Kaege's Retro Conversion of Porsche 911 Featured in Driving Report
True Porsche 911 aficionados long for the air-cooled Boxer model. If you yearn to experience this classic car as a new one, there are a few options, and one of them is the refurbished 993 by Roger Kaege. Check out our experience with the Kaege Retro Classic.
With over 26,000 T1 Porsche 911s registered with H-plates in Germany in 2023, it's no surprise the vintage car scene is booming. The selection in the market is vast, but what if none of the existing models appeal to you? That's when you turn to restored pieces from highly skilled professionals, like Roger Kaege. They don't just modify the cars to make a profit; they create them with precision and passion.
What about a classic 911 with modern tech? Wouldn't it be amazing if you could customize your own 911 with modern technology? This is precisely what musician Rob Dickinson did when he founded his company, Singer. Singer aims to update old Porsche 911s using 964 tech. With many fans familiar with the brand, Dickinson renamed it after his own name.
Roger Kaege, a body shop owner in Stetten, Germany, had a similar idea. In contrast to Singer, Kaege doesn't have connections with Porsche headquarters, so he adapted his business to focus on his family name, Koegel. His standardized model program is as simple and genius as it gets.
Reviving the air-cooled Boxer: Kaege Retro Classic
Keep it simple, yet effective - Kaege chose the last model with an air-cooled Boxer, the 993, as the base for his creations. These cars are turned into modern air-cooled 911s with features like carbon fiber parts to reduce weight by over 150 kg. But, of course, they offer more displacement and power than the original 993.
The heart of the 993 is completely disassembled and rebuilt by Kaege technicians. The engine is equipped with new pistons, bearings, and rods from Mahle, resulting in a 3.8-liter Boxer producing 300 PS and a top speed of 275 km/h. The Classic also comes standardized with a KW Automotive suspension update, allowing the customer to choose how they want the tuning.
Test driving the Retro Classic
To understand the Retro Classic, I visited Dag von Garrel from Autodromo near the Nürburgring, who handles distribution, especially for the American market, and caters to potential customers. Being the showman he is, Dag eagerly showed me around his beautiful Garage with the eye-catching Kaege Retro Classic sitting in the foreground.
Taking my seat in the brown Recaro leather, I let my gaze wander to the instrument panel, where I spotted the tachometer showing a "2898" reading, indicating it's just been installed. Time to jump into action. Engaging the clutch took less effort than I'd been expecting, and the second gear shifted smoothly. The optimized Elfer chugged on, idling while warming up the 11.5 liters of oil.
A few kilometers later, the 1,200-kg 993-based Hecktriebler could be driven a bit more leisurely on the winding Eifel roads. As I found my rhythm, the familiar buzzing sound of the supercharger didn't come on too aggressively. It's not the most exhilarating street legal vehicle, but that's part of the charm. It feels hardly different from a true vintage car, solid and firm with no annoying rattling noises.
A Porsche workshop's best friend
One aspect of Koegel's work that makes it so appealing is its compatibility with traditional Porsche workshops. The refurbished Classic still uses hydro-throttles from the 993, which means the valve adjustment isn't mandatory. If necessary, a Pascal Boxer enthusiast can simply visit their local mechanic for a check-up.
But for performance enthusiasts, Koegel offers more exciting options. There's the Turbo, modeled after the 1970s RSR, with 510 PS available at the rear axle. The change in character between the standard and the Turbo would be more drastic, considering the original Turbo distributed its torque between front and back axles. There's even a planned Turbo S with over 600 PS on the horizon.
- The character of a vintage car with modern features
- The perfect blend of Porsche history and modern technology
- Wide range of models to choose from, from the classic Classic to extreme Turbo S
- Easy maintenance and support from traditional Porsche workshops
The Restomod Elfers from the tranquil Palatinate region can be fierce when it comes to their finances. Take a simple example that will set you back 500,000 euros. Unfortunately, realizing this dream car is a luxury few can afford.
