Porsche 911 CSR 'Snakebite' | Spotted
Porsche never made a 997 R; if it had, the end result might have been a bit like this
As the future of motoring inexorably draws nearer, and with it a whole heap more angst for some, so the comfort drawn from the old only increases. It can be seen everywhere, from the values attached to certain classics to the popularity of historic motorsport - and the current fondness for nostalgia hasn't escaped manufacturers either. They'll happily sell you a new car that looks like an old one...
The Porsche 911 Heritage Design Edition is due in the UK very soon, the first in a new line that aims to evoke the past in a contemporary fashion. And which, you would imagine, might prove rather popular. Because however unsettling the future might sound, the present has brought us some useful technological gains; a retro look with heated seats and smartphone integration is quite a nice combination.
But it doesn't come cheap: £136,643 is the Targa's asking price. Plus another £10,000 for the watch. So, what if you want a retro vibe without quite such a prohibitive cost? Well, RPM Technik's 'CSR Retro' range of parts has been on offer since 2015 now, updating and improving the 996 and 997 eras with an obvious nod to the past. It requires a spend, of course, but is rather more attainable than something factory fresh. And you could always buy a completed car...
The CSR-28 is not your average modified 911. This particular 997 is described by RPM as "the ultimate CSR", a Porsche "built to the highest standards with no expense spared in every detail." From the houndstooth upholstery with light gold stitching to the carbon ducktail spoiler, there isn't much on this 911 that's been left standard. As an amalgamation of both past and present, it's a very tricky one to fault.
Once a 2005 Arctic Silver Carrera S, the CSR-28 is now Brewster Green, the same colour as used for the 991 Club Coupe a few years back. It's set off by white gold HRE wheels, with the green and gold colour scheme replicated inside. There are some gorgeous details, too: note the Momo wheels, the 917-style gear knob and the upholstered rear section where the rear seats once were. There's even a matching cool bag! Perfect for lunch on the go.
That's in addition to the sort of tweaks that have made all these CSR 911s so nice - this is no mere paintjob and retrim. The 3.8-litre flat-six has been rebuilt and covered just 2,000 miles since, with upgraded rings and pistons, balanced con rods and ported heads. The CSR exhaust should get the most from all that work. It also has the limited-slip diff that RPM offers, alongside a lightweight clutch and flywheel, KW V3 suspension and a brake upgrade amongst many other changes. The car really should drive as well as it looks.
Clearly an awful lot of time and effort has gone into this build; a huge amount of cash, too, with somewhere in the region of £130,000 being spent to get the car to this point. Or about what that new Heritage Design Edition will cost. With a few thousand miles driven since completion, CSR-28 is now for sale at £83,995. Which, yes, is a lot of money for a 997 - GT3 sort of cash https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10611628, no less. But as the popularity of cars like the Touring have shown, not everyone wants the intensity of a traditional GT3 experience. And it isn't hard to see why a buyer might be drawn to this particular 997, given the promise of both a great driving experience and a unique, heritage-inspired look. And the cool bag, too, of course.
SPECIFICATION | PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA 2S
Engine: 3,824cc, flat six
Transmission: 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 355@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@4,600rpm
MPG: 25
CO2: 277g/km
First registered: 2005
Recorded mileage: 122,743 (c.10k since rebuild)
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £83,995
t again. Labour costs money. End of it. When you do everything yourself and value your own time and effort at £0, even then you rely on works research and development that somebody else has done.
There would be no more mechanics, or any other profession for that matter, if it would be forbidden to charge money for labour someone else has done.
And it's not only £18/h because the company has to pay for tools, rent, computer, printer, paper, ink, water, electricity, social security, tax, etc.
So yes, it is a lot of money and most of it will be labour, but if you want to do it yourself, please feel free to do so.
I don't know what you do for a living, but the whole concept of today's society relies on division of labor.
/rant
Ducktail ~ £2-2.5k
GT3 bumpers ~ £4-5k (new and painted including the lip and ducting for the front)
KW V3 and fresh arms etc ~ £4-5k
Geo and corner weight ~ £400
Recaro Buckets and brackets for £2-3k
Wheels ~ £3k
Momo wheel (if you're happy to go without the airbag) ~ £300
Do all that on a car with 50k miles less than the example for sale for a total of ~ £44k and you're 80% of the way there.
Not sure why you'd want to blue print the 3.8 unless you want to keep the thing for life. If you're desperate for a rebuild, get Hartech to build you an engine for ~ £15k and you're still £20 odd grand up on this RPM special. Hell, even wrap it green if that's your thing for a few thousand, spend another five on an interior retrim and pocket £12k.
Edited to clarify labour is included in those numbers based on my own research with moddifying my 997.
I haven't been lucky enough to drive it but I have sat in it and had time looking it over. For me the fit and finish was excellent, those seats and the interior quality made it a lovely place to be in. And I do not doubt the drive would also be fantastic.
Luckily I have experience of knowing RPM, buying from them, and having them look after my car. The facilities they have and skills their team have are right up there.
Not everyone has the money to spend on a project like this, but someone did and had been happy to create their vision of the perfect 997. If I was in the market for a bespoke 911 I'd have RPM on the list.
This is all subjective ofcourse, you could buy a wreck of a house and spend more on its refurb then the market values it. Lot's of people will like what you've done but others wont. If you are happy who cares.
The commissioner of this car was happy, the person who buys it will be happy. IF you ever did get the chance to view it in the flesh I think you'd also like it.
No one is going to buy that over a gt3 and if they do, more fool them.
Edit: Imdesigner beat me to the punch
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