Every Porsche enthusiast’s story starts somewhere; for Danny, it started in the garden, crafting rally tracks for toy cars. Now, years later, he’s doing much the same—but on a much grander scale, and with a lot more horsepower. His journey has taken him from VWs to Boxsters & now to an obsession with the 996, the once-maligned 911 that’s rapidly becoming a cult hero.

The Origins: Volkswagen to Porsche

Danny was a ‘Dubber’ long before he was a Porsche man. “Back in the late ‘90s & early 2000s, the coolest thing you could do was fit Porsche parts to your VW—wheels, door handles, even steering wheels,” he recalls. “It was already planting the Porsche seed.” The transition was inevitable.

His first foray into Porsche ownership came via an early Boxster—bought at auction for a steal. “It was under five grand & drove fantastically. That was the moment—I knew I was hooked.” But as with many Porsche owners, the 911 siren call proved too strong to resist.

Building the Ultimate 996: DTC

Some dream of GT3s; Danny decided to build his own. “I set my heart on a GT3 but quickly realised I could create something just as special,” he says. The canvas? A 1997 Carrera 2 with Porsche’s factory Aero Kit—known as the XAA package. “A lot of people don’t realise the Carrera Aero cars actually predate the GT3. In many ways, the GT3 is the homage to them, not the other way round.”

From there, Danny took a scalpel to the 996’s DNA, tweaking, refining & crafting something lighter, sharper & more analogue than the GT3 itself. “The idea was simple: create a visceral, engaging 911 experience.” A project like this demands parts—& that’s where Design911 comes in.

“Design911 has been an absolute game-changer. I’ve sourced everything from performance suspension upgrades to the smallest OEM trim pieces. If you’re building, restoring, or modifying a Porsche, they’re the people you call.” Whether it’s for a full-blown track build or just keeping an old 911 running sweetly, they’ve got it covered.

The Revival: The Aero Club & Pinky Tacos

Danny isn’t just restoring old 996s—he’s building a community around them. The Aero Club, better known as ‘Pinky Tacos’, started as a few owners parking their 996 Aero cars together at events. Now, it’s a global movement. “What started as a WhatsApp group has turned into a full-blown subculture,” he says.

With over 350 owners sporting the Pinky Tacos sticker—from the UK to Malaysia, the US to Australia—the 996’s redemption arc is well underway. “This car went from being Porsche’s ugly duckling to one of the most interesting, most sought-after 911s,” Danny says. “And the best bit? People are actually driving them, modifying them & making them their own.”

Why the 996 Is the Porsche Enthusiast’s Secret Weapon

For years, the 996 sat in the shadows—underappreciated, undervalued & unfairly maligned. Now? becoming the purist’s choice. “It’s got everything you want in a driver’s Porsche: lightweight, hydraulic steering, cable throttle, proper feedback,” Danny enthuses. “It’s raw, unfiltered & doesn’t try to hold your hand.”

With prices still relatively affordable (but rising fast), the 996 has become a haven for younger enthusiasts, eager to own a proper 911 without spending six figures. “You can pick one up for reasonable money, and if you look after it—or modify it well—it’s only going one way in value.” And for those looking to upgrade or maintain one? “Design911 has literally everything you need. It’s Porsche ownership made simple.”

The Future of Danny’s 996 Journey

With the Aero Club growing & the 996 finally getting its due, Danny’s focus remains on driving, modifying & building the ultimate Porsche experience. Whether it’s carving through B-roads or lining up next to a GT3 on track, his creations prove the 996 is far from an afterthought—it’s a future classic in the making.

“The support from Design911 has been immense. They’ve been a crucial part of making these builds happen,” he says. “Without them, it would have been an uphill battle sourcing the right parts.”

For now, Danny is busy planning his next move—but one thing’s for sure: the 996 revolution is well underway.

Thinking about restoring, modifying or maintaining a Porsche 996? Check out Design911 for everything from performance upgrades to OEM parts & accessories. The 996’s time has come—are you ready?