A Porsche 356 on its way back to its origins

By Niklas Schlagenhauf

Some restorations are more than just craftsmanship – they are a journey into history. We at Boxer Motor were privileged to accompany just such a journey with a Porsche 356 that participated in the legendary Mille Miglia in the 1500cc class in 1956.

Commissioned by a Swedish owner, we restored the vehicle with a clear objective: the Porsche should be recreated exactly as it appeared when it started the Mille Miglia in 1956. No interpretation, no modernization, but absolute authenticity.

The restoration was carried out in close consultation with the owner. Historical photographs from the period served as the basis for accurately reconstructing every detail. Our focus was on visibly preserving the vehicle's history. Therefore, materials were not replaced, but carefully restored wherever technically possible. The existing patina was not a flaw, but an essential part of this Porsche 356's identity.

After the work was completed, the most important moment followed: The Porsche 356 once again participated in the Mille Miglia. This meant the car returned to exactly where its story began – roadworthy, authentic, and more than worthy of its past.

The vehicle's journey then continued across the Atlantic to the world's most prestigious classic car event: the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in the USA.

From this point on, I personally took over the on-site management of the project.

My task was to accompany the Swedish owner to the USA and ensure that the vehicle and its presentation lived up to the high standards of this special concours in every respect. At Pebble Beach, the Porsche 356 was presented to an international audience of collectors, experts, and enthusiasts – an extraordinary moment for a car with such a rich history.

For me personally, it was the culmination of a long journey that had begun long before the actual restoration. This project has demonstrated how important trust, historical understanding, and attention to detail are when not only restoring a vehicle but also preserving and passing on its history.

The Porsche 356 is today a symbol of what we at Boxer Motor stand for – and for me, it represents the responsibility and the privilege of actively shaping automotive history.