DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I've had my 1972 911 TE (ie- on MFI) for 22 years. It was already painted Polo Red when I bought it, though the original colour was Albert blue.

I have the original engine stored in the garage. The engine currently in the car is perfect, but it's not the original. I had planned to rebuild the original when I retire, but it's looking less likely and while I'm working I have little free time, even post-COVID.

I'm now thinking of having someone build the original engine for me. And then I may have the car returned to Albert Blue.

I've just had Garry (Fx) refurb the seats for me and did discuss having his 'man' rebuild the engine.

Can anyone recommend others who could help with rebuild and repaint? I only want it doing once!

Any ideas on costs for rebuild and for repaint? I doubt it needs metal work, but you never know what lies beneath.

I'm based in Guildford Surrey.

Many thanks.

Greatworth Classics- in-house engine builder and paint shop

I've used Sportwagen for body / paint a few times and their work is excellent. Not cheap but if you want to do it only once they do a superb job. I would also recommend Jaz for the engine work. Been using them for over 20 years and their work is great and reasonably priced. Both quite busy at the moment so not sure what sort of time frames they are working to if that is an issue.

I would 100% go and speak to Brian at Rindt if you want superb quality delivered with straight talk from the first conversation right up to picking the car up at the end. Their panel, lead and paintwork are done with incredible craftsmanship; they are very particular. They have one car of mine in right now and will be doing my 1972 soon.

They are in Maidenhead, so not too far from you. I live near you and have had good work done locally and spoken to other specialists nearby who are great, but once I spoke to Brian and saw his team’s work, for me personally I felt a different level of reassurance and quality I’d not had before; and every aspect of their service has been first rate. I’d definitely give Rindt a call amongst any others you plan to speak to.

I have had a recent engine build of my 2.2 S by Gary Cook (GDC) near Buckingham. Extremely pleased. Easy to work with , well organised and good communication.
For paintwork I have had two bare metal jobs done by Nick Kyte of Retro Refinishers. High quality and no VAT but he has enough work for over a year so book early.

Mike at MCE Porsche, the only downside you may have to join a queue.

Sportwagen did the paint on my SC two years ago and can’t recommend them highly enough. You will understand when you visit, which is worthwhile. I recall being asked what I wanted out of the work, a concours/garage queen, usable everyday car or something in between. The answer would drive the work done and eventual price. The quality of the work didn’t change, the amount of time spent finishing did.

Dave, I'd use Two Plus Two in Brierley Hill for the engine rebuild, can't recommend anyone for the paint work.

Many thanks to all who have replied with your suggestions. I am in the process of contacting them.

If you want the best and are prepared to pay for it go to Norfolk Premier Coachworks. They do all the work for Maxted Page. They won't be cheap though.

I think they did the Tangerine 2.7RS at Hexagon now so have a look at that.

There's always Nick Fulljames for the engine. Almost certainly a queue. He and Gary do work together as well.

I’ve used Ninemeister in Warrington for both Engine build and painting ( a full restoration in fact ). More than happy with them.

Richard Chamberlain at CTR Developments near Huntington would also be good for an engine rebuild and have rebuilt my air cooled race engine twice.

I'm in the market for a painter myself and very tempted to ask our good friend DustyM if he'd take the work on, it would mean a trip to the other side of Ireland to http://www.classiccarreras.com but feel it would be worth it.....there's lots of good painters out there but finding someone with the understanding and passion for the cars we love is more difficult.

As far as build and mechanical work is concerned there is only one person for me and that's Gary Cook at GDC Automotive as mentioned above.....he completely built my orange car along with rebuilding the engine last time around and there's a number of stories that I and many others could relate of his excellence. Josh Sadler also had him build a race engine for him recently which says it all imo.....100% honest, not only is his knowledge, quality and attention to detail second to none he's also the fairest and easiest to deal with early Porsche specialist you're likely to meet.

Gary Cook is THE man

Cheers,

I hadn’t mentioned Dusty as i assumed you wanted a UK based painter, Dusty is Top Class.