Barn Find Porsche 911 HLS Was One Strange Concept This is what happens when you let a bunch of students design and build a Porsche concept. By Brett Foote - June 16, 2020

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Falling Through the Cracks

There have been many Porsche concepts conceived and built over the years, most of which were beautiful and incredibly cool. On the flip side, there are a few concepts that fell through the cracks, largely forgotten and lost to history. The Porsche 911 HLS is such a vehicle, one that sat outside for decades before it was eventually rediscovered by a noted 911 expert. 

Photos: Porsche

Total Transformation

Perhaps the most interesting (and strange) thing about the 911 HLS is the fact that Porsche didn't build it themselves. in fact, it started out life as a regular old 911, which Porsche decided to send to the automotive engineering department at the University of Aachen in 1966 and let a few bright college minds work their magic. Their mission? To turn it into a racing coupe with a folding roof.

Intriguing Design

The students came up with a series of designs on paper before mocking up a mini model of the car. They then started making a new body for the 911 out of aluminum, which even includes the rear louvers and Targa bar. But that hinged cockpit canopy was clearly the most intriguing design characteristic of the HLS, integrating perfectly into the body like it truly belonged there.

Disappearing Act

Once all the bodywork was completed, the car was then sent to a paint shop in Würselen, Germany, where it received its signature bright green color and "Porsche HLS" lettering on the sides. Unfortunately, the students' hard work failed to make an impression upon Porsche brass, and the car proceeded to essentially disappear.

Changing Hands

Thus, the HLS was parked at the body shop for an astounding 40 years. Eventually, 911 expert Manfred Hering was asked if he would restore the car to its original condition. He declined but asked if he could buy the car instead. Three years of negotiations later, he finally got to bring home what was essentially a large residence for quite a few mice.

 

Light of Day

Hering went on to display the HLS at the 2015 Techno Classic, with plans to restore it to its original condition. At least as close as one could possibly get, as you can't just buy parts for a one-off Porsche concept off the shelf these days. 

Holding out Hope

Since then, we haven't heard a peep about the 911 HLS, but we hope that Hering has carried through with his plan to resurrect this interesting and unique piece of Porsche history. And with any luck, we'll get to see it again someday, looking just like it did the day those proud students finished its construction.