Authenticity matters
When it comes to restoring a Porsche, authenticity is key. Yet there are times when safety, performance, driveability, or just plain enjoyment call for an upgrade. Older cars can be improved by upgrading suspension, lighting, and ergonomics, without sacrificing preservation. There are engine, transmission and electrical upgrades that improve reliability and performance. The trick is knowing which upgrades are acceptable. That’s where expertise comes in.
Details matter
The previous owner of this 911 SC had the door panel restored per the “before” photo. But I wanted it to look just the way it did when it left the Porsche factory. You can see the result for yourself.
Here's an SC engine in progress, looking at it from the back, where you can see the pressure plate. All of the black engine tin surrounding the engine has been cleaned and re-anodized. The red air guides are hard to find in good condition. And they're no longer available, so I cleaned up and refinished the existing one.
Here's the finished product. Notice the plated parts and the lack of glossy spray products (which look unnatural to me). 
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Upgrades matter
Sometimes an upgrade can be a great idea, provided it’s an acceptable one. Take, for example, a headlight. The photo at left shows the original, small U.S. spec. headlights. They are dim and unsafe. The photo on the right shows the H4 headlight I used to replace it. It’s simply better, and Porsche enthusiasts agree that it’s an acceptable upgrade.
Another valued upgrade is adjustable spring plates. These let you easily change the height of the car to improve the handling and appearance. I put a lot of work into this one. Note how clean every part is. Moreover, I plated every bolt and spring to prevent corrosion, and I increased the size of the torsion bars. You won't see it, but it's there.
This one is in my '62 356B T6. It's a Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio. That's the original model. I could have installed the correct tube-amplified version, but it's obsolete technology. I want to stream via Bluetooth as I cruise in my cabriolet. So I installed a transistor-based Frankfurt, built a few years later, and had Bluetooth installed. Now I have the best of both worlds.
Extra points to anyone who recognizes this part. It’s a vintage alarm system. They’re all but un-foilable, even by the most savvy car thief, but they’re also a pain when you lose your key (and most keys are lost). I’m in process of replacing the keyhole with a pushbutton so owners can use their alarm system worry-free.
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Want to unload the heap you found behind your grandparents’ shed? What about that project car that life interfered with?
There’s no shame in not wanting the old Porsche you found behind your grandparents’ abandoned garage or unloading an unfinished project car. Let’s talk. I’ll gladly take it off your hands. Email me.
There’s no shame in not wanting the old Porsche you found behind your grandparents’ abandoned garage or unloading an unfinished project car. Let’s talk. I’ll gladly take it off your hands. Email me.