In December 2023, a low-mileage Porsche 918 Spyder ‘Weissach Package’ sold for a record $3.93 million, over a million dollars more than the average price for the Porsche hypercar. In another instance, a Porsche 911 GT2 RS changed hands for just over one million dollars, about three times more than what would typically be paid for the average 911 GT2 RS!
One might struggle to comprehend why these Porsche models commanded such astronomical values. The short answer? Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur Program. This special department, a key component of the carmaker’s customer satisfaction framework, allows Porsche owners to personalize their vehicles with an endless array of options and customizations. It is an extensive process that transforms each car into truly bespoke and highly desirable possessions.
The 918 Spyder and 911 GT2 RS are just two examples of the incredible creations that can emerge from the Exclusive Manufaktur Program. The combination of Porsche’s signature build quality and unparalleled personalization offered by the Exclusive Manufaktur Program is what makes these models highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. That is why they trigger bidding wars and attract such high prices when they pop up for sale.
Early Beginnings and Evolution of Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur
The history of Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur program is deeply woven into the fabric of Porsche’s history right from the beginning. As early as the 1950s, just a few years after Porsche was established, its repair department in Stuttgart was already working on special orders for customers.
However, the first certified customer request was not received until 1962, when industrialist Alfred Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach ordered a Porsche 356 B Coupe with a rear wiper, which was not a standard addition then.
In the early days, special orders mainly concerned sports-style changes—requests to upgrade the chassis or enhance engine capabilities for sportier performance. In 1971, in response to growing demand, Porsche began selling parts for its sports vehicles and providing technical support to clients who wanted to race their cars.
Porsche’s customization efforts were not just limited to modifications and parts supply. Since 1978, the carmaker also engaged in the production of exclusive series vehicles, though the focus areas revolved around engine upgrades and suspension tuning. By the 1980s, Porsche was compelled to expand the scope of its services. An increasing number of clients now requested visual modifications in addition to mechanical changes. Premium leather and wood topped customer request lists, while wide skirts and front and rear spoilers became popular external upgrades.
Porsche claims it was the first automotive manufacturer to establish a dedicated department focused on vehicle refinement. It was certainly ahead of other big-name manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW or Mercedes. The unit was set up in 1986 to help customers realize their vision of creating distinctive one-off vehicles. It grew quickly; by the 1990s, the product range had expanded to over 600 order options. It was an extensive catalogue that detailed what customers could do with their vehicles, ranging from colours, wheels, high-quality interior materials and aerodynamic kits.
Limited Series with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is mostly about individual customizations. However, the production of limited-series vehicles has always been a part of its DNA. Porsche Motorsports played a big part in this, with the earliest limited series influenced by race cars.
In 1981, Porsche’s customer service department began offering a ‘911 Turbo body modification/911 SC Turbolook flat front section,’ based on the 935 race car. Nicknamed Moby Dick, the cars had a characteristic slant nose with integrated double headlights – later replaced in 1983 with the pop-up headlights of the 924. Between 1981 and 1989, Porsche built 948 examples of the slant-nose Porsche 911 Turbo, modelled after the Porsche 935 race car.
By 1992, Porsche Exclusive, the department in charge of vehicle customizations, released its first small series vehicle. It was the Porsche 911 Turbo S Lightweight sports car based on the Type 964 and limited to 86 units. It marked the first time components like 18-inch wheels, red-painted brake callipers and a special new colour – Speed Yellow- were used on a Porsche vehicle.
This was followed by the 911 Turbo 3.6 slant nose, of which only 76 examples were made. Even rarer examples exist, like the 911 Carrera 2 Speedster, produced 15 times, and the 911 Carrera 3.6 Speedster, limited to 3 units.
In more recent times, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has been responsible for the Porsche Panamera Exclusive Series (100 units) and the 2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series (500 units).
Porsche Sonderwunsch
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has been described as ‘the ultimate expression of freedom and craftsmanship.’ The Porsche Sonderwunsch is a step closer in that direction. Sonderwunsch is a German word that loosely translates to ‘special requests.’ It is an arm of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur and Porsche Classic department, where personalization is taken to the highest levels.
The name first appeared in 1978 and was associated with the unit that handled anything from special Porsche modifications to custom one-off Porsche models. Today, the overall aim remains unchanged. With Porsche Sonderwunsch, almost anything is possible.
A factory commission involving bespoke colours and materials? It’s been done before. How about a commission of a classic vehicle or a complete one-off? The skilled craftspeople and engineers at Porsche can make it happen.
In 1987, Porsche Sonderwunsch embarked on a wildly ambitious project, building a custom gold Porsche 959 for an Arab prince. Seven custom 959 supercars were actually ordered, but the gold example stood out with an elaborate application of wood and gold trimming on the interior and parts like the exhaust tips.
A more recent example of what Porsche Sonderwunsch can do occurred in April 2024, when the department embarked on one of the most complicated paint jobs in the company’s history. It involved replicating a famous geometric abstraction artwork of celebrated Chinese artist Ding Yi on a Porsche Taycan.
The car’s unique colour scheme was achieved using a complex process involving masking films and different paint consistencies. A high-quality screen printing technique ensured the colours were perfectly reproduced. Finally, a multi-layered clear coat was applied to protect the finished work on the Taycan from the rigours of regular use on the streets of Shanghai.
A one-off 993 Speedster unveiled at the 2024 Monterrey Car Week is yet another example of what’s possible with Porsche Sonderwunsch. The bright yellow car was commissioned by Italian architect and industrial designer Luca Trazzi, who now joins Ferdinand Porsche and Jerry Seinfeld as the only other owners of factory Porsche 993 Speedsters.
No Limits, Top Quality, Top Price
‘Please keep this option content confidential. Porsche AG does not want this offered to anyone else as they do not have the capacity to do this more than once.’
The above statement revolved around a Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur project embarked upon on behalf of the White Collection. It clearly demonstrates just how far Porsche designers will go to fulfil clients’ wishes. In many cases, the only limitations are market and government regulations in the country where the finished project will be based.
The project that prompted the Porsche statement was a white Porsche 918 Spyder, the one earlier mentioned, which would set a new sales record when it was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s.
Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur touches on the 918 Spyder included a paint-to-sample Grand Prix White exterior with colour-matched magnesium wheels, full leather-to-sample Yachting Blue upholstery with Bianco Leda piping and a Yachting Blue luggage set.
As one might expect, a collaboration with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is not cheap. The bespoke options on the Porsche 918 Spyder cost almost $100,000, more than the price of a 2024 Porsche 718 Boxster S. In another example, a Porsche 911 GT2 RS carried over $344,000 worth of options or $100,000 more than the price of the latest Porsche 911 GT3 RS!
Looking Ahead with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
Today, high-end customization is bigger than ever, an integral element of the performance car segment. Porsche might have been the first to the market with its specialized customization department, but it’s no longer the only player. Rivals like Lamborghini, Ferrari and Mercedes all have similar bespoke programs that cater to deep-pocketed clientele.
According to Porsche, the Exclusive Manufaktur program is very popular with its clients. Over 90% of all customers who order a 911 sports car include at least one option from the customization portfolio.
It has proven to be a clever strategy that allows the German carmaker to keep pace and, in some cases, stay ahead of the competition. Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has been around for decades, and it is easy to see it continue as a crucial component of Porsche’s long-term strategies as it bids to remain a dominant player in the performance automobile segment.
