{"id":6850,"date":"2023-09-26T10:30:47","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T09:30:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=6850"},"modified":"2025-06-18T09:55:16","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:55:16","slug":"auto-umbau-a-passion-for-porsche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/auto-umbau-a-passion-for-porsche\/","title":{"rendered":"Auto Umbau – A Passion for Porsche."},"content":{"rendered":"

How did a team of automotive craftsmen change course from repairing police cars to bringing new life to similarly arresting designs? Robin from Auto Umbau explains.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not an obvious career path. Robin and his team are all drawn from the former Millbrook Proving Ground, now UTAC Millbrook<\/a>, which many enthusiasts will know is one of the UK\u2019s premier test tracks. The nascent company had two specialisms \u2013 repairing and maintaining police cars, while restoring classic Porsches as a sideline.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While one was the \u2018day job\u2019, restoring barn finds and corroded classics to their former glory was the passion and in 2010, Robin and his team went \u2018full Porsche\u2019, and dedicated themselves to resurrecting neunelfers<\/a> and their ilk. For once, the \u2018heart-ruling-head\u2019 warning was wrong. The move paid off and the order book is full.<\/p>\n

Track record<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Based in Bedfordshire, the track is ideal for \u2018in the wild\u2019 testing, giving the team the chance to, in his words, \u201csee where the car\u2019s at and assess the geometry\u201d. And if you must spend your working day putting cars through their paces, and could swap pandas for Porsches, well, wouldn\u2019t you?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Like all great passions, Robin\u2019s affair with Porsche began quietly when he acquired \u201ca wreck of a 911 \u2013 which I still have.\u201d The workshop team know \u2013 and love \u2013 their cars and a walkthrough the Auto Umbau garage is an Aladdin\u2019s Cave of German roadcraft.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in the box?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Robin\u2019s tour takes in plenty of examples of the marques in which they specialise; 911s and 911SCs, 924s, 944s and 928s, as well as water-cooled models including C996s, Boxsters, 997s and 991s.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Over here is the 1976 incarnation of the 911 with electronic issues, while this is a 911S, on a 1971 plate; and there is a Targa needing a full restoration. Swap Stuttgart for Silsoe and you get the picture.<\/p>\n

Robin insists on \u201cforever repairs\u201d, shunning mild steel for stainless, with single and double-sided spot welders to ensure seam-sealed panels. With no \u2018on-site\u2019 paint specialist, Auto Umbau can be \u201cpicky\u201d about the quality of outsourced finishing, treating every customer\u2019s car as he would his own.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Clearly, a company with such high standards, working on iconic cars, will be insistent on best-in-class components. Sourcing suppliers is as important as tools. Not every part can be a Porsche original, and AutoUmbau<\/a> won\u2019t use pattern parts for classic cars. Step forward Design911<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Tiers of Joy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As a Tier 1 supplier<\/a>, Porsche trust Auto Umbau to deliver a restoration or rebuild to the same standards as Porsche themselves. Robin and his team must deliver their skills while subject to stringent standards of rigour as their German counterparts.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Robin is happy to recommend Design911, citing their pricing, good service and, and Sam\u2019s knowledge as \u2018excellent\u2019, and his response rates as \u201cword class\u201d.<\/p>\n

And the proof?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The 911 with electronic problems? Now fitted with fuel accumulators and injectors from Design911<\/a> while the Targa sports sparkling new panels from Restoration Design<\/a>, sourced from Design911.<\/p>\n