Discover the Rare DP Cargo: A Custom Porsche 944 Shooting Brake That Defies Convention
The term ‘shooting brake’ carries an air of mystique and classic charm. Originating in the early 1900s, shooting brakes were initially designed as hunting vehicles, combining the practicality of an estate car with the elegance of a coupe. Fast forward to the 1960s and '70s, and these unique configurations gained cult status, especially among British automakers. The interest waned and waxed over the decades, but the fascination for these crossbreed beauties never truly died down.
One of the most stunning and rare examples of a shooting brake comes courtesy of DP Motorsport, a venerated name in the world of Porsche tuning. At the recent 2024 Nürburgring Classic, we encountered the DP Cargo—a custom Porsche 944 that stops you dead in your tracks.
As I was preparing to leave the Nürburgring GP circuit, this extraordinary vehicle caught my eye. My curiosity piqued, and I soon found myself engrossed in conversation with Patrick Zimmermann, head of DP Motorsport. The family-run firm, founded by Patrick's father Ekkehard Zimmermann in 1973, is renowned for its bodywork on Kremer Porsche race cars and various race-inspired road cars.
The Genesis of DP Cargo
According to Patrick, the idea behind the DP Cargo took shape in the late 1980s. Ekkehard decided to combine the rear roof piece of a Volkswagen Passat with a Porsche 944 to create a unique shooting brake. Following a week-long trial to gauge its practicality, the verdict was unanimous: “It had to be built.”
Thus began the development of the DP Cargo, leading to the creation of eight production models—two based on the Porsche 924 and six on the 944. The model I saw at Nürburgring, car number nine, came into existence in 1991 and remained within DP Motorsport ever since.
Engineering and Design
The conversion process for the DP Cargo was intricate and exclusive. The entire rear half of the 944’s roof and hatch section had to be removed, replaced by a specially designed fiberglass rear panel and custom windows. Porsche's original tail lights were modified to fit the wider, lower trunk opening, and rear hatch mechanisms from Mercedes-Benz 124 Wagons were used to complete the transformation.
Close inspection reveals an interior that balances custom modifications with a factory-fit feel. The red-on-red scheme might seem audacious by today’s standards, but it mirrors the bold design trends of the early '90s. From the outside, the car maintains its 944 heritage from the front end to the midpoint. Custom DP Motorsport side mirrors, Porsche 968 door handles, 18-inch Fuchs wheels, and cross-drilled brakes from a 993 Turbo complete the package.
The Future of DP Cargo
Talking to Patrick, it’s clear that the story of the DP Cargo is far from over. Excitingly, a tenth unit is set to be built, owing to the fact that all the original tooling still exists. There’s even talk of a continuation model, which means we might soon see more DP Cargo shooting brakes gracing the roads.
The DP Cargo isn’t just another oddball in automotive history; it embodies the spirit of innovation that DP Motorsport brings to the table. It’s a testament to what happens when imagination meets engineering prowess, creating something timeless and rare. For any auto enthusiast, encountering one of these few unique models is like finding a piece of hidden automotive treasure.
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