Porsche 904 Returns Thanks to Aerfal Automotive
One of Porsche’s first mid-engine sports cars, the 904, is making a modern return.
High-end Porsche 911 restomods may be out of reach for most enthusiasts, but they’ve become a fixture in the automotive world. It’s easy to see why — the 911 is both abundant and universally adored. Yet when a cultural niche becomes saturated, innovation often comes from those willing to take a different path. That’s exactly what Daniel Robledo and his newly founded Aerfal Automotive are doing. Rather than another 911, Robledo has turned his attention to a rarer gem: the Porsche 904. Built in 1963 and 1964 as a mid-engined, road-legal homologation special, the 904 was officially sold as the Carrera GTS — and now, it’s getting a second life.
Reliable, Focused, and Modern
“Our goal is to create a machine that’s reliable enough for daily use while still delivering the best analog driving experience,” Robledo explained. “To get there, we’re applying today’s technology in both production methods and material science.”
It’s an ambitious vision, especially considering the original Porsche 904 engine. The car was powered by a highly strung flat-four with four camshafts — one of the most intricate four-cylinder designs of the 20th century.
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To bring the project to life, Aerfal Automotive isn’t working alone. Alongside Porsche experts Tuthill, the company has enlisted an impressive roster of specialists — including BBS, Bilstein, Brembo, and Michelin — to contribute to the build. When it comes to the heart of the car, Aerfal has gone a step further, partnering with one of the UK’s leading engine builders to develop a bespoke air-cooled eight-cylinder powerplant. The builder’s name will be revealed soon, but the choice makes sense: while the original road-going Porsche 904 used a flat-four, Porsche’s racing-focused Spyder variants were powered by eight-cylinder engines.
Here’s the Twist
Sourcing an original Porsche 904 chassis for a restomod would be both impractical and prohibitively expensive. The last two examples auctioned on Bring a Trailer each fetched over $2 million. Beyond the price tag, there’s the scarcity factor: only 106 were ever built. Even a damaged chassis would almost certainly be more valuable restored than reimagined — and purists would likely thank you for doing so. For that reason, Aerfal is taking a more practical approach. Each of its builds will start with a Porsche 914 chassis, providing the right proportions while avoiding the sacrilege of cutting up an irreplaceable original.
Of course, some may argue that with a different chassis and a bespoke modern engine, the Aerfal 904 edges closer to being a reproduction than a restomod. That perception is only reinforced when you factor in the details: a newly designed interior with gauges crafted by a prestigious watchmaker, a bespoke Momo steering wheel, and bucket seats developed by Vitra — the European design house best known as Herman Miller’s rival, which has also experimented in automotive collaborations.
Still, a fairer interpretation might be that Aerfal is effectively transforming a 914 into a 904 — a retromod rather than a reproduction. However you classify it, the project is bound to spark debate, and we look forward to hearing your take.
Robledo has promised a throwback interior crafted from vegetable-tanned leather, with surfaces treated in beeswax — ensuring the cabin smells as authentic as it looks. He’s also aiming high for the instrument panel, hoping to collaborate with luxury watchmakers such as Jacob & Co., Patek Philippe, or Audemars Piguet to create the dials, along with a matching chronograph tailored for the car’s owner.
“After visiting Tuthill in the UK to purchase an engine for a go-kart project, Francis, Richard’s dad, gave me a tour of an original 904,” Robledo recalled. “I’ve always loved designing and building analog machines, and restomods seemed like the perfect way to create a new analog vehicle. I’ve long admired the Singer DLS for bringing so many legendary manufacturers together, so I set out to follow in those footsteps — with my own twist. My main focus has always been on reliability and durability; everything I’ve ever made is designed to last or to be easily serviceable.”
– Daniel Robledo, Aerfal Automotive
Icing on the Cake
As previously mentioned, Tuthill will play a key role in developing the Aerfal Automotive 904. Richard Tuthill himself will be hands-on, focusing specifically on the “driver feel.” A Porsche expert and former Prodrive rally driver, Richard’s experience behind the wheel has been instrumental in shaping Tuthill into the legendary company it is today. With his guidance, the Aerfal 904 is poised to deliver a driving experience that’s as engaging as it is authentic. We’ll be watching this project closely and eagerly anticipating further details.
