To some, the idea of making alterations to a Porsche is blasphemy, especially when the supply of period-correct, never-wrecked, corrosion-free donor cars keeps shrinking.
While tastes vary, many Outlaw aficionados frown upon flashy modifications and want it to look as subtle and underrated as possible. Some think Outlaw cars should look almost stock, to the point where a guy walks up to it and knows it looks a little different, but can’t put his finger on why. Yet others want their Porsche to stand out and are willing to go a little crazy in order to achieve that. How the car drives and performs is crucial, and everyone is looking to make their car better to drive through improvements to engines, brakes, suspension, and tires.
The classic and custom Porsche market is really interesting when you dive into it. There are lots of little niches, going from matching numbers, bone-stock, period-correct cars, all the way to full-on body-kitted creations and insanely expensive restomods.
In this post, we will celebrate them all, whether they are restomods, RSR clones, hot-rods, outlaws, or crazy RAUH-Welt Begriff Porsches. While these cars may polarize Porsche purists, we’d argue that the community is stronger and richer because of this diversity.
Of course, we have also included some Porsches that should never see the light of day. Cars so bad that the humane thing to do would be to light them on fire and burn them to the ground.
So here is our list of the sickest modified Porsches… and some that should never see the light of day.
25. Singer Vehicle Design DLS
Singer’s most recent creation is an absolute masterpiece. Called the Singer Vehicle Design DLS, it is a 1990 Porsche 964 whose owner requested Singer and Williams restore and modify his car. The long hood of the Porsche 911 classic replaces the shorter hood of the Porsche 964. The price is a cool $1.8 million.
The engine is a 4.0-liter n-a, flat six worked on by Williams, producing 500 horsepower at 9,000 RPM. There are lightweight throttle bodies with supposedly F1-inspired upper and lower injectors, a unique oil lubrication system and it has dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Being a Singer, the interior is absolutely stunning and the body is perfect.
24. DP Motorsport 911 RS 3.5 Evolution
Dubbed the “911 RS 3.5 Evolution,” the heavily modified Porsche gets a custom body made to keep the weight low, the result being a 911 that tips the scales at just 2,072 pounds, dry. Power output stands at 365 horsepower after fitting the 3.5-liter engine with a dual ignition system, a mechanical fuel injection with individual throttle bodies, and 911 RSR-sourced camshafts. The engineers also tweaked the Porsche transmission by shortening the gear ratios to boost acceleration.
Ekkehard Zimmermann has acquired the know-how and delicate touch necessary for a performance of this caliber over more than thirty years of practical design and model construction, including racing at the highest levels.
23. Porsche 356 Emory Special
Rod Emory and Emory Motorsports are steadfast in their devotion to the Porsche 356 and invented the Porsche “Outlaw”. Rod Emory builds the most iconic, yet personalized Porsche 356s on the planet.
But the Emory Special is, well, special. Each is a one-off creation tastefully bespoke to an owner’s wishes and whose specific design will never be expressed the same way again; it is unique. The changes are proportional, subtle and unless you are fluent in the design language of Porsche, you’d be hard pressed to identify exactly what has been done.
22. Paul Stephens’s 356 “Poco Bastardo”
Paul Stephens is considered THE Porsche guy in the UK and “Poco Bastardo” is a nickname used to describe the 356 for its giant slaying capabilities against more powerful machinery in the Carrera Panamericana.
That said, what makes this Outlaw Coupe so special – other than the awesome exterior and no-nonsense interior revamp – is the “Poco Bastardo” boasts xenon headlights, black bison quilted leather, a bolt-in half roll cage, fully rebuilt suspension with adjustable Koni shocks, electric power steering, disc brakes all around, a manual with a long 4th for highway cruising, as well as a 110 bhp boxer with Shasta pistons and Solex carbs.
21. The Porsche 356 Emory Outlaw
The Emory Outlaw has a body and chassis all made from steel, just the way it left the factory in Germany. The metal receives a quality restoration, while the chassis gets stiffened in preparation for its modified 911 suspension and proprietary Emory-Rothsport 4-cylinder engine.
Its styling cues are a rally- or race-inspired, but the body shape remains stock in appearance. The Porsche 356 Emory Outlaw you see here started life as a 1954 Pre-A model, it was pulled apart and the conversion to the sacrilegious ranks of Porsche Outlaw royalty began.
20. Porsche 996 RSR 4S
This Porsche 996 4S owned by Ace Ochoco received a Porsche RSR and Turbo conversion makeover. The front half of the car is from the RSR kit and the back half is from the Porsche 996 Turbo with an over fender kit.
The amount of work that it takes to convert a car to widebody can be painstakingly daunting, and sometimes requires a budget bigger than what most entry-level cars would cost. Though it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, most car enthusiasts can see the hard work that has gone into this build. And it’s definitely one of the better-looking 996s out there.
19. Frank Cassidy’s RSR-inspired 911 ‘Outlaw’
Frank Cassidy’s RSR-inspired 1974 911 ‘Outlaw’ is visually identical to the RSR which inspired it – a car limited to just 49 models, created as a more hardcore version of the potent RS. This is partly thanks to the genuine bodywork and wheels which were painstakingly sourced to create a period-correct look. But take a peek under the lightweight skin and you’ll soon find upgrades far beyond its inspiration!
Under the huge boot-mounted spoiler there’s a forged air-cooled naturally aspirated 3.5-liter engine. However, unlike the RSR, Frank’s Outlaw 911 pushes 350 hp to the wide BBS E50 wheels, 50 hp more than the RSR. In the handling department, there’s Bilstein coilover suspension front and rear.
18. 1990 Porsche 911 RWB “Pandora One”
There are a couple of RAUH Welt Porsches on this list, for both good and bad.
This Porsche RWB #1 in Mignonette Green has a wide body that’s handcrafted and installed by the famous Nakai-san of Rauh-Welt Begriff.
This particular 911, known as ‘Pandora One’, was the first RWB Porsche built in the United States, and its styling has been backdated to the styling of an early long hood 911. Unlike many RWBs, it actually has the performance to back up its looks – a 3.6L flat-six engine with a custom FFTEC turbo kit provides over 450hp.
17. “The Highest Star” 1989 Silver Anniversary Carrera
The Highest Star RWB build is based on a 1989 Silver Anniversary Carrera. Porsche intended this to be a celebration of their 25 years of 911 production and created a limited edition car that featured cosmetic changes over a normal Carrera.
From there, the car was stripped down to its bones and prepared to be transformed into Ichiban Boshi, The Highest Star, as named by Akira Nakai of RAUH-Welt Begriff. The engine is a 1991 964 3.3-liter long block from Martine Altolaguirre, who’s considered one of the best Porsche 935 engine builders.
16. Bisimoto’s 800 WHP Watercooled Porsche 930
To some, Bisimoto is perhaps more famous for tuning Hondas, but it has become a company known for applying carefully designed parts to often-overlooked drivetrains to illicit unheard-of power.
This retro-styled 911 gets its punch from a much more recent powerplant. Behind the rear wheels sits a water-cooled M96 from the Porsche 996, most purists would call this kind of thing sacrilege, but we think it’s awesome! Add twin Bisimoto/Turbonetics BTX5857 ball bearing turbochargers and a ton of other upgrades and you have yourself an 800 horsepower retro-styled, water-cooled beast.
15. Benton Performance’s Porsche 912
John Benton is dedicated to the often overlooked 4-cylinder 912. In many ways, the 912 is a true evolution to the Porsche 356. With its skinny tires and 4-cylinder engine, it retained the same nimble driving characteristics that Porsche owners came to expect. As it sits today, this ’68 912 is powered by one of Benton Performance’s highly tuned 1.7L twin-spark engines.
Adjustable spring plates and Konis ensure that the car maintains its composure in the corners while a strut bar and swaybars front and rear allow it to stay planted. Widened steelies allow the wider rubber necessary to keep the car on the track.
14. Magnus Walker’s 277
Magnus and “The 277” have seemingly become one. Few men reach the level of bond, attachment, and appreciation for their cars that Magnus shares with the 277. The 277 has earned a special place not only amongst fans’ and followers’ hearts but in Magnus’ as well – as its overall aesthetic and style has been the result of 15 years of constant use and evolution.
The driving experience of the 277 is what Magnus refers to as a “flat foot” car. With just over 200 horsepower at his disposal, he’s able to keep his foot in the throttle through most of the turns, back roads, and road courses he tackles – which he does with immense frequency.
13. 1955 Porsche Silver Bullett
This 1955 Porsche Silver Bullett Hot Rod is based on a 914-6 chassis and has a mid-mounted RS-spec 3.0-liter 911 engine that produces 279 hp. The hot rod’s body is based on a 1955 356 Continental Coupe but with a longer wheelbase and a chopped roof.
It has Weber carburetors and a five-speed 915 gearbox, along with 17-inch disc wheels and 718 RSK-style side vents, driver’s side mirror, transmission, and engine access covers. Braking is done by the 934-sourced ventilated and drilled discs. Inside there is green leather bucket seats and a wood-trimmed steering wheel, and VDO instruments – with some dials borrowed from a 911. The side windows and windscreen are made from Plexiglas.
12. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: Strosek 964
As if the Speedster wasn’t exclusive enough, this one was given the full treatment of sportscar tuning legend Vittorio Strosek. Known for his whimsically modified Porsches and Lamborghinis, Strosek gave this car the full treatment, which may be eye-catching, but not very aesthetically pleasing.
Inside, the interior was trimmed with black and Maritime Blue leather that featured a custom brake handle, shift lever, and tachometer. A total of 15 of these Mega Speedsters would be built, only two in Maritime Blue. Is it pretty? Far from it! We would much rather have the standard 964 Speedster, then again, it is one of the most divisive Porsches known to man.
11. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: HOT ROD 911
Matte purple, outboard wheels taller than the doors, and an enormous Ford V8 complete with a blower and a side exhaust. It’s one of those builds that people will either love or hate. As a hot rod, we think it’s cool. However, we don’t like the fact that it’s a Porsche.
The extensive mechanical modifications must’ve required a high level of skill and determination, but the result removes everything that is unique to Porsche’s, to begin with and replaces it with what is nothing more than your average hot rod.
10. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: BAD LOOKING 914
Apparently, this is a custom 914. If no one told us we would never have guessed. It’s barely recognizable as a Porsche, heck, it’s barely recognizable as a car. The whole thing seems to be a mix and match, or mismatch, of different cars from different brands, ranging from an early 2000s Pontiac to a Ferrari Testarossa.
It’s cool to own a one-of-a-kind ride, and the work required for this build must’ve been extensive and expensive, but did anyone ever take a step back and ask if this actually looks good?
9. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: Porsche 928 Max Power Edition
Did you ever read that British car magazine Max Power? In the early 2000s, they featured a bunch of cars styled in this manner. And they were all unfortunate-looking! Is it a Porsche or a Peugeot? If one ever has to ask that question the car should be set fire to immediately!
This once proud 928 now sports a Peugeot hood, a strange grille, plus flames and faux air intakes that are actually mounted on the door. Are they there in order to keep the driver cool in such a hot car? This entire car is a crime scene!
8. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: The Red Baron’s Porsche
This is what happens when you buy a car that’s too expensive for you to keep. we guess it was rear-ended and then repaired with whatever parts they could persuade to fit. It’s hard to tell what part of this car is more offensive.
On one side, there’s the ugly wing. Porsche has a long history of crazy spoilers and wings on their cars, but this one is just ‘too much’ to be cool. Then there are the Peugeot 106 tail lights. Why on earth would anyone fit those on their Porsche? According to the guy who posted the image on Reddit, the car was belching blue smoke as well. Poor thing.
7. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: GOLD LEAF 996
This 2005 Porsche 996 Turbo Cabriolet has received some bling in the form of gold leaf covering its entire body. According to internet rumors, this modification took somewhere in the range of $600,000 to create. We really hope that’s wrong!!
The car was up for sale for a mere 1.8 million Russian Rubles, equating to roughly $61,000. With a price that low, there may be quite an interesting back story to this entire sale, given the price is 10% of the initial cost and less than the actual market value of the car… or maybe the owner is just tired of actual gold-diggers hanging around?
6. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: RIDING HOOD 996
These days, we get to talk about the 996 incarnation of the Porsche 911 on tons of occasions, with the now-affordable Porsche receiving plenty of love from aficionados who had been waiting to get their hands on one for too many years. This, however, is not one of those occasions.
Riding Hood Motorsports describes itself as a “group of likeminded racing enthusiasts joining together to get more from their racing time and money.” Well, anyone who’s put money into this abomination has been tricked. This has to be one of the oddest examples of a Porsche – or any car for that matter – that we’ve ever seen.
5. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: BUMBLEBEE (FROM RUSSIA)
This TopCar creation features a string of carbon-fiber add-ons including a custom hood, front and rear bumpers, GT3 RS-inspired ducts, new side skirts, and air intakes, and a large rear wing, combined with a set of two-tone wheels, the bumblebee Porsche Cabrio is sure to stand out for all the wrong reasons. This is one unfortunate-looking 911.
Under the hood, TopCar is capable of tuning the engine to deliver up to 750 horsepower, but there’s no word on whether this particular model received any performance upgrades.
4. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: PORSCHE 912 FOR SALE
We’ve seen a lot of rust buckets over the years, but this is perhaps the worst! It’s like a train wreck, it’s horrible, yet there’s something fascinating about it making us unable to look away. The crazy part about this thing is that it was for sale!! That’s how you know the Porsche market is out of control – when something like this gets put up for sale.
The moment you see a beater that is so rusty that the door is actually sitting on the ground next to it, you know there are issues – proven by the fact that even the seller admits that it’s beyond saving.
3. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: THE WORLD’S WORST MODIFIED CAYENNE – BY FAR!
We understand that people want to personalize and modify their cars. We also understand that it’s easy to sometimes take things a little bit too far when trying to make a statement and get some attention.
This, on the other hand… we don’t even know what this utter pile of garbage is. It’s as if someone just randomly threw as much crap as they possibly could on top of a Cayenne.
What on earth were they thinking? Clearly, this is proof that money cannot buy taste.
2. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: QVARNIS ‘IT’S FUN’ PORSCHE
This is Joakim Qvarnström’s show car ‘It’s Fun’, which started out as a 70s Porsche 911. There’s nothing wrong with the engine in this thing, which put out 1,000+ horses and set records as the fastest and most powerful street-legal car in Sweden.
The owner was “heavily involved” in the Getaway in Stockholm street racing films, and there was more illegality going on with this Porsche – Basically, he got it approved as a street-legal car through some bribery.
The looks are our main issue with this 911. Heavily inspired by ricer styling, and in its later configurations, it looked even worse – those Fiat headlights were just the beginning.
1. SHOULD BE LOCKED UP: RAUH WELT TOO MUCH
This truly unique RWB Porsche has cost a small fortune to build. As with a lot of high-end Porsches in Japan, this one was sent to the Porsche specialists PROMODET for tuning. It was here that the car was married to a powerful 3.8-liter 993 RSR engine producing 350 hp, as well as receiving a 993 Turbo 4 pot brake system and H&R suspension with Koyama Racing shock absorbers.
The problem with this car is its looks. RWB is known for taking the styling to extremes, but in this case, we think they’ve gone too far – the car ends up looking like a parody of other RWB Porsches.
Sources: Top Speed, Reddit, Jalopnik, Petrolicious
