USA: The 2026 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge National Champion has been decided.

The 6th Porsche Restoration Challenge

The Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge, a competition where Porsche Centers across the United States compete in their classic Porsche restoration skills, has announced its 2026 national champion.

This year, 60 cars were entered from all over the United States, and after competing in regional tournaments, the cars that advanced to the finals gathered at Luftgekühlt 12 in Georgia.

The competition took place in the same three categories as last year:

• Preservation: Focus on maintaining the originality of the vehicle
• Restoration: involves returning a vehicle to its original specification and condition.
• Individualization: Creative changes are possible

In addition, a Grand National Champion and a People's Choice Award, chosen by public vote, will be selected.

Winner of the Restoration category and Grand National Champion: Harper Porsche

This year, the winners of both the restoration category and the Grand National Championship were Harper Porsche's 1978 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3.

This particular car was specially ordered by an early member of the Sonderwunsch team, and its body color is a paint-to-sample (PTS) "Buick Medium Green Poly metallic."

The interior features a combination of white leather and pinstripe velour.

This car, which hadn't been properly maintained for many years and was in need of extensive repairs, underwent a complete overhaul by the team, including rust repair, stripping and repainting the metal surfaces, and even a complete overhaul of the engine, transmission, and turbocharger.

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Preservation Category Winner: Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas

The winner in the preservation category was the '1996 Porsche 911 Turbo', created by Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas.

The focus was on carefully reversing the modifications made with aftermarket parts over the years and restoring the vehicle to its factory-shipped specifications.

The original finish was preserved while the original equipment was restored, and its authenticity was confirmed by a Porsche Classic technical certificate.

Incidentally, this Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas has once again won in the preservation category, following its victory last year with a 1988 944 Turbo S.

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Individualization Winner: Porsche Orlando

The winner in the customization category was Porsche Orlando with their '1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe'.

Originally a pastel yellow 993, it was transformed into a special car for its owner, inspired by the Sonderwunsch (a type of 993 car).

The 993 RS was disassembled down to its body shell and rebuilt based on a unique interpretation. It features handcrafted details and custom finishes, combined with a high-revving 4.0-liter engine.

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The Porsche Orlando also won the People's Choice Award.

Furthermore, this 1997 911 Carrera Coupe also won the People's Choice Award.

It was reported that they received the most votes in a poll conducted by attendees at Luftgekühlt 12, held at Town at Trilith.

The significance of the restoration challenge

The United States is the world's largest market for classic Porsches.

At these Porsche Centers across the country, trained technicians utilize approximately 85,000 genuine Porsche Classic parts.

This year's award-winning vehicles are three cars that showcase the skills, creativity, and meticulous craftsmanship of these engineers.

These are technicians who regularly work with many classic Porsches, servicing and restoring each one according to its condition.

I believe that one of the great significances of this restoration challenge is the opportunity to showcase the culmination of the experience and skills that have been cultivated through those days.

Source:
◆(Official)Harper Porsche earns top honors in 2026 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge
◆(Official) Luftgekühlt celebrates air-cooled Porsche heritage in Atlanta

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