{"id":8293,"date":"2024-08-30T19:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T18:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/?p=8293"},"modified":"2025-06-18T08:17:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T07:17:43","slug":"troubles-transformation-continued","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.design911.co.uk\/blog\/troubles-transformation-continued\/","title":{"rendered":"Trouble\u2019s Transformation Continued"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to the continued transformation of Lawrence\u2019s 1962 Porsche 356, affectionately named Trouble, which is being restored alongside Design911. Lawrence talks us through the latest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stripping Back the Layers<\/b><\/h3>\n

\u201cSince our last update, Trouble has undergone quite a transformation. You might look at her and think she\u2019s gone backwards\u2014and you wouldn\u2019t be entirely wrong. She\u2019s been completely stripped down,\u201d Lawrence explains. The stripping process took just over 30 days, revealing extensive rust. \u201cThe whole front, including the nose and battery box area, was completely rotten,\u201d he adds. This led to the need for new parts, particularly the sills, which Lawrence discovered were \u201cpractically non-existent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tackling the Rust and Rebuilding<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lawrence faced many questions about how he planned to address the rust issues. \u201cOne of the questions I got a lot when I first started posting about the strip-down on social media was, \u2018How are you going to fix the rust?\u2019 I knew the process\u2014cutting out the rusted panels and putting in new ones,\u201d he says. The bigger challenge was sourcing those panels. \u201cLuckily, Dansk, a company that specialises in reproduction parts for Porsches, manufactures many of these panels. Almost all of the panels I\u2019ve replaced on Trouble are Dansk panels, which I sourced from Design911.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The bodywork has required significant effort, particularly with the rear wing. \u201cHer rear wing, especially the right rear wing, both inside and out, was in terrible shape\u2014it looked like Swiss cheese, or maybe even a lace pancake, which wasn\u2019t ideal,\u201d Lawrence recalls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Partnering with Design911<\/a> and Dansk<\/a><\/b><\/h3>\n

Working with Design911<\/a> has been crucial in this restoration. \u201cDansk<\/a> isn\u2019t based in the UK, but Design911, which is based here, has been an immense help in this process,\u201d Lawrence says. \u201cAll of Trouble\u2019s front-end parts, including the battery box and longitudinal sills, were purchased through them.\u201d For Lawrence, who was unfamiliar with bodywork, this partnership was invaluable. \u201cIt was painful to look at. There was a massive crevasse running through her right-hand side front wheel arch. But if you look at it now, it looks brand new.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Protecting and Rebuilding<\/b><\/h3>\n

To protect the car\u2019s structure, Lawrence took additional steps. \u201cYou might be wondering why she\u2019s now a shade of pistachio green,\u201d he notes. \u201cI took the opportunity to protect the areas of the car that are going to be closed up due to the construction of the 356. It\u2019s a complex construction, with lots of overlapping panels.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Breathing New Life into the Engine<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lawrence has also been focused on rebuilding the engine. \u201cI\u2019ve also been busy rebuilding her engine, which isn\u2019t yet complete, but we\u2019re making serious progress,\u201d he shares. The engine restoration has been particularly satisfying. \u201cRestoring the engine has been really satisfying because of the materials it\u2019s made from. The crankcase and front cover are aluminium, so they haven\u2019t corroded like steel would. They\u2019ve come out looking nice and shiny.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lawrence decided to enhance the engine\u2019s performance with a big bore kit. \u201cI\u2019ve installed a big bore kit because she needed new pistons and cylinders anyway. I sourced the kit from Design911, and I\u2019m excited to see what kind of power output it generates. She was originally a Super 90, so theoretically, she should have 90 horsepower. But since this is the first engine I\u2019ve ever rebuilt, I\u2019m hoping the big bore kit will give me some leeway in case I lose any horsepower during the rebuild.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Looking Ahead: The Next Six Months<\/b><\/h3>\n

The Next Six Months As Lawrence reflects on the progress, he remains optimistic about the future. \u201cSo, in about six months, where do I see Trouble? It\u2019s a great question. I\u2019ll be the first to admit the restoration has taken much longer than I anticipated. If I can get her off the dolly and back on her wheels, with her running gear on\u2014maybe not the engine, but at least the front suspension, steering, gearbox, and rear suspension\u2014I\u2019ll be pretty happy. I think it\u2019s achievable, so we\u2019ll see. Hold me to it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion The journey to restore Trouble has been filled with challenges, but with Lawrence\u2019s dedication and the crucial support of Design911, this 1962 Porsche 356 is well on its way to being fully revived. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this remarkable restoration together!<\/span><\/p>\n

Watch here –<\/p>\n