It gets rid of the pop-up headlights.
The Porsche 914 was not well-received by its enthusiasts for a long time. This could be because it wasn’t like other Porsche models, or because it had a lower performance than the flat four-cylinder engines. Fifteen Eleven Design, a British coachbuilder and restorer, is creating a new version of this classic roadster using the drivetrain from a Porsche Cayman.
The flat-six engine of a Porsche Cayman S 3.4-liter is now behind the driver. It’s paired with the six-speed transmission. The exhaust pipe is custom made from stainless steel. Fifteen Eleven adopts the Cayman suspension design and adds adjustable coilover dampers. Porsche-sourced four-piston brake discs with vented and cross-drilled discs slow down the fast machine. Since the introduction of the 914, automotive technology has advanced significantly. Fifteen Eleven replaces the original pop up headlights with projector LED lamps. This spot was previously used for turn signals. The Cayman’s engine has a liquid-cooled cooling system, unlike the 914’s air cooling. Fifteen Eleven also had to modify the front bumper and the hood in order to accommodate the radiator and oil cooler.
Although the lift-off roof remains, Fifteen Eleven removes it to make the cabin brighter. Carbon fiber is used for the fenders. They are slightly wider and extend past the doors. Redesigned rear features a ducktail spoiler, which adjusts to vehicle speed. Instead of being on the driver’s side, the exhaust now flows from the middle. Fuchs-style wheels are now made by Fifteen Eleven, but the diameter is now 18 inches. They are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
Recaro sports seats are now available inside, with custom leather upholstery. Extra legroom is possible thanks to changes made to the Porsche’s bulkhead location and fuel tank location. Fifteen Eleven will make multiple units of the modernized 914, and they will be available in either left- or right-hand drives. The company is not yet able to provide pricing information, but they plan to make the first unit in 2021.