COMPILATION PROJECT

PORSCHE'S 911 SPORT CLASSIC IS A GREATEST HITS ALBUM FOR COLLECTORS

- AARON GOLD

The new 911 Sport Classic is many things: the second model from Porsche's Heritage Design series, an homage to classic 911s of the late '60s and early '70s (most notably the '73 Carrera 2.7 RS, but with nods to the 2010 997 Sport Classic), and, with a limited run of 1,250 examples worldwide, a must-have for well-heeled Porsche collectors.

The uninitiated might mistake a passing Sport Classic for a run-of-the-mill 911, but Porsche geeks will spot differences immediately: double-bubble roof, ducktail spoiler, center-lock wheels (20-inchers up front, 21s out back), and a spot on the doors for a racing number.

The unique quarter panels feature the 911 Turbo's flared fenders but without the usual intake openings, which have moved to the rear spoiler. Porsche modified prototype Turbo tooling to make the panels, but that's still a lot of money and effort for a limited-run car.

As for the powertrain, it's the ultimate "parts bin special," and we use that term with affection here: The Sport Classic borrows the 911 Turbo's 3.7-liter engine, detuned to 543 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque (down 29 hp and 111 lb-ft from the Turbo) so it'll play nice with the Carrera's seven-speed manual transmission and rear-drive setup. Incidentally, this makes it the most powerful manual 911 on offer. Consider this power package an homage to the original 930-gen 911 Turbo, which was exclusively manual/RWD.