Staying true: Air-cooled Porsches with Flatsix Classics
Patrick Campbell
I am just going to jump into it. What attracted you to the building period correct air-cooled Porsches?
Flatsix Classics
Good question. The style—that's the whole vibe. I've loved Porsche ever since I was a kid. Their race cars and the whole look just move me. I also like stock cars, the nerdy type builds, because they're authentic and original. But people have been bastardizing their Porsches since God knows when. Making them look period correct puts a smile on my face because that's how they should look. If I can accomplish that, that's my goal.
PC
What do you think separates Porsche as a brand from other vintage cars?
“Porsche has always been an honest car, a gentleman's car in my eyes.”
FSC
Porsche has a huge pedigree and history. The product speaks for itself. Each brand, like Mercedes and Ferrari, has its own vibe, but Porsche has always been an honest car, a gentleman's car in my eyes. The product's quality and their impressive race history, like their Le Mans victories, make it hard to compare them to other brands. People see that and incorporate it into their daily lives. It just sticks with you.
PC
Is there a Porsche car that you haven't had a chance to restore that you really want to?
FSC
Actually, I've never done a 356. But those are a bit of a different animal; they require a lot of work. That's probably number one on my list. There are some more unreachable ones, like a 904 or a 908. But yeah, I'm sure I'll do a 356 someday.
PC
Break down the design process from start to finish. How do you go about it?
FSC
If I'm building a car for myself, I have a catalog in my head of all the cars that I love, and I stay true to that. I design a car to the era I'm going for, and if I'm doing a retro build, I just choose the look I want and execute it that way. I have a vision in my head, and I have people around me. Take Ryan (Chung), for instance, he's got a great eye and good, great taste. So sometimes I'll ask him for his opinion, and sometimes we bump heads for sure, but most of the time we're on the same page, and he just loves what I love, and it works.
PC
Do you think it's harder to build these cars in Vancouver compared to other places like California or Europe because we're isolated?
FSC
It's both good and bad. California has so many vendors and resources nearby, making it easier to get parts. You could walk down the street and get parts. Here, it's less of a thing, but we do have a cheaper dollar and labor, making it more affordable to build a car. California is the hub of cool and sports cars, and they have so much good stuff down there.
PC
How did you go from being a Porsche enthusiast to running a Porsche restoration shop? At what point did you realize you could make some money on this?
FSC
It started with a few cars, and then I ended up selling them at a profit, but making money was never the main goal. I love money, sure, but what really drives me is giving people cool cars and seeing the genuine joy on their faces. It's about the passion for cars and building something special, making new friends along the way.
PC
What was the car that started you down this path? The landmark car that ignited your passion?
FSC
Well, it was always Porsche. I remember as a kid, I had a model 959 in 1:18 scale. Porsche to me was a sign that you’d made it. My friends dad has this 911 convertible and we thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Just feeling it and seeing it, getting to sit in it when he wasn’t around. They have a certain scent and sound. Like how the door just pings when you slam it shut. In most other cars if you slam the door the thing sounds like it’s falling apart.
“I think everyone should own a Porsche at some point in their lives.”
PC
If it wasn't a Porsche, what car would you rather be restoring?
FSC
I also love Ferrari, but I grew up around Volkswagens, so if not Porsche, I probably would've gone into Volkswagen stuff. It's not as profitable, but it's cool, and there's a lineage between the two. It's easy to jump from a Porsche guy to a Volkswagen guy
PC
Air-cooled Porsches have skyrocketed in price. Is that good or bad for the community?
FSC
It's both. It's good because owners can turn a profit and have a valuable vehicle. But it's bad because some people can't afford them now, and they miss out on the experience of owning a Porsche. I think everyone should own a Porsche at some point in their lives.
PC
Do you appreciate any of the water-cooled Porsches? Is there any value in them?
FSC
Yes and no. Some of the earlier water-cooled Porsches are undervalued now because of issues like the IMS and bore scoring. But if they are maintained and fixed, they can have great value. The newer ones may be undervalued at the moment, but I think that will change in a few years.
PC
Are there any other restoration shops whose work you really appreciate?
FSC
There are many worldwide. In the UK, Germany, and California, you have great shops and builders like Historica, Tuthill, and Rod Emory. Singer, even though they are not a builder has created something special in the Porsche world. RUF is also one of my favourites, with a rich history and pedigree. The video of the RUF Yellowbird flying around the Nurburing is the sickest video ever.
PC
What's next for Flat Six? Where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?
FSC
I’d like to hire some more people. I was saying earlier. I want to "grow car culture" here. I'm learning stuff daily. I'm learning new things all the time, but I would like to extend that to other people. Whatever I know, if I can pass that on to the next guy and get him into a vehicle that gives him the same feeling, then that makes me happy. So I think just keep rowing it organically, not pushing anything, not trying hard—just kind of go with the flow and really build more cool cars. My circle has a couple dozen cool cars around, but I want to see a hundred here in Vancouver or more.
I would like to thank Peter again for taking the time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about his experience building period-correct air-cooled Porsches. Much like restoring a mid-century home, these restorations are about honouring the past and breathing life back into these wonderful machines. Peter will be debuting a few of his new builds at this year's Rennsport Reunion for those who will be making the trek south to Monterey this September.
Words and Photography: Patrick Campbell
