Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) has announced the 2024 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge champions. Entries from PCNA’s three sales regions – East, South-Central and West – were judged at area events over the summer.
A panel of experts from Porsche Club of America and PCNA judged the finals at the Petersen Automotive Museum on Oct. 4.
Porsche Centers across the United States were invited to compete in one of three categories: Preservation, Restoration and Individualization. For the first time, an overall Grand National Champion was selected from the three category winners. In addition, the general public, along with a select group of VIP judges including media, influencers and industry experts, helped select the People’s Choice award.
Individualization & Grand National Champion: Porsche Englewood
A 1985 911 Carrera backdate tribute: the “1971 McQueen Gulf #20 S/T.” Brought to life by Porsche Englewood’s dedicated Classic recreated the iconic McQueen 917 from the movie Le Mans (1971), reimagined as a 1971 Nürburgring S/T race car. This vehicle now proudly joins his collection.
Porsche Englewood aimed to craft a daily-driver that remains track-ready, merging the finest genuine Porsche parts, including selections from the Porsche Motorsport catalogue, with top-tier enhancements. The result is a tribute that balances reliability with authenticity. To make this a reality, the team sourced a 964 engine and upgraded it to a 3.8L with internal throttle bodies, modernized the transmission with a hydraulic clutch, and shortened gears one to four for enhanced acceleration.
The car features Custom livery with hand painted stripes, widened fenders and tucked bumpers. The interior has been reworked with Alcantara headliner, pepita cloth seats and dash pad, custom steering wheel, and the upgraded Porsche Classic PCCM radio.
Restoration & People’s Choice: Porsche Louisville
Porsche Louisville acquired this 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo from the estate of its original owner. Finished in Peru Red, the car had not run in 15 years, presenting a unique restoration challenge.
Reviving a vehicle that had been dormant for so long required draining all fluids, checking the engine for internal damage, and examining everything from the wiring to the suspension. Each component was scrutinized to ensure no hidden issues would impact the car’s performance.
The entire engine was rebuilt, allowing this Turbo to perform just as it did in 1977. The suspension was also fully rebuilt to restore the car’s sharp handling and precise driving dynamics, which have always been the hallmark of the 930 Turbo.
After addressing all mechanical, electrical, and interior aspects, the car was stripped down and repainted in its original Peru Red, bringing back its vibrant, head-turning appearance.
Preservation: Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas
The team brought the car to its original configuration. They performed a compression/leak-down test to verify the engine’s health, cleaned out the entire fuel system, and flow-tested the injectors.
The team replaced the worn-out aftermarket shocks with Porsche Genuine Turbo-Look shocks, and the engine was resealed with Porsche Genuine piston rings and refinished cylinder heads. A donor Targa bar had to be acquired, meticulously measured for proper fitment, and welded into place. The front and rear lenses were replaced with Porsche Genuine Parts, along with rubber moldings surrounding the body that were degrading.
This is the second year in a row Gaudin Porsche has won in the preservation category. They also won People’s Choice at Rennsport Reunion 7 last year.
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Restoration Challenge,” said Jonathan Sieber, Senior Manager of Porsche Classic. “The skill and dedication that went into each of these entries speaks volumes to the unparalleled passion surrounding Porsche vehicles of the past and the future.”
