1997 Porsche Boxster Cabriolet

This coachbuilt Porsche Boxster was created by Mark Schlachter, of Metalkraft Coachwerkes in Cincinnati, Ohio as an homage to James Dean's 550 Spyder. Modifications included custom-fabricated metal fenders which house modified Mercedes-Benz E Class headlights, replacing the 996 'cracked egg' assemblies. It received one-off fiberglass bumper covers in the front and rear, leather decklid straps, modified decklid with 356 air intake grilles, a custom racing fuel filler cap, TechArt side rockers, and TechArt side intake vents. During the modification process, no chassis modifications were made but instead utilized the original factory mounting pattern.

The interior is done in red leather with custom RUF GT3 seats made to order in Boxster Red, a TechArt steering wheel, as well as TechArt 'Dean' threshold plates. A 'grab handle' was added to the passenger side dash, in similar fashion to James Dean's 550 Spyder.

Power is from a water-cooled 2.5-liter flat-six engine that now offers 230 horsepower. The throaty racing sound is provided by the FABspeed Sport Exhaust. There is a five-speed manual transmission, RUF wheels, and H&R springs which have been lowered 1.5 inches.

When 'The Dean' was completed, it was shown at the 2003 Essen Motor Show in Essen, Germany. It was then driven three laps around the Nordschleife and earned a Nürburgring badge which now resides on its fender. It was shown at the Hershey, Pennsylvania, Porsche meet in 2005, the VW Porsche Reunions in Cincinnati, Ohio on several occasions, and at the entrance to the Ritz Carlton during the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance from 2003 to 2005.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019