Thornley Kelham has added to its European Collection of subtly improved classic cars with the Porsche 356 European SL.
Paying homage to the first Porsche in motorsport, the 356 SL, the British restoration firm’s tribute has a strengthened chassis and revised bodywork to give it a more teardrop shape.
The aluminium bodywork is hand-formed, while modern CAD and CNC machining technology are also employed to ensure the best possible fit.
A bespoke 2332cc flat-four engine is used for the 356 European SL producing 180bhp in Touring form, though customers can upgrade to a Sport version with 200bhp.
This should make for impressive performance in a car weighing 930kg, and all 356 European SLs come with a five-speed manual gearbox. Carbon ceramic brakes are another option to improve performance.
Inside, the Thornley Kelham car has unique seats and fitted luggage.
Pim van de Riet, 356 Programme Director at Thornley Kelham, said: ‘Back in the late 1990s I found myself in a position to buy something special, and that’s when I bought a 356.
‘That car started a love affair with the 356 and I wanted to deliver a car that Porsche themselves might have done were they not hindered by 1950s engineering capabilities. Our 356 European SL captures everything I love about the original, reimagined without compromise for the 21st century.’
Only 50 of the 356 European SL cars will be built by Thornley Kelham to order and the car will make its public debut on 1-2 August at Megaphonics at Boxengasse, just outside of Bicester, Oxfordshire.
Simon Thornley, director and founder of Thornley Kelham, added: ‘We are extremely proud to present our new Porsche 356 European SL, 75 years after the original Type 514 was waved away from Zuffenhausen by Ferry Porsche to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
‘Reimagining the 356 SL has been a long-term ambition of my colleague and co-director, Pim van de Riet who developed and perfected his vision of the perfect 356 for over 20 years. His passion inspired me and led to the Thornley Kelham team realising his dream.’
