If you were to poll Porsche enthusiasts about what the greatest iteration of the aircooled 911 is, you’d get a bunch of different answers - with some favoring the simplistic early models and others gravitating toward the higher performance versions that came later.

We would say that a good argument could be made for the 993 model, which of course would be the last aircooled 911.

With its combination of modern performance mixed with a legendary platform, the 993 combines the best of both worlds, and that’s helped to make it a “modern classic” one of the most desirable 911s around.

And it’s that “modern classic” mentality that’s lead Ryan Gates and his Minneapolis-based design firm 311RS to create the Porsche 993 311RS CupSport 3.8 - which is one of the coolest 993 builds we’ve seen in a while.

Starting with a ‘96 993 Carrera C2 with 118 thousand miles on the clock, the idea was to capture the spirit of the 993 Supercup race cars but in a more street-friendly package - and one look at the car suggest they’ve accomplished just that.

The Supercup racers weren’t the most powerful 991s around, and in this car the lightly upgradeD Carrera RS-spec 3.8 liter flat six makes 300 horsepower. That might not sound like a ton but when you consider the car weighs just 2,680 lbs it’s an impressive figure.

As for the exterior, the look is dominated by full 993 Supercup aero while a set of center-locking 993 Supercup magnesium Speedline wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport II tires keep the Porsche stuck to the ground.

Inside there are a pair of Recaro Pole Position N.G. seats with Schroth harnesses, a Porsche Motorsport bolt-in roll bar painted Polar Silver to match the body and a Supercup-spec Momo steering wheel that completes the setup.

While the 311RS CupSport 3.8 is a prototype project at this point, 311 RS is exploring the possibility of starting a customer build program beginning in the fall of this year.

Whether it becomes a made-to-order vehicle or remains a one-off build the car is a perfect take on one of the most beloved Porsche chassis around and a car that’s every bit as capable on the track as it is beautiful to look at.

VEHICLE Porsche 993 311RS CupSport

ENGINE Porsche 993 Carrera RS-spec 3.8L engine, OEM Carrera RS cams, pistons, cylinders, lightweight x-pipe exhaust, ECU tune

DRIVETRAIN Porsche 993 Carrera RS lightweight clutch & flywheel, Porsche 993 Supercup gear ratios

EXTERIOR Porsche 993 Supercup aero including front lip, side skirts and adjustable rear wing, Xpel clear bra, “Cupsport” badging on rear decklid

INTERIOR Recaro Pole Position N.G. seats, 993 Supercup MOMO steering wheel, Porsche Motorsport Matter bolt-in rollbar painted Polar Silver, Schroth Profi II 6-pt harnesses with custom silver shoulder patches, RS-style carpet

SUSPENSION & BRAKES 993 Carrera RS brake calipers, 993 Carrera RS brake rotors (Girodisc two-piece rotors in development), Pagid brake pads, stainless lines, Castrol SRF, 311RS-spec JRZ RS Pro dampers, 993 Carrera RS swaybars, BBi Autosport CNC uprights, Monoball bushings and adjustable arms throughout

WHEELS & TIRES 993 Supercup magnesium center-lock Speedline wheels painted Polar Silver, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires

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Larry@LarryChenPhoto.com