USA: 2024 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge National Champion Determined

The 4th Porsche Restoration Challenge

Porsche North America has been trying out an interesting initiative for the past few years, which is a competition in which each Porsche Center (authorized dealer) competes in their skills at restoring classic Porsches.

The vehicles to be restored include the Porsche 356 and 914, five generations of 911s, transaxle models such as the 944 and 928, as well as the first-generation Boxster and Cayenne.

Entries from Porsche North America's three sales regions (East, South Central, and West) were initially judged at regional events held in the summer.

The finalists will then be judged at the Petersen Automotive Museum on October 4, 2024.

The challenge contest has three categories of competition, which are as follows:

• Preservation
• Restoration
• Individualization

A Grand National Champion will then be selected from the winners of these three categories.

There is also the People's Choice Award, which is selected by a select VIP panel of judges that includes not only the general public but also media, influencers, and industry experts.

The winner of the 2024 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge has been announced, so I'd like to see it.

Individualization Winner and Grand National Champion:Porsche Englewood

The winner of the prestigious Individualized Division, and also named Grand National Champion, was a Porsche restored by Englewood, titled "A 1985 911 Carrera backdate tribute: the "1971 McQueen Gulf #20 S/T."

The iconic McQueen 917 featured in the 1971 film "Le Mans" is recreated as a 1971 Nürburgring S/T race car.

In restoring this car, the team's goal was to ask themselves, "What would it be like if Steve McQueen raced a 911S/T instead of a 917?"

It's really original and interesting to set such goals in the first place.

Porsche Englewood aimed to create a car that could be used for both everyday use and circuit driving by combining carefully selected, top-quality genuine Porsche parts with the highest quality enhancements, and this car was the result.

The company sourced a 964 engine and upgraded it to a 3.8L with an internal throttle body, modernized the transmission with a hydraulic clutch, and shortened first through fourth gears for better acceleration.

The exterior has also been significantly altered, featuring custom paintwork including hand-painted stripes, wider fenders and folded-over bumpers.

The cockpit has been redesigned with an Alcantara headliner, Pepita seats and dash pad, a custom steering wheel, and an upgraded Porsche Classic PCCM.

Restoration Winner and People's Choice Winner: Porsche Louisville

Next up, selected in the restoration category and also as the People's Choice, is this 1977 Porsche 930 Turbo by Porsche Luisville.

This car, finished in Peru Red, had not been driven for 15 years, which presented some unique challenges for the restoration - all fluids had to be drained, the engine checked for internal damage, and everything from the wiring to the suspension inspected.

The entire engine has been rebuilt to original performance specifications, resulting in this Turbo performing exactly like it did in 1977.

The suspension has also been rebuilt to restore the sharp handling and precise driving dynamics that are hallmarks of the 930 Turbo.

The entire electrical system has also been rebuilt to ensure all components are in working order.

The exterior has been repainted in its original Peruvian red, restoring its vibrant, eye-catching appearance.

Preservation Winner: Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas 

The winner in the preservation category was the Porsche Center in Las Vegas, but this restoration all began in 1997 when a Las Vegas resident purchased what he thought was a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo Look (M491) Cabriolet with a turbo spoiler.

In fact, it wasn't until the car arrived at Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas that they realized it had actually started life as an M491 Targa. Is that even possible?

The team then attempted to restore the car to its original condition, running compression/leakdown tests to check the condition of the engine, flushing the full fuel system and flow testing the injectors.

They then used dry ice blasting to clean the undercarriage and all suspension components, removing 38 years of grime.

The worn aftermarket shock absorbers were replaced with genuine Porsche Turbo Look shock absorbers, and the engine was resealed with genuine Porsche piston rings and refinished cylinder heads.

The interior was also stripped and the carpet and leather were steam cleaned and restored.

He said they got a Targa bar, measured it for a proper fit, and welded it into place.

The aftermarket wheels were replaced with genuine Porsche Fuchs wheels featured in Originale 2. Finally, a thorough paint correction was carried out to restore the original mirror finish.

By the way, this Gaudin Porsche has won the preservation category for the second year in a row. Last year, it also won the People's Choice award at Rennsport Reunion7.

The number of participants was 58.

It is said that 58 Porsches have been entered in the 2024 competition.

Am I lucky? For information on the participating cars in the 2023 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge,We were able to meet at Rennsport Reuninon7.

This kind of restoration challenge between authorized dealers in the United States may be quite difficult for those who participate, but it is a good competition in that it improves the restoration skills of dealers and allows rare classic Porsches to remain beautiful and in use for a long time to come.

Source:
◆(Official)2024 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge National Champions crowned in LA
◆ (Official)Bringing back the Classics

Related article:
◆Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge in the United States
◆Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7 | I went to 2023 ④ Sonderbunsch, 356, Sports Classic, Shop