From the Classroom to the Backroads
May FastBrake
Ken Bos and the Rebirth of His 1971 Porsche 911
A PMB Coachwerks story about friendship, patience, and a long-hood 911 coming back to life
Some stories in the Porsche world go far beyond metal, paint, and horsepower. They're about lifelong friendships, shared passions, and turning a dream into reality. That's exactly what we're building right now at PMB Performance with our good friend Ken Bos, better known as KB, and his 1971 911.
KB was the well-known and respected physics and math teacher at Eaton Rapids High School, the same school where PMB founder Eric Shea once sat in class. Their connection did not end with graduation. When Eric moved out on his own at 18, he actually rented a room from KB. Over the years, the two stayed in touch, and their mutual love for all things Porsche only grew stronger.
The Dream Becomes a CarKB eventually found and purchased his 1971 long-hood 911 from a family in Minnesota. From that moment on, he and Eric would go back and forth, dreaming about the ultimate early 911, the perfect blend of classic looks with enhanced performance and reliability. KB began collecting the right pieces for the vision: a 3.0-liter motor and a 915 transmission destined for a thoughtful conversion. The goal was never to erase the car's personality. It was to make the car feel like the best version of itself. |
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A Personal Restoration Arrives in Salt LakeRoughly four years ago, KB entrusted us with the car for a full restoration. At the time, our restoration backlog was already stretching five years into the future, but this project was personal. When the 911 arrived, it came in pieces, quite literally stored in boxes inside the car. KB was in the middle of a cross-country move from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, to Ocean Shores, Washington, and he dropped the car off with us in Salt Lake City along the way. |
Building a Better Sports-Purpose 911
Our goal from day one has been clear: create a slightly modified sports-purpose build that delivers real driving enjoyment while retaining excellent daily-driver manners and functionality. The 3.0 engine is being treated to new pistons, performance cams, modern electronic fuel injection, and a handful of other thoughtful upgrades.
When it's done, this reliable flat-six should make a strong, usable 250-ish horsepower with plenty of punch for Washington's twisty backroads without sacrificing drivability. The 915 transmission also needed significant attention to bring it back to top condition. KB's is now fully refreshed and ready to deliver shift after satisfying shift.
Project direction: Classic long-hood character, thoughtful modern reliability, and a chassis that can stretch its legs on the road without losing the soul of an early 911.
The Structural Work BeginsThe Minnesota years had taken a visible toll on the chassis, so the first major phase was structural. We tackled old repairs, straightened the body, and made the car sound again. Metalwork and body preparation remain the most time-intensive part of any classic Porsche restoration, and this one was no exception. It is the work that disappears under paint, but it is also the work that determines whether the car feels right decades from now. |
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Working on your own long-hood project? Check out our growing selection of Porsche 911 and 912 repair panels and restoration sheet metal at PMB Performance. |
Repairing the Details That MatterThe back of the 911 had been previously damaged, requiring a new rear panel. Door and lid gaps had been set to '80s repair standards that simply do not meet today's expectations for these cherished classics. Proper, precise alignment now takes priority over quick fixes. We also replaced one headlight bucket and repaired a significant rust and accident damage area in the front right wheel well and floorboard, bringing those sections back to like-new condition. |
Rolling Stock with the Right StanceOnce the metalwork was complete, the car received fresh undercoating for long-term protection before heading off for final paint. While it was in the paint booth, our team focused on the suspension and mechanical components to ensure this 911 will drive as beautifully as it looks. For the rolling stock, we called on the renowned Harvey Weidman to restore the priceless factory deep 6 front wheels and 7R rear wheels. These classic Fuchs-style wheels were brought back to their former glory and will be wrapped in period-correct Pirelli CN36 vintage radial tires, giving the car both the authentic early-911 stance and modern grip to back it up. |
Have custom-offset wheels? We'd be happy to equip you with Pirelli CN36s. For a screamin' tire on a stock F-body 911, we recommend the Pirelli P6000 tire package. |
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Back from PaintThe car returned from paint last month looking absolutely stunning, like a brand-new long-hood 911 should. Assembly is now well underway, and we're deep into buttoning up all the details. We cannot wait to deliver this special machine back to KB in Washington, where it will finally get to stretch its legs on the coastal and mountain roads he loves. |
A Full-Circle Porsche Story
This build is a true full-circle moment: from a high school classroom in Michigan to a dream garage in the Pacific Northwest.
Stay tuned for the final update in an upcoming FastBrake when we hand over the keys. In the meantime, we're grateful for friends like KB who remind us why we do what we do, turning passion projects into rolling pieces of Porsche history.
- The PMB Coachwerks Team