AtlantaPorsche Classic's U.S. headquarters offers factory restoration services for all classic models and a Sonderwunsch (special order) factory program for all Porsche modelsThe company is doing so.

This challenge is more than just a contest. It is a bridge to Porsche's history, innovation, and future. It is about infusing classic souls with the latest technology to create timeless cars that will be loved for generations to come. For Porsche owners and Porsche enthusiasts, these restored cars are more than just vehicles. They are the crystallization of timeless passion and the soul of Porsche itself.

I believe that the technology and passion demonstrated in this challenge will have a significant impact on Porsche's future development. We look forward to watching the continued fusion of Porsche's innovation and tradition with great excitement.