Most custom Porsches come with souped-up engines, lowered or widened bodies, and other discreet aesthetic modifications, but they generally keep the DNA of the original car in terms of style and drivetrain. But once in a while, audacious designers push the limit of what is possible with car modification and unveil projects that provoke knee-jerk reactions from the automotive world.
Such is the case with this half-Porsche, half-F1 race car build that shows anything is possible with the right dose of creativity, craftsmanship, and bravery. When it was initially unveiled to the world in 2021, the aptly named "Half11" build caused quite a commotion among car enthusiasts, many of whom were intrigued by its uniqueness. However, it also upset Porsche 911 cultists because it significantly strays away from what we know as the iconic Porsche design language.
Half11 is the brainchild of brothers Iliya and Nikita Bridan, designers and car enthusiasts who aren't afraid to chase down their strangest dreams and will them into existence. This custom car was born from their love of '60s and '70s race cars and represents their vision of the perfect road racer. Though it doesn't look like any particular car, it does take inspiration from classics such as the Porsche 917, Ferrari 330P4, and Jaguar XJ13.
Perhaps the easiest way to describe the Half11 would be to bill it as a re-bodied Porsche 911 with a mid-mounted engine and a Formula One rear end. But that would do it a great injustice, as it is much more than that. It's an homage to the golden age of motor racing.
Photo: The Arsenal/ Oil Stain Lab
The Ukrainian-born siblings chose the name Half11 for their build because it vaguely resembles a 911, but the only bits taken from the Porsche 911 are the bare fenders and frunk floor, along with the vague shape of the headlights. Other than that, it is decidedly unique, boasting a custom-crafted tubular steel like the racing chassis of an F1 car and a hand-fabricated aluminum body and drawing power from a JMS Racing Chevy LS.
Talking about their special project, the Bridan twins explain, "We wanted to tell a car design story in a different way than had been shown or told before. This is revisionist history, and it opens up the story to more people than just car guys. Maybe it offends the purists, but it includes far more people and diversifies the group that we're talking to." And though they went through ups and downs during the building process and received a lot of criticism from the community when they first shared the photos of the prototype on social media, they never stopped believing in their dream.
After a few full years of development and testing, Oil Stain Lab, the Bridan brothers' brand, is finally offering the Half11 oddball for sale, and you can buy it if you have $600,000 burning a hole in your pocket.
Photo: The Arsenal/ Oil Stain Lab
The Half11 production vehicle will be built in the Bridans' California shop, and it looks just like the concept revealed a few years ago. Its custom-made tubular steel chassis was designed by Joe Scarbo of Scarbo Performance, and the hand-fabricated aluminum body is quite minimalist in an attempt to replicate the simple aerodynamics of the Can-Am era. It has a low rear wing, a front diffuser similar to those seen on modern GT3s, and the number "11" scripted on the livery.
The beating heart of the vehicle is a JMS Racing Chevy LS V8 engine that offers a peak output of 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The mill is built to handle endurance road racing, boasting PRC cylinder heads, an external water pump, and eight fuel-injected throttle bodies with custom-printed velocity stacks, and is coupled to a six-speed transaxle from a 996-generation Porsche 911 GT2.
The car is said to be able to reach a top speed of 200 mph (322 kph), and despite tipping the scales at 1,850 pounds (around 840 kg), it does the 0 to 60 sprint in just 2.5 seconds.
It rides on bespoke three-piece, center-lock, 15-inch wheels fabricated by Rotiform, measuring 11 inches in front and 15 inches at the rear, all wrapped in hand-cut Avon racing slick tires.
Photo: The Arsenal/ Oil Stain Lab
Interestingly enough, Oil Stain Lab will only create 25 examples of the Half11, a nod to the number of units that needed to have been built for homologation in 1968. What's more, bespoke customization options will also be available, such as personalized bodywork in either Speedster or Coupe configuration, low drag performance, or a long-tail design.
As mentioned, each Half11 is priced at $600,000. Those interested can reserve one now via The Arsenale, with deliveries expected in late 2023.
However odd, Half11 is sure to remain in the automotive history books as one of the weirdest yet most wonderful custom Porsches ever built.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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