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