Paul Stephens – Porsche 993 + 25%

The amps belonging to Spinal Tap famously went all the way to eleven. Because that was one louder. This Porsche 933 from Autoart by Paul Stephens embodies a similar, if somewhat more seriously applied, principle. If it were an amp, it would go all the way to 12.5, as this, the 993R, is reportedly 25% better than the standard 993 on which it is based. “Take a 993 and make a 25 per cent improvement in every area” was the brief from Paul Stephens’ latest Autoart customer. Taking over five years to create – with a pandemic in the middle – and with several thousands of miles of road and track development under its belt, it’s now done. And we must admit, it certainly looks the part.

Commenting on the 993R build and production specification, Autoart founder and director, Paul Stephens, said: “The 964 platform, which we started converting in the early 2000s, has proved very popular with companies since, each wanting to re-engineer it into their interpretation of an earlier looking 911. We have never been a company to copy others and so felt the time was right to put our mark on the last air-cooled 911, the 993. We chose this model as it is the most advanced series of the air-cooled era and has a unique appearance that is still appreciated today.

“That’s why the 993R [to me] really pushes our years of air-cooled experience to the limit, from the engine, suspension, lightweight panels, to the car’s bespoke minimalist interior. The 993R isn’t a swansong, but I wanted it to be the ‘best of’ Autoart, all meeting or bettering the customer’s brief.

“More than any Paul Stephens Autoart-converted Porsche 911 to-date, the new 993R project expresses our ‘less is more’ philosophy to include many subtle details that will go unnoticed to the casual observer, yet hopefully will be appreciated by the most ardent 911 aficionados, who understand our vision.”

A lot of lovely words there, but what do they all mean in terms of nuts and bolts? What exactly does this Porsche 993 have that makes it stand out from the rest? Well, there’s the heart of the beast for starters. A stronger and enlarged 3.8-litre engine, featuring a 997 GT3 crankshaft, RSR pistons, camshafts machined to Paul Stephens’ own design and featuring Porsche Motorsport solid lifters, peak power of 330 bhp is achieved at 7,400 rpm as opposed to the original 272 bhp at 6,100 rpm. With this configuration, the team was focusing on daily driveability instead of outright power. For those wanting more power, a 360 bhp version is also available, which when supplied in this specification, the 993R has a visceral 8,500 rpm redline.

Torque has been increased to provide 360 Nm at 5,675 rpm and weight reduced to 1,190 kg dry, 1,220 kg wet (down from the original 1,370 kg). At the time of writing, performance figures have not been officially recorded. However, with 270 bhp per tonne, it has same power to weight ratio as a 996 GT3 and customers should expect performance to be similar with the 330 bhp motor fitted. However, with the spicier 360 bhp option, offering 295 bhp per tonne versus 293 bhp per of the 997 GT3, drivers should expect to be firmly wedged into the back of the 993R’s carbon fibre Recaro bucket seats.

And while we’re talking about carbon fibre seats, it’s worth looking at other interior and exterior additions. Some are for an enhanced aesthetic, but most are there for Weight Watchers kudos. The sunroof is gone in favour of a ‘slick top’ panel, the bonnet is a Porsche Motorsport part and weighs a mere 8kg, the rear wiper is gone, there’s a composite engine cover, and the bumpers are composite and tip the scales at 18kg. That’s for both of them. The cabin has the aforementioned Recaro seats, the wiring loom has been slimmed down, the electric windows are gone, the central locking is gone, the radio, glovebox and centre console are also now on eBay. The air-con has been yanked, too. But sweaty people rejoice, as it’s been replaced with a more modern and more lightweight system. Yup, this car has been on one hell of a diet. In fact, for direct comparison, a 993 C2 is 1,370kg. The 993R by Autoart is a mere 1,220kg.

Suspension, brakes and transmission have all been upgraded too. Porsche Motorsport handles the former, the brakes are from a 993 RS and the transmission is a 993 G51.21 six-speed gearbox with lightweight flywheel and clutch. Add this with everything we have mentioned, and you’re left with a car that simply has to be the Porsche 993 in its ultimate form. A fast road or track animal that promises to take drivers back to a purer, more visceral, exciting form of driving. We’re here for it.

As for how much, well, if you need to ask… Cars like this don’t have a list price, as they are built to individual specifications. This car was built to meet that one customer’s brief of turning things up by 25%. You could replicate it, or you could retain some of the creature comforts, or you could go the other way and have Autoart build you something even more focused on speed. That’s the joy of a company like this – the only limitation is your imagination. And your wallet, naturally. But even if you can’t afford it, you should still celebrate it. Cars like this show that that internal combustion engine and the icons it powers have decades ahead of them.