Porsche soul,
if not body
By Douglas Kott
-Road and Track Jan '01

Does a standard Porsche 911 or 928 lack that certain eye-popping appeal? Then perhaps one of these two limited-production specials, based on Zuffenhausen's fines component design, will send shock waves through your retinas. The W3-Triposto is the work Quebec-based Wingho Auto Classique Inc. (www.928spyder.com), and uses early 1990's 911 running gear and blueprinted 260-bhp 3.2-liter flat-6 for motivation. As the name suggests, it's a 3-seater, McLaren F1 style, with the driver centrally positioned in a molded seat that's a stressed part of the structure. A stylistic tribute to the 1958 Porsche 718 RSK, the W3-Triposto is an open-cockpit roadster with aluminum trim. Porsche 928 running gear is used for the composite bodied roadster, with the standard 5.0-liter 4-cam V& making 316 bhp. Its custom interior retains only the 928 in design, and has a 4-position, driver-adjustable front spoiler, adjustable pedal cluster, scissor-type swing doors, 20-in. Momo Extreme wheels and fully adjustable, coil-over-shock suspension.

The second care, The Moderne by SpyderWerks, actually began life as another Wingho design, the 928 Spyder. Like the W3-Triposto, it was an open cockpit, minimalist design...until SpyderWerks modified the concept considerable, adding a windshield, roll-up side glass and folding top storage nicely set off with a band of polished wheels, complete instrument pod, and seats. Depending on the cost of the donor 928, a drive-away Moderne can be had for $35,000 - $45,000.