Dutchmann—a restomodded 993 Porsche that’s all about subtlety in a sea of over-the-top builds. I’ve been a Porsche nut since I first twisted the key on a borrowed 944 back in college, and Dutchmann’s approach hits home. Tucked away in their Lanseria showroom in South Africa, surrounded by classics like a 912 Kalahari Racer that founder Gavin Rooke raced himself, this narrow-body 993 feels like a quiet rebellion. Unlike the usual 900-hp monsters mimicking 930 Turbos, this one’s a love letter to the overlooked hero of the air-cooled era. Let’s chat about why it’s so darn special.
Why the Narrow-Body 993 Deserves the Spotlight
Out of the roughly 69,000 993s Porsche built in its short run—the second-lowest production after the 964—about 46,800 were narrow-body models, compared to just 22,000 wide-bodies. Folks chased the wide ones for that aggressive look, especially on the Carrera 4S, Turbo, and GT2, but Rooke points out the irony. The wide body was born for the Turbo, adding width for better track and all-wheel drive, but slapping it on lesser models like the 4S just piled on extra weight—around 10% more—without the power to match. “It’s become a poser car,” Rooke says with a chuckle in interviews, “looks fast but isn’t quicker.”
The real stars? Porsche’s own purist picks: the narrow-body Carrera RS and the 911 Cup racer. Lighter, more focused, and nimble, they skipped the bulk. Rooke’s betting on that story for Dutchmann’s 993 projects—all narrow-body only. “There’s no tale with a wide-body,” he notes. If a client begs for one, he might consider, but for now, it’s about honoring the underrated sibling that everyone skipped for the flashier one. With a few more in the works, this first build heading to Colorado is just the start.
Blending the Best Without Going Wide
Dutchmann’s magic is in the OEM+ tweaks—using only genuine Porsche parts to craft something like a vintage Exclusive Manufaktur dream. Starting with a narrow-body Carrera 2 shell, they bolt on the Turbo front bumper (a perfect fit, since width differences are rear-only). Then come the iconic Turbo Twist wheels in a staggered 17/18-inch setup, sourced in narrow-body spec but rare these days. Custom spacers, precise camber, alignment, and a fender roll drop the ride height just right. “These wheels totally transform it,” Rooke raves. Without them, the stance wouldn’t pop.
Subtler bits elevate it: a split rear deck lid grille from the Carrera 2S, adding that clean, purposeful vibe only the 2S had (not the 4S). The custom paint? A tweaked BMW Chestnut Brown that looks flat in shade but glows with golden, coppery flecks in sunlight—metallic magic without screaming. It’s all about harmony, making the car feel like Porsche refined it further, tighter proportions and all.
Inside: Comfort Meets Classic
The cabin stays true to Porsche’s vision—renewed panels as fresh as factory day one, with options for your fave finishes. Spot the tiny Dutchmann badge on the passenger dash, and swap in carbon-fiber Recaro buckets that shave 45 pounds while cradling you for sporty drives. Hidden gems? A modern sound system with subwoofers under seats, Rockford Fosgate speakers behind stock grilles, and Porsche’s PCCM upgrade for Bluetooth in an OEM interface. It’s quality-of-life boosts that don’t mess with the soul.
Power: No Need to Overdo It
Rooke tailors power to the owner’s life—mountain passes, tracks, or cruises. For this build, it’s the stock 3.6-liter M64 flat-six with original displacement and compression, but breathing freer via a bespoke ECU tune and increased airflow. Add an RS-spec lighter flywheel, clutch, and short-shift 6-speed gearbox, plus sport suspension, and it outruns an S model without engine swaps. “We don’t need a 3.8 or mega horsepower,” Rooke told the client. “This looks like an S but drives better.” Expect a bump over the original 270-285 hp, though numbers aren’t flaunted. Future builds? Up to 350-plus hp, client-dependent. The Weissach axle keeps it planted, ditching early 911 snap-oversteer nerves.
Why This 993 Steals the Show
Dutchmann’s ethos—“simple is hard”—shines here. Small changes—a grille here, wheels there, a tune—create a refined beast that’s lighter, sharper, and more engaging than stock. Rooke, a Porschephile with dozens of 911s under his belt, finally tackled the 993 for its modern platform (first big 911 update since day one). It’s the overlooked narrow-body getting its due, like the cool sister no one noticed. Subtle, OEM+, and bespoke, this restomod commands respect without shouting. Headed to Colorado soon, it’s proof Dutchmann’s onto something big in the restomod game.
What do you think—narrow-body forever, or wide-body allure? Hit the comments!
