What's all this about?
Want one last chance to own a brand-new, air-cooled Porsche 911? Then praise be to Porsche Classic, which has revived the 993-generation for one glorious, final hurrah.
Seriously?!
Seriously. This is Project Gold, an original 993 bodyshell that has been fitted with more than 6,500 genuine, replacement parts that Porsche Classic keeps in stock for 993 customers all around the world. So, it has the more powerful 'Turbo S' 3.6-litre, air-cooled flat-six, developing 450hp. And a manual gearbox. And the same four-wheel-drive system as the original run of 345 Turbo S 993-gen models. And the distinctive side air intakes of the Turbo S, which were an option on the regular 1998 911 Turbo. So fastidious is the attention to detail here that Project Gold's hand-stamped chassis number will follow on sequentially from the last 911 Turbo of this shape to roll off the line, an event that took place 30 years ago.
Where does the name come from?
The colour of it, rather obviously. This 993 Turbo S is painted in Golden Yellow Metallic and references the 2018 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series. Its black wheels are adorned with Golden Yellow accents, while the seats and interior trim are finished in the same contrasting shades.
So can I place an order for one of these things?
Erm... no. Read all the above more carefully: Project Gold is a complete one-off. There will be no more 993s after this solitary car. So it's going to be tough to get hold of - and, furthermore, it won't be road-legal, instead being confined to track-day use and events on private land in the future. However, following on from its full unveiling at the Porsche Rennsport Reunion in Laguna Seca, USA, at the end of September, it will be auctioned off by RM Sotheby's at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta on October 27 - with all proceeds going to the Ferry Porsche Foundation to mark the '70 Years of Porsche Sports Cars' celebrations. What (astronomical) price would it take to get Project Gold in your garage, we wonder...?
So why is Porsche doing this?
Two reasons: one is, as mentioned above, to celebrate the 70th birthday of Porsche making sports cars. The other is the all-electric Taycan.
Never?!
It is. In looking forward to a new era of fully electric models like the Taycan, Porsche wanted to highlight its heritage and chose to go for 'Full Sentimentality Value' by reviving the last air-cooled 911 of them all. Detlev von Platen, member of the executive board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG, explained the decision by saying: "'Project Gold' showcases the comprehensive skill of Porsche Classic in fascinating fashion. This project clearly demonstrates our strategic approach. Although we are starting a new chapter in our sports car history with the Porsche Taycan, the story of how the company evolved is no less significant. On the contrary, this Golden Yellow 993 demonstrates how incredibly passionate we are about the tradition of our brand."
24 Aug 2018
