Porsche Classic Restore Challenge 2024: A Moment of Glory

On October 10, 2024, cheers echoed through the skies of Los Angeles.
The champions of the Porsche Classic Restore Challenge 2024, hosted by Porsche Cars North America (PCNA), were finally decided. The prestigious honor went to Porsche Englewood, Porsche Louisville, and Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas. Their exceptional skills and passion revived the charm of classic Porsches for the modern era.

Now in its fourth year, this challenging event offers Porsche Centers across the United States the chance to compete in three categories: Preservation, Restoration, and Individualization. For the first time, a Grand National Champion was selected from the winners of these three categories. Additionally, a People’s Choice Award was decided through public voting and expert industry judging. Let’s take a closer look behind the scenes of this thrilling competition.

Individualization & Grand National Champion: Porsche Englewood’s Bold Challenge

Porsche Englewood crafted a tribute car based on a 1985 911 Carrera called the “1971 McQueen Gulf #20 S/T.” This creation reinterprets Steve McQueen’s 917 from the 1971 film “Le Mans” as a 1971 Nürburgring S/T race car.

Their concept was born from the daring question: “What if Steve McQueen had raced a 911 S/T instead of a 917?” Aiming for a car that’s both street-usable and track-ready, they combined genuine Porsche parts with carefully selected components from the Porsche Motorsport catalog to deliver top-tier enhancements.

The 964 engine was upgraded to 3.8L with internal throttle bodies. The transmission features a hydraulic clutch with shortened gears from first to fourth to boost acceleration. The exterior boldly stands out with hand-painted stripes, widened fenders, and tuck-in bumpers.

Inside, the car boasts an Alcantara headliner, Pepita-patterned seats and dash pad, a custom steering wheel, and an upgraded Porsche Classic PCCM radio. This is truly the birth of a 911 McQueen tribute, from vision to victory.

Restoration & People’s Choice: Porsche Louisville’s Revival

Porsche Louisville took on a 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo. Acquired from the estate of its original owner, this car had been dormant for 15 years. Finished in a bold, fiery orange called Peru Red, its revival perfectly embodied the essence of restoration.

To bring this long-sleeping car back to life, all fluids were drained, engine internals inspected for damage, and wiring to suspension thoroughly checked. Hidden issues were carefully addressed to ensure no impact on performance.

The engine was fully rebuilt and tuned to its original 1977 specs. The suspension was completely overhauled to restore the 930 Turbo’s signature sharp handling and precise driving dynamics. Electrical systems were fully revised to guarantee flawless operation.

After addressing mechanical, electrical, and interior aspects, the car was fully disassembled and repainted in its original Peru Red. It regained its vivid, eye-catching appearance. This is the Peru Red resurrection—the award-winning 930 from Louisville.

Preservation: Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas’ Commitment

This story began in 1997 when a family in Las Vegas purchased a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo-look (M491) Cabriolet with a turbo spoiler. However, the car’s true identity only became clear upon arrival at Gaudin Porsche. It was originally born as an M491 Targa.

The team took on the challenge of restoring it to its original form. To assess engine health, compression and leak-down tests were performed, the entire fuel system cleaned, and injector flow tested. The undercarriage and all suspension components were cleaned with dry ice blasting, removing 38 years of road grime.

Worn aftermarket shocks were replaced with genuine Porsche Turbo-look shocks. The engine was resealed with Porsche original piston rings and the cylinder head refinished. The interior was completely stripped, with carpets and leather steam-cleaned and restored.

The donor Targa bar was carefully measured and welded in for a perfect fit. Installing the rear glass required four people and hundreds of pounds of force. Front and rear lenses were replaced with genuine Porsche parts, and all deteriorated body rubber moldings were renewed. Aftermarket wheels were swapped for Porsche original Fuchs wheels seen on Originale 2.

Finally, thorough paint correction restored the original mirror finish. Gaudin Porsche secured their second consecutive victory in the Preservation category and had also won the People’s Choice at Rennsport Reunion 7 last year.

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

This year’s contest featured 58 Porsches. Cars participating in the Restore Challenge are worked on by technicians trained in Porsche who have access to over 80,000 Porsche Classic genuine parts. The U.S. is the largest market in the world for classic Porsches. The Porsche Classic U.S. headquarters, located adjacent to One Porsche Drive in Atlanta, offers factory restoration services for all classic models and a Sonderwunsch (special order) factory program for all Porsche models.

This challenge means more than just a contest. It’s a bridge between Porsche’s history, innovation, and future. It breathes modern technology into classic souls, creating cars loved across generations. For Porsche owners and enthusiasts, these restored cars are more than just vehicles—they are timeless expressions of passion and the very soul of Porsche.

The skills and passion demonstrated in this challenge will surely influence Porsche’s future development. We look forward with excitement to the ongoing fusion of Porsche’s innovation and tradition.