At Monterey Car Week 2025, Gunther Werks stole the spotlight with its most extreme creation to date — the Project F-26, a 1,000-horsepower, air-cooled Porsche 911 restomod that redefines both performance and exclusivity. Unveiled at the prestigious Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the car combines obsessive craftsmanship, motorsport engineering, and one of Porsche’s most polarizing styling cues: the legendary Slantnose.
For luxury collectors and dedicated petrolheads alike, this isn’t just another custom 911. It’s a rare intersection of history, design, and raw mechanical ferocity — limited to just 26 units worldwide.
Gunther Werks: Redefining the Air-Cooled 911
Founded in Garden City, California, Gunther Werks specializes in reimagining the 993-generation Porsche 911, the last air-cooled 911 ever produced (1994–1998). The brand’s mission is not to simply restore — it’s to elevate the analog driving experience for a modern era without diluting the car’s soul.
Their builds are known for:
- Carbon fiber bodywork that improves stiffness and reduces weight.
- High-performance, naturally aspirated or turbocharged flat-six engines developed with motorsport partners.
- A design ethos that respects Porsche heritage while adding cutting-edge engineering.
Gunther Werks has already built a reputation with limited runs like the 400R and the Turbo, both praised by journalists for delivering the kind of driver engagement most modern supercars can’t replicate. With the Project F-26, they’ve pushed even further.
Why the 993 Matters
The Porsche 993 is more than just the final air-cooled 911 — it represents a turning point in Porsche’s history. For purists, it blends old-school tactility with a level of refinement and reliability earlier 911s lacked.
Key reasons the 993 is so beloved:
- Air-cooled heritage: The end of an era before Porsche switched to water-cooled engines with the 996.
- Classic proportions: Wide rear haunches and teardrop headlights that define the ’90s Porsche aesthetic.
- Driving feel: Hydraulic steering and mechanical feedback missing from most modern cars.
For Gunther Werks, the 993 is the perfect canvas: timeless yet open to reinterpretation.
The Slantnose Legacy
One of the Project F-26’s defining features is its Slantnose (Flachbau) front end — a rare, factory-offered option in the 1980s inspired by the 935 race car. Originally, it replaced the traditional round 911 headlights with a flat, wedge-shaped nose and pop-up lights to improve aerodynamics.
Gunther Werks has reimagined the Slantnose for the modern era:
- Fixed headlights replace the old pop-ups for improved reliability and airflow.
- A sleeker profile reduces drag and channels air more efficiently.
- Visual drama that instantly distinguishes the F-26 from any other restomod on the planet.
Founder Peter Nam calls it “a bold icon from Porsche’s past” and says the goal was to bridge nostalgia with next-gen performance.
Project F-26: Engineering Without Restraint
This is where the car’s story gets outrageous.
Platform: Built on Gunther Werks’ Turbo chassis, itself a radical reworking of the 993 with carbon fiber panels, motorsport-grade components, and modern electronics.
Engine:
- Twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter flat-six co-developed with Rothsport Racing.
- Motorsport-derived horizontal cooling fan.
- All-new carbon fiber airbox for better airflow.
- Redesigned intercooler plenum and integrated blow-off valves.
- Custom 935-style exhaust with external wastegates — the kind of visceral, raw sound that makes even seasoned collectors grin.
Power output:
- 1,000 horsepower.
- 750 lb-ft of torque.
- Six-speed manual transmission — no paddles, no automation, just pure driver control.
Gunther Werks’ earlier Turbo build made 750 hp and was already hailed as the ultimate air-cooled driving machine. The F-26 takes that formula and pushes it into hypercar territory.
Weight and Aerodynamics
Performance isn’t just about horsepower — it’s about power-to-weight ratio.
- The F-26 weighs just 2,700 pounds thanks to carbon fiber panels and magnesium wheels.
- A massive carbon fiber rear wing delivers high downforce.
- Aggressive side intakes feed the turbochargers.
- Squared-off rear fenders enhance airflow and stability at speed.
- Extended rear wheelbase (+30 mm) improves weight distribution and handling balance.
Suspension, Braking, and Control
Gunther Werks didn’t stop with straight-line speed:
- Double-wishbone front suspension for sharper turn-in.
- Adaptive JRZ dampers that adjust to road or track conditions.
- Motorsport-grade ABS for consistent braking under extreme conditions.
- Advanced traction control to keep 1,000 hp usable without muting the thrill.
These upgrades mean the F-26 isn’t just a collector’s showpiece — it’s track-capable at the highest level.
Interior: Heritage Meets Modern Luxury
Inside, the Project F-26 blends race car purpose with collector-grade craftsmanship:
- Steering wheel inspired by fighter jet wing profiles — tying into the aircraft-inspired “F-26” name.
- Wooden shift knob — a nod to Porsche’s classic racing heritage.
- Porsche Classic radio with Apple CarPlay — old-world design meets modern connectivity.
- Lightweight racing seats and exposed carbon trim balance comfort with performance.
The Collector’s Perspective
For Monterey Car Week attendees, the Project F-26 isn’t just about lap times. It’s about:
- Exclusivity: Only 26 examples will be built.
- Investment potential: Ultra-limited runs from respected boutique builders often appreciate over time.
- Heritage appeal: A design that references the 935 and ’80s Slantnose era.
- Craftsmanship: Every panel, seam, and component is finished to concours standards.
In a sea of hypercars and luxury SUVs, the F-26 stands out as a mechanical statement piece — as likely to be displayed in a private collection as it is to be driven hard on a mountain road.
Positioning in the Restomod Market
The high-end restomod space is booming, with names like Singer Vehicle Design, Eagle E-Types, and Alfaholics commanding six- and seven-figure prices. Gunther Werks occupies the extreme performance end of the spectrum:
- Singer focuses on purity and aesthetics.
- Gunther Werks goes for brutal speed without sacrificing craftsmanship.
- Few builders dare to push air-cooled engines this far while keeping them reliable.
With the F-26, they’ve effectively created the Bugatti Chiron of air-cooled Porsches — absurd performance numbers wrapped in a body dripping with nostalgia.
Monterey Car Week and the Stage for Icons
Unveiling at The Quail wasn’t accidental. This is the place where:
- Collectors network and scout future acquisitions.
- Brands show their most ambitious projects.
- Attention from global media amplifies a launch beyond the car world.
For Gunther Werks, presenting the F-26 here was a way to say:
This is not just a Porsche. This is a moment in automotive history.
The Gunther Werks Project F-26 isn’t a car for everyone — and that’s exactly the point. With 1,000 hp, heritage-inspired styling, and only 26 units planned, it’s aimed at a very specific audience: those who want the most extreme interpretation of the air-cooled Porsche 911 ever made, and have the means to secure one.
It’s the kind of machine that makes even the most jaded Monterey Car Week regulars stop mid-conversation. In an era when supercars are becoming quieter, cleaner, and more digitally filtered, the F-26 roars in the opposite direction — unapologetically analog, fiercely mechanical, and utterly uncompromising.
Key Specs at a Glance:
- Base platform: 993-generation Porsche 911
- Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo flat-six by Rothsport Racing
- Power: 1,000 hp / 750 lb-ft torque
- Transmission: Six-speed manual
- Weight: ~2,700 lbs
- Body: Carbon fiber with Slantnose front
- Production: 26 units
