It remained in Japan, trading hands only once, until it was purchased off-market by the current (Florida based) owner after a worldwide search for a 993 GT tribute car that would meet his demanding standards. The second owner only became comfortable letting it go upon understanding the new owner’s goal: to finish the process and even further perfect the car.
Upon its arrival stateside, the new owner set about commissioning a 13 month, three-stage sympathetic restoration to perfect that which was already done, and take the car to the next level. Prior to the restoration, the car was treated to a Porsche Classic Technical Certification at Porsche Jacksonville to document both its condition and originality. Mechanically, the car arrived as an otherwise stock 993 Turbo, so the first step was to bring the engine up to GT2 spec while maintaining a reasonable level of drivability. This design brief led to the addition of the following GT2 parts: intercooler, variable boost turbos, intake, runners, and crank. In the driveline, a GT2 clutch, flywheel, and pressure plate were fitted alongside a Fister Short Shift Kit with Goldenrod. The factory Turbo AWD system was maintained both to preserve drivability at elevated boost and retain the stock differential and gearing. Suspension wise, it rides on adjustable GT2 lower control arms and custom Bilstein PSS10 coil overs. The sum of these parts and their careful pairing leaves it surprisingly approachable to drive at low speeds while still being blisteringly fast both in a straight line and in the corners.
Because it still bears original paint on its metal panels and GT2 components are perfectly matched, the cosmetic goals with the exterior were to perfect fitment, perform a concours-level paint correction, and protect it for the future with both paint protection film and ceramic coating. The body kit was full removed to perform the paint correction and every panel was corrected, PPF’d, and ceramic coated. All-new factory mounting hardware was sourced and the body kit was re-installed to fine tune fitment with brand new bumper gaskets.
The wheels are original GT2 Speedline wheels that the owner sourced and had completely rebuilt by Speedline in Canada with brand new hardware, barrels & lips, stickers, and refinished centers. At considerable expense, they were returned to completely factory fresh condition.
On the interior, 993 hardback sport seats were sourced, rebuilt with new parts, and recovered. The seat centers are fitted with original GT2 perforated leather inserts, seatbacks were painted Iris Blue to match the exterior, and a period correct Porsche logo was fitted atop the seatbacks. The GT2 was available with either lightweight seats, which were Recaro Pole Positions, or “comfort seats”, which are the folding hardback sport seats seen here. An authentic GT2 steering wheel with matching horn box was fitted and resistor conversion was performed to eliminate the airbag light. Similar to the exterior, the goal with the interior was to retain the OEM look, so the variable boost box was mounted under the driver’s seat, the Becker CR210 maintains its factory faceplate but has been converted to bluetooth, and behind the speaker enclosures sit 3D printed Focal speakers. The headliner, dash, door cards, and the rest of the non-seating leather remains original to the car.
Additional details that speak to the detail-oriented nature of the build include a factory GT2 air horn mounted inside the fender, a factory tool kit with compressor, gloves, first aid kit, gloves, and fuse box, a factory jack still in its original roadside bag, and an authentic GT2 car cover.
Since completion, it has won class awards at The Amelia Island Concours and Radwood, has been featured by the Porsche Club of America, and was invited to participate in a special Rennbow display at Rennsport Reunion VII in Monterey.
This spectacular 993 GT2 tribute, built to exacting standards as a “GT2 Touring”, represents likely the finest and most OEM GT2 Tribute built and is offered fully serviced with complete service records and parts receipts, original owner’s manual, complete accessories, and a clean Carfax and clean title.