A rare green Porsche 930 takes the title
Harper Porsche has won the Grand National Champion award in the 2026 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge with a restored 1978 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3. Porsche Cars North America announced the national winners on 16 October after a programme that involved dealership teams from across the United States.
The winning vehicle is an early Sonderwunsch commission finished in Buick Medium Green Poly metallic over white leather and pinstripe velour. Its unusual colour scheme reflects the individual specifications that make certain historic cars particularly interesting to collectors.
Major mechanical and bodywork rebuilding
Porsche says the 1978 Turbo had deteriorated significantly after years of neglect, requiring extensive structural and mechanical restoration. The Harper team carried out rust repairs and a bare-metal repaint as part of the work to return the car to its earlier condition.
The engine, transmission and turbocharger were also rebuilt, making this a comprehensive intervention rather than a cosmetic refurbishment. The project was judged in Porsche's restoration category and also received the overall Grand National title.
Preservation and individualisation recognised
Gaudin Porsche of Las Vegas won the Preservation National Champion award for a 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo, focusing on reversing earlier modifications and protecting surviving original material. Its team sought to restore factory-correct features without unnecessary replacement.
Porsche Orlando took the Individualization National Champion award and also received the People's Choice honour. The distinction between these awards illustrates that conservation, faithful restoration and bespoke presentation involve different judgements about a collector car.
The competition concludes at Luftgekühlt 12
Finalists met in Fayetteville, Georgia, during Luftgekühlt 12 following regional rounds held during the year. Porsche-trained technicians spent months researching and working on their cars before the national judging took place.
The event highlighted the skills required to investigate historic equipment, locate appropriate parts and document restoration decisions. The finished condition of a car needs to be considered alongside the provenance and the quality of work that is not immediately visible.
Lessons for collectors of classic performance cars
Owners of rare older sports cars face choices about preserving original finishes, returning a vehicle to factory specification or adapting it to personal tastes. Those approaches can affect authenticity, future maintenance and how a car is judged in specialist circles.
A competition title is evidence of recognition by a particular judging programme, not a guarantee of market value. Collectors should continue to consider ownership history, technical records and independent inspection when assessing any restored vehicle.
