Richard Hammond gets a rare opportunity to spend a day behind the wheel of an 850-hp Gunther Werks Porsche 911 restomod, with one important condition: after driving the $850,000 machine, he must deliver it to fellow journalist Jeremy Clarkson at The Farmer’s Dog pub.
Based on the air-cooled 993-generation 911, the Gunther Werks build takes the classic rear-engine formula to an extreme level. Its bodywork is constructed entirely from carbon fiber, while bespoke adjustable suspension and a heavily re-engineered 4.0-liter flat-six transform the car’s performance. The engine features upgraded pistons, throttle bodies, and large turbochargers to produce a claimed 850 hp, with the engine alone representing a substantial portion of the build’s cost. The $850,000 figure also excludes the donor 993, pushing the completed car toward the million-dollar mark.
Despite its extensive engineering, the car deliberately retains the mechanical character that made air-cooled 911s so distinctive. Hammond highlights the rear-biased weight distribution and the unmistakable sensation of the rear-mounted engine transferring weight onto the driven wheels under acceleration. Over crests and bumps, the steering can become noticeably light, reinforcing the car’s old-school driving character.
Inside, the Gunther Werks 911 is equally focused on feedback rather than isolation. Thinly padded seats, limited sound deadening, analog instrumentation, and the pronounced sound of the flat-six ensure that the driver remains closely connected to the mechanicals and road surface.
Hammond also considers the philosophy behind modern 911 restomods. Rather than simply modernizing a classic Porsche, Gunther Werks appears to preserve and amplify the characteristics enthusiasts value in the original 993. The result is less about eliminating the imperfections of an older sports car and more about intensifying its rawness, response, and tactile character.
After his brief but memorable drive, Hammond completes his unusual assignment, handing the exceptionally valuable restomod over to its next journalist while attempting to leave the car—and its fuel tank—in suitable condition for Clarkson’s turn behind the wheel.
Source: DRIVETRIBE
