Porsche is now our most frequent commission. The work has grown steadily since the mid-2000s, first 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 fifteen air-cooled Porsche engines. We also keep the largest stock in Romania of Porsche parts, engines and body shells.
Most of our Porsche commissions are Show Driver builds for owners who drive the car several times a year at rallies or track events and want a restoration that holds up to regular use without compromising authenticity. We take on fewer Concours-level 911s and 912s, usually 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.
Porsche restorations we have delivered
1971 Porsche 911Daily DriverA 1971 Porsche 911 Targa in deep green, with the brushed Targa bar and the "targa" script on the roll-over hoop. Restored to Daily Driver standard: the roof comes off, and the car gets used.
Porsche 912Daily DriverA Porsche 912 in a bright, clear blue: the four-cylinder sibling of the early 911, with the same shape and a lighter touch. Restored to Daily Driver standard, so it is meant to be driven rather than kept under a cover.
Flagship models
- 911 Long-case (2.0L – 2.4L)1965–1973Restored here more often than any other Porsche. Full mechanical and cosmetic overhauls are a regular commission.
- 911 Short-case (Carrera RS era)1973–1977We verify provenance and originality before disassembly.
- 9121965–1969Excellent 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, which factory galvanising alone does not stop
- Long-case engine leakdown and magnesium-case cracking assessment
- Original paint-code matching for factory colours such as Signal Yellow, Tangerine and Gulf Orange
- Interior plastic preservation versus reproduction (we advise preservation where possible)
- Fuchs wheel refurbishment, which we outsource to a specialist
- Period-correct Recaro upholstery leather sourcing for Sport Seats
Our process for Porsche
We verify matching numbers against the Kardex or, for later cars, the COA (Certificate of Authenticity) from Porsche Classic, and photograph the chassis VIN, engine number and type sticker. Air-cooled engines get a leakdown test before we commit to a rebuild scope; cracking patterns in the case inform the realistic upper bound on cost.
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 | €70,000 – €120,000 (long-case 911, 912, 928) |
| Concours | €140,000 upward (early 911 S, Carrera RS, 356) |
What the labour costs here vs at home
Labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, billed monthly on the hours actually worked. Workshops of comparable standard in Germany, Switzerland and the UK charge €85–130 an hour. Parts, chrome and specialist outside work cost about the same everywhere, so the saving is in the labour, and a full Porsche restoration is mostly labour.
| Hours | Here€60/h + VAT | Western Europe€85–130/h |
|---|---|---|
| 500 h | €30,000saves €12,500–35,000 | €42,500–65,000 |
| 1,000 h | €60,000saves €25,000–70,000 | €85,000–130,000 |
| 1,500 h | €90,000saves €37,500–105,000 | €127,500–195,000 |
Illustrative arithmetic at the published rates, before VAT. Not a quote. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. Collection from Western Europe, the UK or the US is arranged by our transport service.
Porsche FAQ
How much does an early 911 restoration cost?
A Show Driver long-case 911 restoration costs €70,000–€120,000 in 2026. Labour is €60/hour plus VAT, roughly half the hourly rate of Porsche specialists in Germany, Switzerland or the UK. A Concours 911S or early 911T with original numbers starts at €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 carry out leakdown, compression and case-crack assessment before scoping. We rebuild long-case and short-case engines in-house, with special tools 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 bonnet 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 spends 12–16 months in our workshop. A Concours early 911S with body-shell replacement and NOS-only sourcing takes 20–26 months.
Can you ship the finished car abroad?
Yes. Covered or open transport with our own trailers and autoplatform to any EU destination, and international sea freight handled end to end with customs documentation.
Is it cheaper to restore a Porsche in Romania?
Usually, for labour-heavy work. Our labour is €60 an hour plus VAT, against €85–130 in Germany, Switzerland and the UK, so the same 1,000 hours costs €60,000 here instead of €85,000–130,000. Parts cost about the same everywhere, and transport from Western Europe is a small share of the difference. We bill monthly on the hours actually worked, with supplier invoices shown on your statement.
Do I pay Romanian VAT if my car goes back to the UK, Switzerland or the US?
Normally not. Cars that leave the EU after the restoration — to the UK, Switzerland, the US and elsewhere — are normally invoiced without Romanian VAT. EU clients pay Romanian VAT (21%) on the work. Your home country usually charges its own import VAT on the value of the work when the car returns, under its outward-processing rules, so plan that with your customs agent. We confirm the VAT treatment for your car with the quote.
How do I follow the restoration from abroad?
Every restoration client gets a private online tracker: each stage of the work with photos and notes, viewable from anywhere. Monthly statements list the hours and parts, and you can visit the workshop in Moara Vlăsiei, near Bucharest, by appointment at any stage.