2023 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge Will Be Unlike Any Before It

Mar. 03, 2023 7:03 AM ET by Jarryd Neves Classic Cars / 2 Comments

More than 60 dealers are expected to participate, with the competition now divided into three distinct categories.

The Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge is back for a third year of classic and sports car-related activities, but a new twist has made the quest all the more exciting.

For 2023, participating dealerships can now compete in three respective categories. Purists will stick to the Restoration or Preservation classes, while a new Individualization group will appeal to those who want to express their creativity. The challenge is open to US-based Porsche dealerships, who must prove their supremacy by returning a classic model to excellent condition.

Of course, new vehicles are off limits, but there are countless Porsche models to choose from between the 1950s and 2000s. The selected vehicles will be brought back to their former glory by trained technicians with access to more than 80,000 Porsche Classic Genuine Parts. The automaker expects more than 60 dealers to take part.

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"The response from the Porsche community and our participating dealerships for the past two years has been tremendous," commented Porsche Classic's Jonathan Sieber. "It's incredibly rewarding to watch a classic Porsche vehicle go through a well-documented, step-by-step restoration that the challenge expects, and the results certainly show."

Last year, a beautifully restored example of the iconic 930 Turbo walked away with top honors after being refreshed by Champion Porsche of Pompano Beach, Florida.

However, this year, one car will be chosen from each category, meaning three vehicles will walk away with top honors. The Preservation category aims to keep the vehicle as original as possible. Instead of a repaint, for example, the vehicle could be treated to paint corrections. The aim is to improve the vehicle but not restore it to like-new condition.

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Those that want to fully refurbish a classic Porsche can do so under the Restoration category. This will see the vehicle go through an intense process that will result in a flawless final condition. These vehicles will be "most closely aligned with original product specifications," says Porsche.

Lastly, there's the Individualization category, based on the Porsche Sonderwunsch program. The idea here is to use genuine OEM parts creatively and come up with something that's exciting but still true to the Porsche brand. We've seen something similar in the past when a dealership in Santa Clarita put its own spin on a classic 356 Speedster.

For the first time, competitors can now select from the 997- and the 987-generation 911, Boxster, and Cayman derivatives. Other qualifying vehicles include the classic 356 and 914 models, the 944 and 928 models from the '70s and '80s, and even the Cayenne.

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Naturally, six generations of the 911 can also be chosen from. The only limitation is that the vehicle in question has to be a production street vehicle.

It's a very special year for Porsche, as the brand celebrates 75 years of producing fine sports cars. It's also the 60th anniversary of the 911 series, so it's only fitting that the Porsche Classic Factory Restoration facility in Atlanta started restoring customer cars in January.

A panel of judges from the Porsche Club of North America will oversee the vehicles and look at the finished product and intricate details like documentation and marketing exploits. Part of the challenge will see participating dealers generate a buzz around their respective projects by engaging with customers and the wider community.

The finals and awards ceremony will take place at Rennsport Reunion 7 - the largest Porsche fan meeting in the world - between September 28 to October 1.