The 1999 Porsche Carrera 4 (996) Dutchmann Weekend Racer
The Porsche 911 is an Iconic car. We’ve spoken about its rich history before on this platform. The shape has cemented itself into the hearts and minds of fans. Through subtle evolution it has stayed true to its design, and bang-up-to-date all at the same time. This timelessness is what makes older 911’s such an attractive proposition. In stead of being looked at as “old” or “Last generation” they get labelled “retro-cool”.
This is probably why the 911 makes such a good starting point for companies like Singer, Kaege and gProgramm. Even here in South Africa, we have a company that specialises in customising 911’s. Dutchmann have been modifying 911’s of all ages for several years now and have built quite the reputation for themselves. Although their focus is more on much older 911’s, this 996 has been reimagined with the Dutchmann “Weekend Racer” package.
the Dutchmann “Weekend Racer” package.
The car has a complete respray in a subtle light grey colour that really suits the 996’s shape. It makes it look more like an older vintage 911 that’s been modernised rather than a modern car that’s been retro-styled. On the exterior, the look is completed with a stunning set of genuine Fuchs wheels and some smaller details. Such as the chrome 911 badging on the back and clear lenses at the front.
On the inside the seats have been completely retrimmed in a lovely contrasting brown. This also extends to the instrument binnacle on the dashboard. The 2-tone effect may not be to all tastes, but for me it really wakes up the otherwise drab, all-black interior of the 996. It looks very classy, and together with some other replacement trim pieces, it makes the Dutchmann a very nice place to sit.
All these cosmetic changes, including some lovely Dutchmann branding, makes the car look and feel very special. You can tell this is not a normal, off the shelf 911, and I like that. The changes are subtle and respectful to the original design, so it is individual, without being brash. You don’t get the title of “Weekend Racer” by simply dressing in a pretty frock though. Some of the most notable changes on this car, are below the skin.
incredible feel and control
Dutchmann completely refresh the suspension on the car. Bushes are replaced with stronger, firmer units. Springs, dampers and geometry are also sharpened up. The result is a 996 with incredible feel and control. It feels very similar, in fact, to the 996 GT3 I was lucky enough to drive a while ago. Body control is excellent, with pitch and roll virtually eliminated. Turn in is razor sharp and the steering is almost telepathically good. You can place the car on the road with extreme accuracy.
By far the most impressive aspect of the car though, is the way it feels and communicates with the driver. The suspension upgrades have transformed the way the Dutchmann talks to you. Even at docile road speeds you can feel the weight of the car shift. You can sense exactly how much grip is being demanded from each tyre. The driver becomes very aware of the car’s rear-bias weight distribution. All this tactile information coming through the steering wheel and the seats lets you know exactly what the demands are on your contact patches. It really is refreshing to get this level of feedback from a car, when modern cars have become so numb in the pursuit of refinement.
The Dutchmann has no modifications to the engine or gearbox. Straight line performance, therefore, is exactly the same as any other ’99 Carrera 4 Tiptronic. Straight lines, however, is not what the Weekend Racer is all about. The retro look, simply inspiring handling and old-school feel of the driving experience is far more important. It makes for a very compelling package.
the Dutchmann crew have not disappointed
In terms of workmanship, I must say the Dutchmann crew have not disappointed. Yes, a trained eye looking closely enough will be able to tell that the car has been resprayed. This is only really visible inside door sills or under the boot seals for example. On the flat body surfaces, the paint is perfectly flat and highly polished. The finish is very impressive and beautiful. As are shut lines, panel gaps and trim fittings. Even though the car would have had to be disassembled for paint, everything has been put back exactly right as it would have been from the factory. No corners cut, nothing left out.
This level of quality continues to the work done on the interior. The stitching and patterns on the seats are pretty much OEM. Look very, very closely and you may see a few imperfections. At the end of the day, it’s a hand-made product and if those kinds of tiny imperfections are likely to matter to you, you shouldn’t look at something hand built. Overall, the quality of the workmanship is very impressive. There is a real sense that the makers of this car took pride in their work. And rightly so.
the Dutchmann gets under your skin
The more time you spend with the Dutchmann, the more it gets under your skin. Every time you drive it, it is as if you discover some new little detail that you didn’t notice before. And the driving experience itself is simply superb!
The Tiptronic might not have been my personal first choice, but as a daily driver, this would be perfect! It’s fun to drive, even at slow speeds, simply because of the way it talks to you. The way it feels to drive simply can not be put into words. If it had half the horsepower it actually has, it would still be an incredible car. This is a daily driver that could put a smile on your face every day, and really put you in the mood for the weekend when you can play with it on your favourite mountain pass. Dutchmann have given the 996 even more character without taking anything away from what was already there.
Finally something we can call proudly South African without the slightest bit of embarrassment.
This 1999 Porsche Carrera 4 Dutchman Weekend Racer, was kindly provided for testing by Gilmour Collection
