Ten out of ten

Ten out of ten

The Le Mans Classic racing series offers absolutely everything that anyone even remotely interested in anything with an engine will enjoy seeing. The sight of drivers running across a grid to their car to start a race has inspired a new car handover with a difference.

The Porsche 911 used to be the vehicle derided by the masses. Its image wasn't helped by a mix of prejudices towards German products having no soul, yuppies in the '80s and the engine being in the wrong place. Allegedly. Yet today, the Porsche brand goes from strength to strength and there is something just right in the proportions of the 911 design.

On the border between Essex and Suffolk, there lives a dyed in the wool Porsche aficionado, mechanic and engineer by the name of Paul Stephens. As handy on the pedals as he is on the tools, Paul has built, driven, modified and created some astounding versions of the 911 model. In 2020, he will team up with Peter Auto, organisers of Le Mans Classic, and commission him to create ten Porsche 911 Club Sport cars, the handover of which will take place on the grid at the famous circuit. Just ten numbered examples of the hand-finished Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport will be released, marking the ten outstanding Le Mans Classic events to date; every one being an inspired celebration of a revered classic. Conceived in collaboration with event organiser Peter Auto, delivery to the lucky owners will take place at the next Le Mans Classic in 2020. The handover process will be as special as the model itself, with each owner being invited to parade their car and partake in a famous Le Mans start ritual in front of the historic racing enthusiast crowds. The Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport is available in an accommodating Touring specification or, for buyers looking for a more focused machine, a true Lightweight specification. Forgoing some of the more luxurious trappings, this Lightweight specification pares the car back further through the use of lightweight carpets, the removal of sound proofing, Lexan rear windows and the installation of manual front windows, the deletion of central locking and the use of no-tilting lightweight seat frames. Even the glove box door has been removed and the car is fitted with just a single sun visor.

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