Porsche 911 type 901 n° 57 1964 signal red 1/43 Welly MAP01991118

Porsche 911 type 901 n°57 1964

Colour signal red

Scale 1/43

Manufacturer Welly

Article ID MAP01991118

Legendary model out of barn and fully restored by the Porsche Museum !

In 2014, Alexander Klein, head of vehicle management at the Porsche Museum, had made a point: it is impossible to find a non-restored copy - a prerequisite - of Porsche 901, actually the very first Porsche 911 ever built. So when he receives the call of a television crew who has found in a barn copy #57 - out of 82 produced - this is an unexpected opportunity to fill a void in the chronology of the models exhibited at the Museum, that presents hitself to him.

According to the papers of the vehicle, the car, color Red Signal (6407 B / P) and black pepita cloth seats, dates from 1964. This corresponds well to the almost wreckage that is presented to Dieter Landenberger, director of the Porsche historical archives fund, and Kuno Werner, head of the museum's workshop, specialists dispatched by Porsche. The authenticity is confirmed by independent experts who examine it carefully a few days later.

After half a century, the 57th Porsche 911 returns home, for a restoration in due form. It is accompanied by a second model, which Porsche keeps in the state, and a whole stock of vintage spare parts that will be used to replicate the original model. Because it is a long work of patience, know-how and intuition that awaits the team of mechanics and coachbuilders of the Museum, as well as all the partners solicited for the occasion: nearly 20% of the number 57 have gone, only 35% of the bodywork is recoverable.

The final result of the restoration is eloquent: the restoration according to Porsche standards lasted 3 years. More than half of the n° 57 could be preserved. The entire body was carefully rebuilt with vintage sheet metal. The roof, the front with the chassis number, the dashboard cross member and the knee pad are original. The cable harnesses are redone, with the original sockets and connectors. The instrument panels, the steering wheel, the door trim, the seats and the windows were reassembled with their patina. Like all other vehicles in the museum, the Porsche 911 number 57 is ready to hit the road again.

From the incredible discovery of the car to its meticulous reconstruction, to the very history of this founding model, which is called 901 but has been marketed as 911, there are many anecdotes about this exceptional restoration. it's impossible to mention them all. But we can be sure that this model will continue to be talked about for a long time.