Frankfurt Preview: Limited-edition Porsche 911 Sport Classic marks return of the ducktail
by Sam Abuelsamid on Sep 2nd 2009 at 8:28AM 
Porsche 911 Sport Classic - click either image for high-res image gallery
Porsche has been building limited-edition 911s almost as long as it has been building the rear-engined wundercar, and the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show will see the launch of yet another. The new 911 Sport Classic you see before you has been tweaked by Stuttgart's Porsche Exclusive in-house customizing department, and suddenly our upcoming trip to Germany looks a lot brighter.
Fortunately for enthusiasts, when Porsche says special, they mean it – this far more than just a tape and body kit job. Changes to the Sport Classic Grey model start at the nose with a revised fascia and take off from there. Up top, the roof panel receives a double-bubble treatment: a pair of domes above the driver and passenger with a channel down the middle. At the rear, the ducktail spoiler from the legendary the Carrera RS 2.7 makes its first appearance on a modern 911 and is flanked by even wider rear fenders to enclose the SC's extended track.Porsche has seen fit to include some mechanical goodness as well. Under that charismatic ducktail, a new intake manifold with flaps that control the runner lengths adds 23 horsepower to the normally aspirated flat-six, bringing the headcount to 403. Carbon ceramic brakes are enclosed in special Fuchs-style 19-inch wheels designed that evoke the last 911SC of the late Seventies and early Eighties, and the whole package lurks closer to the ground thanks to the inclusion of PASM sport suspension.
The interior hasn't been ignored either, with various bits being finished in Espresso Nature natural leather and the use of new materials to the marque, including woven leather/yarn seat panels.
Of course, also following firmly in company tradition is the Sport Classic's premium price. Just 250 examples will be built and we don't imagine Porsche will have any trouble clearing its decks – even though it is priced at a tidy €169,300 ($240,702 USD) – before any applicable value added taxes. It may be extraordinarily dear, but we still want one in the worst way. It isn't immediately clear if the 911 SC will be made available in the U.S., but either way, Porsche is seemingly aware that we don't have that many spare samoleans rolling around in our bank accounts. As such, Porsche Design Driver's Selection has thoughtfully developed a line of accessories inspired by the new SC, including a polo shirt, cap, a 1:43 scale diecast, and – wait for it – a personalized lanyard. Perhaps we can afford one of those.
Click on the high-res gallery below for more limited-edition awesome in high-res, or check out the official press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
[Source: Porsche]
PRESS RELEASE:
The 911 Sport Classic – Exclusive for 250 Fans of the 911
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has refined the DNA of the 911 to what must be the most supreme standard of class and style in the 911 Sport Classic available to a strictly limited number of very special 911 enthusiasts. Creating this unique model, Porsche is bringing back the tradition of exclusive small series built in very small numbers. The 911 Sport Classic will be presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and is limited in production to just 250 cars.
This very special 911 from Porsche Exclusive has been developed over a project period of about three years, with lots of love for detail, catering especially for the most demanding group of genuine aficionados. Porsche Exclusive is Porsche's Specialist Department for the most outstanding customised versions of Porsche cars going beyond even the highest standard of the Company's regular production models.
The unique character of this very special 911 comes out at very first sight in the newly developed double-dome roof. A further highlight of this sports car based on the rear-wheel-drive Carrera S is the wider rear body up by 44 millimetres or 1.73" and the wider track on the rear axle. The striking SportDesign front apron with its unique spoiler lip and the rear spoiler fixed in position like the legendary ducktail on the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 round off the unmistakable look of the 911 Sport Classic. Power comes from Porsche's 3.8-litre with Direct Fuel Injection, increased in this case, also through the introduction of a newly developed resonance intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled switching flaps, by 23 bhp to 408 horsepower for even more outstanding performance.
The 911 Sport Classic comes exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes ideally reflecting the sporting character of this exclusive 911, PASM sports suspension lowering the entire car by 20 mm or 0.79", as well as the mechanical rear axle differential and custom-made 19-inch wheels with their rim star painted black all come together to offer a perfect match for the character of this most exclusive car.
The very special, highly sophisticated interior of the 911 Sport Classic bears powerful testimony to one of the core competences of Porsche Exclusive and is characterised by new materials never used before even by Porsche. One example is woven leather made up of smooth leather strips and woven yarn featured on the seat centrepieces of the newly designed adaptive sports seats complete with light-grey piping and on the door panels.
The dashboard including a wide range of inserts and add-on components is finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, providing a distinctive contrast to the exclusive body paint in Sport Classic Grey.
Marking the introduction of this special limited edition model, Porsche Design Driver´s Selection is likewise introducing a range of new andThe 911 Sport Classic – Exclusive for 250 Fans of the 911
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has refined the DNA of the 911 to what must be the most supreme standard of class and style in the 911 Sport Classic available to a strictly limited number of very special 911 enthusiasts. Creating this unique model, Porsche is bringing back the tradition of exclusive small series built in very small numbers. The 911 Sport Classic will be presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and is limited in production to just 250 cars.
This very special 911 from Porsche Exclusive has been developed over a project period of about three years, with lots of love for detail, catering especially for the most demanding group of genuine aficionados. Porsche Exclusive is Porsche's Specialist Department for the most outstanding customised versions of Porsche cars going beyond even the highest standard of the Company's regular production models.
The unique character of this very special 911 comes out at very first sight in the newly developed double-dome roof. A further highlight of this sports car based on the rear-wheel-drive Carrera S is the wider rear body up by 44 millimetres or 1.73" and the wider track on the rear axle. The striking SportDesign front apron with its unique spoiler lip and the rear spoiler fixed in position like the legendary ducktail on the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 round off the unmistakable look of the 911 Sport Classic. Power comes from Porsche's 3.8-litre with Direct Fuel Injection, increased in this case, also through the introduction of a newly developed resonance intake manifold with six vacuum-controlled switching flaps, by 23 bhp to 408 horsepower for even more outstanding performance.
The 911 Sport Classic comes exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes ideally reflecting the sporting character of this exclusive 911, PASM sports suspension lowering the entire car by 20 mm or 0.79", as well as the mechanical rear axle differential and custom-made 19-inch wheels with their rim star painted black all come together to offer a perfect match for the character of this most exclusive car.
The very special, highly sophisticated interior of the 911 Sport Classic bears powerful testimony to one of the core competences of Porsche Exclusive and is characterised by new materials never used before even by Porsche. One example is woven leather made up of smooth leather strips and woven yarn featured on the seat centrepieces of the newly designed adaptive sports seats complete with light-grey piping and on the door panels.
The dashboard including a wide range of inserts and add-on components is finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, providing a distinctive contrast to the exclusive body paint in Sport Classic Grey.
Marking the introduction of this special limited edition model, Porsche Design Driver´s Selection is likewise introducing a range of new and very special products at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The limited edition AluFrame Trolley as well as a polo-shirt, a cap and a personalised lanyard take up the colour concept of the 911 Sport Classic, and in good time for the introduction of the new car a top-quality 1:43 model will also be available.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic are starting in January 2010. The Euro base price of the car without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 169,300.-.
The retail price and market launch date vary by region or country. Please contact the Porsche PR Manager of your country in order to receive country-specific information. very special products at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The limited edition AluFrame Trolley as well as a polo-shirt, a cap and a personalised lanyard take up the colour concept of the 911 Sport Classic, and in good time for the introduction of the new car a top-quality 1:43 model will also be available.
Sales of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic are starting in January 2010. The Euro base price of the car without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 169,300.-.
The retail price and market launch date vary by region or country. Please contact the Porsche PR Manager of your country in order to receive country-specific information.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
StickShift 8:41AM (9/02/2009)
At first I was intrigued, then I saw the price. I know I can't afford a Porsche as is, but $240,700?!? Good Lord.
The wheels look awesome though, and the seats are a nice touch. Maybe they will be available on regular Caymans and 911s by the time I can afford one (read: 30 years from now).
Reply
Fire M. Bill 9:15AM (9/02/2009)
Well you & I are in luck! I'd love a Porsche too (though uncertain about maintenance costs etc - no more to insure than a new Fusion where I live) and as luck would have it, you can get 99-03's for $20g or less! No more waiting 30 years - unless you're only 12...??? Sure, it's only got 296 hp (twice what I'm driving now) and doesn't have the wider rear end...but still...it'd be a Porsche. Would be fun rolling into work in one. Be the only one in town too.
Guillaume 10:09AM (9/02/2009)
If it's coming in the US it won't be for €169,300.
The base 911 model is costing $76,300 in the US, and €84,705 in Germany with VAT, approximately €71,180 without VAT. Price in Europe are, depending on the model, 30 to 40% above US prices.
StickShift 3:46PM (9/02/2009)
@Guillaume
That price is BEFORE VAT. I imagine it would be cheaper here, but even a $100k price cut would still be absurd.
@Fire M. Bill
Technically, I can afford a Porsche, but as a 20 year old engineering student, its going to be a long time before I'm willing to pay for a new Porsche or maintain an older model. I'm going to stick with my generally bullet-proof Miata until I can swing an S2K. A few pay raises after that, maybe I'll grab a Cayman.
sam 7:01AM (9/03/2009)
StickShift: How can you, as a 20 year old engineering student afford a new Porsche? Do you mean Mommy and Daddy can afford to buy you a new Porsche?
CarbonBlack 11:23PM (9/02/2009)
sam
You can buy an old Porsche for far less than a couple thousand!
He also NEVER said he could afford a new Porsche.
Re-read it once or twice!
StickShift 8:30AM (9/03/2009)
@sam
I never said I could afford a new one. A first gen Boxster on the other hand....Unfortunately, the idea of keeping one running gives me heart palpitations.
Autblogist! 8:42AM (9/02/2009)
Not enough duck in that tail.
Reply
turbo-quattro 10:27AM (9/02/2009)
agreed, i saw the title and got excited, but was dissappointed when i saw the pictures.
was hoping for something more like this:
http://www.carfolio.com/images/dbimages/zgas/models/id/106/1993_911_turbo_s_3.3.jpg
nighttime 8:44AM (9/02/2009)
that looks great!
Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnn, whale tale!
Reply
nighttime 8:44AM (9/02/2009)
*tail :(
ack154 8:46AM (9/02/2009)
Is it just me or do those pictures look photoshopped?
Reply
zamafir 9:36AM (9/02/2009)
... could it be because every photo published for the last ten years have been?
Venom 8:51AM (9/02/2009)
Ha. I am rolling on the floor laughing.
It is a nice looking car, don't get me wrong.
But if I am going to spend $240,000 I am getting a Ferrari or a Lamborghini.
Not a Porsche that basically looks the same as the $80,000 911.
If one of my friends bought one of these I would laugh at him.
Why would you not just get a GT3 for about $120,000 or so?
Reply
Visnick 12:07PM (9/02/2009)
+1 Certainly not worth the money
sparrk 1:06PM (9/02/2009)
think of this car as a 911 Reventon. you don't buy this car to drive it on the road , it's a collector's toy. the guys who buy cars like this want something exclusive. you can't have it both exclusive and cheap. it needs to be expensive.
you can buy a GT3, make it look like this car and have a faster , more fun car with the same looks. but a real collector wants the real deal and is prepared to pay for it. i bet most of the guys who buy this car are Porsche nuts and also have a Carrera GT in their garage.
Venom 1:33PM (9/02/2009)
Sparkk,
Are you serious?
Did you actually try to compare this car to a Reventon?
This is not even Reventon.
That is a totally different car outside and inside, this is just a wing and a little bit of body work.
It is not even anything like a Carerra GT.
Like other people said, this is nothing you could not do with some stripes and a body kit.
John P. 8:55AM (9/02/2009)
Why is this thing so expensive? Way out of line.
Take the ridiculous price out of the equation and that's a car I'd happily drive the rest of my life.
Reply
sparrk 9:08AM (9/02/2009)
it's a collector's edition , only hardcore fans will buy this , it's not meant for normal consumers.
€169,300 isn't that much in Europe for this , if you consider that a normal C4S can get close to that price with the right options.
John P. 9:22AM (9/02/2009)
Oh I get it that it's a really special special edition for "special people", but the numbers still don't add up.
I'm not bashing Porsche since I think if you can charge it and get it, go ahead. There are plenty of Jay Leno and Seinfeld types in the world to buy this car.