Porsche is bringing back its Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge for a third year, and is inviting U.S. Porsche dealerships to prove their classic chops by restoring a vehicle from the 1950s to the 2000s, the automaker announced.
Now in its third year, the Restoration Challenge is aimed at cars that are due for expert attention from Porsche-trained technicians, the company said. More than 60 dealers are expected to participate.
Changes to the challenge for 2023 include the introduction of three different categories for dealers to compete in. The Preservation category is intended to keep original components of the vehicle present, enhancing the vehicle to improve its overall function while not restoring it to like-new condition. The Restoration category is for those projects going through a true restoration process, returning it to like-new condition. Vehicles in the Restoration category will be most closely aligned with original production specifications. Based on the Porsche Sonderwunsch program, the Individualization category is for those entries that fulfill a special wish.
The change to three categories in the competition means there will also be three overall champions crowned this year, one for each category, Porsche representatives said. The finals will be held at, and awarded, during Rennsport Reunion 7.
Scoring for the competition began this month and runs through mid-August, when entries from three sales areas – East, South-Central and West – will be judged at one of three central events. One area winner for each category will be decided at the central events and all nine cars will be on display during Rennsport Reunion 7.
Joining the Classic roster for the first time are the Type 987 Boxster and Cayman and 911 Type 997 models, making them eligible for the challenge. In total, entries can now include Porsche 356 and 914 models, six generations of the 911, transaxle models like the 944 and 928, as well as modern classics such as the Boxster, Cayman and first-generation Cayenne. The competition is limited to production street vehicles only.
