Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar: A Rare Redefinition of a Legend

Bold Reinvention - When you think about the Porsche 911, the first images that usually come to mind are its iconic curves, the flat-six engine singing behind the driver, and a silhouette that has barely changed in decades. It’s a car that has always represented precision, performance, and timeless design. But every now and then, someone dares to reinterpret a legend—and back in 2005, a Swiss company did exactly that by giving the 911 a body style that was both unusual and deeply rooted in automotive history: the Shooting Brake. 

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar. (Picture from: CarSighting in X)

At the Geneva Motor Show on March 1st, 2005, the world got its first glimpse of the Porsche 911 Shooting Brake, crafted by Protoscar SA. This wasn’t just a wild concept sketch made for attention—it was a road-legal car that could be built on the Porsche 911 Coupe (996 generation). Protoscar, known for its ability to develop bespoke prototypes and special projects, worked carefully to ensure the car met all legal requirements while still offering personalization options for anyone bold enough to want one. 

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar. (Picture from: CarSighting in X)

The very first example wasn’t made for just anyone, though. It was created for Derendinger AG, a Swiss leader in garage equipment and spare parts distribution, to celebrate their 75th anniversary. Fittingly, given that one of Derendinger’s earliest products in 1930 was brakes, this anniversary car was fitted with MOVIT high-performance brakes that pushed the limits of street-legal stopping power. Former Formula 1 driver Marc Surer put the system to the test, managing to decelerate from 120 km/h to a complete stop in just 2.9 seconds—a figure that, even today, sounds astonishing for a road car. 

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar. (Picture from: Dacorsa in Facebook)

What makes the Shooting Brake style so interesting is its blend of practicality and elegance. Born in England as a way to carry hunting gear in sleek coupes, the style eventually evolved into something more lifestyle-oriented, with space for golf clubs instead of rifles. Rarely seen on high-performance cars, Shooting Brakes have popped up on exclusive Aston Martins, Ferraris, Corvettes, and Jaguars in the past. But when Protoscar applied the formula to the Porsche 911—arguably one of the most recognized sports cars in the world—it became something truly unique. The challenge was to stretch the 911’s shape into a more practical form without breaking the magic of its design language. The result balanced sophistication with sportiness, and it showed just how versatile the 911 platform could be when reimagined.

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar (Picture from: CarSighting in X)

Protoscar didn’t act alone. For this project, they collaborated with highly skilled specialists such as Esoro Ltd., masters in composite materials, and designer Luciano D’Ambrosio of LD’A Design. Combining artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital modeling, the team ensured the final car wasn’t just a novelty—it was a carefully engineered reinterpretation of a classic. Over the years, Protoscar had already built a reputation for turning bold ideas into one-off cars, often for automakers, suppliers, or even for film productions. The 911 Shooting Brake simply reinforced their ability to make the extraordinary seem natural.

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar. (Picture from: Dacorsa in Facebook)

Underneath its distinctive bodywork, the car stayed true to its Porsche roots. Based on the 996 Carrera, it carried the familiar 3.4-liter flat-six engine producing 300 horsepower, capable of reaching 280 km/h and sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. It measured 4,430 mm long, 1,829 mm wide, and 1,335 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,350 mm and a weight of 1,765 kg. In other words, it remained every bit a 911 in terms of dynamics, but with an added twist of practicality and individuality. 

The Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar. (Picture from: Dacorsa in Facebook)

Looking back from today’s perspective, when carmakers occasionally experiment with Shooting Brakes in limited editions, the Porsche 911 Shooting Brake by Protoscar feels even more special. It wasn’t a mass-produced product, but a celebration of craftsmanship, heritage, and the daring idea that even legends can be reshaped. For enthusiasts, it represents a moment when innovation met tradition, creating a car that continues to spark curiosity years after its debut. | cBJqSbzgcFI |

This rare 911 proves that sometimes the most unexpected combinations are the ones that leave the longest impression. A Porsche that could carry golf clubs while still thrilling on the autobahn? That’s the kind of bold thinking that keeps the automotive world exciting. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALLCARINDEX | CARSIGHTING IN X | GT3POINT2 IN INSTAGRAM | DACORSA.COM IN FACEBOOK ]

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