Tag Archives: Porsche

NEW CARS

Porsche 550 J Reimagines a Motorsport Legend as an Electric Collector’s Car

The legendary Porsche 550 Spyder has returned in a radically different form. Created by British design and engineering company Hedley Studios in an officially licensed partnership with Porsche, the new Porsche 550 J transforms one of the marque’s most important racing cars into a handcrafted, fully electric collector’s item.

Built to celebrate 75 years of Porsche Motorsport, the Porsche 550 J pays tribute to the lightweight mid-engined sports car that established an important chapter in the company’s competition history. Limited to just 250 examples, the miniature recreation combines classic Porsche design, modern electric propulsion and extensive personalisation.

It may look like a tiny version of a 1950s racing car, but the 550 J is a thoroughly modern creation. Measuring approximately 2.9 metres in length and 1.2 metres in width, it is around 80 percent the size of the original Porsche 550 Spyder and can accommodate up to two occupants.

The result is not intended to be a conventional road car. The Porsche 550 J is not road legal and is instead positioned as an exclusive collector’s piece for Porsche enthusiasts and design aficionados.

Porsche 550 Spyder: the racing car that started the Carrera legacy

The original Porsche 550 Spyder occupies a special place in Porsche history. Developed specifically for motorsport, it was one of the company’s earliest purpose-built racing machines and quickly demonstrated that low weight and intelligent engineering could overcome a significant power disadvantage.

One of its defining moments came at the 1954 Carrera Panamericana, one of the most demanding road races of its era.

Porsche factory drivers Hans Herrmann and Jaroslav Juhan competed with two 550 Spyder models over the race’s 3,077-kilometre route. After five days of competition, Herrmann emerged ahead of his teammate by just 36 seconds.

More importantly, the two lightweight Porsches managed to finish third and fourth overall while winning their class, despite facing competitors with considerably larger engines.

That performance helped establish the Carrera name within Porsche’s performance-car vocabulary. The designation would subsequently become synonymous with some of the company’s most sporting road cars.

The 550 Spyder’s formula was deceptively simple: compact dimensions, low weight, a mid-mounted engine and a clear focus on the driver. Decades later, those same characteristics form the foundation of the Porsche 550 J’s visual identity.

Porsche 550 J is an officially licensed reimagining

The new Porsche 550 J is not simply an aftermarket replica. It is an officially licensed reinterpretation of the original 550 Spyder, developed by Hedley Studios with direct support from Porsche.

During development, Hedley Studios was given extensive access to Porsche’s corporate archives, allowing the team to study the original car and its history in considerable detail.

The collaboration reflects a shared approach between the two companies: traditional craftsmanship combined with contemporary technology.

“The Porsche 550 Spyder is far more than a legendary sports car. It embodies the pioneering spirit, innovative strength and passion that have defined Porsche from the brand’s earliest days to the present,” said Deniz Keskin, Director Brand Management and Partnerships at Porsche AG.

The Porsche 550 J therefore aims to capture more than the appearance of the original. Its designers sought to reproduce the character and philosophy of the 1950s racing machine while adapting the concept for a modern collector.

Porsche 550 J gets an electric powertrain

Perhaps the biggest difference between the original Porsche 550 Spyder and the new 550 J is hidden beneath the bodywork.

Instead of a petrol engine, the Porsche 550 J uses a fully electric 48-volt drivetrain. In standard specification, the system produces approximately 8 kW, equivalent to roughly 11 horsepower.

Customers opting for the RS Package can increase output to approximately 16 kW, or around 22 horsepower.

Top speed is approximately 80 km/h.

Those figures might appear modest by modern sports-car standards, but outright performance is not the purpose of the 550 J. This is a compact collector’s vehicle designed around craftsmanship, design and the experience of owning a miniature interpretation of a Porsche racing icon.

The electric drivetrain also gives Hedley Studios the opportunity to reinterpret the 550 Spyder without attempting to reproduce its original mechanical package.

Steel space frame and carbon-fibre body

Despite its diminutive dimensions, the Porsche 550 J uses serious construction techniques.

The car features a steel space-frame chassis combined with a carbon-fibre body. This approach allows Hedley Studios to maintain the lightweight philosophy associated with the original 550 Spyder while incorporating contemporary materials and manufacturing techniques.

Every Porsche 550 J is handcrafted in the UK at Hedley Studios in Bicester.

That handcrafted construction is central to the car’s appeal. Rather than being a mass-produced lifestyle product, the 550 J is intended to occupy the space between automotive design, motorsport heritage and collectible craftsmanship.

Ben Hedley, founder of Hedley Studios, describes the original 550 Spyder as a milestone in Porsche’s history because it was developed specifically for motorsport.

With the 550 J, the company’s goal was to retain the lightweight, driver-focused character and straightforward design philosophy of the original while making the concept relevant to a new generation.

Limited to only 250 examples

Exclusivity is another defining element of the Porsche 550 J.

Production is limited to just 250 examples, making the new model considerably rarer than any conventional Porsche production car.

The limited production run, official Porsche licensing and direct connection to one of the brand’s most historically significant racing cars are likely to make the 550 J particularly attractive to collectors.

However, unlike a conventional Porsche sports car, the 550 J is not designed for public roads. It is explicitly a collector’s item and is not road legal.

That distinction is important. The 550 J is less about replacing a modern sports car and more about owning a physical piece of Porsche’s motorsport heritage.

Porsche 550 J offers extensive customisation

Hedley Studios has also given customers considerable freedom to personalise their cars.

The Porsche 550 J can be specified in a broad selection of colours, including classic Porsche Silver as well as heritage-inspired blue, white, yellow and red finishes.

For customers looking for something more individual, the company’s Bespoke programme opens up significantly greater possibilities.

Historic and contemporary Porsche colours can be combined with motorsport-inspired liveries and other individual details, allowing owners to create highly personalised versions of the 550 J.

The result is that no two cars necessarily need to look identical.

This emphasis on individualisation is particularly relevant for a vehicle aimed at collectors. Rather than simply purchasing a miniature Porsche 550 Spyder, buyers can commission a specific interpretation reflecting their own taste, preferred Porsche racing era or personal collection.

A modern interpretation of Porsche’s racing DNA

The Porsche 550 Spyder was created in an era when racing success depended heavily on reducing weight, maximising mechanical efficiency and giving the driver a focused machine.

The Porsche 550 J translates that philosophy into a very different technological era.

Its 48-volt electric drivetrain replaces the internal-combustion engine, carbon fibre replaces much of the traditional construction philosophy and modern manufacturing techniques allow the car to be produced at a scale that would have been impossible in the 1950s.

Yet the fundamental visual language remains unmistakably connected to the 550 Spyder.

The tiny proportions, open cockpit and streamlined bodywork deliberately evoke the original racing car, while the extensive customisation programme gives owners the opportunity to create something closer to a bespoke automotive sculpture than a conventional vehicle.

Porsche 550 J price and availability

Hedley Studios has announced that the Porsche 550 J is available to order now through the company.

The production run is limited to 250 examples, with each vehicle handcrafted in the UK and offered with extensive personalisation options.

The supplied announcement does not specify a purchase price for the Porsche 550 J, so the final cost will depend on the specification and bespoke options selected by the customer.

Porsche 550 J: specifications at a glance

  • Officially licensed Porsche 550 Spyder reimagining
  • Created by Hedley Studios
  • Limited to 250 examples
  • Handcrafted in Bicester, UK
  • Approximately 2.9 metres long
  • Approximately 1.2 metres wide
  • Around 80 percent of the original 550 Spyder’s size
  • Seating for up to two people
  • Steel space-frame chassis
  • Carbon-fibre body
  • 48-volt fully electric drivetrain
  • Approximately 8 kW in standard specification
  • Up to approximately 16 kW with RS Package
  • Approximately 80 km/h top speed
  • Extensive colour and livery personalisation
  • Bespoke programme available
  • Not road legal

Source: Porsche

Restomod

TechArt Reveals Its First Porsche 911 964 Restomod

TechArt has officially entered one of the most competitive corners of the modern automotive world: the Porsche 911 964 restomod market. Known for decades for modifying contemporary Porsche models, the German tuning specialist is now turning its attention to the classic 964 generation with the new GTclassic.

The move marks a significant change in direction for TechArt, which was founded in 1987 and has traditionally focused on modern Porsche sports cars and SUVs. The company joins a growing list of specialist manufacturers transforming the Porsche 911 964 into high-performance, hand-built machines that combine classic design with modern engineering and technology.

The timing is particularly interesting. The Porsche 911 964 was produced from 1989 to 1994, meaning the generation has been out of production for more than three decades. Yet demand for beautifully restored and comprehensively re-engineered examples has continued to grow, creating a lucrative market for companies specializing in so-called restomods.

Singer helped establish the modern 964 restomod phenomenon, and numerous other specialists have since entered the segment. TechArt’s GTclassic represents the latest interpretation of the formula.

Porsche 911 964 Design Meets TechArt Engineering

The TechArt GTclassic retains the unmistakable silhouette of the Porsche 911 964 but introduces numerous visual changes designed to give the car a more aggressive and contemporary appearance.

One of the most distinctive elements is the engine lid. Rather than using the larger design associated with later 911 models, TechArt has opted for a narrower engine cover inspired by Porsche models produced before the introduction of the impact-resistant bumpers in 1974.

However, the classic appearance is combined with modern detailing. Two mesh-covered vents are integrated into the engine lid, giving the rear of the GTclassic a visual connection with the more modern Porsche 911 GT3.

The front end has also been extensively redesigned. The turn signals and air vents positioned underneath the front fenders have been incorporated into a single visual unit, while modern LED headlights provide substantially improved illumination compared with the original 964 lighting technology.

At the rear, TechArt has installed a classic ducktail spoiler, another unmistakable reference to Porsche’s motorsport heritage. Two additional vents are incorporated into the spoiler, while the original-style rear lighting has been upgraded with LED technology.

380-HP Air-Cooled Flat-Six

The mechanical heart of the TechArt GTclassic is a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated flat-six producing 380 horsepower.

Importantly, the engine retains the defining air-cooled architecture of the Porsche 964. That gives the GTclassic a character fundamentally different from modern water-cooled Porsche 911 models.

TechArt has not yet disclosed every technical specification of the powertrain, but the demonstration car is equipped with a manual transmission. That combination should make the GTclassic particularly attractive to enthusiasts who value the mechanical involvement associated with classic Porsche sports cars.

Given the customer-specific nature of the project, an automatic transmission option is also likely to be available. The original Porsche 964 was offered with the Tiptronic transmission, and restomod manufacturers typically provide considerable scope for customers to specify their preferred drivetrain configuration.

Widebody Stance and 18-Inch Forged Wheels

The GTclassic’s proportions are enhanced by heavily flared fenders that accommodate larger wheels and tires than those found on the original 964.

TechArt has fitted the car with 18-inch forged wheels, including 10-inch-wide wheels at the rear. The open-spoke design exposes the upgraded Turbo braking system, creating a purposeful motorsport-inspired appearance.

The combination of widened bodywork, large forged wheels and modern braking hardware gives the GTclassic a substantially more aggressive stance while retaining the basic proportions that make the Porsche 911 964 instantly recognizable.

This balance between original Porsche design and modern performance engineering is at the heart of the current 964 restomod movement.

A High-Tech Classic Porsche Interior

Inside, the GTclassic is where TechArt’s individual design language becomes most obvious.

The demonstration vehicle features an extensively customized red interior, with numerous bespoke details and contrasting elements. Whether the bold color combination will appeal to every Porsche enthusiast is another question, but the GTclassic is being built as a highly personalized automobile rather than a mass-production model.

That means customers should have considerable freedom when specifying materials, colors and trim. A more restrained combination of black, brown, gray or natural leather could give the interior a considerably more understated appearance.

TechArt has also incorporated modern technology without completely abandoning the 964’s classic character.

Apple CarPlay, navigation and Bluetooth connectivity bring the cabin into the modern era, while the original generation’s ABS and power steering remain part of the car’s usability package.

Two Hanhart stopwatches add a particularly appealing retro motorsport touch to the dashboard and reinforce the connection between the GTclassic and Porsche’s competition heritage.

TechArt GTclassic Could Cost Around $1 Million

TechArt has not announced a final price for the GTclassic, but the economics of the 964 restomod market provide a useful indication.

High-end Porsche 911 964 restomods can command prices approaching or exceeding $1 million once the cost of the donor car, extensive engineering, bespoke bodywork, upgraded mechanical components and individualized interiors are taken into account.

The TechArt GTclassic is therefore unlikely to be positioned as an affordable alternative to a conventional Porsche 911. Instead, it is aimed at collectors and enthusiasts looking for a highly exclusive combination of classic Porsche design, modern performance and extensive customization.

The final price will depend heavily on the customer’s specification, particularly the drivetrain, interior materials, wheels, brakes and other bespoke options.

TechArt Enters the 964 Restomod Era

The TechArt GTclassic is an important project for a company that has spent decades modifying modern Porsches.

By entering the Porsche 911 964 restomod market, TechArt is acknowledging just how important the classic Porsche sector has become. The company brings considerable experience in Porsche performance upgrades, while the 964 provides the classic foundation that has become increasingly desirable among collectors.

With a 3.8-liter air-cooled flat-six, 380 horsepower, a manual transmission, forged 18-inch wheels, modern brakes, LED lighting and contemporary infotainment, the GTclassic combines several generations of Porsche engineering in a single package.

The result is not simply a restored 964. It is a modern interpretation of the classic Porsche 911, created for an era in which carefully engineered restomods have become some of the most desirable—and expensive—Porsches on the market.

If TechArt can deliver the same level of engineering quality that has characterized its modern Porsche projects, the GTclassic could become a significant new entry in the increasingly crowded world of Porsche 964 restomods.

Source: TechArt

Sale

1990 Porsche 928 S4 Gemballa Wide Version II: A Rare Piece of German Tuning History Is For Sale

The Porsche 928 was already one of the most unconventional sports cars of its era, but in the hands of Gemballa, even Porsche’s futuristic V8 grand tourer could become something far more extreme. Now, a 1990 Porsche 928 S4 transformed into a documented Gemballa Wide Version II is up for sale, offering collectors a rare opportunity to own one of the outrageous Porsche tuning creations that helped define Germany’s tuning scene in the 1980s and 1990s.

Unlike a conventional modified 928, this car reportedly carries documentation identifying it as a Gemballa 928 S4 Wide Version II. The conversion combines dramatically widened bodywork with distinctive aerodynamic additions, BBS wheels, upgraded suspension, a quad-exhaust system and a heavily reworked interior.

Underneath the extravagant styling is the familiar 5.0-liter V8 of the Porsche 928 S4, producing 320 horsepower and driving the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

For enthusiasts of classic Porsche tuning, it is the combination of provenance, period-correct styling and rarity that makes this 928 particularly interesting.

Gemballa Turned Porsche Tuning Into an Art Form

Gemballa began operations in Germany in 1979, initially concentrating on high-end automotive interiors. The company gradually moved far beyond upholstery and cabin customization, developing increasingly ambitious modifications for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz models.

During the 1980s, Gemballa’s creations became famous for their extravagant styling, extensive electronic upgrades and highly personalized interiors. The company’s work eventually became so extensive that its modified cars were regarded as substantially different from their factory counterparts.

Under founder Uwe Gemballa, the company developed a reputation for building some of the most visually dramatic Porsches of the era. Rather than simply increasing engine output, Gemballa frequently approached each car as a complete transformation, with the bodywork and interior receiving as much attention as the mechanical components.

That philosophy is particularly evident in cars such as the 930 Turbo Avalanche and later Gemballa creations based on the 993 and 996 generations of the Porsche 911. The company would eventually produce even more ambitious projects, including the Mirage GT based on the Carrera GT and the high-powered Tornado derived from the Cayenne.

The 928 S4 Wide Version II represents that same unmistakable Gemballa philosophy.

A Porsche 928 S4 With Gemballa Widebody Styling

The fourth-generation 928 S4 introduced substantial improvements over earlier versions of Porsche’s front-engine V8 grand tourer. Its 5.0-liter V8 produced 320 hp, giving the large luxury coupe serious performance while retaining the long-distance touring character that defined the 928.

Gemballa’s Wide Version II conversion fundamentally changes the car’s appearance.

The most obvious modification is the extended widebody treatment, giving the 928 a considerably more aggressive stance. The conversion is complemented by two rear spoilers, creating a silhouette that looks dramatically different from a standard 928 S4.

The car also rides on BBS wheels, one of the most recognizable names in period German performance tuning. KW suspension components reportedly provide the chassis upgrades, while a quad-exhaust system adds another visual and mechanical signature to the rear of the car.

This is not subtle tuning, and that is precisely the point.

During the peak of the German tuning scene, companies such as Gemballa were creating cars for customers who wanted something that could not be ordered from a Porsche showroom. Wide fenders, bespoke interiors, unusual aerodynamic components and sophisticated electronics were all part of the formula.

Inside, the 928 received a reupholstered interior, continuing the Gemballa tradition of treating the cabin as an integral part of the customization rather than an afterthought.

320-HP V8 Power and Classic Porsche Performance

Despite its wild appearance, the mechanical foundation remains unmistakably Porsche.

The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 produces 320 hp, which was a substantial figure for a luxury GT of the period. Power is sent through a four-speed automatic transmission, matching the 928 S4’s grand-touring character.

The 928 was conceived as a different kind of Porsche. Rather than relying on the rear-mounted flat-six configuration associated with the 911, it used a front-mounted V8 and transaxle layout designed to improve weight distribution.

That engineering helped make the 928 exceptionally stable at high speed while providing the refinement expected from a premium long-distance sports car.

Gemballa’s modifications add a completely different visual personality to that engineering package.

More Than €50,000 Reportedly Invested in 2021

One of the more significant details surrounding this particular Porsche 928 is the reported amount spent on its restoration and refurbishment.

According to the available description, more than €50,000 was invested in the car in 2021 at the Porsche Classic Center Arnhem.

That investment is noteworthy because maintaining and restoring heavily modified classic cars can be considerably more complicated than preserving an original example. A documented Gemballa conversion requires attention not only to the underlying Porsche components but also to the specialized bodywork, suspension, wheels, exhaust system and interior.

The reported work therefore adds another layer of interest for potential collectors.

For a car that combines Porsche’s factory engineering with one of Germany’s most recognizable tuning brands, documented restoration history can be just as important as the specification itself.

The Legacy of Uwe Gemballa

Any discussion of a classic Gemballa automobile inevitably leads back to Uwe Gemballa, the company’s founder and the man who established its distinctive identity.

Gemballa’s success was built on the idea that wealthy Porsche owners did not necessarily want another factory-standard sports car. They wanted something unique, and the company became exceptionally good at delivering exactly that.

Uwe Gemballa disappeared while traveling in South Africa in 2010. He was subsequently found dead near Pretoria, bringing a tragic end to the story of one of Germany’s most influential tuning entrepreneurs.

Following the liquidation of the original company, the Gemballa name and assets changed hands. Andreas Schwarz and investor Steffen Korbach subsequently took control of the brand.

Uwe Gemballa’s son, Marc Philipp Gemballa, later established a separate automotive company and continued the family’s high-performance philosophy with modern projects including the Marsien and Marsien GT.

Why the Gemballa 928 Matters Today

The classic German tuning market has changed dramatically. Cars that were once considered extravagant aftermarket creations are increasingly being viewed as historically significant examples of automotive culture.

That shift has particularly benefited rare Porsche conversions from companies such as Gemballa, Ruf and other specialist manufacturers.

The 928 itself is also experiencing renewed appreciation. For years, Porsche’s front-engine V8 GT occupied an unusual position within the company’s history, overshadowed by the iconic 911. Today, collectors are increasingly recognizing the 928 for its sophisticated engineering, distinctive design and importance to Porsche’s evolution during the late 1970s through the 1990s.

A documented Gemballa Wide Version II brings those two stories together.

It is simultaneously a Porsche 928 S4, a piece of period German tuning history and an example of the excess that made Gemballa famous.

A Rare Opportunity for Porsche and Gemballa Collectors

The combination of a 5.0-liter 320-hp V8, automatic transmission, Gemballa Wide Version II body conversion, BBS wheels, KW suspension, quad exhaust and reworked interior makes this 1990 Porsche 928 S4 anything but ordinary.

More importantly, the reported documentation of the Gemballa conversion gives the car historical significance beyond its appearance.

As the market for significant 1980s and 1990s German performance cars continues to mature, period-correct tuning conversions are becoming increasingly interesting to collectors. The cars that once represented the wild side of the aftermarket are now snapshots of an era when tuning companies were willing to push factory designs to extremes.

This Gemballa 928 S4 is a perfect example.

It may not have the understated appearance of a concours-original Porsche, but that was never the purpose of a Gemballa. The entire idea was to take an already exceptional Porsche and create something dramatically different.

More than three decades after it left the factory, this 1990 Porsche 928 S4 Wide Version II remains a striking reminder of just how far Germany’s legendary tuning houses were willing to go.

Source: Silodrome