THE OLD SCHOOL WAY
Classic Porsche visits Dave Dennett’s Essex-based DSD Motorwerks
Dave Dennett has gathered quite a reputation regarding the restoration, assembly and preparation of classic Porsche race cars over the years. Classic Porsche dropped in at DSD Motorwerks to find out a little more about the man and the machines he works with…
It seems that Essex has become something of a Porschemecca in recent years as there appears to be more independent workshops, restoration and parts shops for both classic and modern Porsche models in this part of the country than anywhere else we can think of. In fact, we’re surprised there’s not already some kind of Porsche-related coach trip along the line of those ‘homes of the stars’ tours through Hollywood!
DSD Motorwerks is based in Billericay, Essex (close to J28 of the M25 and just off the A12), which is essentially bang in the heart of the aforementioned south-east Porsche specialist hot spot. However, before you roll up (coach tour or not…), Dave would prefer you to call ahead to arrange an appointment, at which point he’ll explain exactly how to find the workshop, as it’s easy to miss from the main road.
As we pulled up at their door it was immediately obvious that we were in for quite a treat as there were some pretty special vehicles parked in and around the workshop. DSD is a proper ‘old-school’ Porsche workshop/specialist covering everything from basic servicing and repairs through to concours-quality restorations and, of course, race-prep and maintenance. Whether you need a modern Porsche taken care of or a full restoration of a classic Porsche, DSD covers all bases. DSD Motorwerks is owned and run by Dave
Dennett, who has worked on Porsche cars from the tender age of eleven, when he first helped out in his uncle’s garage. Having worked on cars at weekends and throughout the summer breaks, Dave went on to pursue his passion for all things Porsche in his post-school years, which resulted in the purchase of his first Porsche – a Series 1 924 Turbo in Guards Red – when he was just 19 years old.
Initially specialising in automotive electrics (running DSD Auto Electrical), Dave’s passion remained with the Porsche brand and he continued to work on engines, gearboxes and even restorations of classic Porsche models.
Eventually Dave decided enough was enough, the itch was not going away and he decided to work full time in Porsche servicing from the DSD workshops. Now well established as one of the UK’S most proficient classic Porsche 911 engine rebuild experts, Dave is also a keen competitor in the Porsche racing scene and has enjoyed considerable success racing a 924 and running many other classic Porsche race cars: including an early Porsche 911 2-litre in the Spa 6 Hours.
Dave has taken both class and overall Porsche Club Speed
Championship honours in classic Porsche racing cars built entirely in house. He also set a lap record at the 2010 Le Mans Classic in the legendary Jim Clark Porsche 356.
Dave grinned and explained, ‘DSD Motorwerks is home to historic Porsche race cars, perfect classic Porsche engine rebuilds and the best 356 and 911 restorations this side of Stuttgart’. DSD Motorwerks is also the home of the Jim Clark Porsche 356, which ran at Classic Le Mans, and Dave’s own Kremer Porsche K3 replica, which raced with Derek Bell at the 2014 Brands Hatch Porsche Festival.
‘We don’t want to give owners of road cars the impression that we’re a purist racing outfit and only interested in track cars’, said Dave. He continued, ‘That said, we do seem to spend a fair bit of time preparing and maintaining race cars for customers, and then even more on our own’. Clearly motorsport is something Dave Dennett takes very seriously and, given his history, he certainly knows a thing or two about race car preparation. When we visited there were a mixture of cars on site ranging from customers’ cars (a Boxster, a 944 and a Targa resto) through to Dave’s own collection, which included a fabulous ’53 356, a couple of Outlaw 911s, a modern GT3 RS and the insane Kremer 935 replica car.
Walking around the workshop we also found a couple of 356 engine builds ready to be assembled, a freshly overhauled gearbox and a couple of 911 motors, too. Dave explained that he builds engines for customers but also for other traders and specialists. The level of detail is superb, and we could see why customers from around the globe send their engines to DSD
for repair, overhaul and modification.
One car that caught our eye was the Jagermeister-liveried Porsche 914/6 GT replica. Depending on who you read, anywhere between 30 and 50 GT competition versions of the 914/6 model were produced from fully-built road cars delivered to the racing department, and parts kits delivered to trusted Porsche partners. This one was built for a customer and looked great in orange with a Conda green roof panel. With Minilite wheels and a stripped out race theme, it certainly looked like a lot of fun.
And then there’s the 935 K3 replica, which is running a 650hp turbo motor and has been put through its paces at Brands Hatch. This car started out as a part exchange project and was once a Japanese import 1986 3.2 Carrera. The bodywork has been extensively modified with much of the front and rear end sheet metal removed and replaced by the extreme Kremer-style body panels. The front is now a onepiece item with a huge splitter while the rear covers the turbocharged motor. There’s a full cage as well as the safety equipment you need to compete with a car of this calibre.
Dave explained that the car has a G50 transmission with a limited slip diff and is, as you might expect, a whole lot of fun to drive on the track.
Some years ago, Dave played a pivotal role in unearthing the classic Porsche 356 once owned by legendary Scottish racing driver, Jim Clark. Dave had been following up a lead regarding an old 356 which was rotting away in a garage but, when he arrived and checked it out, it was clear that this car had some motorsport heritage. A little research soon revealed it to be the ex-jim Clark car, which has since been fully restored and is a well-known historic race car today.
This was actually Jim Clark’s first race car but he was persuaded to sell it by Lotus Racing chairman, Colin
Chapman, who pointed out how bad it would look for the
British sports car manufacturer if its star driver in Formula 1 drove a rival’s product on the road. Dave was lucky enough to drive this car at the 2006 Le Mans Classic where he set one of the all time quickest laps for a 356. So there you have it, almost too much racing heritage to fit in one feature and a whole lot of great stories and machinery all tucked away in a little workshop behind a farm in Essex.
If you’re looking for the right place to help you with a classic project or racecar build, or maybe just a service on a Boxster, Dave Dennett at DSD Motorwerks would be more than happy to discuss your requirements. He’s one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet and has some amazing cars and stories to boot, not to mention a wealth of experience in Porsche maintenance and care.