{"id":12128,"date":"2025-06-04T11:00:33","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T10:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12128"},"modified":"2025-07-14T10:13:48","modified_gmt":"2025-07-14T09:13:48","slug":"porsche-people-julia-porsche-barcelonas-porsche-craftsmen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/porsche-people-julia-porsche-barcelonas-porsche-craftsmen\/","title":{"rendered":"Porsche People: Julia Porsche \u2013 Barcelona\u2019s Porsche Craftsmen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tucked away in the hills outside Barcelona, you\u2019ll find one of Europe\u2019s most revered Porsche specialists – Julia 911 Porsche<\/strong>. Led by fourth-generation car enthusiast Jan Julia<\/strong>, this family-run workshop blends tradition, technical excellence, and passion into every car that rolls out of its doors.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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A Heritage Built on Craft with Julia 911<\/h3>\n

Julia\u2019s story stretches back nearly a century. \u201cI\u2019m the fourth generation of a family that\u2019s always worked with cars,\u201d Jan tells us. \u201cMy great-grandfather worked on bodies for pre-war cars\u2014aluminium and wooden frames. Then my father specialised in Bosch systems in the 1970s as these technologies entered the Spanish market.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though Jan originally studied law, he quickly realised his true passion was in the garage, not the courtroom. \u201cI grew up surrounded by the smell of oil and engines. I knew this was where I belonged.\u201d<\/p>\n

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. \u201cWe needed a space that matched our vision\u2014where everything could happen under one roof,\u201d Jan explains.<\/p>\n

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Built In-House, Built to Last<\/h3>\n

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\u2014you name it, they\u2019ve mastered it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is something very important to our clients,\u201d Jan says. \u201cWhen you\u2019re building a dream car, you want to see it being made. You want to be part of the process. And here, they can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their setup allows clients to follow their car\u2019s transformation closely. Every project is documented, every detail obsessed over, and every element\u2014from a custom backdated 964 to a concours-ready 356\u2014gets the same level of attention.<\/p>\n

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The Art of the Restomod<\/h3>\n

Although the team works on various Porsche models, it\u2019s the Restomod<\/strong> and backdate projects<\/strong> that have really put Julia 911 Porsche on the map.<\/p>\n

\u201cYesterday we were testing two very special cars,\u201d Jan recalls. \u201cOne 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\u2014engine, gearbox, suspension, interior.\u201d<\/p>\n

These builds are more than just restorations. They\u2019re made-to-measure reinterpretations of Porsche history\u2014timeless 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.<\/p>\n

But the Julia team aren\u2019t limited by convention. \u201cWe never say no to a cool project,\u201d Jan smiles. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re doing some off-road 911s too. It\u2019s always more difficult to do something new, but we\u2019re open to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A Passion for the Porsche 356<\/h3>\n

Ask Jan his favourite model, and the answer comes without hesitation: the Porsche 356.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, the 356 is the best design ever built. It\u2019s not the most powerful, but it\u2019s lightweight, beautifully balanced, and on a curvy road, there\u2019s nothing like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite owning several cars himself, Jan rarely drives the same one twice in a row. \u201cI have to test so many different builds that I don\u2019t have a daily driver. I\u2019m lucky\u2014I get to drive something special every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Custom Parts, Custom Service<\/h3>\n

When it comes to building bespoke Porsches, sourcing the right parts is key. That\u2019s why Julia Porsche works closely with Design911<\/strong>, relying on the wide inventory and expert support to help bring each vision to life.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of our projects need parts that just don\u2019t exist off-the-shelf,\u201d Jan says. \u201cThat\u2019s where Design911 comes in. From special-order carbon fibre panels to period-correct switches, they\u2019ve been brilliant at helping us find what we need.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s 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\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just about placing an order,\u201d Jan adds. \u201cSometimes 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\"Julia<\/p>\n

Open Doors and Big Dreams<\/h3>\n

For clients wanting to visit, Jan recommends booking in advance to allow time for a proper consultation. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese are all cars we know the history of. That\u2019s important to us\u2014we want to offer cars we believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Future of Air-Cooled<\/h3>\n

Despite trends leaning toward electric and hybrid technology, Jan sees a bright future for classic Porsche builds.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung people are starting to love these cars. They\u2019re real, raw, and full of character. I really trust in the future of this world,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

With a full order book, a loyal international following, and a passion that\u2019s hard to match, it\u2019s clear that Julia Porsche is helping to keep the soul of the air-cooled era alive.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s restoring a legend or building one from scratch, the Julia Porsche team embodies everything great about independent Porsche specialists\u2014craft, creativity, and connection to the customer.<\/p>\n

Need parts for your Porsche project?<\/strong>
From OEM components to custom Restomod upgrades, find everything you need at www.design911.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n