The concept of the outlaw Porsche – that is, the car so modified as to become something different – may divide the Porsche purists, but then that’s the point. Some of this work is mechanical, some cosmetic, some are both. Our latest profile piece talks outlaws. And Trouble.

“It was probably around the 2017 mark when I first began falling in love with the classic Porsche look – the 80s to 90s models of the 911.” So begins a now longstanding affair with Stuttgart’s finest that burns bright with today’s subject, Lawrence Todd.

“I came across the Rico Customs Instagram account (rico_customs) and I just loved the art he was creating with these cars. I’d been tinkering with these cars working for my dad and I thought, you know what – I’d love to take one of these cars and make my own piece of art.”

Reality bites.

“Of course, I’d always been aware that Porsches had been around for some time, but it wasn’t until I was in my late teens that I really showed an interest in them. It was also a financial thing – as a kid I hadn’t been able to afford one, but by then I was living at home, able to save money, and that’s when the concept became a reality.

So, I started looking for an 80s-90s ‘project car’ that I could make my own. I didn’t want to ‘outlaw’ the car so much that it no longer resembled a Porsche – I just wanted to stamp my personality on the car. Make it into ‘my’ car. But then my plans changed, and I saw Trouble.

Goodbye 911. Hello 356.

“I’ll put my hands up and confess that until around 2019 I probably didn’t know the Porsche 356 even existed. My Instagram algorithm had begun pulling in lots of 911s when it suddenly sprung a new car on me. I thought, wow, what is that? That is wicked. I became aware that it was a Rod Emory car, and once I’d done my research and became aware of what he does, I thought – that’s what I want to do.”

“Finding a 356 was a lot harder than a 911 and choosing the right car was key. I’d never taken on a full restoration before. I’d taken apart and rebuilt bikes and lawnmowers before and built up my confidence that way. But this was another level.”

“Having a supportive family helps. My dad has lots of experience in car restoration; my mum is behind me – she has an ‘anything is possible’ spirit, which is super-helpful, and even my sister Ellie has been involved, more on that later, and between us we’ll get it done.

A brief history of Trouble.

“She’s a ’62, bought in Luxembourg, shipped off to the States until 2019. She was bought as a barn find and imported back into the UK by a third party. I’ve been learning as I go: when I first sat in her I was always finding stuff – fuel and service receipts and following the chronology of those receipts I think the last time she weas filled up was probably 1974.

“That suggests the car was driven from ’62 to ’74, and then parked up to rot. She was stored on the East side of the States, Maryland, so not California and not very dry, unfortunately. Consequently, her body isn’t in great shape.

“Some of the extra specs, such as fog lights and an extended fuel tank – 70 litres rather than the factory issue 55 – suggest that she was used for rallying, and that she’s not in her factory-issue colour, too. Finding out any more is difficult as the restraints of data protection make it difficult to clarify who owned her – ‘sorry, I can’t tell you that’ and so on.”

So, why Trouble, Lawrence?

[Deep sigh]. Well, long story short, she’s caused plenty. This was originally going to be a joint enterprise project with my sister. I had persuaded her to put up half the money, and then took her – Trouble, not Ellie – to a well-known Porsche restoration expert to explain my plans. He told me this car would never see the road. He destroyed my dreams of restoring the car.

My sister hadn’t come with me on that visit, so I was left in the position of having to explain what he’d said to someone who invested a lot of money in a project that appeared doomed to fail from the outset. It left me quite emotional. My dad hadn’t wanted me to buy it in the first place – thought it was a complete basket case – and she was now taking up precious space in my parents’ garage. I wondered what on earth I’d bought.

Bumpy road.

“We had lots of family arguments. We got to a crunch point in the summer where I thought I either must get on with the restoration or sell her and move on. At one point I did put her up for sale, but there was a connection between me and this very rusty car that made me take the advert down.

“She’s trouble all right, and that’s been the right name for her throughout her life with me; from purchase to restoration and I would imagine, beyond that, too. But here we are and there’s no going back now. Immediate plans include restoring her back to her original grey, but it won’t be a complete ‘nut and bolt’ restoration. I want to create my own art here. I will see how I can incorporate modern materials into her interior, maybe swap the original vinyl for leather, and there are a few other plans I have in mind to make her more ‘drivable’ throughout the year.

So, what of the future, Lawrence?

“Well, she’s not going to be a ‘garage queen’. I plan to drive her. First stop is a trip to Germany and the Porsche Motor Museum. I’ve never been, and I think it’d be an awesome road trip. I want to try her out on some roads in the Alps. I won’t be racing her, though. I am not a racing driver and that’d be a bad idea! I won’t be taking her rallying either – I will keep her away from mud. Driving her in the wet is one thing – muddy roads are quite another. I certainly won’t be selling her. I tried that once already and she’s still here!

And the moral of this story?

“I think many people can relate to how these cars can either cause you trouble – or get you into it.” And for all the arguments Trouble has caused at the Todd dining table, that statement is true for anyone determined – or foolish – enough to take on the in-laws to create an outlaw.

Watch the full interview with Lawrence here –

Highlighted Parts for the 356

FRONT HOOD INNER STRUCTURE. PORSCHE 356 BT6 – 64451101015

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EXHAUST MUFFLER / SILENCER REAR BOX. PORSCHE 356 A/B/C – 1620603900

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BIRAL CYLINDER AND JE FORGED PISTON KIT 86MM. PORSCHE 356A / 356B – 0081186BJE

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MAIN CRANKSHAFT BEARING SET STANDARD. PORSCHE 356A / 356B – 54610190100

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BATTERY BOX SIDE, LEFT, WITH HEATER BUBBLE. PORSCHE 356 T6 – 64450103306

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REAR INNER FENDER. PORSCHE 356 A / 356 B AND 356 C COUPE – 64450206

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