Youthful Vision Meets Classic Style: The Electric Porsche 914 Project

Transforming a Classic Porsche 914

When most high schoolers are busy with homework, sports, or social media, 16-year-old Frances Farnam is in the garage, transforming a classic 1976 Porsche 914 into an electric vehicle (EV). Her journey, chronicled on her YouTube channel and Instagram under the name  @Tinkeringeering, is more than just a restoration project—it’s a mission to inspire the next generation to create change in a world designed for adults.

Growing up in a family that valued hands-on creativity, Frances’ love for tinkering began at a young age. “It started off as a crafting YouTube channel,” she explains. “My brothers and I would make videos with my dad filming behind the camera. We just enjoyed putting things together and taking them apart.” The transition from small projects to converting a vintage sports car to electric wasn’t planned, but rather a natural evolution.

Choosing the Right Car: A Blend of Passion and Practicality

Selecting the Porsche 914 was a process marked by a blend of practicality and passion. “I wanted my first car to be cool, but it also needed to be electric because gas prices were spiking,” she recalls. Drawn to the aesthetics of classic cars, the Porsche 914, with its iconic pop-up headlights and supportive community, quickly emerged as the perfect candidate.

The Porsche 914, with its iconic pop-up headlights and supportive community, quickly emerged as the perfect candidate.

Interestingly, the car Frances purchased was already partially converted to electric with a DC motor. “We didn’t have to take out an engine or anything, so it was obvious at that point.” she says. This stroke of luck made the project seem more attainable, transforming what started as a far-fetched idea into reality.

The Power of Mentorship

Frances’ journey hasn’t been a solo endeavor. She credits her success to mentors and community members who have guided her along the way. From Matt at 914 Rubber, who provides marketing and career advice, to Mark Brems, an experienced EV 914 converter with a blueprint for the project, Frances has surrounded herself with a network of experts.

One particularly memorable mentor is Dick Sappington, who taught Frances how to weld. Another key figure is Ted Walters from the local fire department, who introduced Frances to the world of auto painting—a skill that has proven invaluable as she works to perfect the car’s finish.

A Deep Dive Into EV Fundamentals

To further her understanding of EV technology, Frances enrolled in Legacy EV’s EV Fundamentals Certification Bootcamp. This intensive program offers hands-on training in wiring, programming, and commissioning EV systems using fully functional training benches. “It was such a cool experience to be able to be surrounded by so many people who wanted to become certified in electric vehicles” Frances says about her time at training.

One thing is certain—she’s already proving that young people can create meaningful change, one electric car at a time.

Before attending, she completed 25 hours of virtual coursework, ensuring she had a solid foundation in EV powertrains and high voltage safety. The bootcamp not only equipped her with practical skills but also provided access to a network of EV professionals and resources.

Challenges, Growth, and the True Value of the Project

Despite her impressive technical achievements, Frances admits some of the biggest challenges have been social. “Writing emails and making phone calls were really tough at first,” she shares. “It’s not something we do—nobody has landlines anymore! The only person I’d ever really called before was my grandma.”

The project has also brought Frances and her father Daniel Farnam closer together.  “It’s not just a cool, fancy looking video. It’s not just a cool shiny looking car.” Daniel shares, “It’s the time that we’re spending with each other. It’s inspiring other families and people to get out there and do more.”

This journey has been more about the time she’s spent with her dad and the skills she’s developed than about the car itself. Now in the fourth year of what was originally planned as a two-year project, they’ve come to realize that the goal isn’t just to end up with a unique first car—it’s about the experience along the way.

What’s Next: A Vision for the Future

As for the car itself, it’s still a work in progress. “Right now, I’m working on the suspension and wiring harness,” she says. The anticipation of driving her finished Porsche to the beach to go surfing and saying, “I did this,” keeps her motivated.

Looking ahead, Frances is focused on finishing the project and navigating college applications. But she’s also thinking about how to continue inspiring others. “I didn’t realize how important this project was when I started it in sixth grade,” she admits. “Now, I’m starting to inspire myself, and I hope to inspire other kids—and even parents—along the way.”

Advice for Aspiring EV Builders: Start with Mentorship

For those considering a similar path, Frances has simple but powerful advice: “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have mentors, they’ve already made all the mistakes, so you can learn from their experience.”

As Frances’s Porsche 914 project nears completion, it’s clear this is just the beginning for the young engineer. Whether she ends up in automotive engineering, sustainability, or something entirely different, one thing is certain—she’s already proving that young people can create meaningful change, one electric car at a time.

Follow Frances’ exciting conversion journey on YouTube and Instagram @TINKERGINEERING! Want to be part of the action? Reach out to Frances directly at tinkergineering@gmail.com and get involved in the project!