United States | announced 16 October 2026. Harper Porsche's restored 1978 911 Turbo 3.3 is the Grand National Champion of the 2026 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge. Porsche Cars North America's announcement dated 16 October also names Gaudin Porsche and Porsche Orlando as national category winners.
Three projects, three different priorities
| Category | Porsche Center | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Restoration and Grand National | Harper Porsche | 1978 911 Turbo 3.3 |
| Preservation | Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas | 1996 911 Turbo |
| Individualization and People's Choice | Porsche Orlando | 1997 911 Carrera Coupe |
Porsche says Harper's work included rust repairs, repainting the bare body and rebuilding the engine, gearbox and turbocharger. Gaudin focused on reversing earlier modifications and retaining original finishes. Orlando developed a personalised 993 RS-inspired interpretation with a 4.0-litre engine.
The US competition began with 60 entries. Finalists gathered at Luftgekühlt 12 in Fayetteville, Georgia, according to Porsche.
What an owner can take from the distinction
These results illustrate why a classic-car project needs a brief before it needs a parts order. Restoring a deteriorated car, preserving surviving original material and creating a personalised interpretation are different objectives. A workshop estimate is easier to judge when it states which objective is being pursued and which components will be retained, repaired or changed.
An award does not establish a universal resale premium, and the announcement gives no market valuation for these cars. Owners planning work should document condition, proposed alterations and removed parts rather than treating a competition result as an investment forecast. This is coverage of US award winners, not a new production-model launch. Find further manufacturer developments in our car news section.
0 comments