BOXENGASSE Megaphonics - 13/08/23
Words and Images by Mitcham Media
German for Pit Lane, Boxengasse is a circa 100 acre estate dedicated to the now 75 year old Porsche marque. Featuring business units, barns, fields and lakes the setting was perfect for a days gathering in the August sun.
Arriving at the secluded site in the middle of nowhere near Bicester I was ushered into the far flung car park with all the other non-Porsche owners to make the walk down the long tree lined drive and into the event.
The first sight you’re greeted with is a field full of air-cooled classics parked wing mirror to wing mirror as far as the eye can see. From 911’s to 993’s and a smattering of 914’s there was everything air-cooled.
Wings, wide-bodies and whale-tails were everywhere you looked, no two cars were same. Where there were similarities (such as the brace of orange cars here) there were differences with 912 vs 911, original interior vs custom interior, Fuchs wheels and much more.
With words like backdate, restomod and so many more getting banded about it’s easy to get lost in what’s actually been changed and what the original car started as.
The personalisation doesn’t just stop at the skin deep visuals, so many of the owners go so much further with suspension changes, engine upgrades, roll cages, chassis stiffening, and everything else.
A personal favourite out on the air-cooled lawn was a stunning 993 GT2.
The GT2 was a homologation special for the FIA GT2 class and wasn't just a race car with a license plate. Built in 1993, only 57 road-legal examples roared to life, each packing a twin-turbocharged 3.6L flat-six, kicking out 444 horse power. Widebody fenders housed vast expanses of rubber to try and get the power onto the tarmac, while a massive rear wing forced them into the ground. The interior was stripped out to drop the weight out. The 993 GT2 was nicknamed the "widowmaker" and offered exhilarating performance, solidifying its place as a legendary and valuable collector's dream.
Viper Green seemed to be a popular colour with a set of four Cayman GT4’s and a 992 Carrera T all turning up together lining up in the water cooled paddock.
Parked up by the paddock entrance was a 997 GT3 4.0 RS in Mexico Blue as a contrast to the standard white. Built in a limited run of 600, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 marked the end of an era for the iconic Mezger engine. The naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat six packed 493 horsepower, launching it from 0 to 60 in a heart-stopping 3.5 seconds. With razor-sharp handling and a track-ready design, the 4.0 wasn't just a car, it was a driver's dream and a future collector's prize.
A welcome respite from the blazing sun was crossing the barn threshold and being greeted by an ice cold collection of cars. On display was a huge range of of race and rare 911’s from throughout the ages.
Near the front were some of the original hero cars, RSR’s and 2.7 Carrera RS’. The race winning RSR boasts north of 500 horse power with its lightweight body and downforce-generating aero. In contrast, the 2.7 Carrera RS, a homologation hero, brought racing spirit to the streets with its 2.7L flat six, wide body, and iconic "ducktail" spoiler. Both showcase Porsche's dedication to performance, forever etched in automotive history.
The 90’s nostalgia was in full force with a hand full of 993 GT and Cup cars sporting some of the most iconic liveries of the time.
The 993 GT2 has a twin-turbo flat-six and a stripped-down interior dropping the weight down to 1,150 kg along with it’s 500 plus horsepower, carved corners with its sharpened suspension and massive rear wing generating immense downforce. Competing in series like BPR and FIA GT, and even conquered Le Mans, leaving its mark as a nimble and aggressive competitor during the golden age of GT2 racing.
Centre of the barn were a collection of 964 Carrera RS and RSR’s, and if money was no object these would be the first purchases in the collection.
With Autofarm being based on the Boxengasse site it was great to see the doors opened up and a look in on some of the fantastic restoration, race preparation and maintenance work they complete.
Frank Cassidy, who is the founder of Boxengasse and organiser of Megaphonics also had his personal workshop open for us all to wander through and all projects complete and on going.
As a bit of a workshop nerd, getting to see other businesses and private sets ups is great, especially when they’re as well prepared and kitted out as these with everything from racking to CNC machines.
As the crowds started clearing, and the fleets of flat six’s were firing up and making tracks across the grass out onto open roads, it was time for one last lap of the show before bringing an excellent day to a close.
Thank you to Boxengasse and the businesses based on their site for organising and hosting such an amazing event. Thank you also to all the contributors who had their Porsches on show across the various buildings and fields.
We can’t wait till the 2024 Megaphonics. For now check out some more images from the day below and keep an eye out for more blog posts coming soon.
