From dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

  • Filip
  • 2025-01-12 19:11
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From dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

During my trip at the end of November, I traveled from Switzerland through Germany and eventually reached the Netherlands. One particularly windy and rainy afternoon, I had the pleasure of visiting Rico Customs. Located in a charming neighborhood in Ermelo, about an hour from Amsterdam, Rico’s workshop is a hidden gem for Porsche enthusiasts.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

As I arrived in my Porsche 996 Carrera, I was greeted by the sight of a stunning silver Porsche 996 GT3 MkII parked out front. It sat proudly on silver and gold BBS E88 Motorsport wheels, which complemented the car’s design perfectly. Beside it stood a vibrant red VW T5 Transporter, styled after the iconic VW T1 Transporter and adorned with the Porsche Renndienst livery - a nod to the original design introduced in 1954.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

As I stepped into Rico Customs’ workshop, I was immediately drawn to Rico’s personal masterpiece: a stunning 911 Backdate built on the foundation of a 1985 3.2 Carrera. This car perfectly encapsulates the workshop’s philosophy - blending classic Porsche design with modern craftsmanship to create truly unique builds.

At Rico Customs, the process of creating a custom 911 goes beyond restoration. It’s about reimagining these iconic cars with a focus on individuality and excellence. Each project begins with a vision, often inspired by the client’s dream of owning a standout air-cooled 911. Rico and his team then work meticulously to turn that dream into reality, combining engineering precision with artistic flair.

The foundation for most builds is the 3.2 Carrera, although earlier models from the early ’70s are also an option. The team’s goal is to create lightweight, agile machines, targeting a maximum weight of 1,000 kilos. The interiors are kept clean and purposeful, designed to enhance the driving experience while maintaining a timeless aesthetic.

Every component of the car is carefully considered. The suspension is fully rebuilt and upgraded for improved performance, while the engine is tailored to the client’s specifications, with options for custom rebuilds producing up to 350 hp. Attention to detail is essential, with period-correct touches inspired by the racecars of the early 1970s. Steel ST flares, carbon fiber bumpers, and decklids add to the car’s striking yet lightweight appearance.

Rico Customs strikes a perfect balance between classic design and modern drivability. Whether the client prefers a bold outlaw style or a more refined, gentlemanly look, each car is crafted to embody their personal vision. These aren’t just showpieces - they’re built to be driven and enjoyed, blending performance, style, and heritage into every creation.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

In addition to the stunning collection of classic 911s, the workshop welcomes visitors with a charming vintage atmosphere. The space is housed in a barn-style building featuring red brick walls, concrete floors, exposed steel beams, and a wooden framework that exudes old-school character. What’s particularly fascinating is that, despite its weathered appearance, the barn is surprisingly new - constructed just two years ago. Designed to replicate the look and feel of a decades-old shed, it perfectly captures a sense of timelessness. The ambiance it creates is nothing short of phenomenal.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Just behind where I parked my 996, I caught a glimpse of Rico’s house. Isn’t that every car enthusiast’s dream? A beautiful home with a spacious driveway to showcase a collection of cars and a massive workshop just steps away to work on and create. It’s the ultimate setup - a perfect blend of lifestyle and passion.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Among the collection of 911s, there’s one that might not be everyone’s favorite, but it’s still a significant part of Porsche’s history - a 1973 914-6 GT Tribute, finished in striking Vipergreen. Originally a 914-4, this car underwent a full rebuild in 2020 to participate in a classic rally in Mallorca. It has only taken part in two rallies and hasn’t been driven since.

The rebuild was done to a high standard, with a reinforced body and rear arms, a welded roll cage, and an FIA-approved license. Now located in the Netherlands, the car is road-legal with Dutch registration and TÜV certification valid until 2026, making it ready for classic rallies or winter challenges. With a few minor adjustments, it could easily be converted into a track car or even back to a more street-friendly setup.

The car boasts a range of upgrades, including a full 911 3.2 front suspension and brake system, a dogleg 5-speed gearbox with tail shift, and a short shifter. This unique 914-6 GT Tribute is currently looking for a new owner and is listed for €50,999.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Now, let’s meet Rico. "My name is Rik (my friends call me Rico), and I’m a Dutch fashion designer and Porsche enthusiast."

Rico’s love for cars began early in life. "I have been involved with cars my whole life. When I was young, my dad took me to the Zandvoort race track for a classic car race weekend, which I enjoyed a lot. I got hooked with classic cars straight away. I fell in love with the Porsche shape and the flat-6 engine. It’s just something special, something I dreamt of."

As soon as he got his driver’s license, he dove into car ownership and restoration. "As soon as I got my driver’s license, I bought my first car and started working on it. I restored them and customized them the way I liked. This is where my passion for customizing and restoring classic cars all began."

In the beginning, his focus was on classic BMWs, but his heart always belonged to the Porsche 911. "In my early days restoring cars, I restored and customized classic BMWs. I enjoyed that a lot! But I have always been in love with the shape and sound of those classic 911s. I sold the BMWs and got myself a 911, fully restored and customized it, and eventually sold it to build a new one. The rest is history!"

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

The walls of the workshop are adorned with an impressive collection of Porsche memorabilia. Among the displays, you’ll find a large Porsche badge, an engine cover, vintage metal plates from various beverage brands and gas stations, and a striking wall featuring 23 different color samples. These samples allow customers to choose the perfect shade for their 911’s custom paint job.

What I particularly admire is how the tools are not just functional but also serve as part of the decor. Each tool is neatly hung on the walls, with its own outline drawn, making it easy to see where everything belongs. This thoughtful organization adds a sense of structure to the space, ensuring the workshop remains both practical and visually appealing.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Beyond the unique atmosphere and design of the workshop, cars are being worked on for clients from all over the world - ranging from Germany and Switzerland to even the USA. Rico has already made a name for himself in the Porsche scene, turning the dreams of many into reality by creating their perfect custom Porsches.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Meeting Rico and his friend Tom, who works on the cars with him, was an incredible experience - it felt like stepping into a dream world. Personally, this place holds a special charm, with its calm and nostalgic vibe. The vintage style of the workshop, combined with the lighting and the cars, transports you to a different era. It’s the kind of space I could easily spend hours in, and I can tell it’s the same for Rico and Tom. They’ve created a truly unique environment to both relax and craft stunning cars.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsFrom dreams to reality: The world of Rico Customs

Rico is always on the move with his cars, and we’ve already seen some of his creations being spotted in various countries. The first time we saw one of his cars was in May 2022, when it was being loaded onto a trailer on the highway near Amersfoort, Netherlands, ready for its next adventure.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsClick on the photo for more photo's of this spot!

The second sighting was in June 2023 in Monaco, where another of Rico’s creations was making its way toward Casino Square, drawing the attention of car enthusiasts and spotters. We later saw the same car in Ortisei, Italy, continuing its journey and turning heads along the way.

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsClick on the photo for more photo's of this spot!

From dreams to reality: The world of Rico CustomsClick on the photo for more photo's of this spot!

A big thanks to Rico for welcoming us into his incredible shop. It was truly a pleasure to be there.

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