Almost three years after first announcing the project, prestige car builders and restoration firm Fifteen Eleven Design have opened the order books for their bespoke Porsche 914, a contemporary recreation of the air-cooled classic car.
The firm, based in Bakewell, Derbyshire is the classic & prestige arm of World Rally Championship team Mellors Elliot Motorsport who boast 12 FIA World Rally Championship titles to their name and have more recently been responsible for a dynamic range of projects, including an Alan Jones’ Williams FW07/04 F1 recommission, Ford Escort MK1 Speedster Restomod manufacture and Salon Privé runner up, Maserati 3500 GT Inezione rebuild.
First announced in 2021 to critical acclaim, the Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914 Restomod has been painstakingly created with a host of modern features, that align perfectly with the model’s original charm and character.
The mid-engined, Targa-topped roadster has been married with a Porsche 987 Cayman S base, thanks to its Mid-mounted, six-cylinder boxer engine, offering the legendary Porsche soundtrack. The 3.8-litre engine has been extensively reworked to offer between 380-400BHP, coupled with steel internals, forged pistons and a Life Racing ECU and power management system which offers in total, over three times the performance of the factory original.
The powerplant is mated to a 6-speed transmission unit, offering the ultimate delivery across the rev range, and the handling and ride are courtesy of Reiger three-way adjustable coil-over shock absorbers, usually found on World Rally Cars, set into Cayman-based suspension architecture.
Stopping power is taken care of by Porsche Brembo four-piston callipers with cross-drilled, vented discs and fed by a floor-mounted AP Racing pedal box. There is also a bespoke fuel cell with an FIA-compliant bladder, again with a nod to the World Rally Championship pedigree of the firm’s sister brand Mellors Elliot Motorsport.
Other features include a fly-by-wire throttle, bespoke stainless exhaust system, 18-inch Fuchs wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tyres.
The Porsche 914 chassis has retained all its characteristics but underneath the bodywork, it has enjoyed a full Fifteen Eleven re-work. The suspension pick-up points have all been re-designed to allow for the Cayman architecture and the entire shell has been strengthened and stiffened, as well as receiving T45 tubular chassis structural reinforcement.
Sat on top are bespoke carbon fibre body panels, widened to enhance looks and footprint and coupled with a sleek bonnet and bumper re-design to aid cooling for the radiator and oil package. A rear ducktail spoiler is added, projector LED headlights illuminate the way, and the “Moby Dick” style of driving lights add a unique touch.
The Porsche’s interior is equally as intricate, with bespoke leather surrounding the cockpit, with Recaro seats offering the ultimate in comfort. A re-designed bulkhead allows for extra legroom, and the habitacle features a host of exclusive features to make the recreation a true one-of-a-kind.
Each order is created to the customer's bespoke requests including colour and trim and is available in either left or right and drive and order books are now open for this exciting new Porsche example.
“Our vision has finally become a reality,” says Managing Director of Fifteen Eleven Design Ben Mellors.
“The Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914 has taken longer than we expected but it's not an exaggeration to say that we have strived for and delivered perfection in every area of the build; that of course takes time.”
“It's stunning to look at, but also to drive and we are proud to have brought together some of the latest technologies available, alongside some tried and tested classic elements to produce the ultimate Restomod for both driving experience and aesthetics.
“We have had a huge interest in the car to date, but finally being able to unveil it to the public is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. It's been a passion of the entire team and I believe that shows within every inch of the car”.
Order books are now open for the Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914.
Image credits to: Daniel Hempshall (FX Cartel)
Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914