The Ultimate 1990s Time Capsule: A Rare Porsche 928 Gemballa Wide Version II Heads to Auction

October 6, 2026 — In the realm of classic and collector automobiles, few eras evoke as much polarizing passion, visceral drama, and unfiltered excess as the tuning scene of the late 1980s and 1990s. Now, a truly extraordinary artifact of that high-octane period has resurfaced in Germany. A remarkably rare, brilliantly radiant Porsche 928 Gemballa Wide Version II is heading to the auction block via Collecting Cars.

Drenched in a striking, unapologetic shade of bright yellow, this machine has been officially authenticated as an authentic-period Gemballa conversion, painstakingly brought to life in the legendary tuner’s workshops in Leonberg during the early 1990s. Far more than just a modified grand tourer, this car serves as a rolling monument to the flamboyant, boundary-pushing automotive culture that defined an entire generation of German engineering audacity.

Main Facts: The Gemballa Wide Version II Phenomenon

To understand the magnitude of this offering, one must first look at the unassuming elegance of the donor car. The Porsche 928 S4—with its sleek, aerodynamic pop-up headlights, fluid lines, and grand-touring ethos—was already a formidable machine. However, in the hands of Uwe Gemballa and his team, subtlety was thrown entirely out the window in favor of the full Wide Version II treatment.

Exterior Styling and Aero Upgrades

Gemballa transformed the polite GT into an aggressive road-going predator. The conversion package includes:

• Massive flared wheel arches seamlessly integrated into custom, model-specific front and rear bumpers.
• Deep side skirts that visually lower the car and channel airflow.
• Ventilated rear brake scoops designed to feed cooling air to the heavy-duty braking system.
• An unmistakable dual-spoiler setup, highlighted by a dramatic, enveloping "ducktail" spoiler that dominates the rear profile.

The vibrant yellow paintwork coats every square inch of the body, extending even to the centers of the iconic 17-inch BBS three-piece wheels, completing the unmistakable mono-color aesthetic of the era.

Inside the Cockpit

The interior treatment matches the exterior’s audacious flair. Opening the heavy doors reveals a cabin draped in a stark contrast of black leather and Alcantara. Every surface is elevated by vibrant yellow stitching, matching yellow seatbelts, custom floor mats with intricate quilting, and headrests proudly bearing the embroidered Gemballa signature.

Chronology: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of Gemballa

To fully appreciate the historical weight of this 1990 Porsche 928, it is essential to trace the trajectory of the company that built it. Founded in 1979 by Uwe Gemballa, the firm initially carved out a lucrative niche by redefining automotive interiors. However, it quickly pivoted to creating some of the most radical, high-end Porsche modifications the world had ever seen.

1979–1984: The Interior Pioneer

In its early days, Gemballa focused on luxury and technological integration. Long before digital dashboards and advanced infotainment systems were commonplace, Gemballa was outfitting cabins with state-of-the-art audio-video systems, cutting-edge cellular car phones, and bespoke leatherwork that rivaled ultra-luxury marques like Rolls-Royce or Bentley.

The Mid-1980s: The Birth of the Super-Tuner

By the mid-1980s, the company shifted into hyper-drive, turning its attention to the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo (Type 930). Gemballa transformed these already potent sports cars into rolling UFOs.

The crowning achievement of this era was the Gemballa Avalanche. Featuring massively widened bodywork, gigantic air intakes, distinct aerodynamic wheels, and completely custom interiors, the Avalanche became an instant pop-culture icon. The modifications were so profound, structural, and comprehensive that in 1985, Gemballa was officially registered as an independent automobile manufacturer in Germany—a rare and prestigious distinction for a tuning house.

The 1990s: Diversification and Transaxle Mastery

During the 1990s, Gemballa expanded its portfolio beyond the rear-engine 911 lineup, applying its signature widebody philosophy to Porsche’s front-engine transaxle models. This included the entry-level 944 and 968, as well as the flagship 928 grand tourer, resulting in the rare Wide Version I and II iterations.

The 2000s: Performance and Modernization

As tastes shifted away from the cartoonish body kits of the 1980s and 1990s, Gemballa adapted. The 2000s ushered in a more performance-oriented, highly technical era. The brand tackled ultra-elite modern masterpieces, creating the breathtaking Mirage GT (based on the Porsche Carrera GT) and extreme iterations of the 997 Turbo, complete with advanced aerodynamic carbon-fiber kits.

Tragedy and Rebirth

The dream suffered a devastating blow in 2010 when Uwe Gemballa mysteriously disappeared during a business trip to South Africa, later being found murdered. The original company was subsequently liquidated and restructured under new ownership. Meanwhile, Uwe’s son, Marc Philipp Gemballa, has since carved out his own path in the industry, founding a separate high-end tuning house responsible for modern marvels like the off-road-focused 911 Marsien.

Supporting Data: Mechanical Specs and Recent Restoration

Beneath its wild, wind-tunnel-defying exterior panels, this 928 Gemballa retains the hearty mechanical soul of its factory origins, paired with choice chassis enhancements.

• Engine: Naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 producing 320 horsepower.
• Transmission: 4-speed automatic gearbox paired with Porsche’s advanced electronic PSD (Porsche Sperrdifferential) locking differential.
• Exhaust: Upgraded sport exhaust system featuring four prominent tailpipes that release a deeper, more menacing V8 rumble.
• Suspension: Upgraded KW V3 Competition coilover suspension, sharpening the grand tourer’s handling dynamics far beyond factory limits.

A 50,000-Euro Rejuvenation

Hyper-exclusive tuning cars from the 1990s often suffer from neglect or poor maintenance, but this particular specimen has been treated with royal care. Documentation provided in the Collecting Cars listing reveals that in 2021, over €50,000 was invested at the Porsche Classic Centre Arnhem to mechanically and cosmetically overhaul the car, bringing it back to peak operating condition. The odometer currently displays 86,326 kilometers (though true mileage remains undocumented and un-guaranteed).

Official Responses and Market Context

Auction houses and automotive historians alike have noted a massive surge in interest for 1980s and 1990s "restomods" and period-correct tuner cars.

While Porsche factory purists have traditionally looked down upon aftermarket modifications from this era, cultural tides have definitively shifted. Millennials and Generation X collectors—those who grew up drooling over magazine posters of Gemballa, Koenig Specials, and RUF creations—are now entering their peak earning years, driving fierce competition for authenticated, period-correct builds.

An official spokesperson for Collecting Cars remarked:

"Cars like this do not just represent transportation; they represent a specific, uninhibited moment in automotive history when tuning houses operated with absolute creative freedom. Finding an authenticated Gemballa Wide Version II with recent Porsche Classic documentation is akin to discovering a lost piece of modern pop-culture art."

Implications: A Statement Piece for the Bold Collector

In a classic Porsche market overwhelmingly saturated by silver, black, and Guards Red 911s, this bright yellow 1990 Porsche 928 Gemballa Wide Version II offers an antidote to conformity. It is loud, proud, wildly excessive, and unapologetically engineered for an audience that refuses to blend in.

For collectors looking to anchor their garage with a functional, beautifully restored time capsule of 1990s excess, this machine represents a rare opportunity. Just be prepared to answer questions at every single stoplight.

Photo Credits: Collecting Cars