Porsche Santa Clarita is one of the newest Porsche dealers in the U.S. and it is eager to prove itself as among the most well-equipped places for your vintage Porsche to receive everything it needs. As part of the Galpin family of dealerships, the company is well versed in the art of subtle customization, restoration, and resto-modding. One only needs look as far as this delightful little Speedster to see the passion and capability that Porsche Santa Clarita is capable of. As the creative brainchild of company head Beau Boeckmann, this 356 may take a few liberties, but it’s so incredibly well done that I’m immediately smitten.
While this 356 has a few unorthodox modifications, like the chrome bumper and the slightly anachronistic wheel selection, it all looks pretty great as a whole. The car has clearly been painstakingly restored and modified by people who not only care, but are extremely talented at their work. Everything about this car from the paint color to the interior tartan is just *chef’s kiss* perfection. I would love to take this 356 for a spin, or two, or just keep it around for the next 10 years, you know?
The great thing about this car is that it was already modified in-period by a club racer, so it was fitted with a roll bar (which I wish Porsche Santa Clarita had kept, honestly) and a later 356 SC engine, so when it was found in a barn it was already beyond impossible to completely return to stock. As a non-numbers matching car, it was never going to be perfect, so they decided to go hog wild with it. I particularly like the chrome bumper look, as it was technically an option, but not one that many people chose from the factory. They put a lot of work into making this car shine, and it shows.
Some weren’t sure that a company known for its work in the Ford world be able to translate those talents into the Porsche world, but clearly these folks know what they’re doing. For a first effort, this “Galpin-ized” 356 is a gorgeous display. Kudos!
