The 996 generation of Porsche’s iconic 911 is probably the least favorite among fans and customers alike. Maybe it’s the “fried egg” headlights, the reliability, or the fact that it’s not air-cooled like its predecessors. Whatever the reason, it typically gets the least love out of all the 911s. But this one is different than all the rest.
That’s because it’s bulletproof straight from the factory. Built as a one-off by Porsche in the mid-1990s after a customer requested an armored car, this unique 996 Carrera survives to this day as part of the Porsche Museum’s collection.
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To make the bulletproof 911, Porsche started with an early 996 Carrera finished in Dragonfly Turquoise Metallic that they took right off the production line. They then added 20mm thick reinforced glass all around that was specially created and supplied for this car. As a result of this custom work, the rear windshield is even able to keep its heating element. The only thing giving away the new glass is the 2-inch-thick back border around the windows.
An unintended result of all that bulletproofing is that the cabin is dead silent. Despite the extensive modifications made to the exterior, the interior remains exactly the same, minus a sunroof for obvious reasons. That being said, this car did have almost every interior option you would’ve wanted at the time, with a high-end sound system, electrically-adjustable heated seats, and cruise control.
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For the bodywork, Porsche strayed away from the obvious choice of heavy-duty steel in favor of something a bit more durable. They chose Dyneema, an energy-absorbing composite that weighs the same as steel, only it’s fifteen times stronger. Again, none of this armoring is outwardly visible, which is one of its best tricks. To the unsuspecting eye, this looks like a normal 996 911 Carrera.
And in case you were wondering, this reinforcement isn’t just theoretical. Porsche has tested it, claiming that in most places the body can withstand the fire of a 9 mm handgun as well as a .44 Magnum revolver.
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However, all this comes at the cost of extra weight. While a normal 996 Carrera weighs 2,904 lbs (1,317 kg), this one tips the scales at a hefty 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg). And despite the weight gain, it’s still powered by the original 3.4-liter flat-six engine making 296 hp (300 PS / 221 kW) and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque.
Eventually, this project remained a one-off for a simple reason: the cost was far too high and the demand was way too low.