Dutch firm fashions a Boxster Shooting Brake

Van Thull has extended the rear of a former 986 convertible for the full wagon effect

A Boxster might not seem like the most appropriate choice for a shooting brake because – without stating the obvious – it has a mid-mounted engine in the way. But Van Thull Development of Holland has not let that minor hindrance prevent it from launching its latest project, which involves slapping a custom rear section and a 997 911 front end to an early 986 Boxster. It’s been in the making for several months, but now, the one-off’s skin is finished – as shown by these latest images.

As part of the alterations, the Dutch firm – which is a specialist in working with Porsches among other things – has added a 991 bumper and taillights to the back, with convincing 911-esque rear windows on each side of the new section to keep up the brand theme. Since the two-seat Boxster’s boxer engine takes up a large portion of the added area, we suspect this is more of a demonstration for the work Van Thull’s engineers can handle, rather than a genuinely practical offering to buyers.

It looks like the firm has made a decent fist of joining three very different body sections together; the work certainly goes a lot further than its other recent projects, which have centred around restoration and fettling rather than complete re-bodying. There’s no word as to whether this particular Boxster is a regular 2.5-litre car or the more potent 3.2 S, or whether any more performance will be extracted from its powertrain. Or, indeed, whether this one-off could be produced again for customers. Demand for bespoke creations like this definitely exists; see the QWest Model S Shooting Brake and its Dutch rival, as well as that rather pricey run of Aston Martin Zagato Shooting Brakes. Different class, maybe - but similarly themed.

Find a Porsche here.

Pic credit: Van Thull Development