Workshop 5001 Creates Small Batch Porsche Restomod Magic
Like small batch whiskey, SoCal Porsche rebuilder Workshop 5001 mixes our world’s finest elements to create pure magic.
In the world of spirits, small batch refers to the process of mixing together the contents of a select number of barrels to create one unique, special batch. This process is also akin to what a handful of masterful Porsche restomod builders like Singer are doing today. Making a fine, superior product for consumers by mixing a series of modern and vintage parts together, then selling it at a premium. But if you’re looking for an even smaller scale product, Los Angeles-based Workshop 5001 has you covered.
Housed in an old mid-century factory, Workshop 5001 has been transformed into somewhat of an upscale laboratory these days. But instead of conducting science experiments, they’re building incredibly detailed Porsche restomods for customers. Their efforts represent a mixture of custom fabricated parts and existing components, with an eye toward using only the finest materials and parts available. And the results of those efforts, as you might imagine, are glorious.
Thus far, Workshop 5001 has only completed five Porsche projects, with four more in progress right now. Each one is amazing in its own right. But that’s to be expected considering the timeline of owner Marlon Goldberg. Goldberg grew up in New York attending various local races and even took training to become a Ferrari tech. He later moved to Southern California, where he followed up a stint as a Porsche salesman to become Singer’s operations director. That planted the seed for Goldberg to create his own business, one that’s booming today.
For Goldberg, Workshop 5001 is obviously a labor of love. His cars are passion projects, lovingly restored yet also modified where it counts. Car Number 1, for example, looks rather pristine on the outside yet packs a 3.4-liter engine with twin-plug heads, a Motec engine management system, and more to produce 305 hp. It also utilizes a full KW coilover suspension, along with more details than we can possibly count.
Each Workshop 5001 creation is tailored specifically for the customer, which is evident in Number 2, a blue ’74 911. This Porsche was built for autocross and track events, with a spartan interior and a 964-sourced 3.6-liter mill. With zero sound deadening and a fully adjustable suspension, this Porsche is obviously light years different than its predecessor.
But that’s a perfect way to summarize Workshop 5001. Each car they build is wholly unique, yet all feature the same incredible level of detail. And if that isn’t what distillers consider to be a small batch product, well, we don’t know what is.
Photos: Workshop 5001
Join the Rennlist forums now!
