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The KALMAR 7-97 started its journey four years ago, based on the Porsche 964 platform. The same as most other backdating companies tend to use.

Jan Kalmar and the team set out to create a package to satisfy customers who in their youth dreamt of an air-cooled Porsche 911 but could not afford one, but now can, but have also realized that a 40-year-old car (even a Porsche) with an 80-year-old rear suspension layout does not handle like a modern car.

After the first prototypes Jan reached the conclusion, they could not deliver the right dynamic package and to fulfill   their vision to create a classic looking car with a modern feel to it. The heavy decision was made to switch to the Porsche 993 platform as a donor due to its multi-link-rear-axle, which transformed the car’s behavior. The result finally what the team set out to deliver, a true classic look but far greater performance could be delivered, as well as significantly improved comfort.

This combination attracted Bruce Canepa, and this was the beginning of the cooperation with KALMAR.  Bruce demanded exceptional quality, performance and safety from the original double airbag set up. This development took considerable time and effort to achieve, but the results were worth it. The qualities of the KALMAR 7-97 run much deeper than the external details that catch the eye at first sight.

Full carbon outer panels mean super low weight; despite aircon, audio and sound insulation the latest KALMAR 7-97 Classic (code name C2) is still under 1200 kg. The C2 is rear wheel driven and uses KALMAR’s 4.0l “T4 engine” delivering 411 hp and 420 Nm all the way up to 7500 rpm- performance is scintillating.

But where does the KALMAR 7-97 separate itself from the others in this increasingly competitive market?

Where to start? Is it the adaptive suspension with front axle lift system, drive by wire with selectable drive modes, traction control? Or is it the aerodynamically refined body including the removal of rain gutters, flush glass and hugely enhanced under body design and cooling ducting? Or maybe it is the super light, in-house developed ceramic brakes. The truth is likely the combination of these.

This version is finished in Sunoco blue matched with black high-level leather, while a bespoke Bruce Canepa suspension setup makes the car look both lean and mean.

More cars are on their way “across the pond”, and it feels good that Scandinavian minimalism is also catching on in the absolute high-end, classic automotive industry. The KALMAR team is very proud to be held in such esteem as to play on the away-field

If you had been around Canepa then you could have dropped in to see the “C2” live, as it is only in person that the plethora of details can be fully appreciated, however, the car has already been sold and delivered… a kind of love at first sight.

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