FIRST DRIVE: Porsche 914 Restomod – £350k, 400bhp, Manual Gearbox!

This is a 914 as you’ve never seen it before, as Porsche and VW’s original entry-level model has had a very-not-entry-level upgrade.

The huge overhaul comes courtesy of Fifteen Eleven Design, an offshoot of Mellors Elliot Motorsport, a UK motorsport firm better known for prepping and building top-level rally cars.

Underpowered and not enormously successful in its day, this 914 has been treated to a host of more modern Porsche mechanical bits, including a flat-six engine that puts out around 400bhp. Add in a bespoke carbonfibre body, and performance is somewhat of a step on from the original!

We sent Top Gear Magazine’s Associate Editor, Tom Ford, to find out more…

WATCH MORE TOP GEAR:

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:06 Walkaround
03:07 Interior
04:09 Drive
06:53 History
08:00 Who Are Fifteen Eleven Design?
11:47 Porsche 914 Inspiration
15:07 Specs
16:30 Conclusion

MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:

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[joevanseeters]

Beautiful rendition of the 914! Probably one of the best looking restomods of a 914 ever done! I always loved the 914's growing up. And this thing takes it to a level never dreamed of for a 914.

[clam_baked]

Cant seem to choose between…Fifteen Eleven design, Singer, RUF, Tuthill, Kaege, RWB, Gunther werks, Keen racing, Theon designs, Canepa cars, Bisimoto, Emory Motorsports, Zelectric Motors, Kalmar Automotive, Nardone automotive, Thornley Kelham creations, Porsche Strotek, DP motorsport, Magnus Walker creations, Paul Stephens creations, or maybe…oh yeah! Porsche themselves are now doing restomods now!

[Shevabestfan]

Next up: 1998 Civic Si restomod for 250k!

[wearethetraffic]

The 914 is an underrated car in the Porsche world. Mid engine and affordable with a new infinite list of mods available from engines to trans to suspension to brakes and so on. Love it

[kurtcocktoasten]

A life-long friend of mine "reimagined" a 914 in 2003, LONG before that term was applied to how people now modify a car. He was the first person to engineer a swap of an LS2 Chevrolet V8 into such a road-going vehicle. But the car was a complete redo, not just engine. He swapped in a 911 Turbo transmission, manufactured his own clutch linkage, included 911 Turbo brakes and hollow-spoked wheels, used 911 Turbo rear fender vents to provide cooling, front mounted radiator, wide body kit, etc. He literally would stare at the wall, then close his eyes for a few moments and would then begin to sketch how to make all of this work.

Did it work? Holy hannah, did it ever. Not only did the car run a consistent 11.20 quarter mile time @ 125 MPH+, but he ran the car in autocross and performed at speed/agility contests at airports with 0-150-0 runs and turn around (like U-Drags now by Edmunds). He beat 2005 Ford GTs at this event. His work was masterful. It was a brilliant car that he wishes he had not sold.

[GrooveTasticThang]

Fabulous concept and clean line. Like the direction of travel, early 1970’s vibe rather than the 60’s look of many resto mod 911’s. Cant help thinking backdated Boxsters are the next thing.

[andremarselous]

My first car growing up in California was a 1973 Porsche 914 2.0. I was 18 and just about to graduate from high school. My girlfriend hated that car, but I loved it! I put a Momo steering wheel, Dellorto carbs, Koni shocks and Pirellis on it. It was basically a go cart. It’s one of the cars that I’ll be buying again one day. I also had a Fiat spider, a first gen VW Scirocco, a 1972 Datsun 240z and a Nissan 240sx growing up. Now I live in Munich Germany and just bought a 2009 Audi A5 3.2 Quattro. Love that too, but I’m buying all of my old cars again one day. Nothing like ‘em!

[HLinHD]

Guys, how have we not restomodded a 944 turbo yet? Come on, how has the 914 gotten the restomod treatment before the 944 Turbo? It's already a great looking car

[TheSlowoldman]

I wanted a 914 when I was young, now I want one just as badly as an older adult. Stunning!

[marvin]

1+5+1+1= 8
Of course the guy that made a carbon version of everything that makes the 914 attractive is into numerology.
Straight up masterpiece

[Basicshape]

Never liked the 914 but this is incredible. Please dont stop at 50. Do em all!

[panadatm]

Restomod's used to be a cool rare thing that people made for most iconic cars ever made. Now everyone's mom is making an overpriced restomod to sell to the ultra rich. I don't care anymore.

[glaticstorm]

I had the opportunity to pop by and have a look at this car and a chat with Ben mellors, he is a great guy and you can see the work that has been put into this car… I know people gawk at the price tag but this car is special and yeah it’s mad but that’s just the price of these resto-mods.

[Shopsmither]

Nice that he correctly describes as homage to the 914. It's only dissected A and B pillars from an original, and hardly could call it a restomod. Regardless, it's a cool build for a cool stack of money.

[bicyclist]

Back in the late 90's I had a 76' Porsche 914/4 2.0 and I loved it. Sadly it went up in flames. I would love to buy another some day. FYI: Not all 914's were made by VW! Only the early 914's were made by VW. When a new VW CEO came in, he didn't keep the agreement of the previous CEO, so Porsche continued production at their factory. If I could afford to buy one of these, I'd want mine to have the old pop up headlights, and in a period correct color. Very cool car. Thank you.

[actontreadway]

I had a 914 in the '90s and I loved it. I did swap a chevy small block into it and a couple other things; it was a lot of fun.

[CREAUTOS]

It is a beautiful vintage classic car. pure muscle and the motor sounds like a tiger. inspires me to overhaul my X19 Bertone.

[matthewchandler]

Sign me up! I’ve had a hate-on for the stampede of high-dollar restomods, but cars like this are just so bloody special. Yes £350k is a lot, but in reality you can’t build an ultra-low production special with all bespoke parts made to precision standards for less. I’m not sure how far this restomod train is going to go, but I think specials like this might be some of the most coveted cars several decades from now

[af]

It looks alright, but... £350K for that thing is insane. £89.500, - I could understand...

[bastiancooper-queen]

The interpretation of the 914 fm my youth is really well done, agressive but retro mode, perfect, with 400 h.p. and a 6 gears box, looks very cool !