Porsche has paid tribute to its famed 'Moby Dick' 935/78 race car, giving the previous-generation 911 GT2 RS its signature slanted nose.

The latest commission from the firm's Sonderwunsch (‘special request’) division is a one-off created in collaboration with tuning and racing partner Manthey.

It represents a dramatic transformation of the GT2 RS, which was already among the most focused road cars yet produced by Porsche.

The conversion project took three years from start to finish, despite being concentrated on a single example of the 911.

Among the main challenges in the car’s development was to integrate the ‘Flachbau’ flat nose of the 935/78 while remaining within the confines of road legality.

The conversion was shaped by veteran designer Grant Larson, who retired at the end of 2025 after 36 years working for Porsche – including penning the reborn 935 unveiled in 2018.

Key changes from the underlying 911 include lower-set front wings with slatted air ducts, which reduce air pressure in the wheel arches. The revised arch design required Porsche to modify the fuel filler flap and its mechanism.

In tribute to the race car, the Flachbau RS is stripped of creature comforts including its infotainment system, speakers and sound deadening. Even individual cables in the wiring loom were removed to save weight.

Consequently it weighs 31.6kg less than the GT2 RS on which it's based.

The powertrain is unchanged, however, the twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat six putting out 691bhp and 553lb ft of torque.

“Our aim was to reinterpret the iconic look of the 935 without compromising on safety, technology or road legality,” said Alexander Fabig, Porsche’s vice-president of product offering and individualisation.