FYI: The ambitious Porsche project is heading to new heights with custom interiors and eye-catching design upgrades. Follow along as Editor Donald Smith shares his unique insights and engages readers in a journey through the transformation of a Porsche 996 Turbo.

A Porsche 996 Turbo Transformation: Custom Interiors and Unique Upgrades

I embarked on this Porsche project with a clear vision of what I wanted the final product to look like—bright, flashy, and boasting of luxurious materials. Well before the painting process began, I collaborated with Sean from Spotlight Customs to explore our options. The main goal was to create an interior as unique as the car itself, setting it apart from the lackluster materials typically found in the 996-generation 911.

Planning and Preparation

Last fall, I managed to secure a spot on Spotlight Custom’s waiting list for this project, as their 2024 calendar was already booked before the year even started. By the time my turn arrived, it was time to dive into the details. Starting on Friday, I visited Spotlight to inspect early progress and deliver a few more items crucial for the upcoming months.

Upgrading the Seats

A Custom Blend

The sports seats, which I had delivered last December, were a combination of a broken driver’s seat and a clean passenger seat, which we combined into a stellar creation. The seats were painted to match the exterior and then received a luxurious touch with Italian leather and exquisite faded wool inserts, which were handpicked months earlier. The end result? An incredible sports seat that stands out in both comfort and style.

A Unique Center Console

The matching center console is a work of art, resembling a fine piece you’d find on a living room bookshelf. I handed over additional items to be wrapped in luxurious leather and fabric, continuing the elegant theme.

Detailed Disassembly and Reupholstery

With the driver’s seat and center console completed, it was time for further disassembly. I joined the team to begin stripping down the interior, starting with the passenger seat, much to the dismay of Henry, the 16-year-old basset-beagle mix who had made the seat his resting spot. Apologies aside, the teardown continued seamlessly.

Following a bit of inspiration from racing drivers like Jenson Button or Dario Franchitti, who often choose sports seats for themselves and comfort seats for passengers, I decided on a similar setup. While I opted for a sportier seat with aggressive bolsters, my wife preferred the original comfort seat. Blending the new sports seat with the OEM comfort seat should offer the best of both worlds when reassembled.

Moving Forward with Door Panels

The door panels were next in line for reupholstery. Like the seats, the upper sections will feature stunning green leather, and the lower sections, originally carpeted, will be adorned in matching fabric to maintain a two-tone aesthetic.

The Final Touches

After reupholstery, the final stages will involve a comprehensive interior makeover. Once the green components like the carpet, seats, center console, and door panels are in place, we’ll tackle additional mechanical work on the car. Later in the year, I plan to remove the dashboard and install a new headliner, minus the sunroof, to refine the trim work. By next spring, I aim to have a completed car ready for countless enjoyable drives.

For now, I’m hitting the road with a minimalist interior, eagerly anticipating the completion of this extensive but rewarding project.

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Donald Smith, Editor of Automotive.fyi