Porsche Centre Vancouver's entry into the E1 Cayenne Classic Restoration Challenge is a 2008 Cayenne Turbo, owned by one of our valued clients, Gavin Mah. He purchased this vehicle with the vision of transforming it into the ultimate overland Cayenne Turbo—a bold combination of performance and customization. The Cayenne arrived with 120,000 km on the odometer and a strong V8 twin-turbo engine. However, it showed its age: the interior had suffered water damage, an aftermarket audio system had been poorly installed, the brakes and suspension were worn, and it was overdue for comprehensive servicing.
Mechanical Refresh:
We began the restoration with a major service using genuine Porsche Classic parts, including: Fresh Mobil 1 synthetic engine oil change Transmission oil service New air filter New oil filter New cabin air filter New battery New brake discs and pads New front lower control arms New rear hatch struts New rear brake lights We also installed a Porsche Classic Radio and restored the vehicle’s modified wiring harness to support the stereo, backup camera, and amplifier systems. This project marks the beginning of an exciting journey to bring this Cayenne Turbo back to life—with the authenticity, performance, and timeless Porsche quality it deserves.
Design and Customization:
To begin the design and customization process, we carefully removed the interior and sagging headliner to address extensive water damage. The source was traced to clogged sunroof drains and a compromised sunroof seal. With the headliner removed, we also discovered that the seat centers were heavily worn, and the rear seat leather had torn. This challenge became an opportunity to be creative. Sharing a vision for a truly unique interior, we designed a custom heritage-inspired interior. We sourced an original Orange and Black Pepita fabric and partnered with a leading interior specialist to craft a one-of-one design. This included updated door panels, grab handles, and a bespoke Alcantara headliner—creating a one-of-a-kind interior that blends Porsche heritage with contemporary design.
Performance Enhancements:
With the interior complete, our focus shifted to suspension and exterior. We collaborated with Berg Off-Road, Porsche Cayenne overland specialists based in Colorado, to equip the build with:
- 3” Air Suspension Lift
- Uniball Upper Control Arms
- Intercooler Relocation Brackets
- Aluminum Front and Rear Bumpers
- Full-Length Aluminum Skid Plates
- Integrated In-Bumper Lighting
To maximize functionality on and off the trail, we added a full suite of overlanding accessories:
- KC HiLiTES LED Light Pod Bar
- 8,000 lb. WARN Winch with Synthetic Cable
- Sherpa Full-Length Overlanding Roof Rack
- MaxTraxx Traction Boards in Orange
- Custom Brackets for Spare Tire
- Recovery Gear & Boards
- Color-Matched RUX Storage Totes
- 1Up Single Off-Road Bike Rack
- Color-Matched Porsche Cross eBike in Gulf Racing livery
Final Touches:
For the finishing detail, we polished the factory White paint, combined with a Gulf Blue & Orange 917-inspired wrap, installed with precision by Twisted Media. The result is a Cayenne Turbo Overland that seamlessly blends heritage design with modern adventure-ready capabilities.
Acknowledgements:
This project would not have been possible without the expertise and support of our partners:
- Berg Off-Road – Overlanding Components
- Avery Dennison – Wrap Supplier
- Twisted Media – Wrap Installation
- Green’s Auto – Wheel Refinishing & Paint
- RUX – Gear Totes
- Ridez Inc. – Custom Interior
Experience the possibilities of Porsche customization with a project tailored to you. Contact us for more information. Contact Us