What is an Air-Cooled Porsche Backdate?

Porsche reimagined by Singer is a classic Porsche Backdate project that probably energized the trend to backdate Porsches. What does it mean to backdate a Classic Porsche? A good example is this 1983 Porsche 911SC currently on PCarMarket that is “Backdated” to resemble a 1973 Porsche 2.7 RS.

A Classic Porsche Backdate Project - a 911SC Becomes a '73 911RS

A backdate is defined as taking a newer Porsche and modifying it to resemble an older Porsche. In this case, a 1978 911SC was modified to look like a 1973 Porsche 911RS.

So, why do this? In most cases, an owner admires and desires the real 1973 Porsche RS but with prices in excess of half a million dollars they either don’t have or want to spend that much money. Plus a real 1973 Porsche RS is a real driver’s car lacking all the comforts and driving aids of newer Porsche 911’s.

Porsche 911 Backdate

Viola, backdates were created. A newer air-cooled Porsche that is cheaper and more modern is used as a donor car and then the body is modified to appear like an older Porsche, usually a seventies 911.

The owner gets a “cool-looking” classic 911-style and shape at half the cost or more, and with a more modern driving package.

In most cases if you see this Porsche Backdate on the street or at the local Cars & Coffee you won’t really know whether it is a real 911RS or a 911 Backdate unless you are a true Porsche aficionado. Most people will just think it is a great looking Porsche and the owner’s “Walter Mitty” type fantasies will be fulfilled as he corners his 911 Backdate down the local back country winding road.

This Porsche 911 Backdate goes a step further than the average 911 Backdate. Usually the backdate consists of cosmetically back-dating the look of the Porsche, but in this case they made more of a hot rod, because the engine is a 993-source flat-six with a G-50 transmission from a newer Porsche 911.

Porsche Backdates Feature Bodywork from the 70's

The appearance though says “Backdate” as the front bumper, longhood hood and fenders are fiberglass bodywork resembling a 1973 911RS. Plus, the car features the iconic Ducktail spoiler and Carrera striping as featured on a 1973 Porsche 911 RS.

The car has also been update with upgraded air conditioning, a limited slip differential and other performance modifications.

These Classic Porsche 911 Backdates normally sell in the mid-seventies unless it is something really notable such as a Singer reimagined 911 that is now selling in the price range of a real 911RS - $750,000 - $1,000,000.

This example on PCarMarket is currently bid to $55,000 with a little more than one day to go. It was previously on Bring-a-Trailer where it reached a no-sale price of $76,000. I think that was all the money for the car and should have been accepted. The problem is that the seller probably has close to $100,000 into the build.

Porsche 911 Backdate: a 911SC Becomes a 1973 911RS 2.7

PCarMarket Auction Listing: https://www.pcarmarket.com/auction/1983-porsche-911sc-36l-backdate/

Tags: Porsche 911 Backdate, Porsche Backdate