There are custom cars that make people stop and stare because they’re beautiful. Then there are custom cars that stop people because nobody can quite believe they exist. This 2005 Porsche Cayenne S Convertible, listed here on Cars & Bids, somehow lands in both categories at once.
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Listed in Los Angeles, California, the first-generation Cayenne started life as a normal Porsche SUV before being transformed by Newport Convertible Engineering into something that feels pulled from an alternate reality. The roof is gone, replaced by a black folding soft top, while the sides wear painted wood-style graphics that give the SUV an unmistakable retro “woodie wagon” vibe.
Yes, this is essentially a wood-paneled Porsche convertible SUV.
And somehow, it works better than it probably should.
Finished in white with faux wood-style side trim graphics stretching across the doors and rear quarters, the Cayenne has an odd but strangely charming personality. It feels part luxury SUV, part California surf wagon, and part celebrity custom build from the early 2000s. In a world filled with predictable modern SUVs, this thing has zero interest in blending in.
Underneath the unusual appearance is still a genuine Cayenne S, powered by Porsche’s naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 producing 340 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, preserving the surprisingly athletic performance that helped the original Cayenne earn respect after its controversial launch.
It’s easy to forget now just how much backlash Porsche received when it introduced the Cayenne. Purists were horrified by the idea of an SUV wearing the Porsche crest. Then people actually drove one and discovered Porsche engineers had somehow managed to make a heavy luxury SUV feel genuinely engaging on the road while still offering serious capability.
This custom example pushes that already unusual formula much further.
The convertible conversion itself appears surprisingly complete visually, especially considering how structurally difficult it is to remove the roof from a modern SUV. The folding soft top tucks neatly behind the rear seats, and the proportions remain cleaner than many would expect from a project like this.
The Cayenne reportedly shows 143,000 miles and comes with a clean California title. According to the listing, it has spent its entire life registered in California and the attached history report reportedly shows no accidents or mileage discrepancies.
Inside, the cabin features black leather upholstery, aluminum trim, Porsche’s PCM system, cruise control, and tinted windows. Like many high-mileage custom vehicles, the interior does show wear, including torn upholstery, worn buttons, stains on the floor mats, and some soft-top damage.
Mechanically, the SUV has received several services in recent years, including ignition coils, spark plugs, oil changes, and front brake rotors. The seller does note a lifter tick at idle along with an illuminated airbag warning light.
But this isn’t really the kind of vehicle someone buys because they want perfection. The appeal is entirely tied to its sheer uniqueness and unapologetic weirdness.
The wood-style graphics are what truly push it over the top. Without them, this would simply be an unusual convertible Porsche SUV. With them, it becomes something much more memorable — the kind of bizarre custom creation that instantly sparks conversation whether people love it or not.
And honestly, cars that make people feel something are getting harder to find.
