Against The Grain: A Juiced Cayman S

In the last post from Dubshed, we took a close look at a ’72 Karmann Ghia and the 20-year wait the owner endured in order to build the right car. That’s just one story from the countless builds spread throughout the King’s Halls in Belfast, Northern Ireland, last weekend.

But rather than showing you the same thing again, I wanted to give you a perfect case in point of the contrast that can be found at any of these shows around the world. It’s this contrast that really fascinates me about the VW scene.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-1

Less then 50 metres away from the Karmann Ghia was this Porsche Cayman S. In many ways, I like to think of the Cayman S as a direct descendant of the Karmann Ghia (even if that’s not technically true if we follow the direct product lines). Just as the Karmann Ghia lived in the shadow of the Beetle, the Cayman has experienced the same fate with the 911. Great cars, no doubt, but it’ll always be difficult to exist alongside arguably two of the greatest cars ever built.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-8

It was late November 2014 when Niall O’Dowd collected the Cayman S and it only took until December to start work on getting the car ready for the 2015 show season. Roughly four months had elapsed before he unveiled the car on his Instagram account, the day before Ultimate Dubs. What changes took place during this time period?

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-6

Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up. A set of custom Rotiform LVS in 19×10 and 19×12 (front and rear respectively) sit neatly tucked into the arches courtesy of a fully custom hydraulic suspension setup featuring one-off spherical top mounts and Porsche Motorsport adjustable toe-links.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-12

The implementation of a hydraulic setup will likely raise a few eyebrows, especially in a scene being dominated by air installs. With the hardware neatly tucked away neatly at the front, you do become aware how tightly packaged the Cayman is. It wouldn’t have been impossible by any means to install an air system, but Niall’s previous two cars have both featured hydraulics so it’s obviously a setup he’s comfortable and happy to run with.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-2

Anyone who has ever owned a black car will tell you that it’s an absolute nightmare to keep clean and looking its best. Every imperfection shows up so easily that it often becomes a never-ending battle trying to maintain that perfect finish. I don’t know what witchcraft Niall has carried out or to whom he sold his soul, but the paintwork is absolutely and utterly flawless. (Full disclosure: as a black car owner, I’m really jealous)

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-10

It’s so good in fact, that you could easily miss the fact that the rear arches have been flared and widened by two inches, whilst the fronts have been modified similarly, but by just an inch. The car also wears a full TechArt kit, from the aero front lip to side skirts and lastly to the rear wing with custom side props. Am I imagining it, or is there quite a JDM vibe from this German tuning house?

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-7

The Bride Zeta IIs definitely add to this JDM vibe so hopefully I’m not alone in my thinking. The rear half of the car is reinforced by a custom Cayman R rollcage, finished in Guards Red.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-11

Save for the OMP Corsica wheel – with a Genuine Porsche push-button horn – and the Luke 4-point harnesses the rest of the cabin remains nicely stock. Then again, Porsche interiors very rarely require modification.

2015 Porsche Cayman Dubshed PMcG-3

Performance modifications have been kept simple: a K&N Blackhawk Induction high-flow performance intake and a B&M short shifter to enhance the stock 290hp motor and 6-speed manual gearbox.

There’s over 40 years between the Ghia and Cayman. Whilst Matt’s Ghia build was an exercise in patience and long term commitment, Niall’s Cayman has come together in a figurative blink of an eye in comparison. This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other – far from it. I think they both perfectly represent two sides of the same coin.

Paddy McGrath
Instagram / Twitter: pmcgphotos
paddy@speedhunters.com

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1

*yawn* another car with form given a higher priority than function - good for a "VIP", lowrider etc. but not on a Porsche...

2

Hydros?...NTY

3
turbo beams ae86

waist

4

I really don't want to be critical - I mean I love the idea that we are all free to express ourselves through or cars, and I fully support that.  If I'm to be honest though...as someone who truly enjoys driving, this build made me sad.

5

waste

6

This car deserves a photo, not a feature.

7

Love this. Beautiful photos too

8

I love this thing so much. Good for him for going against what's acceptable in his scene. With airbags becoming so prevalent, why not run hydros? With accumulators they can be made to ride pretty nice on the street. My local minitruck scene has quite a few luxury cars on juice and I've always thought it was pretty cool.

9

Nice! I've never been a fan of this Cayman, but this is one is done right! Very original

10

hydros on a porsche ?! at least something special and nicely combined with all the other parts, even if the total drop doesn´t do them justice
 if there is a hint of jdm in the Aero ,then Techart touches this since their 996 Parts ( just look at the 996 Gt Street) not as subtle as a RUF but a nice  not too loud add

11

Death to airbags and hydraulics. Incredibly pointless in VAG products that are meant to be driven hard..not turned into stance show pieces or static models like these. I get that tracking isn't for everyone but why get a car with a hint of performance if it will never be in your plans...?

12

the interior looks verry snug and comfortable!

13

The only problem with this is that its been done to a Porsche. You can tell that the quality of the build is very high, but this just isn't the right car for something like this. The original character of the car is lost.

14

Anyone have more pictures of this red Skoda ?

15

#Stancehunters

16

I personally don't get why everyone gets upset at something like this being done to a performance car yet when someone takes a four door sedan and makes it a track car/drift car etc. Its the most awesome thing ever. I'm just saying if you don't like a performance car (which you don't own BTW) being "stanced" as some would say then how can you like a four door family car that was meant to live its life hauling a family around being turned into a track beast. Not attacking anyone's opinions just asking an honest question because I see far too much shunning in the automotive community. Love the car and feature BTW I think it looks amazing.

17

My own two cents on the car; for me it's never about the intended use or purpose as no two people will ever do things the same way, so you can only ever really build a car for yourself. I think it's far more important that a car has love and passion put into it rather than being neglected or treated like shit. 

Some like to drive fast, some like to create works of art. Who is anyone to judge which is right or wrong?

18

I like it though I'm not too much a fan of the spoiler, there should definitely be one there but I would have tried something else. I think it may be that the uprights are silver/bare metal.

19

Gag! The front wheels look like they've been in an accident and pushed back. Ghastly design & poor result...

20

Brides, ugh.....so over them. 

The rest is fine, and I don't mind the mods, it's not a 911 GT3 RS or anything like that.

21

clevernamehere Your 2 attempts at whit have failed, miserably.

22

I have to laugh at the amount of hate on this Porsche! I think its a great interpretation of someone modifying their OWN car to how they like it. Just because it is a Porsche doesn't mean it has to abide by the  'Internet heroes: How every car should look like" manual.. Everyone has their personal taste and if they didn't we would have a very boring 'car scene' as it would all be the same... Airbags and big expensive wheels on Dubs and stripped out track weapon Porsches... I personally don't like every modified car but I can still enjoy or not comment about it but, as they opinions are like a**holes, everyone's got one and they all stink!
Paddy it's great to have you back! Love your work!

23

Personally, I see it as taking something that was never meant to be fast and making it fast is appealing just because performance itself is appealing. In a way, its breathing new life into an otherwise mundane car. On the other hand, taking something that is meant to be fast and turning it into a purely aesthetic thing is like neutering it. You're taking something away from it that it was supposed to have, whereas the former is giving something extra. I, myself, don't completely agree with this as I feel that modifications should complement a car's original character and give more of the same rather than replacing that character for something else.

24

@mike This is a very good point. This article almost seems like "Editorial Trolling". 

"Oh, a Cayman S with Hydraulics? That'll get the readers in a heated argument for SURE!!"

Where as a picture of a very nice looking Porsche wouldn't net as heated a result, but would serve the purpose of this car which appears to be (no offense) " Be still, be clean and look pretty"... not "be a fast and agile German Sportscar".

On a website named "SPEEDhunters", features of builds like this using cars like this are (in my opinion) polarized controversy for the sake of polarized controversy. AKA, Trolling

25

I agree with most of what you said however, it still turns that vehicle into something it was never meant to be. I appreciate the reply, I just had to ask out loud because I see a lot of negativity from our community nowadays (not just on this site) and its honestly irks me because at the end of the day we all look at our cars and see things and imagine what we want to change and make better whether it be performance or visually. I like my cars low and my wheels wide thats my preference know what I'm saying? A person will always have their own taste and that's all that really matters truly.

26

Its not hate. It's just disapproval at the fact that this got a whole story based around it, like someone said a picture would have been enough. Is it different?...maybe. Does it look good?...sure. But putting hydraulics on a performance car for the sake of being different now deserves praise? Some of us modify our cars not only to personalize them but to make them better than what the factory offered. Adding reliability and 30 whp to my GTI is nothing to write home about, people do it everyday. 
But maybe to some modders that is the essence of being an enthusiast: constantly improving your car...not working against it. And unfortunately this is the name of the game for many in the VAG scene. Stance, uber negative camber, bags, and overall cheapening of the source material. Everyone is free to do what they wish to their cars, if we all had the same taste we would all drive around in identical pods. Just don't expect universal acceptance or a shower of compliments when it defeats common sense. It's no better than when rappers buy Lamborghinis and ruin them with DUBS or horrible paint jobs.

27

Nice- clean enough to eat off of, check- fast enough to draw smiles and cops, check- not thinking of other people during car selection, check. Its just a car, people build according to their desired end result.  Don't know about you guys/gals but every car I see is a source of inspiration no matter how far away its from my version of awesome.  You get to see into other peoples mind and can learn something from everyone, which is the point of car magazines/websites.  Please look up the word,"custom"- and that little light bulb will light up bright!!!!

28
clevernamehere

Spaghetti Thanks for pointing that out and giving my attempts attention.

29

DavidLombana  I'm not sure about your common sense part. Cars are meant to be enjoyed. If the owner enjoys it slammed on hydros more than it being stock then the car is still serving its purpose. And it is not like this is a super rare car.

Besides speeding tickets are expensive

30

If the author of this article arranged a proper photo shoot for this feature, this article would fare MUCH better. Regardless of air-riding Porsche or not.

31

tunerguy21
1. The loss of original character must be a variable thing, since I don't believe that has happened with this car.

2. I'm sure the owner is deeply saddened at the loss of your approval.

32

DavidLombana Are you saying that cars with adjustable suspension are unequivocally trailer queens? I'd say that the green custom Mustang featured at SH amply proves you wrong.

33

When I read "juiced" I thought it would be on nitrous for some reason. Ends up to be a 290hp porsche with a cold air and short shifter... hmh..

34

@turbo beams ae86 Hips?

35

EmmaMacki This is part of our overall event coverage from Dubshed, rather than a stand alone feature. You can check out the accompanying articles if you like, including another spotlight on Karmann Ghia: http://www.speedhunters.com/tag/dubshed-tag/

36

eejjkk I'm sorry you've picked up on it that way, but it's certainly not my intention to cause controversy for controversy's sake. I could have easily picked another from the hundred great builds at Dubshed, but I felt this Porsche complimented our other spotlight (the Karmann Ghia) best. 

Here are two cars, each belong to the same scene but are worlds apart in terms of approach and aesthetics. I'm aware that certain cars will always start a debate, but debate is good in my opinion. Neither side is right or wrong and the discussions that come from builds that push our boundaries are important for everyone. 

For what it's worth, I've heard or read that last part of your argument maybe a thousand times over the years. Speedhunters will always be about celebrating all facets of car culture and not just the speed. It's what makes Speedhunters special, IMO. 

Thanks for taking the time to articulate your thoughts & feelings, they are genuinely appreciated.

37

It's just a show car... i expected more of it as i read "juiced"... i expected more modifications in the engine... not just rims, hydraulics and an intake... 

just a CLEAN show car.

38

mnchk1987 Juiced = Hydraulics

39

Paddy McGrath Thanks for your feedback. I agree, cool cars is cool cars. Just didnt want my favorite Car Site (SpeedHunters) to fall into a habit that I've witnessed many sites fall into and hoped I was incorrect in my observation.

Keep up the AWESOME work on these AWESOME articles and thanks for alleviating my concern.

Oh, and MOAR SHOP FEATURES!! lol
You guys are doing great and still my favorite!

40

eejjkk Paddy McGrath You might not have liked this, but I think you'll definitely enjoy my next car feature which is coming shortly: a track-spec Ford Escort MKI :)

No two days will ever be the same around here!

41

pretty sporty show car.. 8/10

42

This body style looks so much better slammed! The tail doesn't look so out of place as it does at stock height.

43

Skoda Octavia for the first time i saw on the speedhunters:D

45

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