Few classic cars evoke the same sense of timeless elegance and performance as the Porsche 356. This iconic vehicle, first introduced in the late 1940s, continues to captivate enthusiasts and collectors, even six decades after its debut. But what happens when you take a 60-year-old car and infuse it with modern performance upgrades? The result is extraordinary, as demonstrated in a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
The episode features two stunning examples: a Carrera and a 912, meticulously restored and upgraded by John Willhoit, a legendary figure in the Porsche restoration world. Willhoit, the owner of Willhoit Auto Restoration, has been working on Porsches for decades and has earned a reputation for unparalleled craftsmanship and attention to detail.
One of the highlights of the episode is the discussion of how Willhoit has modernized the 356 while preserving its classic charm. The car featured in the episode is a 1958 Speedster, which underwent a complete restoration to its original specifications. However, Willhoit also introduced several performance upgrades to make the car more suitable for modern driving.
Originally, these cars had drum brakes, a four-speed transmission, and a 1600cc engine producing 75 horsepower.
Willhoit explains that nobody wants a 75-horsepower car anymore or drum brakes, so he developed a way to transform the stock engine into a 2.2-liter, increasing horsepower from 75 to 177 and torque from 80 foot-pounds to 162. Willhoit has also developed a five-speed transmission kit, allowing the car to handle increased power and torque.
The episode concludes with Leno taking the upgraded 356 for a test drive, ultimately remarking that this car if produced today, would still find eager buyers. Thanks to the work of craftsmen like Willhoit, the legend of the Porsche 356 will continue to thrive for decades to come.
