What Drove 2017? The Uncommon and the Beautiful
From vintage resto-mods to rare special editions, the past year was shot through with rare and beautiful cars.
There’s nothing quite so captivating as something uncommon. That saying is doubly true for those of us who like to savor the best Porsche has to offer — past, present, and future. The past year played host to easily some of the best builds we’ve ever seen. Not only that, the future is bright for the German automaker, which has some amazing things in store for 2018.
It was hard to distill the past year down into a list of the 10 best stories of 2017, but we’ve taken a crack at it. We can’t wait to see what Porsche brings to the next 12 months.
1. Stunning 918 Spyder Weissach Package Surfaces in Rennlist Classifieds
In perhaps the most encouraging moment of drive-or-garage-it, a 918 Spyder Weissach Package showed up in the Rennlist classified section with 10,000 miles on the odometer. More often than not, these are the kinds of models that get garaged, or sparingly driven. It was a breath of fresh air to see one with so many miles on it. Also encouraging was the fact that the car was listed for more than MSRP. Sometimes it pays in more ways to drive your fancy supercar.
2. 500-HP Porsche 911 Modified by Singer Is Perfection
Singer Vehicle Design got together with Williams Advanced Engineering (of Formula One) and produced a 75-unit run of quite possibly the best 964 911 we’ve ever laid eyes on. Production will be handled at William’s facility in Oxfordshire, England. The price is expected to exceed one million dollars.
The collaboration features impeccably executed details by Singer, wrapped in Absinthe Green paint and decked out in Blood Orange leather. Williams produced a wonder 4.0L flat-six for the car as well that puts out 500 hp with a 9,000 rpm rev limit. Talk about fun.
3. Cars and Women Really Do Go Together!
Attractive and intelligent women have always made a great complement to cars we enjoy so much. Ruby Davis, founder of ChickDriven.com, posed for a few shots with one of the rarest and desirable Porsche editions: a 1994 Porsche 964 Turbo S Package. Just 17 were produced: 15 went to the USA, and two to Canada. The two made a stunning duo.
4. Porsche Mission E Hype Video Touts Impressive Features
With the release of a concept video to hype the forthcoming Mission E, Porsche hit the nail on the head for us. Active aero, pillarless suicide doors, and four-seat all-electric sports sedan? Sign us up! With the Mission E, Porsche will be taking the fight to Tesla’s Model S, and with a price closer to $85,000 it won’t have to lean too hard on brand cachet either.
5. SPY SHOTS: Next-Gen Porsche Cayenne Coupe
Early in 2017 one of our spy photographers spotted what we suspect is a next-generation Cayenne. While not that ground breaking, because Porsche would remiss to not update one of their best-sellers, it was exciting specifically because it has a sloping roofline like so many “coupe” models (think BMW X6) and was totally silent according to the spy photographer. Tesla Model X fighter? Perhaps.
6. Introducing #ProjectStork, Rennlist’s Official Project Car
Rennlist’s own Manuel Carrillo III embarked on a journey to restore his father’s 1977 Porsche 911 S. The 911 was not only the first car he ever rode in (at two days old!) it’s the car that inspired him to be a car guy. What started at enthusiasm lead to a journey down the automotive journalism path. Keep up with Project Stork on Manuel’s YouTube channel and on Instagram.
7. Four Porsche Debuts Make Us Very Excited for 2018
In short, the introduction of the Panamera Sport Turismo, 911 GT3, Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, and 911 GTS. The Panamera Sport Turismo has seating for five and more luggage room. The 911 GT3 not only has naturally-aspirated 500 hp 9,000 rpm flat-six, it’s available with a six-speed manual transmission.
At 680 hp the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is not only excessive, it’s the first time Porsche has offered a plug-in hybrid as the highest performance trim in a model line. The 911 GTS represents a performance bump for the Targo and Carrera variants. 2018 will also mark the start of a new freebie from Porsche: the 10,000-mile, or one year, scheduled maintenance service will be free on all models.
8. Singer and Williams New Flat-Six Sounds Amazing
The only thing better than the way the engine produced for the joint Singer/Williams 911 looks, is the way it sounds. The engine will power a limited 75-unit run of 964 911’s. The 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six makes 500 hp and revs to 9,000 rpm. Not only that, they brought in Hans Mezger to consult on the project. You know, the man who designed the first flat-six Porsche ever used.
9. Driver’s Priceless Reaction to His Rare 911 Being Totaled
Well, after August, there are a maximum of 18 Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolets running around in the wild. One owner had his pride and joy totaled by on a notorious road by the likes of a Ford Ka. Steven Parr, owner of the totaled Porsche, had the best reaction anyone could hope to in such circumstances. He said, “My car is most likely going to be written off, which is awful news for me especially, as I can’t replace it. At least we are still alive though.”
10. Porsche Drops Details On ‘Rennsport Reunion VI’
The last Rennsport Reunion, held at the Monterey Peninsula racetrack, happened in 2015 and drew nearly 60,000 people. The next, Rennsport Reunion VI, will happen at California’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, September 27-30, 2018. That’s four full days, which include on-track competition, a Concours d’Elegance, Porsche driver legends, autograph sessions, and so on.
Ticket packages, along with options for camping and hospitality, are available directly from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca online. Be there.
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