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Porsche’s stunning 1990s throwback sold for much more than anyone expected

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Porsche Project Gold
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Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Restomodding, the process of restoring a classic car with modern or updated components, is an increasingly popular trend among enthusiasts. California-based Singer has hogged the spotlight in recent years — and justifiably so considering the stunning quality of its creations — but now Porsche joined the party to celebrate its 70th anniversary in style. The German company introduced a gorgeous, one-off 911 named Project Gold in August and just sent it to its new home.

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All told, it took Porsche more than a year and a half to complete the project. Project Gold crossed the auction block in October 2018 at Porsche’s $100 million Atlanta Experience Center and sold for $3.1 million after the company received 37 bids for the car. Porsche Foundation, a German charity focused on education and social issues, received the proceeds from the sale. The buyer’s identity hasn’t been made public but keep an eye out for it the next time you attend a car show.

Like Digital Trends predicted, Project Gold started life as a 993-generation 911 from the 1990s. Porsche sought input from its team of designers and engineers to make tasteful modifications to it. Completely stripped of its original paint, the body shell went through the same corrosion-protection and painting process applied to brand-new cars. The company selected an eye-catching color called golden yellow that’s also seen on the 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series introduced in early 2018. Black wheels with gold pinstripes add a touch of contrast to the design.

After painting the body, Porsche’s Classic center began the meticulous process of rebuilding the car using new parts whenever possible. The attention to every last detail inside and out is stunning. It helps that the Classic division has a selection of about 6,500 genuine parts that fit the 993-generation 911. It built a brand-new 3.6-liter flat-six engine and twin-turbocharged it to achieve a 450-horsepower output. The air-cooled six-cylinder sends its output to the 911’s four wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. Lighter than a modern-day 911, Project Gold delivers supercar-like performance with a retro-flavored twist. The catch is that it’s not street-legal in the United States, presumably because it’s titled as a 2018 car.

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Porsche Project Gold build process
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Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Porsche Project Gold build process
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Right now, Porsche stresses Project Gold is a one-off model developed and built solely to celebrate its 70th anniversary. It’s not officially planning to launch an in-house restomodding service to rival Singer and RUF, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see one established in Germany or in the United States sooner or later — especially considering enthusiasts reacted favorably to Project Gold.

Updated 10-29-2018: Added Project Gold’s selling price.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Former Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
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