50 sports cars, including many classic Porsche 911s and Mercedes SLs, imported from California, have been stored in a Hamburg warehouse for about 15 years. The restoration operation failed, but a well-known dealer from Hamburg, Germany, bought them and is trying to salvage them.
Photo: David Finest Sport Cars
During the US financial crisis in the fall of 2008, a Hamburg businessman had a business idea: restore classic Porsche 911 and Mercedes SL models imported from California and then resell them at a profit.
In about five years, about 50 sports cars were imported from California to Hamburg, Germany. Among them were the Porsche 911 SC, the second generation Porsche 911 (G series, 1973-1989), the Mercedes SLC R107, and a Ferrari 328 GTS.
Unfortunately, the business idea failed for several reasons. Many of the cars were in an advanced state of disrepair due to the strong California sun, which led to cracks in the dash and cracked leather upholstery. Some were kept in improper conditions and had an unpleasant odor inside. After the financial crisis, spare parts and restoration labor became more expensive.
So, the cars were stored in a warehouse in Hamburg and deteriorated further. Recently, a well-known sports car dealer in Hamburg, David Finest Sports Cars, discovered the car collection and decided to buy it.
Benjamin David, the owner of the dealership, is a Porsche fan and hopes to be able to put some 911 models back on the road. He’s already working on the first two cars and has given them a complete overhaul, changing the oil, replacing the fuel pump, and checking the combustion chambers with an endoscope. He also adapted them to European versions by modifying the speedometer, headlights, and bumpers.
David has to evaluate each car and decide which is worth restoring. There are two issues: whether the restoration is not too expensive and the car can be resold without losing money, and whether the model is attractive in the classic market.
For example, David says that Porsche 911 G-series models with the 3.2-liter engine are much more sought-after than those with the 2.7-liter engine.
What’s more, he has to vacate the hall where the cars are stored within 12 months. Unfortunately, some of the Mercedes SL and SLC models can no longer be restored, as they are in an advanced state of disrepair, and restoration would be far too expensive. So, they will be dismantled, and the spare parts will be of use to other owners of Mercedes SL and SLC.
