The brief was this: to build a car that could be used on a regular basis in heavy London traffic, but also be taken on adventurous holidays both on and off-road, as the owner has a property in rural France, down the end of a rough track. It needed to be comfortable and well-equipped with all modern conveniences, such as air-conditioning and power steering, yet remain every inch a classic Porsche. Above all, it needed to be finished to the highest standards and, quite literally, stand head and shoulders above other 911s.
We began by sourcing a suitable base vehicle, and this is where serendipity played its part as an early 3.2 Carrera became available at this exact moment. The car proved to be remarkably sound and required little in the way of body restoration. However, Graham Kidd, our maim man when it comes to restorations, stripped the Carrera to a bare shell while the original engine and transmission were also stripped and rebuilt, the latter equipped with a limited-slip differential.
Discussions with the owner led to the decision to give the car the Safari look, with raised suspension all round, off-road tyres, custom-made bull bars front and rear, extra lighting, roof rack and a matt-bronze paintjob, all work carried out in our workshops in Saltash. Modern electric air-conditioning and power steering systems were installed which, together with extra sound-proofing, make this a very civilised ‘off-roader’. A leather and pepita retrim completed the look.
It certainly turns heads wherever it goes and, despite the raised suspension and off-road tyres, it still handles, performs and sounds like a 911.
But what did the customer think? Would you believe he had chosen not to view the car at any point throughout the build! Putting complete trust in Graham's work he preferred to keep this latest addition to his stable of Porsches a surprise, seeing it for the first time the day he arrived to collect it. Was he happy with his new toy? His smile said it all…
Williams-Crawford
www.williamscrawford.co.uk
info@williamscrawford.co.uk
