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It has been an long time coming for the European market, but as they say…good things come to those that wait. We can’t believe it’s been the best part of 10 months since we met the guys from Old & New at the TAS 2017 Tuning show in Japan, we really hit it off with those guys straight away and since then we have been looking to build their beautiful slant nose 997 conversion for the European market but unfortunately this year we have had our own build happening with the Z4 GT3 V8, which has taken a lot longer than it should of done so consumed a lot of our time not to mention funds, although we would like to, we simply cannot build everything we promote and sell, its just not feasible.

Our good friend Iby from Speedwells looked at the possibility of building the slant nose, but he already had a love affair with our very own Porsche GT3R conversion for his own Turbo 997 chassis, and to be honest we are pleased he went that route because that car build is a game changer, and the fact that Iby knows how to build a show stopper, so our R conversion is in very good hands, but that was another opportunity to build the slant nose 997 gone, so it’s been a case of waiting for someone to pull the trigger, and although we have had lots of interest in building a slant nose for both 996 & 997 chassis

no one stepped up to the plate, well until now…enter Reflex Auto Design.

For the people that haven’t heard of RAD and need an introduction, they are a Daventry based custom fabrication and paint specialist, as well as insurance approved body shop working on all marquees, you want it they can make it and they are extremely good at what they do, we should know as they are the company that painted the old black and White VAD 957 Cayenne Gemballa Turbos, the VAD Premier 4509 wide body Bentley GT and the UK’s first RWB Porsche 993, unfortunately it has never really been documented what they have done for VAD in the past, mainly due to one of the old VAD Partners preferring to keep them out of the limelight, but as he is no longer part of the VAD organisation we have no problem telling the world who they are, what they do and what they have done, in fact this is the company we have chosen to work with painting our very own BMW Z4 GT3 V8, these boys will be laying down the paint on our Z4 unicorn, so we have a lots of history and utmost respect for this company and all of its crew, we are extremely pleased and very excited to be collaborating with them on the old & new wide body Porsche programme, but also happy that we will be involved with them on many more up and coming builds we have planned for the future.

The Old & New Porsche 997 Slant Nose

They have already acquired the Porsche 997 base model, which is a 2005 C2 and it’s a beauty, it seems a shame to pull it to bits and change the colour, but that is exactly what they have planned, in fact I don’t think any part of the car will remain stock, with what they have in store for this build, the renders we have seen on the plans are mouth-watering and ridiculously original, we can wait to share it to the world, something old, something new…something different, 2018 is looking pretty exciting.

 

Well it certainly didn't take Iby long to get stuck into the Porsche 997 build, no sooner was the Turbo Purchased, it was back to Speedwells base and precision dismantled, being relieved of all the o.e.m panels to include the Techart front and rear bumpers, custom splitters, diffusers, wheels and tyres, (all which are now for sale) the front fenders, to see what modifications need to be done to get this aero pack fitted, as this kit is intended for a none Turbo model, so there will be lots of modifications that will be need to make this kit look at it should do, just from what we have so far, this makes his wide body Supra look like it was on a diet, and that one one hugely wide car, so you can only imagine how wide this is going to be, its insanely wide.

With all the oem and after-market parts removed a complete mock-up of all the carbon parts is being done before some of the parts head off for prep and paint, once this has been done the removal of the original rear quarter panels will be the next task in-hand, and the relocation of the petrol cap and filler, along with other parts that will need to find a new home or location.

We have been longing to see our R wide body aero programme fitted to a road going 997, and finally Speedwells stepped up to the plate and made it happen, check back in on the build as it happens, as this is looking to be one amazing build.

Speedwells Porsche 997 700R Turbo under construction

 

It’s taken a bit of time but as they say perfection usually does and that’s how our good friend Iby from Speedwells Refinishers has gone about finding the base car for one of his new up and coming projects, he shares the same passion and outlook that we do and that’s why it’s taken him a few months to source the right Porsche 997 for the awesome wide body “R” upgrade.

As we already know from his recent car builds he rather likes red, his famous 800+ HP Supra went through a couple of red shades Ferrari Rosso,, with Lamborghini Mars Red that adorned the blown out JZA80 in its latter form and you have to admit, it was rather lush, so you will not be surprised to know he has been looking for a Red 997 Bi-Turbo, which are extremely hard to come by, especially in manual form, a Techart cabriolet was located but it’s not really in-keeping with the R racer, he then located another but had metropole blue interior with tiptronic transmission, which was stunning, but it just didn't tick the box, so he set his sight on the right car irrelevant of colour, and at the top of the list was it had to be the sought after manual transmission, this was the number one priority, and it wasn't long before he found a Manual black bi-turbo that was quickly purchased and it’s a beauty, and with the engine and ECU parts already ordered, it wont be long before we see 700+ HP.

The R conversion is quite substantial with most of the OEM panels getting replaced, so the car can be painted his colour of choice, we would love to see this one stay Porsche Balsalt Black but unfortunately that’s not going to happen, he already has a shopping list, with the our aero pack already purchased, first on the list is the Ohlin coilover Suspension, and some light weight forged 3 piece wheels, and sticky Michelin Cup 2 tyres, we cannot wait for this car to be ripped apart, , at last a UK road going 997 “R” …. let the transformation begin.

 
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OFFICE
Unit C20
Rose Hill Industrial Estate
Rose Hill Road 
Market Drayton 
Shropshire 
TF9 2JU


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Unit C21
Rose Hill Industrial Estate
Rose Hill Road 
Market Drayton
 
Shropshire
TF9 2JU


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