Yes, there was a Porsche 944 station wagon build by DP Motorsport!
In late May, I had the great pleasure of presenting the Nürburgring Classic as part of the track announcer team. I commented on the Kampf der Zwerge, BOSS GP, and pre-war vehicles. In between, I searched the paddock for blog topics. With the Porsche 944 Cargo, which was displayed for three days, I found the perfect subject. Today, with Porsche offering a shooting brake in two model series, it may not seem surprising. But when the 944 was new, Porsche was still the epitome of a sports car manufacturer. That's why the Porsche 944 wagon was as unusual as it was unexpected.
Motorsport enthusiasts know dp motorsport from Le Mans and the Nürburgring!
The company behind the conversion was dp motorsport from Overath. Experts know that dp motorsport and its founder Ekkehard Zimmermann once designed the fiberglass bodies for Kremer's Porsche 935. The legendary Kremer Porsche 935 K3, which won Le Mans in 1979, sported bodywork from the Bergisches Land region. When the Group 5 super touring cars were phased out, dp motorsport continued to support Kremer. The Porsche Kremer CK5 for Group C also had bodywork by Ekkehard Zimmermann. Additionally, dp motorsport designed the Porsche 936C for Joest Racing.
Beyond motorsport, dp motorsport modified road cars, focusing on Porsche models. In addition to the 911 and its turbocharged sibling, the 930, the transaxle models were included. The Porsche 928, for example, was modified with widebody conversions. A signature feature of these conversions was large, divided side air intakes ahead of the rear axle. They may seem odd today but were stylish back then. The 1980s had their quirks! Shoulder pads and rolled-up blazer sleeves were in fashion. Thankfully, such style choices are now mostly seen at themed parties.
The Porsche 944 Cargo by dp motorsport was ahead of its time!
Unlike 1980s fashion, the Porsche 944 Cargo still looks impressive today. Designer Ekkehard Zimmermann resisted trends when creating this wagon in 1988. He limited modifications to a new roof and rear end for Porsche's four-cylinder model. Otherwise, the Porsche's lines remained unchanged. The prototype was based on a 1977 Porsche 924. Zimmermann removed the roof and wide B-pillar from the coupe and used parts from a Passat Variant to define the roofline of the wagon, which he named "Cargo." Dp motorsport then crafted the body from fiberglass-reinforced plastic with a welded subframe for structural support.
The Porsche 944 Cargo still looks great after nearly four decades. With a bit of imagination, the shooting brake could have come directly from Porsche's factory in Zuffenhausen. But back then, Porsche fans wanting a sporty wagon had to wait a few more years.
The side and rear windows were custom-made. Though costly, they gave the wagon a unique touch. The 944 Cargo almost looks like a factory Porsche. Even today, the craftsmanship appears flawless. It doesn't resemble a weekend DIY project. This reflects Zimmermann's business acumen. He successfully featured his creations in media throughout the 1980s and 1990s. The magazine "rallye racing" presented the conversion in March 1990, mentioning a conversion cost of around 30,000 DM.
Tax Benefits with the Porsche 944 Cargo!
Later, "auto motor und sport tv" also featured the Porsche 944 Cargo. The show aired on VOX starting in 1995. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact broadcast date for the segment featuring the 944 Cargo. However, a VW Lupo, introduced in fall 1998, appeared in the background of presenter Peter Stützer's introduction, suggesting the segment aired in early 1999. At the time, it was reported that nine units were built, with seven sold to Norway. The reason? The converted 944 was classified as a truck there, avoiding the luxury tax imposed on imported sports cars and luxury vehicles in Norway, in addition to VAT.
Aside from tax benefits, the market for the 944 Cargo was likely saturated with the nine units built. In 2013, Auto Bild Klassik revisited the conversion, again mentioning nine vehicles. Besides the prototype based on the Porsche 924, another was built on a 924 base. The other seven were based on the Porsche 944. Buyers could also opt for performance upgrades, with some choosing the 300-horsepower turbo engine from the Porsche 944 Cup. That certainly gave new meaning to the term "freight truck!"
Picture credits: Tom Schwede