The Pfister Comet Retro Custom is a custom two-door sports car manufactured by Pfister that debuted in Grand Theft Auto Online and is confirmed to appear in Grand Theft Auto VI. It is a heavily modified widebody variant of the standard Pfister Comet, known for its extensive customization options and distinct retro styling.
Overview
The Pfister Comet Retro Custom is a specialized conversion of the classic Comet, transforming it into a retro-styled, widebody sports car. It was first introduced in Grand Theft Auto Online, and it gained popularity as a "perfect Freemode cruiser" rather than a competitive race car, prized more for its aesthetic appeal and customization potential. Its role in Grand Theft Auto VI is anticipated to be similar, serving as a highly desirable vehicle for players looking to showcase their personalization skills. The vehicle's design philosophy is summed up by its official description: "This isn't just a mid-life crisis."
Design and Appearance
The Comet Retro Custom takes clear inspiration from several Porsche models, most notably the Porsche 964 fitted with a RAUH-Welt Begriff (RWB) widebody kit1. Other styling cues are borrowed from the Porsche 993 (headlights)2, the Yoshida Specials Porsche 930 (front bumper)3, and the Porsche 928 (tail lights)4.
In Grand Theft Auto Online, the car features a custom front bumper with a bolt-on extension, dual circular fog lamps, and canards. Its standout elements are the wide bolt-on fender arches and side skirts that define its profile. At the rear, it sports a compact engine compartment with a ducktail spoiler. The interior is a modified version of the standard Comet’s, with options for racing components and a digital display.
For Grand Theft Auto VI, several updates are evident from the first trailer. These include an engine bay grille, a revised stock ducktail spoiler, extended rear quarter glass, and redesigned stock rims. The side skirts and front splitter from its GTA Online version appear to have been removed.
Performance
In Grand Theft Auto Online, converting the standard Comet into the Retro Custom comes with a trade-off in performance. While it gains a more aggressive appearance and extensive customization options, it loses some of the sharpness of the base model. The Retro Custom is prone to wheelspin and has looser handling, making the rear end more likely to step out during aggressive cornering. Acceleration suffers off the line due to traction loss, and its top speed places it below the top performers in the Sports class. When fully upgraded, it can reach a top speed of 195.53 km/h (121.50 mph)5.
Unlike the standard Comet, which uses a single-cam V8, the Retro Custom is powered by a flat-6 (boxer-6) engine, giving it a more authentic Porsche-inspired drivetrain.
Modifications / Customization
Customization plays a central role in the identity of the Comet Retro Custom. In Grand Theft Auto Online, the vehicle can only be built at Benny's Original Motor Works, where a standard Comet is transformed into the Retro Custom. This process unlocks an extensive selection of unique visual and performance upgrades.
The options include detailed interior customization such as bespoke dials, steering wheels, race seats, audio systems, and engine block covers. Externally, the car supports a wide variety of bumpers, exhausts, spoilers, and body accents. Exclusive liveries are also available, including:
- The Tenshun: Inspired by the Martini Porsche 911 RSR6.
- The Xero Gas: Inspired by the Navision Porsche 911 GT27.
Players can further modify and maintain the car at the auto shop within their executive garage, giving them additional opportunities to personalize the vehicle to their liking.
Acquisition / Locations
- In _Grand Theft Auto Online:*: Players cannot purchase the Pfister Comet Retro Custom directly. They must first buy a standard Pfister Comet for $100,000 and then take it to Benny's Original Motor Works for the Retro Custom conversion, which costs an additional $645,000. Comets stolen from NPCs or found parked on the street are considered "too hot" and cannot be modified.In_Grand Theft Auto VI:: The Comet Retro Custom was spotted in traffic at an unnamed intersection in Vice City in the game's first official trailer. Details on how to acquire it in GTA VI's Story Mode or Online remain unconfirmed.
Usage
The Comet Retro Custom is best appreciated for its style and customization rather than outright performance. While it can be driven in races, its handling quirks and tendency for wheelspin make it less competitive in high-level racing. Its true strength lies in cruising around Freemode, showing off unique liveries and modifications, and serving as a centerpiece for car meets or personal collections.
Notable Users / Special Variants
There are no specific characters known to be associated with the Comet Retro Custom.
A notable variant based on the Retro Custom's body is theComet Safari, an off-road version of the Comet introduced in Grand Theft Auto Online.
Grand Theft Auto Online
The Comet Retro Custom was added to Grand Theft Auto Online on December 22, 2016, as part of the Import/Export update during the Festive Surprise 2016 event8. The total cost to acquire the vehicle from scratch is $745,000, which includes $100,000 for the base Comet and $645,000 for the conversion, not accounting for any additional modifications. It remains a popular choice among GTA Online players for its widebody design and retro styling.
Gallery
Trivia
- In Grand Theft Auto Online, the advertisement for the Comet Retro Custom parodies the styling of real-world Porsche advertisements from the era, including the use of a similar font9.
- The standard Comet, which the Retro Custom is based on, is described as a "classic" GTA sports car that is light, agile, and fun to drive.
- Despite being a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, the underside of the Comet Retro Custom features a driveshaft connected to the front wheels. This is likely due to Rockstar Games reusing assets from the all-wheel-drive standard Comet.
