Atlanta, Georgia. Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) today announced the winners of the 2025 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge. The champions were crowned in Durham, North Carolina, alongside Luftgekühlt 11, following competitions held over the summer in PCNA’s three sales regions – West, South-Central, and East.
‟The standard of the cars, the obvious care and the fastidious attention to detail was just incredible,” said Jonathan Sieber, Senior Manager of Porsche Classic. ‟Witnessing the crowd’s interactions with the Porsche Center teams was inspirational – the passion for their creations was very evident. In Durham, the technicians and their cars were the stars. I am grateful to each Porsche Center who invested time and energy to make the challenge so special.\"
Now in its fifth year, 73 vehicles—a new record—were entered nationwide. Teams at Porsche Centers across the United States competed in one of three categories:
• Preservation, which focuses on maintaining the vehicle’s originality.
• Restoration, which involves returning a car to its original specification and condition.
• Individualization, which allows for creative modifications.
In addition, the general public, selected a People’s Choice Award from the finalists.
Grand National and Individualization Champion:
Porsche Bend 1973 Porsche 911T, RSR Tribute
The team at Porsche Bend originally intended to enter this early 1970’s classic Porsche in the 2024 Classic Restoration Challenge, however once teardown began, it became obvious they had something truly special on their hands.
Technicians reimagined the body with steel RSR fender flares, shaped and welded to create the striking wide-body silhouette.
While preparing the body for its return to its original, vibrant Viper Green finish, painters preserved the factory look. Inside, they handcrafted houndstooth inlays for the custom ‟S” dash trim, RS-style door cards, and 964 RS America door pulls –also wrapped in houndstooth.
Power for the unique sportscar comes from a 2.8L engine built from a Porsche Classic ‟8R” case, paired with a modern fuel injection system. Producing over 280 horsepower, it is paired with a modified 915 gearbox featuring a limited-slip differential, optimized to match the engine’s output.
Inspired by the Matchbox cars they loved as children, the technicians set out to create a real-life version of their childhood dreams. What they created was more than a recreation – it is a celebration of Porsche heritage and a testament to what is possible when vision, craftsmanship, and timing come together.
Restoration National Champion:
Porsche North Houston 2004 Porsche 911 GT3
The journey of this 2004 Porsche 911 GT3 began with one goal: to bring a modern classic back to factory perfection –a Speed Yellow 996.2 GT3, raw, analog, and powered by the legendary 3.6-liter Mezger flat-six.
The first step was a comprehensive inspection that identified key areas for restoration, including aging paint protection film and several mechanical areas. Inside, technicians removed the dashboard, executing repairs in restoring proper airflow and cabin function. Years of grease and grime were dry ice blasted from the engine bay and undercarriage. The engine received fresh seals, new coolant pipes, and the clutch was replaced. The team carefully inspected the transmission to ensure proper performance. Attention then turned to restoring the Speed Yellow paint and refreshing the interior touchpoints.
The journey of the 911 GT3 reached its highlight at the All-Stars Car Show, held at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros, to the enthusiastic reaction of the crowd.
Preservation National Champion:
Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas 1988 944 Turbo S
In 1994, inside a Detroit bar after hours and around a smoky poker table, a small group of patrons played a high-stakes hand, so high that the keys to a 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S landed on the felt as collateral for an all-in bet. From that night forward, the winner drove this car daily until his passing in 2005.
The car sat untouched in the same spot for nearly two decades before undergoing a meticulous preservation. The car still had its original hood struts and wiper blades with air deflectors. The mission was simple: retain as much originality as possible.
Mechanical reconditioning began in February 2025 with a full fluid service. Key wear items addressed: a water pump, fresh drive belts, and a replacement coolant expansion tank. The braking system received a complete overhaul, restoring both safety and the original pedal feel. Once running, technicians gave this car its first fire-up and test drive in nearly 20 years.
Customer reaction to this 944 is overwhelming, confirming this preservation was more than just the revival of a poker night legend.
People’s Choice:
Harper Porsche 1992 964 RS
The inspiration for this build was to create a limitless 964 Carrera RS that reaches new extremes in the spirit of Sonderwunsch, Porsche’s bespoke program, by way of a thoughtfully cultivated selection of augmentations.
Starting on the exterior, painters created a stunning color-shifting pearlescent paint – with nods to some of Harper Porsche’s favorite Porsche greens plus a host of exotic accents inspired by Porsche’s Chromaflair-style paint.
Black Alcantara and accents of green were incorporated into the stitching, carpet embroidery, and on door cards. Custom gauges with dial indicators took inspiration from Rolex Daytona and Porsche Design timepieces to enhance the driving experience. Interior components that appear to be matte carbon fiber are, in fact, decreasing weight and providing RS-appropriate visual flair.
Functional carbon fiber continues into the engine bay, and the engine devised and constructed for this RS is something special. This engine produces a healthy 394 horsepower and 343 lbs. ft. of torque, handily pushing it over the 100 horsepower/liter benchmark and matching the 718 Cayman GT4 RS’s power-to-weight ratio.
Background:
America is home to more classic Porsche vehicles than any other market in the world. Cars competing in the Restoration Challenge are worked on by Porsche-trained technicians who have access to a vast portfolio of nearly 85,000 Porsche Classic Genuine Parts, ensuring a comprehensive restoration process. The Porsche Classic U.S. headquarters, alongside One Porsche Drive in Atlanta, provides Factory Restoration services for all classic models and Sonderwunsch factory programs for all Porsche models.
To learn more about each winning entry, visit Instagram and search the official event tag #porschechallenge25.
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