Gunther Werks F26: A 1,067-HP Air-Cooled 911 Masterpiece

A 1,067-Horsepower Air-Cooled Heart

The automotive world is obsessed with massive power figures, but usually, that requires a complex hybrid powertrain or a quad-turbo engine the size of a suitcase. Gunther Werks decided to take a different path.

By taking the classic Porsche 993 generation and stripping it down to its carbon-fiber bones, they’ve created the F26—a car that produces 1,067 horsepower from a 4.0-liter air-cooled flat-six.

Inside the Twin-Turbo Engine Bay

When you crack open the massive carbon-fiber decklid, you aren’t met with modern plastic shrouds or electric motors. You see a beautifully engineered heart that harks back to the legendary Porsche 935 racers.

With two turbochargers working in harmony, this engine manages to push out 750 lb-ft of torque, turning a vintage chassis into a modern-day rocket ship.

Street Fuel vs. E85 Track Performance

To achieve that four-digit horsepower figure, the F26 runs on E85 fuel. If you’re filling up at a standard pump, the engine still pulls an impressive 880 horsepower.

That is more than enough to overwhelm the rear tires if you aren’t careful, yet the car remains remarkably tractable. The engineers worked tirelessly to ensure the power delivery isn’t just explosive, but also usable on the canyon roads of Southern California.

How the Carbon-Fiber Chassis Was Transformed

The chassis itself has undergone a transformation as radical as the engine. The bodywork is entirely carbon fiber, and the frame has been stiffened to be 250% more rigid than the original 993.

Gunther Werks even moved the rear wheels back 30 millimeters to improve the weight distribution, shifting the balance to a 39% front, 61% rear setup. It’s a car that feels glued to the tarmac, yet lively enough to dance through corners.

Minimalist Cockpit and Driver-Focused Interior

Inside, the experience is strictly for the driver. You’ll find purposeful carbon-fiber bucket seats, a manual six-speed shifter that begs to be rowed, and a minimalist cockpit.

While there is a nod to modern convenience—a dedicated phone slot and Apple CarPlay integration—this isn’t a vehicle built for cross-country cruising. It is loud, it is visceral, and it demands your full attention.

Track-Ready Suspension and Brembo Brakes

Braking is handled by massive Brembo CCMR rotors tucked behind lightweight magnesium wheels. The suspension is just as high-tech, featuring remote reservoir dampers that can be manually adjusted for the track, sport, or comfort.

Every component, from the 3D-printed mirror housings to the bespoke wiring harness, has been redesigned to shave weight and increase performance.

Production Limits and Collector Appeal

With only 26 units being built, the F26 is a rare sight, and with a price tag around $1.5 million, it’s a collector’s dream. But more than that, it is a testament to what is possible when you combine old-school cooling with cutting-edge manufacturing.

It successfully captures the raw, dangerous energy of the 1970s slant-nose racers while delivering the kind of straight-line performance that makes a contemporary GT3 RS look like it’s standing still.

The Ultimate Analog Restomod Veredict

Ultimately, the Gunther Werks F26 is a single-minded machine. It doesn’t apologize for its noise, its firm ride, or its insatiable appetite for speed.

It’s a masterclass in the art of the restomod, proving that even as the industry pivots toward electrification, there is still room for a rowdy, air-cooled, manual-transmission monster that hits like a freight train.

Is there any world where a 1,067-hp analog Porsche makes more sense to you than the latest hybrid hypercar?