915 Rebuild - Who are the Specialists?

[Jack911]

I have a 915 from around 1976 which needs to be rebuilt.

Is there an acknowledged specialist in the UK or should I just use my favourite after-market Porsche expert?

[blackmamba]

Steve Winter at Jaz or Mike Bainbridge are both excellent

[Cheib]

I met Mike Bainbridge at an event in France last year….he is definitely Mr Gearbox ! Andy Prill is very good but he’s also very busy…but then al good people are

[stretcher]

Bainbridge is Mr gearbox in the UK.

[Discombobulate]

stretcher said:

Bainbridge is Mr gearbox in the UK.

Supposedly...

Gearbox and engine he rebuilt on my 1970s 911 both needed stripping down again within a few thousand miles. At huge cost.

I would use Neil Bainbridge. Or Sports & Classic.

PS to be fair the gearbox problem was probably caused by a faulty locking pin in the diff. We think...

Edited by Discombobulate on Friday 14th April 22:12

[Cheib]

I’d give RPM a call. They have their own engine/gearbox shop and a lot of their team are very experienced. I wouldn’t say 915 is their era per se but they do a high standard of work. I actually bought a stalled restoration a year or so ago…car is currently going back together, the previous owner had the 915 gearbox refurbed by RPM but I’ve not driven the car so have no idea how good it is

[ChrisW.]

Autofarm have been doing this for a very long time ... or ask your nearest specialist with time served engineers from the period ?

[BertBert]

Angus at Greatworth Classics is another good option

[g7jhp]

I'd recommend Steve Winter at Jaz. They look after alot of older aircooled cars.

[stretcher]

It's all pot luck. Someone will always have a bad experience with a specialist. Mike bainbridge has probably built more gearboxes then the others put together as it's his bread n butter. My 70 ST box was built by an ex Tuthill guy.

[PRO5T]

Bit of a thread bump, does anyone know if Mike Bainbridge is still working on Porsches these days? He did some work for me and a mate but that was years ago and I'm looking for a Porsche specialist in Cumbria again.

[Cheib]

PRO5T said:

Bit of a thread bump, does anyone know if Mike Bainbridge is still working on Porsches these days? He did some work for me and a mate but that was years ago and I'm looking for a Porsche specialist in Cumbria again.

I believe he’s retired.

[PRO5T]

Cheib said:

PRO5T said:

Bit of a thread bump, does anyone know if Mike Bainbridge is still working on Porsches these days? He did some work for me and a mate but that was years ago and I'm looking for a Porsche specialist in Cumbria again.

I believe he’s retired.

I thought as much, I've an old mobile number for him but didn't want to disturb him if that was the case. Shame, he had some great knowledge and the north of england/borders is a bit of a black hole when it comes to Porsche specialists.

[BertBert]

PRO5T said:

I thought as much, I've an old mobile number for him but didn't want to disturb him if that was the case. Shame, he had some great knowledge and the north of england/borders is a bit of a black hole when it comes to Porsche specialists.

Try having a chat with Lee Mayor in Preston who restores old Porsches. He will have some ideas I'm sure

[PRO5T]

BertBert said:

PRO5T said:

I thought as much, I've an old mobile number for him but didn't want to disturb him if that was the case. Shame, he had some great knowledge and the north of england/borders is a bit of a black hole when it comes to Porsche specialists.

Try having a chat with Lee Mayor in Preston who restores old Porsches. He will have some ideas I'm sure

Yes once I darken the door of Lancashire there are a lot more options but realistically I'm into a circa 2 hour trip to someone. As it's a GT3 I can take it to Redline who know the cars inside out but it's 2 hours away as well. A bit far when all you want is a pre-track day oil swap.

[Caddyshack]

PRO5T said:

BertBert said:

PRO5T said:

I thought as much, I've an old mobile number for him but didn't want to disturb him if that was the case. Shame, he had some great knowledge and the north of england/borders is a bit of a black hole when it comes to Porsche specialists.

Try having a chat with Lee Mayor in Preston who restores old Porsches. He will have some ideas I'm sure

Yes once I darken the door of Lancashire there are a lot more options but realistically I'm into a circa 2 hour trip to someone. As it's a GT3 I can take it to Redline who know the cars inside out but it's 2 hours away as well. A bit far when all you want is a pre-track day oil swap.

Pretty much any mechanic or DIY er can do a pre-track day oil change.

[PRO5T]

Caddyshack said:

PRO5T said:

BertBert said:

PRO5T said:

I thought as much, I've an old mobile number for him but didn't want to disturb him if that was the case. Shame, he had some great knowledge and the north of england/borders is a bit of a black hole when it comes to Porsche specialists.

Try having a chat with Lee Mayor in Preston who restores old Porsches. He will have some ideas I'm sure

Yes once I darken the door of Lancashire there are a lot more options but realistically I'm into a circa 2 hour trip to someone. As it's a GT3 I can take it to Redline who know the cars inside out but it's 2 hours away as well. A bit far when all you want is a pre-track day oil swap.

Pretty much any mechanic or DIY er can do a pre-track day oil change.

Oh yes, obviously, I was just thinking to "get in" somewhere-get them to know the car and what I want out of it etc. I've got the oil and filter sat in the garage waiting to go in!