Monday 2nd December 2019

Dutch firm fashions a Boxster Shooting Brake

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

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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.

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Find a Porsche here.

Pic credit: Van Thull Development

[Camry_Man]

Shut and take my money.
After they finish it properly first......(obviously)......

[J4CKO]

Nice work, sort of Z3M Coupe vibe.

[hixster]

Why?

[Reciprocating mass]

Oh dear ! scirocco crashed up the rear of a boxster

[Plate spinner]

Kind of pointless, but kind of fun I guess.

[psi310398]

I admire the ambition but my guess is that I could buy the rather better resolved Panamera shooting brake for the same money...

[CrossMember]

As a former Smart Roadster Coupe pervert, I approve of this.

OK, that was more rear-engined than mid, but I still like this. Makes me wonder what a 911 breadvan might look like?

[Turbobanana]

Puts me in mind of the joke where a local is asked for directions, and replies with "Well I wouldn't start from 'ere".

[Black S2K]

Looks like it could use the front roof/windows from a Cayman. Otherwise it's pretty well-resolved.

[johnnyBv8]

I quite like it. I wonder why they choose to get some media interest before they've finished and slapped some paint on though.

[Greeneyelevin]

Why would you go to the trouble (expence of making a Porsche look like a VW Sirocco ?.....

[Sean207]

a volvo C30, a VW Sirroco, a Z3 breadvan, 911 and Boxster go to a hotel bar...after a few too many shots, one suggests getting a room and bam, 9 months later...

I think the normal boxster front may have worked better, but like someone else has said, this is a spy shot the company must be furious has leaked surely...

[LimaDelta]

psi310398 said:

I admire the ambition but my guess is that I could buy the rather better resolved Panamera shooting brake for the same money...

Is there a Panamera shooting brake? I thought they were all 4-doors?

[thegreenhell]

I like it, although I'd prefer more of a rear hatch than just the opening glass.

[easytiger123]

It looks so good and fills such an obvious gap in the market, I can't believe nobody tried this sooner...

[Hotfire2000]

I'll have some of that! Scirocco & Z4M are both good looking cars but in a Porsche, wow!

[anonymous-user]

Thats how it would turn out if i made it with my lack of skills.Why bother even showing it without paint?It looks like a cheap kit car.

[thelostboy]

Wondered what it reminded me of - the Z3M, of course!

That is still a 997 GT3 rear bumper, just the lights that are different.

I'm interested to see how usable they make the 'boot', given that's kind of the point of it. I imagine the Z3M has quite a decent space given the engine's in the front.

[SturdyHSV]

That's awesome

[Paulo_G]

I admire the intent, however it just doesn't appear to be a particularly good effort... The line all the way across the back doesn't work for me, and there's something odd with the windscreen line vs door windows. I want to like it, but in truth I'd take the old 944 shooting brake. A much better resolved design all round IMO, and no doubt more practical being front engined, although the 944 did have a fairly high boot floor IIRC.