IT’S BEEN AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM, MAINTAINING THEIR PORSCHES…AND JOINING THEM AT THE TRACK TO WITNESS THEIR PROGRESS HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY REWARDING….KNOWING WE’RE A KEY PART OF THEIR SUCCESS IS WHAT MAKES THIS WORK SO MEANINGFUL.“
Learn about David DelTorto and Peter Bernard’s Victory Auto Designs, in Seabrook, NH on our latest volume of NER’s ShopTalk
Please tell us about the shop in Seabrook, NH and your services?
We had the exciting opportunity to purchase a body shop previously owned by a seasoned Porsche professional. Since taking over, we’ve expanded into an adjacent space for our mechanical services to create a combined shop for restoration and mechanical motorsport department as a one stop location. Over the past three years, we’ve successfully built a strong client network and enhanced our operations, all while benefiting from our prime location with convenient highway access.
D: In our area, we offer a unique advantage with our combined restoration and mechanical motorsport services, having both capabilities under one roof. This integrated approach allows us to organize and manage projects seamlessly, ensuring the highest quality outcomes.
P: We specialize in comprehensive automotive paint restoration services tailored to your specific needs. Whether you require a single part restored, or a complete bare-metal rotisserie restoration, we deliver quality and precision. We also offer limited storage options as well for projects on a case-by-case basis although availability is very limited, and we recommend scheduling at least six months in advance.
D: On the mechanical side, we offer a wide range of services, from routine maintenance and essential repairs to advanced projects such as high-performance motor upgrades. Our team, equipped to handle it all, pride ourselves on our versatility and expertise.
Tell us about a larger or more notable project: D: One of our most notable projects in the mechanical department is a 944 turbo, a fully bespoke and custom-built race car. This classic 1980s vehicle has been meticulously reengineered to compete with modern Porsche Cup cars and other advanced race vehicles. Under the skilled hands of a professional driver, this project represents a significant challenge and achievement, blending the charm of a vintage car with cutting-edge technology. Our work on this car highlights our commitment to pushing the boundaries of racing performance and demonstrates our ability to transform classic vehicles into competitive, high-tech machines. The car features a completely custom engine and driveline, as well as a bespoke suspension system. Every component has been meticulously engineered to meet the specific needs of this vehicle. We collaborate closely with Nick and John over at Cohesion Motorsports working side by side to manage its performance. While Cohesion handles the engine management system, we are responsible for interfacing with it during track sessions, pulling data, and fine-tuning the motor support systems. Each time we take it to the track, we analyze performance and make revisions based on our observations and drive feedback. For example, the rear end of the car faces significant geometric challenges due to its 18-inch wheels and modified ride height. To address this, we developed a custom rear subframe and spring plates, inspired by a combination of earlier designs from the 1990s and Porsche’s 935’s. This redesign improves rear-end control on the track. Similarly, the front end underwent a total redesign of the suspension components, engine parts, and cooling ducts. From the exhaust system to the turbocharging setup, nearly every component is custom-built in-house. This vehicle is 95% our own design and continues to evolve with ongoing development.
This classic 1980s vehicle has been meticulously reengineered to compete with modern Porsche Cup cars and other advanced race vehicles.
What about on the body shop side? Biggest project taken on?
P: One project that stands out for me is our work on a 930 Turbo. This car has been transformed with a range of custom features, including a long nose conversion, sleek carbon bumpers, and a bespoke rear engine lid. We’ve also added custom 964 rocker panels, designed to fit seamlessly without visible hardware, and made other distinctive modifications like shaved drip rails and radiused wheel arches to fit 18″ wheels. Our next step for this project is to select and install a new suspension system to ensure the car maintains the perfect ride height with the larger wheels. This careful attention to detail guarantees both visual appeal and exceptional performance. This project involves a full rotisserie restoration, featuring custom suspension, bespoke bodywork, and a long-nose front end with a turbo widebody. We began by hydro-blasting the car down to bare metal. We’re now focused on custom metal work, including designing new rocker panels, a redesigned rear end, and specialized bumpers. Once these modifications are complete, we’ll move on to the painting and final assembly stages, ensuring a high-quality finish throughout.
OK Guys, this has been extremely helpful and we appreciate your sharing all your time and thoughts with us. Any closing remarks for our readers?
P: We’ve built a solid foundation for our network of customers over the past three years, especially with Porsche enthusiasts from local clubs mainly at Club Motorsports in Tamworth, NH. It’s been an incredible journey working closely with them, maintaining their Porsches, and recommending the best upgrades. Seeing their lap times improve and joining them at the track to witness their progress has been incredibly rewarding. Building these strong relationships and growing together with our clients is by far one of my favorite aspects of this business. It’s experiences like these that make me genuinely happy to be in this field.
D: I echo this sentiment— When we first started, we were the new kids on the block…over time, we’ve shown that we’re up to the task, whether it’s handling quick tire changes before a track day or tackling major repairs and setups. Our clients now come back to us regularly, and we’ve grown into a perfect match for their needs. Watching them grow through the evolution of their vehicle setups, driving abilities, and knowing we’re a key part of their success is what makes this work so meaningful.
