Porsche: Preserving unique knowledge
WORKSHOP RESTORATION The experienced staff at Porsche Classic Works Restoration have access to the original body gauges, the original tools, specially reproduced original parts and the company archive.
When these experienced experts retire, there is a risk that gaps will arise. However, the exchange and transfer of their knowledge is extremely valuable for Porsche Classic and also a decisive success factor. The employees of Porsche Classic Factory Restoration have the most important thing in their heads and in their hands - their extensive know-how and craftsmanship, combined with years of experience. This is how they turn Porsche classics into dream cars in the course of a faithful factory restoration or an individual special request project.
Knowledge stays in the company
"The footsteps are huge," admits Tobias Kariegus candidly. The 33-year-old recently took over from his father as a transmission expert in the Porsche Classic factory restoration department. "This succession plan is of course ideal for us. It not only keeps the knowledge in the family, but also in the company," says Uwe Makrutzki, Head of Factory Restoration. Klaus Kariegus has a total of 40 years of experience. And the qualification program for his successor was quite demanding, there was no family consideration. In addition to various restorations, the father and son team produced a proud small series of 50 gearboxes for the 993 series 911 in six months. This is an important stock of spare parts for the worldwide customers that Porsche Classic supplies with spare parts.
With the generation change, the transmission area within Porsche Classic Factory Restoration has also moved. This is accompanied by ergonomic improvements. Unlike his father, Tobias Kariegus no longer works on the 50 to 100 kilogram gearboxes on assembly stands at the workbench, but instead uses a holding device tailored to his stature.
More than 1000 patterns
Maren Siedentopf, who initially worked in production after completing her training and switched to Porsche Classic factory restoration two years ago, produces exclusive components for the interior. Seat trims, instrument panels, door mirrors and much more are covered in leather. In addition to the variety of tasks, she is fascinated by the interplay of materials and processing techniques: "Every stitch and every material tells its own story. By working on a project for months and fulfilling even the most unusual customer requests, we become part of this unique story." More than 1000 patterns for components from various model series are stored in an archive cabinet.
Factory restoration and special request
Porsche Classic awards the "Made by Porsche, restored by Porsche" seal of approval to up to ten factory-restored classic sports cars every year. More than a dozen specialists maintain, repair and restore road-legal sports cars on behalf of customers at the Porsche Classic factory restoration facility. The workshop includes a body shop and paint shop, engine and gearbox construction and a saddlery. In addition, one-offs are possible as part of the Porsche special request program according to individual customer ideas, as the previous range of Porsche Classic factory restoration services has been expanded to include factory conversions and factory one-offs. The customer vehicles are completely dismantled into their individual parts, each component is thoroughly checked and, if necessary, refurbished, modified or replaced.
