On September 14, Porsche Cars Canada announced the winners of the fourth annual Classic Restoration Canada Competition, in conjunction with an inaugural Cars and Coffee gathering at the new Porsche Experience Centre in Toronto. 

This year’s competition focused on Porsche Centres across Canada restoring a first-generation (2003-2010) Cayenne SUV and then reimagining and upgrading it. Each centre took a different route, and the results were fascinating. Each Cayenne was displayed at the Cars and Coffee event, where the winners were announced, and trophies handed out. 

Celebrating passion and expertise

In an interview with Autosphere, Trevor Arthur, President and CEO of Porsche Cars Canada, explains that the classic restoration competition “is a nationwide Porsche Centre Challenge that celebrates the passion, expertise, care, dedication, and craftsmanship that go into restoring our brand’s vehicles.” Arthur notes that the competition not only gets to showcase talent and passion for the Porsche brand, but also serves as a platform to educate and inspire a new generation of enthusiasts.

For 2025, the Classic Restoration Canada Competition focused on 17 teams from across the country who were given the opportunity to create their own themed and customized example of a first-generation Cayenne. On September 14, several trophies were given out to the winners. The National Champion award went to Porsche Centre Vancouver which restored and converted a 2008 Cayenne Turbo into a fully functioning Overland vehicle, with an eye-catching vintage-style Gulf-Racing inspired livery, reminiscent of the classic 917 prototype Sports Racers of the early 1970s. Incorporating a map of British Columbia into the exterior finish was also a unique and interesting touch.

1,000-hour project

This particular Cayenne also featured a custom interior with Cohiba leather upholstery with black, white and orange pepita fabric accents. Other unique features on this one included a Porsche-crest-embossed Racetex roof lining and custom floor mats. Arthur notes that Porsche Centre Vancouver put approximately 1,000-hours into this project which besides the custom touches included a major mechanical overhaul as well as suspension upgrades and overlanding accessories that included a roof rack, winch, and auxiliary lighting.

Other awards in 2025 included “Best in the East” and “Best in the West.” For the former, Porsche Centre Lauzon won with its 2008 Cayenne S Overland themed project. This one sported a 3-inch suspension lift, as well as a custom wrap, heavy-duty tires, roof-mounted utility gear, and a remote-controlled lighting system. This particular build was selected due to its embodiment of creativity, engineering as well as the Overland theme, which signifies adventure, freedom and exploration.

Artist collaboration

Porsche Centre Victoria won “The Best in the West” title in 2025. The team restored and modified a 2008 Cayenne Turbo that was unique in blending traditional West Coast culture with Porsche motorsport DNA. This particular project also featured collaboration from Coast Salish artist Luke Maston. Special touches included cultural storytelling artwork, which included incorporating the sun and a raven on the hood of the vehicle, as well as special art on both the exterior and interior of the vehicle. A custom-built dugout race canoe was also made and installed on the Cayenne’s roof-rack.

Additional trophies went to Porsche Centre Quebec for the Marketing Award, while the Popular Vote Award and Attendees Choice went to Porsche Centre Markham. Porsche Centre Quebec’s offering was a 2004 Cayenne Turbo that was restored and upgraded into an expedition style vehicle, complete with oversize tires, roof rack and rally lights. The team also provided a short film showcasing the vehicle called “Au-delà des routes” “Beyond the Roads.”

Jagdwagen-inspired

Porsche Centre Markham used a 2009 Cayenne as the basis for its build which was inspired by the Porsche Jagdwagen (Hunting Vehicle). This one sported a Bilstein suspension system, underbody skid plates, winch and custom, built-in storage compartment and upgraded wheels and tires. 

What was unique about this year’s competition is that it coincided with the very first Cars and Coffee hosted at the new Porsche Experience Centre Toronto. A whole host of classic and late-model Porsches were on display, along with some other unique vehicles with a strong connection to the Porsche brand.

The new Porsche Experience Centre opened its door to the public in June and is only the third of its kind in North America and the tenth in the world.

“The PEC Toronto was designed as a place where Porsche customers, fans, and automotive enthusiasts from around the globe can drive the cars they love in their ideal playground, passionately share their stories, and truly immerse themselves within the world of Porsche,” explains Trevor Arthur.

He noted that this year’s event was a roaring success “with hundreds of people coming out on a beautiful day, filling the dynamics area of the PEC Toronto with a colourful array of vehicles.”

“Arthur added that going forward, we [at Porsche Cars Canada] look forward to many more events to celebrate car culture, our brand, and most importantly our fans!”   

For more information about Porsche Experience Centre Toronto https://www.porsche.com/canada/en/experience/toronto/.