RARE.SPHERE presents a very special Porsche 911 S from 1966, which was created as an exemplary ambassador for the new zeitgeist of the young generation for the 2025 season.The 160 hp sports car is dedicated to the “60 years of Pepita” anniversary. This is the Porsche interior fabric that has long since become a design classic. From 1965 onwards, the repeating geometric check pattern was firmly anchored in the equipment catalog for the Porsche 911 – but initially only for the middle runways of the two front seats.
For the 60th anniversary, the RARE.SPHERE makers are going a significant step further in collaboration with the specialist restoration company Early 911S. Behind every modification is the brainchild of all former Porsche design bosses and some key Porsche designers, which RARE.SPHERE co-founder Tobias Aichele made the basis of this project. Through his journalistic activities, he was able to spend time with all of them to immerse himself in the world of Porsche design through the decades. Out of respect for the timeless elegance of the sports car with the short wheelbase (SWB) created by Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, the body shape was left untouched. In the interior, however, it was already apparent six decades ago that fabric and pattern variants would play an important role in the 911 – even today.
“Form follows function” was the credo of the 911 creator. Butzi loved one detail in particular: the tapered brass rosette of the ignition lock. This made it easier for the driver to position the ignition key even without the lights on. The left-hand arrangement of the lock meant that it remained in the dark despite the interior lighting. For the special model, this detail of the first series was retrofitted and highlighted in color, as it had already been omitted from model year 1966 with the 911 S.
Anatole Lapine, who headed the design team from 1969 to 1988, had the courage to use a variety of patterns in the interior. From 1977 onwards, the “Pasha pattern”, which is reminiscent of the dynamics of a waved start-and-finish flag, conquered the interior of Porsche sports cars. Individually upholstered rear emergency seats and door panels were now also available ex works. This variety is taken up in the special “Pepita” model and continued with the upholstered knee trim and other details.
Lapines’ successor Harm Lagaaij in particular had the courage to use color. His team’s company cars predominantly had unusual sample colors – and the racing cars were given their individual touch in the studio through foiling or very elaborate paintwork. One of the masterpieces was the 911 GT2 Evolution in the Harlequin look in 1995. An elaborate bonding technique also makes the RARE.SPHERE car unique from the outside. The Pepita pattern can be found on the hood in its dissolving pattern. The motto of Lagaaij’s long-time employee Stephen Murkett has always been to try things out in design projects – and he also practiced this with his concept car project “Panamericana” and the first-generation Cayenne. For the anniversary model, the Pepita pattern was therefore adapted in size until the rear panel could also be covered with a film and the theme charmingly picked up again – especially through the reflections in the chrome-plated bumper horns.
Alongside Stephen, Grant Larson, who has been with Porsche for 36 years, is also one of the longest-serving employees. He is still responsible for the exterior of special vehicles today and has developed the personalization of vehicles according to customer requirements (paint to sample) into a lucrative business model. Inspired by Grant’s current work, we also gave “Pepita” a unique expression and chose the much more modern-looking Pepita combination of black/white/blue. The blue can be found at certain points on the vehicle, for example on the plates of the 4 ½-inch narrow Fuchs rims. A thoughtful nod to the interior designers of the modern era is the Pepita-covered knee trim. Over the decades, this had only a functional role and is now highlighted for the first time in an original 911, comparable to the look of the cockpit of the current 992. The RARE.Sphere “Pepita” will go on tour this year and can be seen at the most important hotspots such as Heizr, Petro-Surf and Luftgekühlt.
But that’s just the beginning! RARE.SPHERE sees itself as a platform that is open to brands and themes. The social media will draw attention to a wide variety of favorite vehicle types. This is why further living spaces will be created in which young people can indulge their passion for cars: The habitat for automotive enthusiasts – online and onsite.
Photocredit: Solitude GmbH
