Porsche 993 Cafe Racer Is A Modern 550 Spyder Spun From Steel And Nostalgia

The world is no stranger to Porsche 911 restomods, but an independent automotive enthusiast has crafted something truly captivating with the Porsche 993 Cafe Racer one-off. This unique creation offers a ’90s reinterpretation of the iconic 550 Spyder, featuring handbuilt body panels and an open-top design that sets it apart.

The owner and builder of the Cafe Racer is Kipp Lassetter from Scottsdale, Arizona. He describes it as a personal project that is not for sale, even though we’re sure there would be plenty of prospective buyers interested in such a beauty.

Kipp started working on his dream Porsche 911 back in 2020, but the project is still a work in progress as the exterior details and the interior are being finalized. The donor vehicle, a 1995 Porsche 993 Cabriolet, was stripped of its body panels, the retractable fabric roof mechanism was omitted, and the bulky windscreen was replaced by a much shorter one. As you can see in the photos below, the majority of the bodywork has been redesigned, taking inspiration from the original Spyder from the ’50s.

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Porsche 993 Cafe Racer Is A Modern 550 Spyder Spun From Steel And Nostalgia
Kipp Lassetter

The highlight of the Cafe Racer is the slimmer rear end, with sexy fenders made of hand-rolled and beaten steel. The composite rear bumper is also bespoke, featuring a new set of tailpipes mounted next to the license plate. The clean profile with the sexy proportions is further enhanced by a new set of custom-built retro-themed 18-inch center-lock alloy wheels.

More: Ruf’s New R Spyder Is A Helmet-Only GT3 With A 6-Speed Manual

At the front end of the car, the Porsche crest has been seamlessly integrated into the steel hood, and the front bumper is borrowed from a 993 Turbo. As a result, the only exterior components retained from the original donor car are the lighting units and the front fenders.

Kipp is currently focused on the interior as he considers it a crucial aspect of the build, given its visibility from the outside and its impact on the overall design. He told Carscoops that he has plans to install a new set of seats with reinforcements that can accommodate a roll protection device.

While the dashboard has been altered to fit the new windshield adaptation, the instrument cluster and center console have been left in their original condition. To maintain the minimalist aesthetic, leather straps on custom door cards will replace traditional door handles.

Porsche 993 Cafe Racer Is A Modern 550 Spyder Spun From Steel And Nostalgia
Kipp Lassetter

In terms of the vehicle’s foundation, the chassis has been reinforced, and the original rear-mounted naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine has been upgraded to a 3.8-liter unit. This engine now delivers 350 hp (261 kW / 355 PS) and over 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) of torque.

These power figures are quite impressive for a roofless vehicle with a weight of just 2,200 lbs (998 kg). To further enhance its driving dynamics, the Cafe Racer is equipped with a custom suspension that offers a lower ride height and an adjusted setup to account for the reduced weight.

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As a final note, Kipp shared his project’s goal and explained to us why he chose not to use the Spyder moniker: “I wanted this to be a car that Porsche would have built in the 1990s as a then modern tribute to the 550. I tried very hard to stay within a design vocabulary used by Porsche in mid 90’s. I didn’t call it a 993 Spyder cause I didn’t want to be blown up by the purists since all Porsche Spyders were mid-engine. Hence, I pulled from my European motorcycle background and called it a Cafe Racer.”

Whether you’re a tuning enthusiast or not, the Cafe Racer serves as a compelling reason to take a perfectly good Porsche 993 and craft it into a mobile work of art.

A big thanks to Kipp Lassetter for sharing his remarkable project with us!

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Photos Kipp Lassetter


The Auto World

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