Throwback: Retro 996 Porsche Bodykit Gives it a Classic Look
Reverse Restomod
Transforming vintage Porsche 911s into modern restomods is all the craze these days. Outfits like Singer and Workshop 5001 are cranking out high-quality, high-dollar rides for an eager group of folks willing to dish out the cash for the best of both worlds. But one thing we haven't seen much of is newer 911s made to look like older ones. Until now, that is.
Modern Classic
That's right - this particular 911 is actually a 996-gen, even if it looks a bit older. It's the brainchild of Spanish builder Ludic, who've posted pictures of their unique machine on Instagram. They've transformed the car to look like an old 911, first by installing the front and rear fascias from a classic model.
Head Scratcher
Ludic also installed a set of period-correct Fuchs wheels to complete the look. But then, they modernized the whole thing by making it a widebody. It's an interesting yet confusing mix that'll leave you wondering what, exactly, this 911 is. At first glance, you might think that it's a modernized old school Porsche, a la Singer.
Few Clues
But there are a few clues as to what's really going on underneath that new skin. Things like the headlights, which are pretty small in proportion to the enlarged body. Not to mention the "Retro SVO" stripes on the sides, and the more modern roof lines.
Solid Proportions
According to Ludic, they added a whopping seven inches of width to this Porsche. And you can certainly tell, especially when viewing it from the rear. In all fairness, they did a pretty good job of meshing all of this stuff together and making it look decently proportioned.
New Trend?
Obviously, Ludic put a ton of work into their Frankenstein-like project. But we're not entirely sure if this sort of thing will catch on. Historically speaking, making new cars look old rarely goes well. And if we had to choose between this and a Singer, well, there's no debate on which way we'd go.
Best of Both Worlds
Regardless, it somewhat makes sense that somebody would do this. The 996-gen 911 is the most affordable at the moment, and it's a reliable modern rig. It's not quite as popular as other gens, mostly because of its looks. So when you fix that and make it look like a classic 911, you get the best of both worlds, right?
Catching On
Whether or not this trend will catch on and catch fire, well, remains to be seen. We can certainly appreciate Ludic's vision and craftsmanship here, but we're not so sure we'd take the plunge. Personally, we like the 996 the way it is, but perhaps enough folks will dig this redo to make it a thing moving forward.
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