Our Top 5 Porsche Restoration Projects

It’s no secret that here at Canford Classics we’re hugely passionate about restoring classic Porsches. Over the past 15 years we’ve restored countless classics, but here are some of our favourites we wanted to share with you:

1.  1973 RHD PORSCHE RS RESTORATION PROJECT 

1973 RHD PORSCHE RS RESTORATION PROJECT

In 1972, when this Porsche 2.7 RS was first built, FIA regulations stipulated that Porsche needed to build 500 in order for the Porsche 911 to go GT racing. Special 911's have been and gone over the past 4-5 decades but none have proved as enduring or iconic as the Porsche 2.7 RS. 

This car that we restored in 2016 was one of the later batches that Porsche built. It is also ‘RHD’ which makes it even rarer than the ‘LHD’ models.

The owner of this incredible Porsche wanted to preserve the car, not just restore it. So we went about a full body restoration and repainted it in its stunning original royal purple colour. 

It was a huge privilege to undertake this classic Porsche restoration, which has included many RS-specific parts. It was definitely one of our most detailed projects to date, and is sure to bring the owner many years of enjoyment to come.

2. PORSCHE 911 ST TRIBUTE RESTORATION PROJECT

PORSCHE 911 ST TRIBUTE RESTORATION PROJECT

This Porsche 911 ST was built to the owner's bespoke specifications, quite simply with the aim of being fast and light. The engine used was a short stroke 3.2 ltr, which is close to an amazing 300 horsepower. The gearbox was also rebuilt and fitted with a Porsche ZF limited slip differential and has additional gearbox oil cooling. 

The wheels used are original fuch's; 8x15's at the front and 9x15's at the rear. The shell was fully stripped and race prepared, seam welded and additional chassis supports fitted, where required. 

After body preparation the entire shell received a glorious coat of Porsche Albert Blue. White decals are the finishing touches to this exterior. The interior has recently been converted from full race spec to comfort road use.

3. PORSCHE 911 RSR RESTORATION PROJECT

The body shell of this stunning Porsche 911 RSR started life as a 78 SC, which was raced in its earlier life. The car came to Canford Classics already stripped and with some body and mechanical works already undertaken. After a brief inspection it was clear all the previous works would need to be done again. And so the restoration began. The shell was fully stripped back to bare metal and the body work commenced. Each panel was painstakingly checked, and gapped before the entire shell received a coat of Porsche Signal Orange.

As for the interiors, the Gearbox was a fully rebuilt aluminum 915 unit with a factory LSD reinforced side plate, and single bearing retainer. All gear linkages, pedal assembly and gearstick were fully stripped and rebuilt too.

The entire suspension was upgraded and each item carefully inspected and detailed before being meticulously rebuilt. The stopping power is courtesy of our friends at Carbon 12 who made several brake upgrades for the Porsche, and some features made specifically for us too.  

Whilst the car does not want for power, handling or acoustic bliss we still wanted to retain some comfort. Thus rather than use a cheap lightweight carpet, we trimmed an original salt and pepper carpet, made and installed a full headliner, trimmed correct rear 1/4 cards and parcel shelf.

All of the bright work was restored and the chrome items re-plated; giving this Porsche 911 RSR the perfect finish to it’s classic restoration project.

4. LE MANS TRIBUTE 1970 LHD PORSCHE 911 2.2S

LE MANS TRIBUTE 1970 LHD PORSCHE 911 2.2S

This 1970 Porsche 911 2.2S was built to the Le Mans specification, and is a real classic, and was even featured on a stand at Goodwood Revival in the Earls Court Motor Show, which celebrates iconic cars from famous movies as well as being featured in Classic Porsche Magazine. 

With this car we recreated one of the most iconic early Porsche 911's of all time - Steve McQueen's 911 2.2S from the Le Mans film. The base car is an original 1970 2.2S, finished in Slate Grey with original 'deep 6' Fuchs wheels and a Canford Classics' rebuilt engine.  

The body work received a full strip down with replacement panels fitted where necessary, before being painted in Slate Grey. Whilst the body work was underway, the suspension was restored, wheels refurbished and other parts refinished back to the original specification. We even sourced a pair of original fog lights with the correct yellow lenses, as well as a correct radio for the interior. 

A lot of time was spent fastidiously studying the film to get the small details correct - from the position of the stickers in the windscreen to the US spec headlights and indicator lenses.  The entire car has received the Canford Classics restoration treatment, along with a few correct accessories such as the wheel arch trims, muffler skirt and Prototipo steering wheel. 

This Porsche was a joy to restore, and will be remembered by the team for many years to come.

5. 1972 PORSCHE 911S RESTORATION PROJECT

1972 PORSCHE 911S RESTORATION PROJECT

Recently featured in GT Porsche, this classic Porsche 1972 911 has an interesting history. In 1972 it was delivered new to its first owner in Italy who owned it until 1998 when it was sold to Dutch car museum Automuseum Bergeyk. One year later the car was sold to a Belgian collector who set about restoring and modifying it. 

At first, the car and spent many weekends escaping London to explore the UK countryside. However given that the owners’ family grew, the car was soon languished in its garage for 8 years. After such a period of neglect it inevitably needed a comprehensive restoration and Canford Classics were chosen to undertake the Porsche restoration project in 2017. 

With the project now completed and the owner’s children a little older, the car is back on the road, and being enjoyed as much as it used to be.

"Following this restoration, the car is more than I was hoping for. My three daughters think it's a brand new car! It was a wonderful journey and this car will now be enjoyed and taken out on countryside drives once again."