Modification, optimization, tuning, restomod, backdate - there are various ways and forms of modifying classic cars. There is almost everything between "100% original" and "100% individual". The company Sportec AG in Höri/Bülach near Zurich also rebuilds vehicles to original specifications on request, but has otherwise dedicated itself to the topics of "restomod" and "backdate".
Sportec AG is dedicated to air-cooled Porsche vehicles. The Sportec crew prefers to breathe a second life into the 964 or the "G model". The basic vehicles are often "used up" and would require major interventions anyway, and instead of a restoration to original specification, something new is created. The vehicles are extensively modified both technically and visually. "Restomod" is a compound term made up of the English words "restoration" and "modification"; "backdating" in turn means that a vehicle is made to look older ("backdated"), for example by using design features of a 911 from an earlier era.
Sportec builds individual bikes that are tailored to the needs of its customers. This results in its own models such as the Ferdinand, SUB1000 or Classic S. Each of these cars has a different character. It is important that everything is visually and technically coherent - and balance is also key: "Decades of experience both on the road and in racing help us here," says Head of Marketing Lukas Neyer. "For us, the focus is not on the highest possible performance. The motto is: 400 hp rather than 700 hp, but a little less weight and a balanced character."
The vehicles are completely rebuilt from the body shell, with a new engine, a modified chassis and many other visual and technical modifications inside and out. Of course, the know-how in this area is also helpful with regard to road approval. This enables Sportec to ensure that even the restomod vehicles pass the Swiss MFK or the German HU and can be driven legally on the road despite the extensive modifications.
"We want to increase the enjoyment of driving," says Lukas Neyer, explaining the main motivation for the conversions. "Of course, someone can also buy a new 911. But many of our customers find the current models too technically overloaded and convey far less emotion compared to older generations."
The history of Sportec in Höri near Bülach began back in 1997, when the focus was already on modifying vehicles: founders Ueli Hodel and Martin Högger set themselves the goal of reinterpreting vehicle optimization and performance enhancement at a high level. The focus was on Audi and Porsche vehicles. The racing department was founded in 2010. At the same time, the first restomod and backdate projects were developed.
In 2020, long-standing Sportec and Sportec Racing customer Gregor Burkard joined the company as the new owner and managing director. In 2021, racing driver Marcel Fässler followed as team manager of the racing department. At the same time, Plant 2 was opened, uniting the racing activities under a new roof. Further milestones in the company's history were the new Restomod models such as the Ferdinand in 2022 and the Sub1000 in 2023.
