Given the significance of the Porsche 911, it is no surprise the model has been extensively featured in movies as well as replicated by independent manufacturers or those with a DIY disposition. With that said, an interesting car with an intriguing history has popped up for sale on Hemmings, and it features some very interesting engineering decisions that would either cause purists to go ballistic or make DIY-ers drool over it. You can decide for yourselves which camp you’re from.

While this particular example will probably never have a slot reserved at the Concourse d’Elegance, the 935 K3 conversion certainly looks to be well-executed. You probably won’t recognize it, but this was the same black Porsche 930 that had a supporting role in the TV series “Saving Grace”. According to the seller, no expense was spared to make the classic Porsche 911 look like the 935 K3 variant. It even has a steel-made, 930 slant nose and fenders that feature fixed headlights.

The 935 K3 conversion was done approximately five years ago. Many of the exterior bits are hybrids, like the front bumper, the top part of which comes from a 993 Turbo while the lower half is from a 930. The rear end is where things take a detour from the traditional design as the taillights seem to be generic units positioned on a rear end that emulates the design of the 935 K3. One thing that purists might appreciate is the staggered set of tires. We know that the original 935 K3 came with 11x16-inch wheels at the front and 14.5x19-inch wheels at the rear, with the tire size being 275/60 R16 and 350/70 R19 respectively. This one has a slightly less-radical, staggered set of 8.5x17-inch wheels at the front and 11x19-inch wheels at the rear.

We have to mention the engine as this is one aspect that would make all purists gauge their eyes out and tear out their hair (assuming they still have some). In the place of the period-correct flat-six, you will find that a 5.7-liter LS1 V-8 has shamelessly intruded in the engine bay of the classic 911. The American V-8, reportedly, makes 410 horsepower (301.5 kilowatts) and 400 pound-feet (542 Nm), which for the record, is more than even the 911 Turbo of that era. Moreover, the engine weighs about the same, although we understand the frustration.

If you haven’t smashed your screen yet, after reading the last paragraph, you will be glad to know that, at least the transmission is the same Porsche Type 915 five-speed manual, which has been mated to the LS1 V-8 by a custom adapter plate. It also has a taller fifth gear along with other supporting modes like a high-torque starter. According to the listing, the engine has 11,000 miles (17,703 km) on the clock.

The car is accompanied with the appropriate documentation, which includes a clean Washington title, a parts and service list of everything done to the car, including the conversion, and detailed hand-written notes, describing the car’s comprehensive modifications. At the time of writing this, the bid is at $23,000 with 10 days before the bidding ends. If you fancy a weird-looking, but well-executed 935 replica, based on a classic 911, this is about as weird as it gets.