Judges have selected the final round of entries for the fifth annual Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge. The judging for Area South-Central took place in Carmel, Indiana, on Sept. 5, while Area East judging happened the following day, in New York City. Members of the Porsche Club of America, along with staff from Porsche Classic and Porsche Cars North America, scored the entries. Area West winners were recently announced at Monterey Car Week in August. The event culminates with the National Finals on Oct. 4 in Durham, North Carolina, alongside Luftgekühlt 11.
“Congratulations to all the winners who poured an enormous amount of time and energy into restoring these beautiful classic Porsche cars,” said Jonathan Sieber, senior manager of Porsche Classic. “Each of them is a testament to teamwork, craftsmanship and passion.”
Technicians at Porsche Centers across the United States compete in one of three categories: Preservation, which focuses on maintaining the vehicle’s originality; Restoration, which involves returning a vehicle to its original specification and as-new condition; and Individualization, which allows for creative modifications. In addition, there is a People’s Choice award.
Seventy-three vehicles were entered nationwide this year, which is a new record according to event organizers in a press release. Following is a list of the winners for Area South-Central and Area East.
Area South-Central Winners
Restoration: Porsche North Houston – Speed Yellow 2004 911 GT3
The team started with dry ice blasting to remove grease and grime from the engine bay and undercarriage. The engine received fresh front and rear main seals, new coolant pipes and had the clutch replaced. From there, the Speed Yellow paint was restored, and the interior was refreshed. When the work was complete, the 911 GT3 made its debut at the All-Stars Car Show in Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros.
Preservation: Porsche Louisville – 2002 Boxster S
Sold initially by Porsche Louisville in 2002, the Arctic Silver Boxster S was not drivable before the preservation began. Gold Certified Porsche Technician Christian Leadingham completely disassembled the engine down to the crankshaft before painstakingly rebuilding it.
Leadingham was just shy of three months old when this Boxster S was delivered to its original owner. Now that the work is complete, Leadingham is only the Boxster’s second owner.
Individualization: Harper Porsche – 1992 964 RS
The goal for this build was to create a 964 Carrera RS in the same vein as Sonderwunsch, using the best of Porsche’s standard production, Classic and Motorsport catalogs. Starting from the outside, painters formulated their own ChromaFlair-style paint, using Porsche’s Oak Green Metallic as a core color with accents of greens, blues and gold tones.
Inside, black leather and Alcantara provide a neutral counterpoint to flashes of green leather, matched by a pair of green RS door releases, a 12 o’clock marker on the steering wheel, “Carrera RS” carpet embroidery, and the bespoke gauges whose markers reference Porsche’s connection to timekeeping.
Under the hood, the car’s original M64/03 engine was modified by technicians to 3.8 liters, in tribute to the 964 Carrera 3.8 RS and RSR.
People’s Choice: Hendrick Porsche – 1988 959 Komfort
In the late 1980s, General Motors, aiming to redefine performance with the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, purchased a Porsche 959 directly from Porsche as a benchmark vehicle. This untitled 959, with its twin-turbo engine and all-wheel-drive system, was flown to the United States for exclusive testing at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds.
For 30 years, this 959 sat dormant. Hendrick Porsche revived the car to its original glory while preserving select patina—scuffs and wear from its proving ground days—as a testament to its storied past. The restored 959 represents automotive history and engineering excellence.
Area East Winners
Restoration: Porsche Edison – 1996 911 C2 Cabriolet
The owner made a promise to his 92-year-old father to care for the 911 Cabriolet he bought from him. He fully restored the car’s interior, exterior and mechanicals. His father, now 94, can look upon the vehicle and see that it has been well cared for.
Preservation: Porsche Beachwood – 1995 911 Carrera 4
This 911 Carrera 4 was first owned by Daniel Fox, then by his son, Brennan. Brennan started with Porsche of Beachwood in April of 2013 and became a certified Porsche Brand Ambassador in 2016. When Porsche Beachwood opened its new Destination Porsche Center in 2024, Roger Penske signed the underside of this 911 hood as part of the celebration.
The vehicle had a mechanical refresh, with parts like clutch fork bearings and chain guides being replaced. Additional wear items, including gaskets and hoses, were also exchanged, but many original parts and accessories were meticulously refreshed to maintain as much originality as possible.
Individualization: Porsche Clifton Park – 1988 911 Carrera Coupe
Owned by Christian Trujillo, general manager of Porsche Clifton Park, this 911 Carrera Coupe was named “Beauty” by Trujillo’s daughter when she was a toddler. The genesis of this project was a serious accident last October when Trujillo hit a deer while driving the 911. It was vital to Trujillo that the car be repaired and not sent to the junkyard, as he planned to pass “Beauty” down to his kids.
He used it as an opportunity to participate in the Restoration Challenge. Trujillo and his crew also used it as an opportunity to adopt a healthier lifestyle. During the project, the team lost more than 100 pounds, which they documented as part of their journey with “Beauty.” Trujillo says it has given them strength when they faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. The 911 now sports a custom red and black interior, and the once-damaged windshield, hood, front quarter panel and headlight are back to their original state.
People’s Choice: Porsche Delaware – 1986 928 S
This 928 S, which spent most of its life in Germany, was in desperate need of both body and mechanical work when it arrived in the U.S. Among the highlights are a new custom interior and the addition of gullwing-style doors. The team also upgraded the suspension, restored the brakes, added custom headers and installed new factory headlights to the intricate build.
Porsche Factory Restoration & Sonderwunsch Services
America is home to more classic Porsche vehicles than any other market in the world, noted Porsche officials in the press release. Cars competing in the Restoration Challenge are worked on by Porsche-trained technicians who have access to a vast portfolio of nearly 85,000 Porsche Classic Genuine Parts, ensuring a comprehensive restoration process. The Porsche Classic U.S. headquarters, alongside One Porsche Drive in Atlanta, provides factory restoration services for all classic models and Sonderwunsch factory programs for all Porsche models.
You can check out the winners of the 2024 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge here.