Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe.

A factory one-off following in great footsteps.

When Porsche and the Porsche Club of America (PCA) put their heads together, fantastic ideas are born. This includes the two special models of the 911 Club Coupe based on the 911 Carrera S (Type 997) and 911 Carrera GTS (Type 991). All 911 Club Coupes are coveted collector's items today. At a meeting between Porsche Classic and the PCA, the question arose as to which project they would have liked to have produced together in the past. Despite the enormous variety of models, the choice was easy. The 911 Sport Classic (Type 997) was to serve as the inspiration vehicle for this exclusive project – a coveted limited series that had never been available before in the USA. The 911 Classic Club Coupe factory one-off is an equally exciting vehicle concept that will now also be created for the USA.

Three photos: Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe, front view and side view / Detail: Classic Series plaque
Three photos: Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe, front view and side view / Detail: Classic Series plaque
Three photos: Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe, front view and side view / Detail: Classic Series plaque
911 Classic Club Coupe and 911 Sport Classic (Type 997) in the factory building, rear views.

In the spirit of the Porsche Sonderwunsch (special request) programme, a variety of influences came into play in determining the final appearance of the one-of-a-kind in the 911 Classic Club Coupe. The 911 Sport Classic (Type 997), which fascinated the public in 2009 with its fusion of different 911 eras, is characteristic of the design. It combines the technology of the 997 with the fixed rear spoiler in the ducktail style of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 and a curved double dome roof based on the Carrera GT. For the 911 Classic Club Coupe , another era was to be added. The choice for the base vehicle fell on the Type 996 that was produced until 2006. As the youngest 911 among the models managed by Porsche Classic, the Type 996 is still overshadowed by the 993, 964 and the G and F models. With the 911 Classic Club Coupe, Porsche is putting the spotlight of the global Porsche community on the 996.

Carrera lettering
Porsche Crest

To avoid shedding any tears over the base vehicle, the PCA went in search for one that was in less than perfect condition and purchased a 911 Carrera from the first 996 generation. Although roadworthy, its overall condition was practically begging for something new to emerge from the Carrera.

Designer hands with pencil: drawing pad with Porsche model
Detail from above: Porsche 911 Sport Classic

A composition of the past – as if made of one piece.

"To create something unique that inspires excitement." This was the ambitious goal of the world's largest automobile club. It was a task that Porsche designer Grant Larson devoted himself to from the very first step. Larson had been the designer for the inspiration vehicle, the 911 Sport Classic (Type 997), which made him the ideal candidate for the job. Together with the project team, he artistically implemented the various vehicle specifications and the colour concept in the sketches. The exterior clearly alludes to the 911 Sport Classic with its ducktail and double dome roof, but also adds its own touches with aerodynamic elements based on the 911 GT3 (Type 996) and Fuchsfelgen® (Fuchs wheels). The colour scheme skilfully combines the newly developed Sport Grey Metallic with double stripes in Sport Grey Light, fine lines in the PCA's Club Blue and the side decor with the "Classic Club Coupe" logo. The stainless steel door sills also bear the logo.

Porsche 911 Sport Classic, car interior, seats, cockpit, steering wheel

This style is maintained consistently throughout the interior. Of particular note are the door panels and seat centres in the Pepita pattern woven from Black and Slate Grey leather. Porsche used this woven leather, which is extremely sophisticated in terms of craftsmanship, for the first time in the 911 Sport Classic. A new feature of the 911 Classic Club Coupe is that the Pepita look has been executed with diagonal fabric and decorative stitching in Club Blue to lighten the classic appearance. The three-spoke series steering wheel that was installed in the 996 at the time has been similarly upgraded. Club Blue thread and leather have been used for the decorative stitching on the rim and the centre top marking. The "911 Classic Club Coupe No. 001/001" badge on the dashboard makes it clear that this is a one-of-a-kind.

Detail shot: illuminated speedometer display

The round instruments have been refined in the same way as the 911 Sport Classic. The rev counter has two Grey stripes with lines on the side in Club Blue and the "911 Classic Club Coupe" logo. The Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) was also customised for this one-of-a-kind car. The start image on the display shows the vehicle designation "Classic Club Coupe".

The brake callipers are finished in High-Gloss Black with the Porsche logo in Club Blue, exclusively for this one-off. To achieve outstanding performance, the unique car was upgraded on a technical level with elements from the 911 GT3 (Type 996, second generation). The chassis, powertrain and brakes come from the GT3. This composition of legendary technology and design elements from a range of 911s in the Classic Club Coupe creates the perfect fusion that is sure to inspire.

Accessories on the back seat: three different Porsche bags with Pepita pattern.

Accessories: expression of excitement.

Selected accessories from the Porsche Classic product range have been elaborately refined as unique pieces in terms of material selection and craftsmanship. They underscore the exceptional status of this factory one-off. The accessories include the tailor-made car cover, the vehicle key painted in the vehicle colour with a leather pouch, and the tool bag, first-aid kit and touring bag made of braided leather with a Pepita pattern.

911 Classic Club Coupe. A perfect fusion.

A Porsche 911 Carrera (Type 996) drives up a ramp into a lorry.
Porsche employee attaches clamp to the body-in-white.
The body-in-white is cleaned.
Porsche in the wind tunnel.
Mechanic with white glove strokes rear lid.
Workshop scene: Porsche bodyshell on a jack, naturally aspirated engine.
Detail: Sport Grey paintwork process, Blue double stripes.
Detailed view: Fuchsfelgen® (Fuchs wheels)
Upholsterer sews the seat covers of the 911 Classic Club Coupe.
Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe in Sport Grey, side view.
Auction of the 911 Classic Club Coupe in Altanta

Base vehicle: a 911 Carrera (Type 996).

The base vehicle was built in 1998. Only the bodyshell was required for the 911 Classic Club Coupe. After the complete disassembly, a chemical bath removed all the layers of paint.

Body-in-white: reinterpreted.

On the straightening bench, original frame gauges specially designed for doors and windows were used to precisely measure the chassis. Deformed areas were reshaped by experienced mechanics. The body-in-white assembly was completed during the time-consuming "trial assembly" process. All gap dimensions and functions were checked and optimised.

Cathodic dip coating: the first step towards a factory one-off.

For state-of-the-art rust prevention, the body-in-white was taken to one of the most advanced cathodic dip coating facilities located at the Porsche production hall in Zuffenhausen. This kind of integration of one-offs into series productions is unique in the world.

Wind tunnel: testing using a test vehicle.

A test vehicle was used on behalf of the valuable one-off to complete the extensive testing. The aerodynamics of the vehicle were tuned in the Development Centre in Weissach and the setup was optimised in a series of demanding test drives at test sites.

Bodyshell: the 911 Classic Club Coupe takes shape.

Armed with the knowledge gained from the wind tunnel and test drives, the experts from Porsche Classic set about reproducing the rear lid with a fixed spoiler and the double dome roof. Mostly by hand. Inspired by the GT3, the bodyshell was also reworked and reinforced during reconstruction using original new parts and newly developed components. Adapting the bodyshell to accommodate the GT3 powertrain also required special expertise.

Technology: optimised for performance.

For the chassis with the brakes as well as the powertrain, the specialists opted for components from the second GT3 generation, which were also available in the USA. The naturally aspirated engine with a displacement of 3.6 litres delivers 280 kW/381 PS.

Paint finish: unmistakably perfect.

Double stripes running across the bonnet, roof and rear spoiler enhance the sporty look. They were elaborately painted in Sport Grey Light, while on the 911 Sport Classic (Type 997) they were designed as foil decals and were darker than the body colour. Two fine lines in Club Blue also run along the outside of the stripes. The hockey stick side decor was painted in Sport Grey Light and bears the "Classic Club Coupe" logo as well as a line in Club Blue.

Fuchsfelgen® (Fuchs wheels): typical of the early 911 models.

In addition to the ducktail from the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, the 911 Classic Club Coupe has also adopted the legendary Fuchsfelgen® (Fuchs wheels). They were specially developed for this factory one-off and will soon expand the range of original parts for the 996. However, exclusive details such as the Porsche logo on the rim base and the fine line in Club Blue remain reserved for the 911 Classic Club Coupe.

Interior: uniquely rich in detail.

Black leather combined with Slate Grey and partially perforated Alcantara dominate the interior. The centre panels of the sports seats, like the door panels, have a Pepita pattern woven in Black and Slate Grey braided leather. Club Blue decorative seams lighten the classic appearance of the seats. "911 Classic Club Coupe" is embroidered on the headrests.

Final inspection: the 911 Classic Club Coupe takes off.

The Porsche 911 Classic Club Coupe was created in two and a half years from a used 911 Carrera built in 1998 (Type 996). Before the factory one-off could be handed over to the Porsche Club of America, it underwent a thorough inspection. A personal highlight for Head of Porsche Classic Factory Restoration, Uwe Makrutzki. He is the only person to have driven the vehicle so far. The entire setup bears his signature.

Auction: the Factory One-Off went under the hammer for 1.2 million U.S. dollars.

As part of the 75th anniversary of Porsche Cars North America, the 911 Classic Club Coupe fetched 1.2 million U.S. dollars at an exclusive auction in Atlanta. This makes the Factory One-Off from the Porsche Sonderwunschprogramm (special request) the most valuable vehicle of the 996 type.
Interior view: Porsche 911 Targa Coupe, cockpit, steering wheel

Project Black

This factory restoration is not so much the story of a vehicle. It's the story of design. More precisely, about Porsche Design – the company that Ferdinand Alexander Porsche founded in 1972 to realise his conceptions of good design. Nine years earlier, Ferry Porsche's eldest son had his first major success as an industrial designer: the Porsche 911. A model that became iconic and has played a key role in shaping the Porsche legend to this day. To mark the 50th anniversary of Porsche Design, Porsche Classic is honouring this achievement with a restored 911 S 2.4 Targa from 1972, the year that Porsche Design was founded.

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