Restoration Shops

From a Family Garage to a Porsche Restoration Shop

What began with a high school project and a 1970 Porsche 911 Targa has grown into DNA-Motorsports, a restoration shop in Miramar specializing in air-cooled Porsches. For owner Chris, it all started with a little encouragement from his father.
Chris grew up around cars, his father, owned several Porsches over the years. Although his original plan was to restore an old Mustang, his dad convinced him to consider something different.

"I ended up buying a 1970 911 T Targa for about the same price as a Mustang, and I was pretty much hooked from there."

Before long, Chris was buying non-running 911s and 356s, restoring them in his parents' garage, and selling them to fund the next project. Eventually, the operation outgrew its welcome.

"Our house started to look like a Porsche junkyard. After dumping about a gallon of paint on the driveway, I wore out my welcome."

Chris eventually moved into the shop DNA-Motorsports still occupies today. Along the way, apprenticeships at other shops helped him develop expertise in engine building, transmission rebuilding, and precision machining.

A Shop That Does It All (Almost)

Today, DNA-Motorsports handles nearly every aspect of Porsche restoration in-house, including bodywork, paint, machining, engines, transmissions, suspension, and electrical work.
For Chris, having those capabilities under one roof means greater control over the finished product.

"I've always liked being able to do things myself rather than sending work out, and that's really shaped how we've built the business."

The only exception? Upholstery. As Chris freely admits, "I can't sew worth a damn."

What's in the Shop?

1987 Porsche 930 Twin Turbo
A 500-horsepower, 3.3-litre twin-turbo build featuring Haltech EFI, a G50 transmission, 935-style coilovers, custom Braid wheels, and Porsche's modern Chalk paint.

1990 Porsche 964 Backdate
An ST-inspired build with a 3.8-litre engine, Tangerine paint, custom Bilstein suspension, and Big Red brakes.

1960 Porsche 356 T5 Coupe
Featuring short-wheelbase 911 rear suspension, a 901 transmission, GT-style upgrades, and DNA-Motorsports' new Bandido engine, a four-cylinder design inspired by the Porsche 911.

1963 Porsche 356 Cabriolet
Another Bandido-powered project, complete with GT-style trim, Airkewld disc brakes, and both hardtop and soft-top configurations.

Beyond the Workshop

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Chris moved to the United States with his family as a young child. His early experiences working around cars with his father helped shape the career he enjoys today.
Shortly after moving the shop into its Miramar warehouse, Chris met his wife, Hanna. The couple married a few years later and now have two energetic little boys, both under two years old.
From a crowded family garage to a shop producing some remarkable Porsche builds, Chris's journey is a great example of where passion and determination can lead. Contact Chris at dirtnasphalt.com

A big thank-you to Chris and the DNA-Motorsports team for sharing their story with Restoration Design and for doing their part to keep these classic Porsches on the road.