The idea of converting a Moby Dick came to me about three years ago. At the time, Bisimoto had just unveiled the Moby X — a radical reinterpretation of the legendary Porsche 935. Unlike a restomod, it was a complete rebuild inspired by the spirit of the original. Since then, several impressive 935 projects have emerged, including the high-end Singer DLS variant, each offering its own modern twist on the classic silhouette.

Yet, despite all these reimaginings, I could never quite connect with Porsche’s second-generation 935 from 2019. It lacked the raw, almost untamed character that made the original so captivating. So, I decided to focus on the real icon — the original Moby Dick.

For my build, I chose the Pikes Peak variant. The beauty of Pikes Peak lies in its near-total absence of restrictions; it’s one of the few arenas where creativity runs wild. This freedom allowed me to experiment boldly with add-on parts, aero components, and outrageous spoilers. Unlike the fully electric Moby X, my version features a water-cooled engine — a deliberate choice, since electric motors tend to maintain power at altitude, while combustion engines face the opposite challenge. It’s part of what makes the Pikes Peak setting so fascinating.

I began the conversion in September 2022, using Solido’s 1:18 Moby Dick as the foundation. Because I wanted to reveal both the trunk and the engine compartment, I carefully cut open the hood using a jeweller’s saw — a delicate, nerve-wracking process. There were long pauses and shorter bursts of progress along the way, but eventually, the model reached completion.

Every modification was crafted by hand — no 3D printing, no CNC, no plotter. I pushed the limits of what’s possible at this scale; I couldn’t go any smaller or add more detail. The only 3D-printed element is the frame for the digital speedometer.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the world’s first fully open Moby Dick in 1:18 scale.

Many of the decals, including the carbon fibre pattern, were custom-made by TK-Diecast. Their carbon decals, in particular, were a pleasure to work with — thin, flexible, and perfectly suited for fine detailing.

This project was a true labour of passion, blending craftsmanship, patience, and a touch of madness — exactly what a Moby Dick deserves.