Marlon Goldberg of Workshop 5001 has quite a bit of experience modifying air-cooled 911s. In addition to running his own shop, Goldberg has worked as a mechanic for Manhattan Motor Cars, as well as Singer. Given what his counterparts, and former employers, across town at Singer are known for, Goldberg’s reluctance to backdate cars may come as a surprise. To Goldberg, each generation of 911 has something that makes it special, and each should be allowed to stand on its own merits. Though this episode of Jay Leno’s Garage is titled “1974 Porsche 911,” two 911s are actually featured. One is the grey ’73 which has been making the rounds of the automotive press, and the second is a blue ’74. Jay spends some time talking about both, before ultimately hopping behind the wheel of the early G-series.
About two minutes in to this video, Jay asks one of the most important questions in the current marketplace: “At this point, with the prices getting so high, have you ever found a 911 that’s not worth saving?” While Marlon Goldberg of Workshop 5001 is no stranger to structurally challenging projects, even he isn’t shy about saying that even now, some 911s are just too far gone. Both of the featured cars are the result of some pretty serious work by Marlon and his team, the blue car in particular requiring some structural work and straightening.
While backdating is currently all the rage, it’s refreshing to see a shop take Workshop 5001’s approach. These builds have more in common with Rod Emory’s Outlaw aesthetic than Singer’s “Greatest Hits of the 911” approach, and seem to have the kind of attention to detail which defines the two better known builders. Workshop 5001 reportedly has a 356 in the works next, and we are certainly excited to see more from this shop.
