The long drawn out makeover of the Porsche 912 – lovingly coined the “4Banger” – is all but done. Paint, trim, wheels, graphics, shiny parts and oily bits are pretty much complete. We have to wind back the clock a fair distance to remember the day spent at Jebel Ali docks clearing the car I’d owned since my early twenties and seeing it for the first time under the Middle Eastern sky.  Fast forward a tickle and you have the dinner discussion which led to the call opting for the original paint hue. Goodbye champagne silver, hello Blutorange! And what a decision that was. Now that we’ve had a good chance to spend some time with the car and soak in the colour, it was certainly the right decision.

The big ticket items have bizarrely been the easiest and least frustrating. All the metal work taken care of by the crew at MSW has been superb, along with the paint and finishing done by the guys at X-Service. Amazing interior duties and wheel detailing were taken care of by AutoArt. Niggles along the way? The obvious stuff, namely trim, clips, tiny items (such as specific nuts and bolts) along with the period correct seats belts, which we are still waiting for. Either way, with the weather the way it is right now, there is no real rush.

Taking a quick look at the interior, it was always a major part of the project and one that couldn’t ever be ignored or scrimped on. Perfection was required and thank to the talented team from AutoArt right here in Dubai, perfection was achieved. We’d previously talked about the long hours wasted mulling over materials, colours, designs etc, and in the end, simplicity ruled. The front seats haven’t been touched as they are a set of World Wide Classic reps we picked up years ago. Seeing as they hadn’t aged a dot and are super comfy, they stayed that way.

When it came to the back end, seats (read, pads) were a necessity. Two young children and a desire to enjoy it with them took the lead there. Again, nice and simple, with a pattern that matched the front seats less the cross hatch design.

Pure and simple: 911 RS style door cards. Having looked at Fat Biscuit style, Diamond stitching and everything in between, simple was the order of the day. Nice and smooth, functional and more importantly, lovely.

The only marmite aspect of the car. Polished Fuchs will always be a win or fail in peoples’ eyes. I’ve gone for polished purely on account of the contrast between the black, the orange and the brightwork on the car. Added to the fact I like it that way. If feelings towards the wheels and their look change in the future, they can be easily switched.

The last few bits left to do on the inside include fitting up the freshly cleaned dials, along with modifying the short throw shifter to give it a bit more height. Having it drop comfortably to hand is the desire, rather than always having to have monkey arms to stir the cogs.

So there we have it. A quick tour of the position we’re at right now. The hot summer months will give us the chance to button up the final bits and bobs, and all being well, the cooler weather will see the little 912 hustling around the streets of Dubai looking vibrant in its orange dress.

Thanks to MSW, X-Service, AutoArt and HM Motorwerks for all the help and killer work so far.