Some donor cars for replicas and rebodies are getting a bit long in the tooth, so it’s encouraging to see some ingenuity and innovation in a new platform. Just ask Roland Smith of ANu Dimension. He’s been into Porsches for 20-plus years and decided that a Boxster would be the ideal donor to use for his GTB conversion, a low-cost look-alike of Porsche’s ultrahigh-performance 911, the GT3.

What a great idea to turn a low-budget Boxster (the one shown here cost only $2,500) into what appears to be a car costing in excess of $130K. Sure, the GTB isn’t an exact replica, as there are a  couple of areas that only appeared on the 911Turbo or GT2 models. For instance, those air-scoops on each rear wing aren’t seen on a GT3. Many of the panels are 991-derived (as the current 911 model is known), but they are modified to suit the purposes of ANu Dimension. Roland is quick to point out that no parts are interchangeable.

As a suitable donor for this rebody project, look for an Mk1 version of the Boxster, known as a 986 in Porsche parlance, which was available between 1996-2004, with a facelift in 2002. Roland designed his kit around the 986, but reckons that his panels will fit a 2004-and-later 987, as long as you give him the car for a couple of weeks for a custom fitting.

Porsche offered both standard Boxster models and a higher-performance “S” version, which is more powerful and generally sharpened up all-around. This means that you’ll find three basic engine choices: 2.5-, 2.7- and 3.2-liter. Roland’s donor is an early 2.5-liter version, and despite having “only” 204 bhp, the acceleration belies that fact. The beauty of the Boxster as a donor is that it’s all-Porsche, unlike earlier 914 and 924 models that used engines from Audi and Volkswagen.

Roland and his business partner, 17-year-old son, Brandon, have aimed for simplicity with this conversion. No grinding or welding is required — only unbolting all the Boxster panels with the exception of the doors, which remain as is, thus negating any need for reskinning.

The lights all-around are 991-inspired, as are the sill sections, rear quarter windows and rear screen, with the Cayman model providing main side windows. The roof panel is bespoke and single skin, and adds a little extra strength by being interlocked to the top of the windshield frame. Even so, the Boxster was designed as a convertible, so it inherently has a very stiff structure.

The hood is new, but fits to the original hinges, and other specific parts include interior roof channels, rear quarter internals, B-post covers and a rear package shelf. Because the Boxster is mid-engined, rather than having the motor hanging out the rear like the 911, you get the added benefit of having two storage areas.

Bear in mind, though, that even though you might bag a donor for two grand or less, you will still pay Porsche prices for parts. That is, unless you know where else to go, which Roland does. For instance, he sourced a set of German TUV-approved 20-inch wheels with a Porsche stud pattern that cost around $1,200 for a set that look stunning and, well, right. The Boxster rear arches require a bit of “rolling back” to accommodate larger rims, but like the rest of this build, Roland will actively help you all the way.

The front wheels require a 10 mm shim, while at the rear you’ll need a 30 mm hub extender. If you go for the 20-inch wheels, you’ll require 235 x 35 tires at the front with 295 x 30 on the rear.

The main GTB kit costs just $7,000 and consists of 19 parts. Once you add the cost of the donor, plus trim and paint, you’re in the mid-teens, depending on your skill set, leaving room for some wheeling and dealing. (That figure doesn’t include shipping costs to the U.S.) Contact ANu Dimension for quotes on panel fitting and turnkey cars.

Obviously this pricing is extremely attractive when compared to a genuine 911 GT3. I also expect that ANu Dimension won’t just settle for the GTB, as there will likely be other innovative conversion kits for the Boxster donor joining it in the near future.