2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic

Cars Mania Blog

Auto Car | 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | The Porsche 911 Sport Classic, introduced late last year, never made it into North American showrooms. The Feds wanted it certified, and with a production run of just a couple hundred units, the German automaker couldn't accomplish the task in a financially feasible manner. That's a cryin' shame, as the gray 911 sporting retro-styled Fuchs wheels and a ducktail is likely one of the best street vehicles to ever come out of Stuttgart. As good fortune would have it, we crossed paths with a 911 Sport Classic factory prototype in France at the 2010 Le Mans Classic earlier this month. Not only were we able to spend three days with the ultra-limited-edition Porsche, but we had the opportunity to take her out for several hot laps of the complete Le Mans circuit. What differentiates the Sport Classic from the Carrera S, and what's the story behind those retro-styled touches? How does the Sport Classic drive, and can it be compared to a track-ready GT3? Lastly, what's the justification for such a high sticker price? Find these answers, and more, after the jump.

When Porsche says "Limited Production," it means it. Compared to short run models from Mercedes-Benz (making a planned 1,200 SLS AMG models), Ferrari (assembling 599 copies of its new 599 GTO) and Bugatti (crafting about 500 copies of its Veyron  supercar, including various boutique models), the 250 copies Porsche made of its 911 Sport Classic was just a token run. Nevertheless, exclusivity helps drive demand, and as Porsche expected, all models were sold as quickly as they were produced.

The 911 Sport Classic is based on the standard-production Porsche 911 Carrera S. However, there are several significant differences. Compared to the often brightly-colored Carrera S, all copies of the limited-production Sport Classic wear the identical drab gray paint (appropriately named "Sport Classic Grey") with very discreet twin racing stripes running up and over the length of the bodyshell. The front fascia of the Sports Classic is capped with a "SportDesign" (Porsche's in-house customizing department) lower front splitter, and there are custom black-painted surrounds circling the standard bi-xenon headlights that are reminiscent of those found on the 1974 911 Turbo RSR. Black is also the standard paint treatment for the intake grids, mirror triangles and the lower sections of the mirror base. Look a bit more carefully up top, and you will also notice the subtle double-dome roof (mirroring the roof contours of the 911 Panamericana show car and the roofline of the Carrera GT).

Step over the illuminated door sills and you are taken back to a time when the mechanical movement of a transmission, the exhaust note of a flat-six at full song, a perfectly modulated brake pedal and uncompromised steering took precedence over amenities and technology. The classic double-bubble roof, ducktail spoiler, Fuchs wheels and woven seat fabrics are all necessary to reinforce the sensations on the left side of the brain and complete the creative and elaborate retrospective fabrication. The lucky few who were fortunate enough to put a Porsche 911 Sport Classic in their garage didn't stumble over the price – they seldom do. Instead, they were drawn in by the vehicle's bloodline and exclusivity, and taken by the joy they experienced each time their left hand turned the key. We can hardly blame them.