The Porsche Classic Partner team and Deb Simpson stand next to the newly restored Porsche 356 in the showroom of Giltrap Porsche.
Celebrating the first restoration for NZ’s first Porsche Classic Partner.Follow the journey

Ensuring the Legacy Lives On: NZ’s First Porsche Classic Partner

Recently, as part of helping protect a one-of-a-kind automotive legacy spanning more than 75 years, Porsche has proudly certified Giltrap Porsche as New Zealand's first Porsche Classic Partner, marking the start of an exciting new journey.

This partnership brings exclusive factory training and support to the Giltrap team, enabling them to restore and protect classic Porsche vehicles with a level of care, precision and expertise never before seen in the country. And to mark this milestone, we’re diving into their first classic restoration under this new accreditation - a rare right-hand-drive Porsche 356 owned by longtime Porsche enthusiast, Deb Simpson.

Deb Simpson poses in front of her newly restored black Porsche 356.

Finally living the dream

For Deb, the love for Porsche is deep-rooted. “I don’t think you can call yourself a true Porsche enthusiast until you’ve owned a 356,” she says. Smitten by the car's unique allure, she adds “it’s just a beautiful shape—the curves, the lines… this is just a real classic.”

After decades of searching, Deb finally found her dream 356 recently, featuring a fairly rare twist. “This particular 356 is a right-hand drive, and in New Zealand, it’s hard to find one,” she explains, before revealing that she’s still slightly awe-struck by the reality of owning such a legendary car. “I just feel so proud to drive it because it’s just so beautiful, and it’ll be even more beautiful when it’s all fixed.”

Now Deb’s primary goal is getting the 356 performing at its best, while still retaining the vehicle’s authenticity. Subsequently, she’s chosen the Classic Porsche Partners and their best-in-class expertise, especially when it comes to classic Porsche restorations that keep the vehicle as original as possible. After talking with the team, they’ve devised a plan that’s all about preserving the vehicle’s current state – like the existing paintwork and engine - to best effect. “We’ve chosen to do as much as we can without changing too much of the car,” Deb shares before adding, with a laugh, “Basically, they’ll replace what needs replacing and give it all a really good tweak!”

Deb Simpson and a Porsche Classic team member review details on a monitor while seated at a table in the office.

Bringing new life to a timeless classic

For everyone at Giltrap Porsche, the new Porsche Classic Partner status is the fulfilment of long-held dreams. Everyone in the team is aware that it’s a special privilege.

Workshop Manager Paulino Saavedra Jnr explains, “It brings a lot of inspiration. The customers love the vehicles, we love the vehicles, and we just get to meet in the middle and renew them, bring them back on the road, and keep them alive. It’s why we’re doing this.”

Paulino's colleague, Porsche Classic technician Kai Newstead, is equally reverential, recognising in a way the duty that’s bestowed upon them. “The knowledge is getting scarcer as time goes on. We’ve had a chance to go to Stuttgart and learn from the baton carriers of the past, and I guess we’re carrying the baton now.”

Now Giltrap’s newly certified Porsche Classic Partner team are eager to bring some of their new skills to bare on this first intricate restoration. Kai adds “Deb’s car has so much potential. With our plan, it’s going to be an absolute winner.”

A Porsche Classic team member stands in front of the restored Porsche 356 in the workshop.

The painstaking path to perfection

Over the months ahead, the team meticulously restore original components, remove rust, recondition the engine, enhance the brakes, and restore the suspension—all while staying as true as possible to original specifications. It’s a lengthy process, but as they say, good things take time. Finally, almost a year after they start, the Porsche Classic team reach the finish line.

“The car has been brought back to new factory spec, Porsche components have been used and existing parts have been refurbished, so most of the car is still original,” Newstead explains. And it’s clear alongside the considerable elbow grease, there’s been plenty of passion from the team too. “I’m starting to feel very attached to this car, to the point where I’ve been researching extra details at home,” Kai shares, grinning like a proud father as he surveys his 356 handiworks. “Deb is going to feel like she won the lottery when she gets this car back.”

Deb Simpson and a Porsche Classic team member examine the underbody of the Porsche 356 in the workshop.

The final reveal, the start of a new chapter

After many months of careful work, the handover finally arrives. As it’s a first, the Giltrap Porsche team bring Deb into the dealership and send this first of a new breed of New Zealand Porsche vehicles on its way with a special celebration. And clearly, as she wipes a few tears from her eyes, Deb is obviously absolutely thrilled with the result.

“It’s been such an amazing journey, and this has just topped it off beautifully. I’m absolutely blown away,” she says. “It’s been very emotional actually, knowing the history of the car and what it’s been through, and now she’s just in these loving hands. What a wonderful way to begin this stage of her life.”

“We shared the same excitement with her as we worked on the vehicle, and just seeing her excitement now, it brings it full circle,” Paulino adds with a satisfied smile.

Deb Simpson stands in front of her newly restored black Porsche 356.

Later, as Deb gets her first chance to put the 356 to the test on the open road, her excitement is once again unmistakable.

“There’s nothing like driving an old classic like this. She’s coming to the party just beautifully,” she beams.

And it’s clear she loved the restoration process almost as much as she loves the drive.

“The best thing about the experience was being involved every step of the way. And I’ve only got the mechanics and the restoration crew to thank for that. You really felt like part of the process. Yup, if this little baby’s got anything to do with it, Porsche Classic are off to a great start.”

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