(As posted on Porsche’s own TYPE7)

What car does a craftsman make for himself? It’s often said that cars reflect their owners - and this is plainly obvious even after a glance at John Pisani (@prostitch)’s 1970 911 hot rod. Mechanically, the car was built to daily drive: the dogleg 901 gearbox and 2.2L carburettor engine replaced with a 915 gearbox and 3.2L fuel injected Carrera engine; “A very reliable motor that makes great power and torque, but doesn’t overwhelm the early 70's chassis,” he explains.

Naturally, the car has undergone an extensive restoration. “I wanted to do something different, and not stay safe. I also wanted to combine different era Porsche components". To this end, the car was painted 356 stone grey and has 356 square weave carpet. The understated paint colour is set off by raw finished Fuchs wheels. Body modifications are limited to 911SC rear flares, to accept 8-inch rear wheels, and the removal of external body mouldings. The window surrounds and other brightwork are chromed like the earlier SWB 911's. The ‘teardrop’ mirrors are from an XY GT Falcon - an iconic Australian muscle car - as these cars were John’s first passion before Porsche 356s and air cooled 911's.

The bright blue leather is from a late 70’s 3.0L 930. The Madras fabric from a Carrera 3.0. The combination perhaps shouldn’t work but years of experience and the feel mentioned earlier means it surely does. And the more you look, the more you find. Custom touches appear throughout the cabin, but they are not too easy to spot and are cleanly integrated into a cohesive whole.

Again, this car reflects its owner: understated at first glance, but dig a little deeper, and an untold wealth of craftsmanship is revealed.