Porsche 356 RSR: Getting the Emory Outlaw Treatment

Looking like an Airfix kit car, the Emory Motorsports Porsche 356 RSR turns a classic 1960 Porsche 356 into a striking, primal beast. The result is a lightweight car with an aggressive look and an increase in power from 200bhp to nearer 400bhp.

The 2.4 litre twin-turbo flat-4 356 looks fantastic. I admit to being a little biased here; the Porsche 356 is a dream car for me and encompasses everything I like visually about a sports car. From the side, the shape just looks like it is designed to clamp down on the road like a magnet. Emory has enhanced this visual stance with aplomb.

Rod Emory of Emory Motorsports says that the project was in homage to the Porsche 1970s works cars, but within the realms of the Emory Outlaw styling. The 356B T5 body hides a secret though; the running gear hidden underneath is from a Porsche 964 from the 1990s. The engine is an Emory Rothsport 393bhp 2.4 turbo-charged Oulaw-4 unit and gives plenty of power – helped along by a car weight of just 1,950lb. Two Garrett custom intercoolers assist and a muffler-free 3-into-2-into-1 exhaust is the escape.

The project actually started from a sketch posted on Instagram. After seeing the image of the 356 RSR, the CEO of Italian design company MOMO, Henrique Cisneros, contacted Emory to find out if the fantasy could actually be brought to life. Four years later, and we can see the final impressive result.

Naturally enough, MOMO supplied many of the 356 RSR’s parts, including the 5-spoked black 17-inch alloys (inspired by the wheels on a Porsche team factory 935), the gear stick, Prototipo quick-release steering wheel and seats that are styled on ones from a 911 minus headrests; though I’m not so keen on the bright red colouring.

It surprised me slightly (though maybe it shouldn’t) that Emory has said that the final result has not been a big hit with many Porsche fans. I think take it for what it is – a reimagining of a long gone but never forgotten classic icon of the roads. There’s room for everyone.