LABOUR OF LOVE

Heavy rain has made way for blazing sunshine, heralding the return of many classic Porsches to the road following a year of frustrating restrictions on movement brought about by the pandemic. With the promise of lockdown lifting and the open road beckoning, some enthusiasts are considering taking on the restoration project they always promised themselves. With Porsche’s own parts portfolio for legacy models bulging at the seams, the existence of a high number of aftermarket manufacturers making every component imaginable to keep air-cooled classics on the road and, of course, a wealth of respected marque specialists on hand to help with every aspect of resurrecting an impotent Porsche, there has never been a better time to get in on the act.

We’ve dedicated the majority of this issue of Classic Porsche to sharing expert advice regarding the planning (and the pitfalls) you need to be aware of in order to execute a successful and satisfying restoration. Of course, the scale and range of work you personally engage in will be largely dependent on your skills and the tools at your disposal, but no matter how your project develops, we want to hear about it. Drop me a line at the usual address or hit me up on Twitter.

We know through bitter personal experience how seized bolts, previously undetected corrosion and troublesome oil leaks can demoralise even the most seasoned of spanner wielders, which is why this issue also presents a selection of Porsche projects in various stages of restoration. We hope this special array of air-cooled classics, including Porsche Cars Great Britain’s sensational 1965 short-wheelbase 911 2.0 racing machine will inspire you when the chips are down. Good luck and happy restoring!