RSR project revives 1986 porsche 911 in 70's-era 'signal orange'

rsr project #21: A Porsche Classic Reimagined

The RSR Project #21 is the latest custom build by The RSR Project, a company based in New York that has established a reputation for reviving the visual and mechanical spirit of Porsche’s iconic racing history. Built on the bones of a 1986 Porsche 911, this new commission brings together period-correct styling and considerate upgrades that recall the 1973 Rennsport Rennwagen, while keeping distinctly suited to modern daily use.

The car is finished in Signal Orange, a color only available on the 911 and 914 models during the 1970-1975 period. While this paint choice specifically references Porsche’s 1970s competition palette, its execution is sharp and fresh. It’s consistent with the project’s overall approach to be respectful of the past.

images © RSR Project

Tuned for the Road, Not the Museum

The RSR Project #21 Porsche features a 3.4-liter twin-plug engine paired with a 5-speed 915 gearbox, selected for its tactile and mechanical feel. The drivetrain is deliberately analog, tuned to deliver raw, responsive power without the filtration common to contemporary systems. Four-piston brakes offer confident stopping power, while the suspension relies on stock geometry enhanced with Bilstein shocks and bushings. It’s a formula that keeps the connection to the original RSR while supporting predictable road manners.

The car rides on staggered Braid wheels — 11×15 in the rear, 9×15 up front — wrapped in Michelin TB-15 rubber. The choice of components mirrors a track-ready build, but the final result is tuned for the daily rhythm of city streets and mountain switchbacks alike.

the RSR Project #21 is built on a 1986 Porsche 911, reimagined to honor the 1973 RSR

a restrained Interior by Design

Inside the cockpit of the RSR Project #21 Porsche, the design language speaks softly. Houndstooth inserts add period texture to leather bucket seats, while leather-wrapped surfaces on the dash, doors, and headliner reflect a restrained approach to materiality. There is no visual noise or aggressive branding, and everything serves the experience of the drive.

Creature comforts are integrated without drawing attention. Heated seats, a classic-look Porsche radio, and upgraded Griffiths air conditioning all work quietly in the background, balancing utility with the minimalist design ethos that defines the RSR Project.

Richard Schickman, the founder of The RSR Project, launched the business after building a custom Porsche for himself. ‘That finished car was so well-received when out on the road that I recognized I could turn this into a business,’ he recalls. ‘It is so rare for anyone to be able to find an original RSR car these days… On the opposite end of that spectrum, The RSR Project builds cars that are made to be driven in modern conditions.’

its Signal Orange paint references classic Porsche racing colors from the 1970s