While Singer grabs headlines and Gunther Werks commands seven figures (and don’t get us wrong – we love both of these shops), there’s a quieter revolution happening in Bedford Hills, New York. The RSR Project has been turning G-series 911s into daily-drivable tributes to the legendary 1973 Carrera RSR, and their latest creation – Project #21 – proves that sometimes the best restomods are the ones built for the road, not the concours lawn.
When Passion Projects Become Businesses
Richard Schickman’s story sounds familiar to anyone who’s fallen down the Porsche rabbit hole. He wanted to build the perfect RSR homage for himself, ended up creating something so compelling that strangers kept asking where they could get one, and suddenly found himself running a restomod company. It’s the classic enthusiast-turned-entrepreneur tale, but what sets The RSR Project apart is their philosophy: these cars are meant to be driven.
“It is so rare for anyone to be able to find an original RSR car these days, and for those few who do obtain one, it is rarely driven,” Schickman explains. That’s the problem The RSR Project solves – delivering the RSR experience without the museum-piece anxiety that comes with owning a million-dollar piece of racing history.
Signal Orange Perfection
Project #21 wears Signal Orange paint, a color that was only available on 911s and 914s from 1970-1975. It’s not subtle, but it shouldn’t be because this is a direct callback to Porsche’s racing palette from the era when the original RSR was dominating tracks worldwide. The finish is fresh and modern while staying completely period-appropriate, walking that fine line between homage and replica.
The visual details nail the RSR aesthetic without feeling like costume jewelry. Those 15-inch Braid wheels (9×15 front, 11×15 rear) wrapped in Michelin TB-15 rubber look absolutely perfect, while the four-piston brake calipers hint at the serious performance underneath. The bodywork gets custom fenders and lightweight panels, but everything maintains the original RSR proportions that made those cars so visually striking.
Built For The Drive, Not The Display
Inside, the restraint is admirable. Where other restomods might go overboard with carbon fiber and aggressive bucket seats, Project #21 features premium leather with houndstooth fabric inserts that feel authentic to the period. The heated seats, upgraded Griffiths air conditioning, and classic Porsche radio prove these cars are designed for real-world use, not weekend garage visits.
The mechanical package centers around a 3.4-liter twin-plug flat-six paired with the classic five-speed 915 transmission. The RSR Project hasn’t released specific power figures, but they promise over 300 horsepower and a driving experience that mimics the “raw and crisp” feel of the original RSR. The suspension stays stock geometry but gets Bilstein shocks and bushings.
The Smart Alternative
At $375,000 including the donor car, Project #21 represents excellent value in the restomod space (all thing considered). Original 1973 RSRs routinely sell for millions at auction – and that’s when they even come to market. Meanwhile, Singer builds start north of $600,000, and Gunther Werks commands even more. The RSR Project delivers 90% of that experience for significantly less money, with the added benefit of being designed for daily driving rather than weekend showpieces.
The 12-18 month build timeline feels reasonable for this level of customization, especially considering each car gets stripped to bare metal and completely rebuilt. And, they’ll only work with galvanized, rust-free donor cars.
Spec Sheet
Builder: The RSR Project (Bedford Hills, NY)
Model: Project #21
Base: 1986 Porsche 911 G-Series
Engine: 3.4L twin-plug flat-six
Transmission: 5-speed 915 manual
Power: 300+ HP (estimated)
Suspension: Stock geometry with Bilstein shocks/bushings
Brakes: Four-piston calipers
Wheels: Braid 15-inch (9×15 front, 11×15 rear)
Tires: Michelin TB-15
Interior: Houndstooth fabric with premium leather
Features: Heated seats, Griffiths A/C, classic Porsche radio
Build Time: 12-18 months
Starting Price: $375,000 (donor car included)
Pricing & Availability
The RSR Project accepts new commissions starting at $375,000 with donor car included, with delivery typically taking 12-18 months for those ready to join the queue for their own piece of RSR magic.
Recap
The RSR Project #21 Porsche 911 Restomod
The RSR Project’s latest creation transforms a 1986 911 into a Signal Orange tribute to the legendary 1973 RSR, featuring a 300+HP twin-plug flat-six, period-correct styling, and modern amenities designed for daily driving rather than garage display, all for $375,000 including the donor car.
