Restoration of a 40-Year-Old Porsche: Spectacular Revival of the 550-Horsepower 911

Porsche’s iconic 911 from 1986, a model that has stood the test of time, has been beautifully restored and is making headlines

Of course, the 911 is the flagship model of the German sports car brand Porsche. It is a sports car and supercar that was first released by Porsche in 1963 as a successor to the 356. The 911 remains the cornerstone of Porsche’s design philosophy, influencing the aesthetics and engineering of all current Porsche production models.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of German restoration company bb-Auto, Galpin Motors in California has restored and unveiled a 1986 Porsche 911 Targa. This model, which bb-Auto previously worked on, highlights the company’s expertise and dedication to preserving the legacy of this iconic sports car.

Gorgeous rainbow stripes
Output of 550 horsepower?

The gorgeous rainbow accents on the black body are the first to catch the eye. The car’s original color was silver, but it has been repainted. The rainbow-colored stripes running along the side of the car and along the Targa roll bar further accentuate the lines of the body.

The body shape and exterior paint remain the same, but the powertrain has been thoroughly modernized. The existing 3.2L 6-cylinder boxer engine has been strengthened, and a 4.0L engine and electric motor have been applied to generate a powerful 550 horsepower. The electric motor between the engine and transmission generates only about 150 horsepower. Surprisingly, this much power is generated from such a small body.

Powertrain Enhanced
Parts to Support It

As the powertrain has been significantly upgraded, the latest suspension and brakes have been installed to handle the increased power. The suspension system from the Porsche 997 GT3 combines upgraded coilovers and adjustable stabilizers to support the body. Also, 6-piston Brembo brakes are installed behind the 18-inch wheels to control the enormous power.

The interior is perfectly organized. The bucket seats are also blue to match the blue dashboard and door guards. The floor mats are black with rainbow stripes to match the exterior color, adding a sense of unity. In addition, the 9.2-inch display mounted on the passenger seat supports the Porsche Classic Communication Management system and can be used with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Respect for Galpin Motors
It was a labor of love

Unveiling the restored 911 Targa, Galpin Motors CEO Beau Boeckmann said: “This project is a true labor of love, blending classic Porsche heritage with our own Galpin style. Our mission is to honor the iconic bb-Auto and continue its legacy with our team.”

This 1986 Porsche 911 Targa model restored by Galpin Motors was unveiled at an event in Monterey, California, US, on August 16.