Porsche Classic Restoration Contest on PortalAutomotriz.com

Porsche’s interest in the future is matched only by its passion for the past. That’s why Porsche Centers Canada has spent the past year preparing for the second edition of the Porsche Classic Restoration Competition. Once again, the challenge was to fully restore any vintage-classified Porsche model to the condition it left the factory. This competition serves to showcase the expertise and dedication of each centre, as well as to strengthen the relationship between the teams and the larger Porsche family in Canada.

Twelve Canadian centers took advantage of this latest event to restore Coupe and Cabriolet versions of the 356, as well as a wide variety of air-cooled 911 models. They were tasked with not only finding the cars and restoring them to their former glory, but also carefully documenting the process and sharing it through various communication channels.

At the end of the deadline, all applications will be sent to the Porsche Parts and Distribution Center in Mississauga, Ontario, which is also home to the Porsche Technician Training Center. There, a jury of experts from the Canadian region of the Porsche Club of America and Porsche Canada, including President and CEO Marc Ouayoun, evaluated the entries based on their technical restoration and the condition of the vehicle, as well as accompanying marketing and communication material.

“The goal of this project is to showcase the classic craftsmanship and restoration capabilities of our excellent Porsche Centers in Canada,” says Rajat Thukral, Porsche Canada Aftersales Manager, who oversaw the competition. “It also allows teams to be passionate about the brand and its rich heritage.”

Knowledge of the classics and skill in restoration

There were various restoration projects in the competition, from the intricate work on a 1964 356 B Coupe by the Oakville Porsche Center, to Pfaff Porsche’s decision to breathe new life into a high-mileage 993. This polar silver colored 911 Carrera was originally sold by Pfaff in the mid-1990s and at the time of its restoration it proudly had over 200,000 kilometers on the odometer.

Other unique examples were a 930 Turbo finished in bright blue, belonging to the Paint To Sample individualization catalog of the Porsche Center London, a 1969 911 E with “long bonnet”, to which Mark Motors Porsche had devoted more than 2,200 working hours at the close of the competition. , and a tribute to the official rally of the mid-1980s with the impressive 911 Safari from Porsche Center Vancouver, with raised suspension and Porsche Exclusive tartan upholstery.

In an incredibly tough evaluation process, every element of the car was considered, from engine and gearbox rebuilds to exhaust systems, wiring, brake lights and bodywork. The contest was split into two categories, 356 and 911, with prizes for both. The Center that had best communicated the message of the restoration project was also recognized and a “Passion Award” was given to the team that had been most dedicated to the task.

Three 356 models in competition

“It was exciting to have three 356s in the competition,” said Alexander Pretsch, Porsche Canada Service Manager. “It is never an easy task to restore an old vehicle, the older the car the more difficult it is. Once you start digging you never know what you are going to find. I was amazed to see what our Porsche Centers have been able to accomplish.”

In the end, Porsche Center Saskatchewan was recognized for their extraordinary efforts in restoring a 1960 356 B convertible with matching engine and chassis numbers, as well as a rare matching hardtop. In the 911 class, top honors went to the Porsche Lauzon Center for their impressive work on an equally rare 1986 911 Targa CE, an edition commemorating when 911 production reached 250,000 cars. “This unit looks almost new and is a joy to drive,” Thukral commented of this limited-edition G-Series. “The attention to detail, both inside and out, is amazing.”

After Porsche Center Toronto North was honored for its efforts in the Marketing and Communications category and Vancouver’s extraordinary Safari Tribute won the Passion Award, there is only one winner left to be crowned. After hours of careful deliberation, and with Lauzon’s Targa as the runner-up, victory went to Porsche Center Saskatchewan for its extraordinary efforts on the 356 B, a car that Ouayoun describes as “a pristine time capsule.”

“This competition is really a way to show the skill, quality and know-how of our craftsmen and technicians, who put a lot of energy and passion into these projects”, continues Ouayoun. “When we see the results, we can only be proud of the incredible competence we have in the Porsche network. Thank you to all our Porsche Centers for recreating history with these cars.”