Description
Here is one we built earlier, and a particularly significant car in The Paul Stephens timeline, being the first Series II Clubsport. Of course, Series II rather implies there was a Series I. The Porsche Clubsport ethos is one we have long embraced, because it fits perfectly with our own “less is more” philosophy.
In 2007, Paul Stephens launched a lightweight coupé called the Clubsport: a raw back-to-basics, `less is more` driver-focused restomod 911, custom-built to individual specification and generally based on the G-model Carrera 3. 2. The early Series I cars were deliberately simple in all respects, but those were different times, and as the market developed and matured, it became clear that there was an appetite for a more evolved offering. Enter the Clubsport Series II in 2017.
The lightweight, circa 1, 000kg, mantra very much remained, but the new generation of buyers increasingly wanted a little more in the way of driver comfort, whether for long-distance continental road trips or simply the drive to the next track day. It was also clear, that they expected morein terms of specification, chassis development, power and increased driveability. With our series II Clubsport, this involved enlarging the Carrera 3. 2 flat-six to 3. 4 litres and power up to 250+ bhp for the standard model, whilst a new option was to fit the powerplant from the 993 in either 3. 6 or 3. 8 lite capacity with power outputs from 295BHP with the varioram 3. 6, through to 350BHP from a full fat 3. 8 on throttle bodies.
Externally there was a modernised interpretation of the classic lightweight 911, with subtle but significant styling details integrated to improve performance and appearance. Look closer, and you will notice the purposeful air intakes for additional brake and oil cooling, 993 aero mirrors and, rather more radically a revised engine lid with twin 993 Carrera S grills to aid cooling and a taller ducktail spoiler together with a smooth de-seamed roofline and polyurethane front lip for the front spoiler as per modern GT cars to increase high speed stability.
The OUTLAW 001 wheels (a collaboration between fifteen 52 and Magnus Walker) were chosen for their lightweight modern interpretation of the traditional Fuchs design, whilst the chassis featured revised bushing and geometry with KW V3 adjustable damping.
The interior continued with the lightweight theme and could be trimmed to the customers individual specification.
Which brings us neatly to this car: our first Series II Clubsport, 3. 6 Varioram-powered, finished in Graphite Blue, and the subject of very positive press coverage when it was completed in 2017.
Open the rear lid, and there is no mistaking the distinctive inlet manifold of the 3. 6-litre Varioram flat-six. Devoid of a catalytic converter and additional fans/ motors required by the 993, now breathing through a sports air filter and bespoke exhaust system, to produce a conservative 295BHP. It is connected to a G50 five-speed gearbox with Quaife limited-slip differential, via a lightweight RS flywheel and clutch.
Chassis-wise, those OUTLAW 001 wheels are wrapped in sticky Yokohama Advan rubber, and the car rides on KW Variant 3 adjustable suspension. Weighing in at just 1, 070kg A 240kg saving over a full fat G50 sport Carrera 3. 2, the standard brakes are more than up to the job.
The interior continues the lightweight theme, but is in no way spartan. Electric windows are retained, while lightweight door cards and carpeting help keep weight in check. The rear seats have been removed, while the front seats are fixed deep buckets, trimmed with houndstooth inserts featuring a red flash for a dash of colour.
The dash top is leather-clad and double-stitched in white. A deep-dish Momo steering wheel has been retrimmed to our own specification, with a red centre marker rather than the usual yellow. The gear knob replicates the
older 70s item, but with the correct G50 shift pattern, whilst the dials have been reversed and finished with white needles for increased clarity and a simple clean appearance. A Porsche Classic PCM head unit takes care of modern connectivity, while looking entirely in keeping with the interior aesthetic.
ON THE ROAD
The whole idea of the Clubsport cars, whether Series I or Series II, was to put the focus back on driving. There is no doubt that many modern cars have lost a little of that directness.
To put the weight into perspective, at just 1, 070kg, this particular Clubsport is around 200kg lighter than a 993 RS, yetwith very similar power. On the road, that is immediately obvious, but power comes not in a peaky or difficult way. The Varioram effect, combined with the larger 3. 6-litre capacity in a lightweight car delivers a surprising surge from the get go, continuing with a strong mid-range and a high-revving top end.
More than anything, though, it is the way a properly lightweight car moves. The agility, the change of direction, the sheer get-up-and-go and the braking all remind you why weight matters. This particular example remains just as it left us, with a pliant fast-road set-up rather than anything overly aggressive.
The current owner also owns modern Maclaren and Porsche GT cars but has always marvelled how this Clubsport has been able to keep cars like this very honest on the twisties, whether in the UK or abroad.
It is only available today through lack of time to use the car as intended.
SUMMARY
The Clubsport cars have been among our most popular models, each unique in its own right. Sadly, building a car like this in the current market continues to get ever more expensive, given the increasing cost of donor cars, parts and labour.
Here, then is a unique opportunity to acquire the first Series II Clubsport, featured in many publications and endorsed by Magnus Walker at the time, yet still with the potential for its next custodian to add their own personal stamp to the specification, should they wish. As an added bonus the asking price includes VAT, so this can be deducted where technically applicable.
