Photo: Gurdeep Panesar via Behance
Despite its seemingly simplistic design, the Porsche 911 has never ceased to attract the attention of independent designers who might see the task of restyling the classic German sports car as a sort of rite of initiation.
You can't come up with a good design unless you capture the essence of that brand or that model. Then, you need to add your own touch, or you end up with what can only be described as a copy and, before you know it, you're working for some obscure Chinese manufacturer who likes your ability to create models that are only slightly different than the originals.
With the 911, it's even more difficult. The first part is easy: even a child can draw something that could be identified as a 911. It's all about the shape of the coupe, and if you get to sketch its headlights as well, you're home free. It's the second one that poses the real challenge: change too little, and you end up in China; change too much, and you'll end up on the blacklist of diehard 911 fans.
The cult following the model enjoys means you mess with its appearance at your own peril. It sure seems as though Gurdeep Panesar had no fear of fan retaliation while putting together this bold interpretation of the iconic model, and judging by the result, he had every reason not to.
That's because his take on the 911 does things by the book. It takes the various aspects of the classic model and, instead of replacing them, it reinterprets them. According to the author, the project started with the aim of "removing any obstructions from the driver's field of view," hence the Jetsons-like glass canopy.
Presumably inspired by the way the vehicle looked with its new cabin cover, Gurdeep proceeded to put a retro-futuristic touch on other elements as well. He lists the wheels or the steering wheel, but you can see changes in other parts too. Just look at the side mirrors, the headlights, the wing, the engine cover, or the taillights. Oh, and we're pretty sure they didn't have holographic license plates back when Porsche was making the 964, the generation this project seems to be based on.
With the 911, it's even more difficult. The first part is easy: even a child can draw something that could be identified as a 911. It's all about the shape of the coupe, and if you get to sketch its headlights as well, you're home free. It's the second one that poses the real challenge: change too little, and you end up in China; change too much, and you'll end up on the blacklist of diehard 911 fans.
The cult following the model enjoys means you mess with its appearance at your own peril. It sure seems as though Gurdeep Panesar had no fear of fan retaliation while putting together this bold interpretation of the iconic model, and judging by the result, he had every reason not to.
That's because his take on the 911 does things by the book. It takes the various aspects of the classic model and, instead of replacing them, it reinterprets them. According to the author, the project started with the aim of "removing any obstructions from the driver's field of view," hence the Jetsons-like glass canopy.
Presumably inspired by the way the vehicle looked with its new cabin cover, Gurdeep proceeded to put a retro-futuristic touch on other elements as well. He lists the wheels or the steering wheel, but you can see changes in other parts too. Just look at the side mirrors, the headlights, the wing, the engine cover, or the taillights. Oh, and we're pretty sure they didn't have holographic license plates back when Porsche was making the 964, the generation this project seems to be based on.
Google News