Fifteen Eleven Design Unleashes a Bespoke Porsche 914 Masterpiece: A Reverent Ode to Automotive Artistry and Precision
In classic and prestige engineering, Fifteen Eleven Design, the revered British artisans, have unveiled their latest opus - a bespoke resurrection of the timeless 1975 Porsche 914. This vehicular masterpiece is a testament to the pinnacle of Restomod craftsmanship, a siren's call for connoisseurs of automotive excellence. Powered by the spirited heart of a Porsche Cayman 3.8S 6-cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed transmission, this immaculate recreation promises an unparalleled automotive experience.
Prospective buyers are given the regal privilege of choosing between the right or left-hand drive configurations. At the same time, the vehicle boasts an intricate tapestry of Carbon Fibre panels, an avant-garde Reiger coilover suspension, and a high-performance Brembo braking system. Birthed by the same artisans who breathed life into Alan Jones' iconic Williams FW07/04 F1 car, sculpted the Ford Escort MK1 Speedster Restomod into existence, and earned accolades at the illustrious Salon Privé with their Maserati 3500 GT Inezione rebuild, Fifteen Eleven Design's expertise reverberates in every meticulous detail.
After nearly three years of breathless anticipation, Fifteen Eleven Design, nestled in the scenic heart of Bakewell, Derbyshire, has flung open the gates to their hallowed order books for their custom Porsche 914 resurrection. This contemporary ode to the air-cooled classic has been crafted with a surgeon's precision, seamlessly marrying modernity with the intrinsic charisma of the original.
Functioning as the prestigious division of the venerable World Rally Championship titans, Mellors Elliot Motorsport, a colossus that boasts an enviable 12 FIA World Rally Championship titles, Fifteen Eleven Design has etched its legacy with a litany of remarkable projects. Their portfolio includes the meticulous restoration of Alan Jones' Williams FW07/04 F1 masterpiece, the alchemical transformation of the Ford Escort MK1 into a Speedster Restomod, and the celebrated resurrection of the Maserati 3500 GT Inezione, which claimed a coveted spot at Salon Privé.
Originally unveiled to the world's applause in 2021, the Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914 Restomod is a testament to the art of transformation. This mid-engined, Targa-topped roadster, born from the womb of a Porsche 987 Cayman S, inherits the soul of a six-cylinder boxer engine, celebrated for its quintessential Porsche soundtrack. The 3.8-litre machine undergoes a metamorphosis, emerging with 380-400BHP, its core fortified with steel internals, forged pistons, and the cutting-edge Life Racing ECU and power management system - a surge of power that eclipses the factory original by a factor of three.
This formidable powerplant dances harmoniously with a 6-speed transmission, endowing the machine with a seamless orchestra of power across the rev range. The marriage of the Cayman-based suspension architecture with Reiger three-way adjustable coil-over shock absorbers, hitherto reserved for World Rally Cars, bequeaths the Porsche 914 with unrivalled handling and ride quality.
Braking prowess is entrusted to the Porsche Brembo four-piston callipers, wielding cross-drilled, vented discs manipulated by a floor-mounted AP Racing pedal box. The machine also boasts a bespoke fuel cell, cloaked in an FIA-compliant bladder, paying homage to its rallying heritage, a bloodline it shares with its sibling, Mellors Elliot Motorsport.
Intricate touches grace this masterpiece - a fly-by-wire throttle, a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system, 18-inch Fuchs wheels, and the grip of Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.
While the Porsche 914's iconic chassis retains its timeless essence, a secret metamorphosis transpires beneath its skin, courtesy of Fifteen Eleven. The suspension pick-up points have been artfully redesigned to embrace the Cayman's architecture, the entire shell fortified and stiffened, with a T45 tubular chassis structural reinforcement embedded for a heightened sense of stability.
Adorning this resplendent chassis are bespoke carbon fibre body panels, gracefully widened to bestow the vehicle with an imposing stature. They are joined by a refined bonnet and bumper redesign, sculpted to enhance cooling for the radiator and oil system. A rear ducktail spoiler takes centre stage, projector LED headlights cast a luminous path ahead, and the distinctive "Moby Dick" style driving lights confer a unique signature.
The Porsche 914's inner sanctum is a realm of equal artistry. Bespoke leather drapes the cockpit, Recaro seats cradle the fortunate occupants in sumptuous comfort, and a reimagined bulkhead extends an invitation to spacious indulgence. The cabin, a haven of exclusivity, is graced by numerous bespoke touches, ensuring that each recreation is as unique as the patron who commissions it.
Every order, a symphony of personal preferences, comes alive in a kaleidoscope of colours and trims. Whether one embraces a right or left-hand drive configuration, the gates to this exhilarating Porsche 914 recreation now stand ajar.
Ben Mellors, the Maestro at the helm of Fifteen Eleven Design, cannot contain his elation joy: "Our long nurtured vision has finally unfurled its wings. The Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914, though birthed with more time than we initially anticipated, is the embodiment of perfection across every facet of its being. It is a symphony to behold, a revelation to drive, and a testament to our unwavering commitment to blending cutting-edge technology with the timeless allure of classics. The unveiling of this masterpiece, years in the making, is a triumph for the entire team and a testament to our collective passion."
For those who dare to dream, the moment is now. The Fifteen Eleven Design Porsche 914 beckons a siren's call to a realm where automotive artistry reaches its zenith.
