It’s a 993 RS in all but its VIN plate, that would have most experts fooled. We take a drive in the ultimate clone.
In keeping with the pro 993 theme of this issue, we've been saving this Speed Yellow machine up to offset the Blues Brothers duo that have have been rampaging across the preceding pages.
In order to touch base with what is clearly a 993 RS, we're in a surprisingly quiet corner of a typical Slough trading estate at Heritage Autowerks, a Porsche outfit that tends to fly under the radar but has some serious clients that require serious service and builds. Parked up outside are a couple of Singer modded 911s and sitting on a ramp inside is a 993 GT2. But actually all is not quite as it seems. The 993 RS is –not that you would know it, even after forensic examination – a replica, as is the GT2 for that matter. The Singers? Oh, they're real all right. Heritage Autowerks is the UK service agent for the American built masterpieces.
Heritage Autowerks is the domain of genial American, Greg Cranmer. He sits behind a desk that is made from the bootlid of a Ferrari 250 SWB, and amongst the general Porsche and Ferrari memorabilia that adorns the walls is a framed poster for the puppet spoof film 'Team America', which marks him out as a man of acutely developed comic taste and one who is not afraid of poking fun at his own country. We like him and we like the car, too.
For Greg, this 993 RS rep is a rolling example of his art and eye for detail, built for a client who wanted the best, but not necessarily the baggage that comes with a real RS these days. By that we mean he wanted a car that could be driven rather than worshipped from a safe distance.
This story is from the November 2017 edition of 911 & Porsche World.
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This story is from the November 2017 edition of 911 & Porsche World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Porsches? I've Had A Few
Whilst it hasn’t always been Porsches in Mike Calvert’s world, it’s safe to say that it’s mainly been cars from Stuttgart. Starting with a 924 in the ’80s he’s had the full gamut including a Carrera 3.2, 964 and even a 928. Today he owns a 924 Carrera GT replica and a wild TechArt 996 Turbo.
The Usual Suspects
The times they are certainly a-changing. Bennett ponders Porsche’s move from the World Endurance Championship to Formula E, and why by 2040 we’ll be enjoying our fossil fuel-powered machines recreationally, plus front-engined Porsches on the up.
Turning Air Into Water: 20 -Years Of The 996
The 996 generation 911 is 20-years old this year. Maligned by many, it’s time to acknowledge the 996 for its place in the 911 pantheon. The 996 is Porsche’s line in the sand, which separates the old school, classic aircooled 911 with the modernist water-cooled generation – a move that Porsche had to make or cease to be. In order to appreciate the giant-step involved in making that transition, it’s worth looking back, so we’ve drafted in the last of the air-cooled 911s in the shape of the 993. This is how Porsche turned air into water and created the first modern 911 and rebooted the 911 concept into the new millennium.
Old Dog, New Tricks
Le Mans winner Richard Attwood never really stopped racing, while his current mount, a 39-year-old 928 S, never saw a circuit – till now. We watch the ace in action at Croft.
Stuck, In The Middle
The 928 is a trans-continental express, and we cement its reputation by driving 928 miles from Silverstone to the Nürburgring and back in a 928 GT. There’s a bonus ball: Hans Stuck gets reunited with his 928 CS, too.
Finally Some Good News...
Yes, it’s good news from our man Laird and the Cayman. The suspension is working well with new springs and the blowing exhaust headers have been welded rather than replaced. Finally he’s happy... For now!
Talking Italian
Racer, road tester, instructor and scribe, Roberto Giordanelli has handled many exotic machines over the years. His current inventory includes a rare Porsche 968 Sport, and he also has a stake in an even scarcer 968 Turbo RS race car.
Market Watch
Despite the hype surrounding it, the hybrid 918 Spyder did not sell like hot cakes when it went on sale in late 2013, a hypercar insider tells us. But that was before people realised that ‘you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone’.
Dealer Talk:Nine Excellence
A passion for Porsches drew Ken Napier in from the IT world six years ago, and after initially offering workshop services, his Surrey-based operation recently began selling Porsches as well
Art Of Class
Successfully fitting a brand-new windscreen to your Porsche – in this case a 993-model 911 Carrera – is hardly a DIY task but, even so, it is invaluable to know how it ought to be done, if only so that you can be sure your car will not subsequently suffer the consequences.
