Porsche restoration at Oldtimer Studio has grown steadily since the mid-2000s — initially with early air-cooled 911s and 912s, and more recently with 930 Turbos and early 928s. We are air-cooled specialists by temperament and training: our senior mechanic has rebuilt more than forty long-case engines and has a jig for the signature 911 rear torsion-bar arrangement.
Most Porsche commissions we handle are Show Driver builds — owners who drive the car multiple times a year at rallies or track events and want a restoration that holds up to regular use without compromising authenticity. Concours-level 911s and 912s we take on case-by-case, usually for matching-numbers early cars where the investment case is clear.
Our supplier relationships cover Stoddard, Pelican Parts, Porsche Classic, and a handful of independent German specialists. For re-chroming, trim refurbishment, and interior leather we run a tight supplier list we've vetted over the years.
Flagship models
- 911 Long-case (2.0L – 2.4L)1965–1973Our most-restored Porsche. Full mechanical + cosmetic overhauls a regular commission.
- 911 Short-case (Carrera RS era)1973–1977Handled carefully — provenance and originality verification precede disassembly.
- 9121965–1969Overlooked by the market, beautifully balanced by engineers. Excellent candidates for restoration.
- 930 Turbo1975–1989Turbo-related failures have a predictable pattern we've mapped.
- 928 / 944 (front-engine V8 / inline-4)1977–1995Increasingly collectable. Electrical-system restoration is the main challenge.
Common restoration challenges
- Galvanised-body 911 (post-1976) corrosion in hidden cavities — our flame-sprayed zinc applies here too
- Long-case engine leakdown and magnesium-case cracking assessment
- Original paint-code matching for factory colours like Signal Yellow, Tangerine, Gulf Orange
- Interior plastic preservation vs reproduction — we counsel preservation where possible
- Fuchs wheel refurbishment — we send these to a specialist rather than attempt in-house
- Period-correct Recaro upholstery leather sourcing for Sport Seats
Our process for Porsche
Porsche intake starts with a matching-numbers verification against the Kardex or, for later cars, the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from Porsche Classic. We photograph the chassis VIN, engine number, and type sticker. For air-cooled engines we conduct a leakdown test before committing to a rebuild scope — cases with cracking patterns inform the realistic cost upper bound.
Typical project cost
Carrera RS and 356 Speedster restorations are priced case-by-case and often exceed €200,000.
| Tier | Indicative 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Daily Driver | from €25,000 (924, 944) |
| Show Driver | €60,000 – €130,000 (long-case 911, 912, 928) |
| Concours | €150,000 upward (early 911 S, Carrera RS, 356) |
Porsche FAQ
How much does an early 911 restoration cost?
A Show Driver long-case 911 restoration lands €70,000–€110,000 in 2026. A Concours 911S or early 911T with original numbers runs €140,000+. Carrera RS-era cars and matching-numbers S variants can exceed €200,000 depending on originality targets.
Do you rebuild air-cooled 911 engines?
Yes — it's our most common air-cooled mechanical commission. We perform leakdown, compression, and case-crack assessment before scoping. Long-case and short-case both in-house; special-tool and measurement fixtures for both.
Can you match Signal Yellow or Tangerine factory colours?
Yes. Both are in our standing library. We work from the original paint-code stamping under the hood and verify with spectrophotometer readings against any surviving original panels.
Do you restore Porsche 356?
We accept 356 commissions selectively. These are specialist cars where originality is everything and parts sourcing is through a narrow list of US and German suppliers. Expect Concours-only scope.
How long does an early 911 restoration take?
A Show Driver long-case 911 runs 12–16 months in our workshop. A Concours early 911S with body-shell replacement and NOS-only sourcing runs 20–26 months.
Can you ship the finished car abroad?
Yes. Enclosed transport via our autoplatform to any EU destination; international sea freight handled end-to-end with customs documentation.