IrishWhiskey

I keep hearing and reading about the 911 Purist...but who are they? What age group? If you can add to a already great base like a 911 anything, why not add mods?

It is not like your making the interior Hot Pink, rapping it in fake gold, and lowering it to LA low rider with a bouncing suspension..

Seriously, half the fun of a performance car, is making it your own. OEM Stock is like drinking light beer...

Okay, just trying to get a rise out of everyone, its the weekend...

davcbr

The 997's don't have the problem, they are more sold ,and therefore less collected in the spirit, not like the 2.7/3.0/3.2 for example

qikqbn

This is a great question. One that I tried to figure out myself. "Purists" , I thought, meant enthusiast... but I was wrong. I have owned 6 Porsches over 22 years. Driven over 400,000 miles in Porsches. I love the brand and I am a die hard proud owner. YET, since I have never owned an air-cooled Porsche, some would not consider me a purist. I think that title was some how hijacked by the air-cooled crowd. So I guess the more "analog" your 911 is, the more "purist" you can call yourself.
I met a guy once. He owned his first porsche for one week and it was air cooled. He looked at my 4 porsches in my garage like they were not real Porsches. I laughed and could care less about being in the purist club. I do what makes me happy!

groovzilla

I've just always preferred a stock 356/911/911sc/911 Carrera/964/993/997
The only exterior cosmetic mods I've ever done to the many models I've owned is to lower the 997's I've owned.
Adding short shift and PSE muffler sound on 997 a must but they don't change exterior design.
I've never understood changing out the stock wheels(Love Lobster's) or adding ducktails/etc. Just not into it.

Like music, to each his own.

cdk4219

Or you can place an American aluminum V8 in place of the flat 6 and have a great time. It’s all up to you. Realistically the Porsche community is much more understanding than other ones in this aspect.

When I swapped an ls1 into a second generation Mazda rx7 turbo 20 some years ago, it was a problem for the purist in that group.

I decided to do the transplant into a third generation Rx7 the next year, the world according to them was ending and I was the Antichrist for that

​​​​​​ Decided to swap a Lincoln mark7 lsc after that, same thing. Moved on to a mid 90s Mercedes sl600 with a Chevrolet v8 turbo, backlash was fierce.

The Porsche community Has actually been the least judge mental of all with regards to these sort of changes.

It’s your car, and if you would like to put turbo side inlets on the narrow body to fit your liking do it. It’s not my preference, but if it gives you enjoyment and you complete your goals good for you

Chalkboss

You kids...

IrishWhiskey

So besides the air cooled crowd, which is another orbit IMO and I get that...

But what about the 911 buyer that wants all the OEM on any model, old radio, wheels, exhaust, taillights, no window tint etc....is that a purist?

kellen

Some people care too much.

I like the car. I do what I want to it. You do the same.

Not directed to OP or anyone. Some people take things too serious.

qikqbn

I will say this...Singer Porsches nail it for me in the sense that... Singer could care less about purists as long as it looks close to oem, uses the best of porsche parts available, improves the handling, braking, interior or exterior look of the car, then why not consider it. I love to tinker and enjoy tasteful mods. These cars can be better and improved over stock. It makes for a much more exciting driving experience.
Yet, I will admit that I draw a line in the sand for certain mods. Different strokes for different folks. Go for it, but just keep the oem parts if you intend to sell the car later.

If I am honest...I do not buy modified Porsches. now that I think about it...it is funny, but when I buy, I think like a purist and want a pristine unmodified example. Once I own, I like to tinker and make it my own with tasteful modifications.

elwademd

air cooled, oem only, slightly modified, heavily modified (rwb comes to mind), modified but looks oem (singer), outlaw (magnus walker, etc.), and everything in between... ultimately... "if it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." - sheryl crow

i actually love the diversity i see in the brand, and even within the different generations.

"now the world don't move to the beat of just one drum, what might be right for you, may not be right for some." - alan thicke (diff'rent strokes)

pro1200

I look at a highly engineered and purpose built car like a 911 as an exquisite mix of art and science executed by a team of talented individuals. The engineers, designers, stylists, test techs, etc. had to meet many requirements and expectations to produce the machine they did. I respect the work and think it is disrespectful to alter it. Yes, I am a purist but I don't judge others.

jbkusa

I subscribe to that philosophy as well.

larrytrk

To my 09S I added:
remotekey
Das Shield trunk protector
CarPlay
rear camera
wireless charger on Rennline holder
Porsche Sport Design wheels
front grill screens
PSE with console off/on switch
Porsche umbrella in door jamb
if your too much of a purist not to buy my car, even if it’s not for sale, good luck to you.
I’ve owned 5 911’s starting with a 71 T, and happily improved to my taste each and every one of them.
I never had any problems selling any of the older ones.

ABNJOE

Pro1200,

Very articulate post and I agree with everything up to the part where you say "it is disrespectful to alter it." I respect your point of view, but I feel that adding a touch of individuality and improving some of the aspects of the car (handling, audio, exhaust, overall presence) that were perhaps limited by the "bean counters" for the sake of final cost is a way to make your car, your own. Everybody has their own version of "car perfection" and I enjoy seeing these different interpretations. I do have to admit though, "pimping your Porsche" may be taking it a bit too far, but once again, if that's what "floats your boat", more power to you!

jbkusa

I also think the engineers at Porsche had to curb their design to meet certain regulations and standards so they toned down their final masterpiece. Some mods are just unleashing what they really wanted/intended.

another way to think about it is they left us with untapped potential if we choose to go there. A parting gift from them to us!