Picture this: somewhere in the Mediterranean, a superyacht glides through calm water. On its fore deck sits the Sportec Ferdinand S. Few machines have ever looked as naturally at home in such mondaine surroundings. Once the yacht drops anchor at the Côte d'Azur and the car finally has solid ground under its wheels, the real story begins: a chase through the Maritime Alps, conquering the Col de Turini, past hairpins carved into limestone, with nothing but the flat-six roar in the ear and warm tarmac ahead.
The Ferdinand S is the latest creation from Swiss tuning and racing specialist Sportec and is part of an exclusive family of models. For almost 30 years, the company based in Höri has competed and worked at the highest level of motorsport, and that depth of knowledge flowed directly into the development of this car. Named after the legendary founder of the marque it is built around, the Ferdinand S starts its transformation as a 964 bodyshell. From there, Sportec rebuilds every single component from scratch, creating something wider, lower and lighter than its starting point, with a broadened track that delivers vastly improved cornering precision.
Under the rear lid, Sportec's engineers have installed a fully rebuilt and refined naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six, equipped with sports camshafts and an enlarged displacement. Output stands at 360 hp and 420 Nm of torque, exceeding even Sportec's own internal target. The suspension has been recalibrated using race-derived knowledge for sharper turn-in without sacrificing daily usability, and uprated brakes with Sportec's own pistons and callipers dramatically reduce stopping distances.
Inside, a modernised cabin combines a high-end multimedia system and an individually tuned sound system with the distinctive character air-cooled 911s are loved for. Every detail, from the steering column stalks to the machined Sportec tank cap on the bonnet, reflects obsessive craftsmanship. The Ferdinand S is Sportec's declaration that great automotive craft must not be lost and heritage doesn’t just have to be conserved, but also be drivable.
