Header: Courtesy of Porsche
Porsche is celebrating a significant anniversary in Luxembourg. The sports car maker began selling cars there 75 years ago, making it one of the brand’s first international sales locations. To celebrate this long relationship, Porsche Luxembourg worked with the company’s Sonderwunsch department, which handles special customer requests, and local artist Jacques Schneider. They created a one-of-a-kind car called the Porsche Lëtzebuerg Legacy project. The final product is a special 911 GT3 with Touring Package, heavily customized with unique design elements that tell a story about the country.
A rolling canvas for a nation’s pride
The project began with a 911 GT3 featuring the Touring Package, a version of the high-performance car known for its more subdued appearance. It doesn’t have the huge fixed rear wing of the standard GT3, instead using a retractable spoiler. Under the engine cover is a 4.0-litre boxer engine that produces 510 horsepower. While the car’s performance is impressive, its appearance is what makes it truly special.
The exterior is painted Ice Grey Metallic, a color with a hint of blue. Over this base, painters carefully applied a detailed graphic of a red lion by hand. This lion, a national symbol of Luxembourg, appears on the hood, doors, roof, and even the fuel filler cap. The combination of Ice Grey Metallic and Fire Red is a nod to the colors of the Luxembourg flag. This painting process was incredibly demanding, taking over 700 hours of work and more than 20 separate steps to complete, making it the most complex paint job ever done for a Sonderwunsch project.
Other details make the exterior unique. The rims of the 20- and 21-inch wheels feature the word “Vive” repeated three times. This was achieved by using a laser to remove the top layer of Graphite Grey paint, revealing the Ice Grey Metallic underneath. “Vive” is a cheerful, patriotic expression meaning “Long live, Luxembourg.” The artist, Jacques Schneider, even helped painters with the masking for oversized “Vive” lettering on the car’s underbody. Custom badges on the B-pillars and a “75” in the front bumper grille complete the anniversary look.
An interior steeped in heritage
The inside of the car is just as detailed as the outside. A major highlight is the headliner, which is made from a material called Racetex. Embroidered onto it is a map of Luxembourg and the opening lines of the country’s national anthem. A special machine was programmed to create the design, which includes the anthem’s text written in Jacques Schneider’s own handwriting. The artist also marked specific parts of the country on the map that hold personal significance for him.
This embroidered headliner is a first for the Sonderwunsch program, as is the treatment of the leather surfaces. The lion graphic from the exterior is discreetly printed in Graphite Grey on the centers of the seats, the door panels, and the center console storage lid. This required a multi-stage roller printing process and a special protective coating to prevent wear. The backs of the sports seats also feature a new design element: inserts made of brushed black aluminum with “Vive” lettered in white. The door sills are also made from brushed black aluminum and have the words “Porsche Lëtzebuerg” illuminated in Schneider’s handwriting. To complete the custom interior, the accelerator pedal is finished in Fire Red, matching the exterior accents.
Embodiment of automotive heritage and cultural identity
This car represents the long history between Porsche and its Luxembourg partner, the Losch Group, which has been the official importer since 1950. Tom Weber, the Brand Manager for Porsche Luxembourg, said, “This unique sports car embodies the link between Porsche’s automotive heritage and Luxembourg’s cultural identity.” The project showcases a 75-year partnership built on trust and a shared love for great cars.
The artist, Jacques Schneider, explained his approach:
“The lion graphics, which can be found on both the exterior and in the interior of the sports car, are a tribute to Luxembourg. In addition, this GT3 bears my signature in many ways. Even literally: on the project logo, the door sill guards and the embroidered headliner.”
Alexander Fabig, who leads the Sonderwunsch department at Porsche, noted that the project allowed his team to show their skill and break new ground with many of the innovative features developed for this car.
The Sonderwunsch Program: Making dreams real
This special 911 GT3 is a product of Porsche’s Sonderwunsch, or “special wishes,” program. This service allows customers to work directly with Porsche’s designers and engineers to create highly personalized cars. Customers can request everything from custom paint colors, through the Paint to Sample Plus option, to completely redesigned interiors and exteriors. The program is available for new cars during production and can also be used to retrofit or restore older vehicles, turning a personal vision into a real, one-of-a-kind Porsche.
