Gunther Werks

Gunther Werks is a California-based company specialized in the high-performance re-engineering and reinterpretation of the air-cooled Porsche 911 993. Founded by Peter Nam, the company develops bespoke commissions such as GWR, Turbo, Speedster, Coupe, GWX and F-26, combining carbon fiber bodywork, flat-six engines, manual gearboxes, rear-wheel drive, handcrafted interiors, in-house engineered components and a philosophy built around analog driving, precision and maximum personalization.

The Porsche 911 993 reinterpreted in California

Gunther Werks was created with a very precise goal: to explore how far the air-cooled Porsche 911 993 could be taken when re-engineered to contemporary standards, without losing the analog character and emotional identity of the original model.

The 993 represents the last generation of air-cooled Porsche 911 and therefore occupies a special place in Porsche culture. Gunther Werks starts from this base to create deeply transformed cars, with a level of intervention that goes far beyond traditional tuning.

Peter Nam and the birth of Gunther Werks

Gunther Werks was founded by Peter Nam, already known in the automotive world for creating Vorsteiner. The vision behind the brand is to build the definitive 911 993, capable of preserving the charm of the air-cooled sports car while updating it with contemporary design, materials and engineering.

The name Gunther Werks pays tribute to Gunther Wendt, the NASA engineer linked to the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, known for his rigorous standards. This reference clearly summarizes the brand’s identity: precision, discipline, attention to detail and refusal to compromise.

Not a simple Porsche tuner

Gunther Werks should not be interpreted as a conventional Porsche tuner. The work carried out on the cars goes much deeper than an aesthetic or performance package. The company re-engineers the 993 base by working on bodywork, chassis, suspension, brakes, engine, transmission, interiors and structural components.

Each commission is built as a complete project, with a high level of personalization and a coherent philosophy. The goal is not to erase the original 911, but to take it to a higher level of precision, performance, build quality and driving involvement.

The technical base: Porsche 911 993

The central platform of Gunther Werks’ work is the Porsche 911 993. This generation is particularly important because it represents the final chapter in the history of air-cooled 911s, while already introducing a more modern structure than previous generations.

The 993 therefore offers an ideal base for a modern reinterpretation: classic proportions, rear engine, analog architecture and a platform sufficiently evolved to support contemporary suspension, aerodynamics, brakes and components.

GWR: the definitive 993

The GWR program represents one of the purest expressions of the Gunther Werks philosophy. It is conceived as the definitive interpretation of the 993, balancing classic aesthetics, performance, lightness, mechanical grip and direct involvement.

In this configuration, the car maintains its connection with the air-cooled 911 tradition, but is transformed through carbon fiber bodywork, revised setup, bespoke interiors, lightweight components and tuning built around driving pleasure.

Gunther Werks Turbo

The Turbo program takes the 993 reinterpreted by Gunther Werks into even more extreme territory. The car uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine developed to Gunther Werks specifications and built by Rothsport Racing.

The declared output is 850 bhp, with 600 lb-ft of torque, flat-fan cooling, Motec ECU management, a maximum engine speed of 7,500 rpm, a 6-speed Getrag manual gearbox with specific ratios and rear-wheel drive.

Turbo, chassis and dynamic components

The Gunther Werks Turbo is not simply a 993 with more power. The project includes a wider front track, electronically controlled DGR active suspension, updated anti-roll bars, hydraulic nose lift, lightweight Gunther Werks-specific uprights and bespoke suspension arms with revised geometry.

The braking system is also updated with Brembo GTR components, 6-piston calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear. The goal is to create a car capable of managing modern supercar power while maintaining analog character and rear-wheel drive.

F-26

The F-26 program represents one of the most radical evolutions of Gunther Werks. The car is inspired by the Porsche 930 Flachbau and the 935 competition cars, but is reinterpreted with a body made almost entirely of carbon fiber and a far more extreme setup.

The engine is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six co-developed with Rothsport Racing, with a declared output of 1,000 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque. The transmission remains a 6-speed manual, drive is sent to the rear wheels and the steel 993 chassis is reinforced to achieve a declared 200% increase in rigidity.

Carbon fiber bodywork and functional aerodynamics

Carbon fiber is one of the most important elements of the Gunther Werks identity. The company designs and produces its own carbon fiber panels in-house, with great attention to strength, finish, precision and consistency between aesthetics and function.

The bodywork is redesigned to maintain the connection with the 911 993, but with wider proportions, more precise surfaces, functional air intakes, diffusers, spoilers, exposed components and aerodynamic solutions developed to increase stability and performance.

CNC, in-house components and vertical integration

Gunther Werks is a strongly vertically integrated company. It designs, engineers and produces a large part of its components in-house, in order to maintain direct control over quality, tolerances, materials and project consistency.

From CNC machining of aluminum and magnesium components to suspension parts, chassis hardware and functional details, in-house work is an essential part of Gunther Werks’ positioning. This choice allows the company to develop specific solutions that are compatible with the brand’s technical philosophy.

Flat-six, manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive

The heart of Gunther Werks cars remains the flat-six engine, the natural connection with 911 tradition. Depending on the program, the engine can be naturally aspirated or twin-turbo, with very different power levels but always focused on response, character and involvement.

The presence of a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive is fundamental to preserving the analog character of the car. Even when power reaches extreme levels, Gunther Werks maintains a direct relationship between driver, engine, clutch, gearbox and rear wheels.

Suspension, brakes and driving dynamics

The Gunther Werks transformation deeply affects the driving dynamics. Suspension, geometry, dampers, anti-roll bars, steering, brakes and setup are developed to make the 993 more precise, stable and capable, without making it impersonal.

This balance is central to the brand’s philosophy. Gunther Werks seeks modern performance, but does not want to turn the 911 into a filtered or distant car. The result must remain physical, communicative and clearly connected to the air-cooled tradition.

Bespoke interiors and craftsmanship

Gunther Werks interiors are developed with a fully tailor-made approach. Leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber, metals, stitching, seats, instruments and details are configured to reflect the customer’s vision.

The cabin maintains a strong analog clarity, but is taken to a much higher level of quality, ergonomics and finish than the original base. Every surface is treated as part of the driving experience and the premium perception of the car.

Speedster and Coupe

In addition to the GWR, Turbo and F-26 programs, Gunther Werks is also known for the Speedster and Coupe versions. The Speedster interprets the 993 in an open-air form, with a strong emotional and dramatic component, while the Coupe represents the purest and most classic form of the Gunther Werks reinterpretation.

Both configurations follow the same logic: wider proportions, carbon fiber bodywork, tailor-made interiors, dedicated components, high performance and strong attention to the relationship between design, technology and driving pleasure.

GWX and one-off commissions

GWX represents Gunther Werks’ most experimental and free division. This area allows the company to develop one-off commissions, special projects and even more personal interpretations than the main programs.

GWX commissions show the company’s ability to move beyond the boundaries of normal bespoke production, working on aesthetic themes, technical requests and deeply individual configurations.

Owner experience and support

Gunther Werks also builds an ownership experience around its cars. Each commission is supported by a 5-year or 100,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first, and includes access to future upgrades.

The brand also offers programs such as GW Access, track experiences and exclusive events. This reinforces the community dimension of the project: not only rare cars, but an ecosystem built around customers, collectors and enthusiasts.

Built in California

Gunther Werks defines its creations as built in California. This Californian identity is an important part of the brand: it combines Porsche culture, contemporary design, American craftsmanship, modern technology and a strongly innovation-oriented approach.

The result is different from many European companies in the restomod world. Gunther Werks interprets the 911 993 with a more muscular, technical and visually aggressive language, while remaining connected to the appeal of air-cooled Porsche cars.

Not an official Porsche

Gunther Werks specifies that its services are provided exclusively by Gunther Werks and that the presentation is not affiliated, associated or approved by Porsche. References to Porsche and model names are used only to identify the base car being reinterpreted.

This distinction is important to present the brand correctly. Gunther Werks cars are not official Porsche models, but independent reinterpretations based on the 911 993 and developed by a specialized California company.

A benchmark among extreme Porsche restomods

Gunther Werks is today one of the most recognizable names in the world of high-performance Porsche restomods. Its strength lies in the ability to combine the appeal of the air-cooled 993 with high power, carbon fiber, in-house components, bespoke interiors and a very modern dynamic setup.

For enthusiasts of Porsche 911, analog cars, luxury restomods and tailor-made projects, Gunther Werks is a company to know: an extreme, technical and deeply Californian reinterpretation of the last air-cooled 911.