Vault Adventures: Our 964 Takes on Goodwood & beyond
There’s something timeless about a 911. And among the pantheon of Porsche legends, the 964 occupies a particularly sweet spot - bridging the analogue character of the earlier air-cooled cars with the first hints of modern engineering sophistication. Our own 1991 Guards Red Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2 has recently completed its journey through The Vault’s Enhanced Programme, and this past weekend, it had the perfect proving ground: a road trip to the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
From Suffolk to Sussex: The Drive South
The two Alexes from The Vault took the wheel for the run down from our Suffolk HQ to West Sussex. What better way to test the car’s fast-road credentials than a cross-country journey through some of Britain’s best scenery - culminating in one of the world’s most iconic motoring gatherings?
At Goodwood, our 964 was in exceptional company. A shimmering line-up of California’s finest reimagined Porsche 964s - Singers, the brainchild of Rob Dickinson - were on display, each a masterclass in artistry and engineering. Sharing tarmac with these automotive sculptures was both humbling and inspiring. Their presence reminded us why we do what we do: preserving and enhancing classic icons for real-world enjoyment.
A Detour to the Isle of Wight: Ferry, Roads, and Revelry
With the festival in full swing, we took the opportunity to make a side trip - boarding the Isle of Wight ferry and heading for the legendary Military Road, a favourite among drivers for its sweeping views and dynamic undulations along the island’s south coast.
Here, the 964 truly came into its own. The air-cooled 3.6-litre flat-six felt strong and eager, its note rich and mechanical - an ever-present reminder of the car’s analogue purity. The reworked suspension with Bilstein dampers, fresh bushings, and geometry setup delivered precision and poise, while the newly refitted Design 90 wheels and period-correct tyres offered confidence and grip. Tight steering and responsive throttle inputs turned every bend into a reminder that this was, and remains, a car built for driving.
A Vault-Built Driver’s Car
This particular 964 has undergone a full recommissioning at The Vault, returning it to OEM Carrera 2 specification, with attention paid to both aesthetics and performance.
Key enhancements include:
Reinstated original Design 90 wheels with correct tyres
Refit of original Carrera 2 seats and interior trim
Full service including fluids, belts, plugs, filters, and ignition
Suspension rebuild with performance-tuned Bilstein dampers
Exterior restoration, retaining patina but returning factory-correct detailing
A full road-optimisation programme, making it a confident, enjoyable classic for modern driving
The result? A 964 that honours its roots while feeling relevant and engaging on today’s roads. With compact proportions, direct inputs, and a rawness modern cars often lack, this is a true everyday classic - one that thrives in town traffic, country lanes, and the twisty tarmac of a coastal road.
A Weekend to Remember
As the sun dipped over the Goodwood paddocks and the Military Road swept past the rear-view mirror, the weekend felt like a celebration of all that is enduring and good in the car world: timeless design, mechanical connection, and the joy of the open road. And for us at The Vault, it was the perfect stage to demonstrate what our work is all about - Protect. Enhance. Love.
Our Guards Red 964 isn’t a museum piece. It’s a driver’s car. And this weekend, it was exactly where it belonged.