Tucked away in the hills outside Barcelona, you’ll find one of Europe’s most revered Porsche specialists – Julia 911 Porsche. Led by fourth-generation car enthusiast Jan Julia, this family-run workshop blends tradition, technical excellence, and passion into every car that rolls out of its doors.

We recently visited their impressive facilities to sit down with Jan and see first-hand what makes this place so special. From handmade Restomods to rare air-cooled icons, Julia Porsche is a name every Porsche fan should know.

A Heritage Built on Craft with Julia 911

Julia’s story stretches back nearly a century. “I’m the fourth generation of a family that’s always worked with cars,” Jan tells us. “My great-grandfather worked on bodies for pre-war cars—aluminium and wooden frames. Then my father specialised in Bosch systems in the 1970s as these technologies entered the Spanish market.”

Though Jan originally studied law, he quickly realised his true passion was in the garage, not the courtroom. “I grew up surrounded by the smell of oil and engines. I knew this was where I belonged.”

Today, Jan leads a team of highly skilled specialists from their purpose-built HQ near Barcelona. Five years ago, the business moved into this larger site to accommodate growing demand and expand its capabilities. “We needed a space that matched our vision—where everything could happen under one roof,” Jan explains.

Built In-House, Built to Last

Unlike many outfits that outsource parts of a build, Julia 911 Porsche does it all in-house. Engine overhauls, gearbox builds, electrical work, trimming, metal fabrication—you name it, they’ve mastered it.

“This is something very important to our clients,” Jan says. “When you’re building a dream car, you want to see it being made. You want to be part of the process. And here, they can be.”

Their setup allows clients to follow their car’s transformation closely. Every project is documented, every detail obsessed over, and every element—from a custom backdated 964 to a concours-ready 356—gets the same level of attention.

The Art of the Restomod

Although the team works on various Porsche models, it’s the Restomod and backdate projects that have really put Julia 911 Porsche on the map.

“Yesterday we were testing two very special cars,” Jan recalls. “One was a fully converted 964 Targa, backdated to look like a 70s classic. The other was a 3.2 G50 transformed with period-correct styling. Everything was rebuilt—engine, gearbox, suspension, interior.”

These builds are more than just restorations. They’re made-to-measure reinterpretations of Porsche history—timeless aesthetics with modern reliability and driveability. Jan tells us that around 70-80% of their work now revolves around air-cooled models like the 911 SC, Carrera 3.2, 964, and 993.

But the Julia team aren’t limited by convention. “We never say no to a cool project,” Jan smiles. “Right now, we’re doing some off-road 911s too. It’s always more difficult to do something new, but we’re open to it.”

A Passion for the Porsche 356

Ask Jan his favourite model, and the answer comes without hesitation: the Porsche 356.

“For me, the 356 is the best design ever built. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s lightweight, beautifully balanced, and on a curvy road, there’s nothing like it.”

Despite owning several cars himself, Jan rarely drives the same one twice in a row. “I have to test so many different builds that I don’t have a daily driver. I’m lucky—I get to drive something special every day.”

Custom Parts, Custom Service

When it comes to building bespoke Porsches, sourcing the right parts is key. That’s why Julia Porsche works closely with Design911, relying on the wide inventory and expert support to help bring each vision to life.

“Some of our projects need parts that just don’t exist off-the-shelf,” Jan says. “That’s where Design911 comes in. From special-order carbon fibre panels to period-correct switches, they’ve been brilliant at helping us find what we need.”

Whether it’s a smooth fiberglass dashboard for a backdate build or a rare Bosch component for a 1970s Targa, Design911 supplies the parts Julia Porsche depends on. You can explore those parts here: https://design911.co.uk/

“It’s not just about placing an order,” Jan adds. “Sometimes we need to talk things through. With Design911, we can always get someone knowledgeable on the phone who understands our timeline and the complexity of the job.”

Open Doors and Big Dreams

For clients wanting to visit, Jan recommends booking in advance to allow time for a proper consultation. “We like to sit down, hear the idea, and talk through every aspect of the project. Whether it’s a mild refresh or a wild Restomod, we treat each one with the same care.”

Visitors are welcomed into the workshop, the body shop, and even a showroom packed with rare Porsches. From 356s to 992s, they showcase examples of every generation to help clients visualise what’s possible.

“These are all cars we know the history of. That’s important to us—we want to offer cars we believe in.”

The Future of Air-Cooled

Despite trends leaning toward electric and hybrid technology, Jan sees a bright future for classic Porsche builds.

“Young people are starting to love these cars. They’re real, raw, and full of character. I really trust in the future of this world,” he says.

With a full order book, a loyal international following, and a passion that’s hard to match, it’s clear that Julia Porsche is helping to keep the soul of the air-cooled era alive.

Whether it’s restoring a legend or building one from scratch, the Julia Porsche team embodies everything great about independent Porsche specialists—craft, creativity, and connection to the customer.

Need parts for your Porsche project?
From OEM components to custom Restomod upgrades, find everything you need at www.design911.co.uk