Episode 30: Got a Porsche? Sonderwerks Has You Covered

Summary
While Matt is out of town for work, Kevin, Casey, James, and Dave Van Epps discuss Dave's business, Sonderwerks, which specializes in upholstery, complete restorations, and motor work for Porsche cars. Dave shares how he got into the business and the vision behind Sonderwerks. They discuss the importance of custom upholstery for a perfect fit and the craftsmanship involved. Dave also talks about the challenges of finding skilled upholsterers and the dying art of upholstery. They touch on the customization of seats, including bolstering and foam adjustments. The conversation also covers the complete restoration services offered by Sonderwerks and the size of their facility. They conclude by discussing motor work and the clean room for engineering builds. Sonderwerks is a specialized Porsche restoration shop that focuses on air-cooled Porsches. They offer a range of services, from stock rebuilds to custom modifications. The shop is known for its attention to detail and high-quality workmanship. They also buy and sell cars, often looking for vehicles that need some love and restoration. Sonderwerks has built a strong reputation in the Porsche community and is recognized for their expertise and passion for the brand. The conversation concludes with a discussion about personalizing Porsche cars and the future of Sonderwerks. The hosts talk about their own experiences customizing their cars and the flexibility that Dave Van Epps offers in allowing customers to make their own choices. They also mention the Rucklos Rally in West Virginia, where they enjoyed driving on beautiful roads and experiencing the hospitality of the locals. Dave mentions that Sonderwerks is developing an improved air conditioning system for air-cooled Porsches. The conversation ends with plans for future episodes and the possibility of featuring a joint project with Dave.
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Sonderwerks and Dave Van Epps
02:03 The Origins of Sonderwerks: Upholstery Business and Expansion
05:05 Crafting Custom Seats: Upholstery Techniques and Transformative Results
08:18 Finding Skilled Upholsterers: The Challenges and Importance of Upholstery
11:55 Complete Restorations: Sonderwerks' Expertise
25:59 Introduction to Sonderwerks and their focus on air-cooled Porsches
26:27 The range of services offered, from stock rebuilds to custom modifications
27:16 The challenges and costs of increasing horsepower in air-cooled Porsches
28:09 The importance of cosmetic improvements in engine rebuilds
29:02 The value of investing in a complete restoration for resale
30:22 The purchase and sale of cars in need of restoration
31:20 Sourcing cars through various channels and word of mouth
32:13 The trust and confidence customers have in Sonderwerks
33:49 The reputation and recognition of Sonderwerks in the Porsche community
36:35 The passion and camaraderie in the Porsche community
39:25 The growth and success of Sonderwerks without much advertising
41:43 The involvement of Sonderwerks in air-cooled rallies and events
43:10 The origin story of Sonderwerks and the Golf Targa
45:12 The restoration of a 1961 Cabriolet and attention to detail
47:31 The importance of a clean and organized shop
50:45 Personalizing Porsche Cars
56:06 Flexibility in Customization
57:39 Improving Air Conditioning for Air-Cooled Porsches
01:05:24 Driving the Beautiful Roads of West Virginia
01:09:54 The Rucklos Rally and Local Hospitality
01:13:01 Future Episodes and Joint Projects