Race Tea Time

Porsche 356 European SL Race Tea Time

2026-08-10 From sp-x | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

Thornley Kelham transforms the Porsche 356A into an exclusive restomod with a new aluminum body, modernized technology, and up to 203 hp. Only a few examples are planned worldwide.

The aluminum body is created by combining traditional hand-forming techniques with state-of-the-art CAD and CNC engineering processes and is mounted on a fully restored and reinforced original 356A chassis.(Image: Ed Curtis/Pit Lane) — The aluminum body is created by combining traditional hand-forming techniques with state-of-the-art CAD and CNC engineering processes and is mounted on a fully restored and reinforced original 356A chassis.
(Image: Ed Curtis/Pit Lane)

Founded in England in 2008, Thornley Kelham initially started as a paint shop for classic cars but soon made a name for itself with complete vehicle restorations and as a restomod specialist. In addition to Jaguar and Lancia, their portfolio now also includes classic Porsche models. With the 356 European SL, the British company now offers a comprehensive transformation of the Porsche 356A, where virtually no component remains untouched.

Gallery

Customers can customize the interior in consultation with the company. Available features include custom-made seats, leather upholstery, a bespoke luggage system, and modern electronics.(Image: Ed Curtis/Boxengasse)

The 356 European SL, which combines the performance and user-friendliness of a modern restomod with respect for the ethos of the original, is based on the 356A Coupé and is limited to 50 units.(Image: Ed Curtis/Boxengasse)

A manual five-speed gearbox ensures an engaging driving experience, while ride comfort and dynamic handling are enhanced by a custom suspension system, available with either passive or optional active damping.(Image: Ed Curtis/Boxengasse)

This is complemented by a specially crafted air-cooled 2332 cc boxer engine, based on an original 356 casing, offered in the "Touring" version with 180 hp or optionally in the "Sport" variant with 200 hp.(Image: Ed Curtis/Boxengasse)

Gallery with 6 images

Only a structurally reinforced chassis is retained from the original. The aluminum body is completely rebuilt using CAD and CNC technology alongside extensive handcrafting. According to Thornley Kelham, the European SL is a modern interpretation of the 1951 Porsche 356 SL, the lightweight aluminum car with which Porsche made its debut at Le Mans and immediately achieved a class victory. Modern driving characteristics are ensured by a suspension inspired by the early Porsche 911, four disc brakes—optionally in carbon-ceramic—and, if desired, power-assisted steering.

High Six-Figure Amount

The drivetrain is also extensively reworked. In the rear, a 2.3-liter air-cooled flat-four engine delivers 135 kW/183 hp in the Touring version and 149 kW/203 hp in the Sport version. Power is transmitted to the rear axle, which features a limited-slip differential, via a manual five-speed gearbox. The engine has an easy task, as Thornley Kelham quotes the European SL's dry weight at just 930 kilograms.

The interior is also modernized without losing its classic character. Leather, sports seats, and other features can be customized. A maximum of 50 units of the 356 European SL are planned. Thornley Kelham does not disclose prices. However, given the high production effort, the conversion alone is likely to cost a high six-figure sum in euros. Additionally, a donor vehicle is required. On Mobile.de, prices for a Porsche 356A currently start at around 70,000 euros (approx. 81,000 USD).

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.