Porsche 911 S/T Unites Past and Present with Restoration and Sonderwunsch Edition

Porsche revives the 1972 911 S/T with a meticulous restoration and unveils a modern Sonderwunsch edition, combining heritage, craftsmanship, and performance.

Porsche has brought past and present together, showcasing a rare resurrection of a racing legend alongside its modern reinterpretation. The story of the 911 S/T begins in 1972, when the Toad Hall team’s car triumphed in its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Drivers Mike Keyser, Jürgen Barth, and Sylvain Garant delivered a flawless performance, becoming the only privateer crew to finish in such a demanding race. After further appearances at the Nürburgring, Daytona, and Sebring, the car gradually faded from sight, with its last recorded race at Riverside in 1975.

The next clue surfaced in 2008, when whispers emerged about a neglected shell in a barn near San Francisco. In 2013, a Swiss collector traveled to California and purchased the rare Porsche, determined to restore it to its former glory. Porsche Classic in Stuttgart took on the challenge: the body was stripped to bare metal, straightened on a jig, and missing parts were recreated using original drawings. More than 1,000 hours of craftsmanship went into the bodywork alone, and modern cathodic dip coating was applied for corrosion protection. In 2016, the car was returned to its owner in perfect condition, resplendent in Light Yellow (code 117) and wearing its historic number 41.

Today, this unique machine shares its garage with a brand-new 911 S/T, created through Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program. The car was painted by hand in the same rare shade, applied even to challenging carbon panels. It features lightweight magnesium wheels, black brake calipers, and a stripped-back black interior. At its heart is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six revving to 9,000 rpm and producing 525 PS, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and a lightweight build for maximum driver engagement.

Sonderwunsch, which traces its roots back to the 1950s, remains the pinnacle of Porsche personalization. Customers can request unique colors, trims, or even one-off projects, all meeting factory quality standards and backed by a full warranty. Market interest in such cars remains strong: auction estimates for original 911 S/T models typically range from $900,000 to $1.4 million, with some cars remaining unsold — a fact that only fuels collector enthusiasm.

Light Yellow has also returned to the spotlight. Associated with rare sporting 911s of the 1970s, including the 2.7 RS, it has become a hallmark of that era. Comparing the two generations reveals how far technology has progressed — the new S/T produces nearly double the power yet stays true to the spirit of the original, offering the same philosophy of lightness and mechanical purity. Together, the old and new 911 S/T tell a vivid story of how Porsche continues to blend heritage with modern engineering.