This $1.6M Porsche Restomod Lets Owners Build Their Own Engine

A New Air-Cooled Porsche 911 Specialist Arrives

We’ve had a fair share of seeing restomods for quite some time now. Suddenly, it wasn’t enough to have a plethora of supercar and hypercar options; extremely loaded enthusiasts were looking for more tasteful, exclusive classics, remade for the modern era.

The Porsche 911 is probably the most-used platform for most notable restomod companies like Gunter Werks, Tuthill, and Singer. However, a relatively new challenger has just entered the arena, and it comes from the Land Down Under.

Zeigler Bailey 4.4 (Z/B 4.4)

Australian company Zeigler/Bailey (based in Melbourne) has unveiled its rendition of air-cooled 911s called the Zeigler Bailey 4.4 (Z/B 4.4), priced at a cool $1.6 million, which is pricier than some Singer creations we’ve seen. While the Z/B 4.4 looks like another in an already long line of 911 restomods, the company claims this one has its own set of differences.

For starters, it claims that its work is not a restoration of classic 911s, but rather a “complete re-engineering of one.” It is, after all, designed from the ground up, featuring over 3,500 bespoke components – 1,200 of them were used for the engine alone. 

One of the biggest challenges the company faced was adhering to the very strict Australian Design Rules (ADRs) and ensuring compliance with international standards. A key highlight of this build is the 4.4-liter hand-built flat-six engine, which produces 400 horsepower and 368 ft-lb of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 5-speed manual transmission, with a Le Mans-style pushrod suspension setup keeping bumps at bay.

The body of the Z/B 4.4 is a blend of carbon fiber and steel, and takes the form of a modernized 911 RS. It rides on 17-inch forged billet aluminum and carbon fiber hybrid wheels.

Inside the Z/B 4.4 is the classic tartan print associated with 911s from this period, complemented by Nappa leather seats. It also features a touch of modernity through a 9-inch infotainment screen that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a reverse camera.

Hands-On Exclusivity

Zeigler/Bailey is keeping production numbers for the Z/B 4.4 low, claiming just 10 cars per year. What sets them apart from other builders is that this company actually wants owners to be hands-on during the build of their vehicle.

Owners are encouraged to lend a hand and get a better, more well-rounded picture of what it takes to create this model. In some instances, they can fit the cylinders into the engines, apart from a wide range of production processes they can help with.