1993 PS Autoart Retro Touring 270R – Classified of the Week

Taking an old car and making it just that little bit better is kind of par for the course when it comes to this wonderful world of classics we’re all fortunate to be a part of. Whether it be binning off your cranky old carbs in favour of fuel injection, fitting a modern audio system or even dropping in an uprated engine, we’re willing to bet lunch that most of you reading this have at some point fettled something over the years in order to improve your quality of life when it comes to your classics, or at least the quality of the drive. It may even be as innocuous as a drive-way paint correction, but it all counts and the simple fact is the car presents today better than it did before. Well, on the sliding scale of said enhancements, Paul Stephens operates far out at the other end, and this stunning Porsche 911 Autoart Retro Touring 270R is a prime example of his work.

As the website rightly states, Paul is not your average Porsche specialist. Celebrating 30 years of supplying high-quality classic models, providing expert advice, and building unique, bespoke Porsches, we thought we’d shine a light on one of his much coveted ‘Retro Touring’ models. And what a beauty it is!

Passionate about Porsches from the very beginning Paul would hone that obsession into a successful career – a career that would evolve from selling standard Porsches to founding PS Autoart in 2002. PS Autoart allowed Paul to realise his true vision of offering a collection of bespoke, hand-built cars based on the 911. Cars that retained that instantly recognisable, iconic Porsche styling but were equipped with modern features and performance.

Initially based on the Porsche 964 platform and officially launched at Brands Hatch in 2005, Paul and his dedicated team would continue to offer a series of successful models until 2020 when the decision was made to stop using the 964 as a base due to the diminishing number of donor cars. That’s not to say that put an end to proceedings though. Far from it. Paul continues to produce a small run of lovingly created and tastefully enhanced 911s every year.

The car in question today, however, is one of the 964-based models built by Paul and the gang in 2009. Known as a series 1.5, these cars, introduced in ’08, featured some subtle styling changes over the original ‘Classic’ series the company was producing, as well as additional engine options and advancements in how the cars were actually constructed.

Having covered just 11,500 miles since completion, this Retro Touring 270R was created using a 1993 donor, with the original client’s brief being a subtle looking 911 with modern features and performance, which is exactly what the Touring R offers. The classic lines of the coupé body remain unchanged and the styling is perfectly complimented by a gorgeous Midnight Blue metallic paint job that’s set off beautifully by the full Abbronzatura/Nero leather interior. It really is a winning combination.

So they nailed the ‘subtle’ part but what about the improved performance request? Well, the engine is a 3.6-litre, air cooled flat six with Motronic fuel injection and electronic dual ignition, as well as a dry sump lubrication system enhanced with single thermostatically controlled oil cooler with 2 stage electric fan. A two-wheel drive G50/03 Getrag manual 5 speed gearbox completes the drivetrain and all told the car produces a very usable 270bhp (and that word usable is so important in a car like this), allowing for a 0-60mph time of 5.4seconds and a top speed of 165mph. Decent.

The anchors have been upgraded, too, and the car’s fully independent suspension is taken care of by Bilstein Sport dampers all round and independent Macpherson struts up front and semi trailing arms with anti-roll bar out back.

In immaculate condition this Retro Touring 270R is Porsche plus without being all shouty and obnoxious about it. It’s the perfect combination of classic styling and more modern performance. We see many “restomods” going full send with the power which is all well and good if you’re going to track the thing every weekend but for everyday usability, this is how it’s done.

Paul Stephens Porsches are bespoke cars built to exacting specifications. They’re personal cars, not cookie cutter classics and as such second hand examples rarely come to market, so take this opportunity to grab something a bit special. Trust us, you won’t regret it.