Karmann Konnection’s Porsche & VW Builds Blend England With LA

This profile article on Karmann Konnection originally appeared in the June 2026 issue of THE SHOP magazine.

Businesses that have thrived for more than 40 years are rare these days in the ever- and fast-changing automotive aftermarket. Most have aged out, been gobbled up by private equity or just disappeared. However, England’s Karmann Konnection (KK) is a survivor.

KK was started in 1983 by Richard “Ritchie” King, who was a hands-on and very active part of the UK’s custom and hot rod scene in the early 1980s.

“The business was originally called Graffiti Auto Art,” says King, “and because we didn’t know any better, we were customizing British cars in the American style—lowered, roof chops, etc. In 1980, I had made my first trip to California and was blown away but the ‘Cal Look’ VW scene. Because VWs were cheap and plentiful in England, I knew that it was authentic, had context and could easily translate to the UK.”

Once back in England he immediately bought a VW and helped create a new customization wave.

“We have continued to stay on the crest of that,” he says. “In some ways, we copied the U.S. Cal Look, but we added our own unique British twist. For example, we added Moon discs, which the Americans did not use, plus louvers, Targa Tops and T-tops, and we chopped them into roadsters.”

King and his crew were so good at what they did that they got plenty of magazine ink and even made the cover of VW Trends magazine in July 1986.

“I loved working on cars, but couldn’t see doing it for 40 years,” he continues. “Somehow, I figured that parts were the answer. My first product was a knock-off Moon disc. Other than carry them home in our luggage, we didn’t know how to import them, so we just had them spun up locally—we also louvered them and painted them and I even made clocks. The possibilities were endless.”

A SUCCESSFUL BLEND

At the same time, King and his team had also discovered the trick of installing Porsche parts on Volkswagens—for example, the popular Porsche 356 “nipple” hub caps complete with Porsche emblem.

“This trend and the fact that my dad had owned a 1960 356 T5 Super 90 coupe pushed me in the direction of Stuttgart,” King recalls. “I had to get a Porsche and went back to the U.S. where I bought a rare 1952 356 for $6,000. Trying to restore the car back in the UK proved difficult and I was back to importing what few parts were available.”

At the same time he also began selling used and refurbished parts and making steering wheels.

“The first was a replica of the RSK 718 wheel and that was followed by a 550 Spyder wheel,” he recalls. “We laser-cut the flat centers, Colin Meyers made the billet hubs and my brother John made the wood rims. It was all done locally with old-school craftsmen—some of whom are still doing it.”

By this time, the company had morphed into the German Car Company and was based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Later it moved to a larger premises in Hadleigh, Essex, where a young Richard Watts got his first Volkswagen-related job.

“At the time, Richard owned a ’71 1500 Beetle and to be working in the business was a dream come true. Little did he know that 23 years later he would own the company.”

Another name change to Karmann Konnection (KK) and more growth saw KK move into even larger premises in central Southend-on-Sea. By this time, it was now well and truly a household name in the VW and Porsche scene as King travelled the world to trade at shows and collected the rarest of rare parts.

The final move to the current premises at The Golden Lion in Southend came in 2011, coinciding with a shift predominantly into Porsche 356 and 911 parts and a shift away from VWs. KK is actually located inside the now-closed pub, and while there are plenty of goodies to be had, there is no beer.

DIFFERENT, SPECIAL & EXCITING

In 2024, King decided to retire and close the doors after more than 40 years in business. However, on Sept 1, 2025, that kid who went to work there in 1999 stepped up to purchase the company and get it rolling again.

Also passionate about early Porsche 356s and 911s and, more importantly, equally passionate about attention to detail and superior products, Watts was ideally placed to bring the company back to life.

“Whilst building Porsche 356s for another well-known restoration company in Essex, Sportwagen Ltd., it became obvious that many of the restoration parts available were of low quality, refused to fit and had to be returned,” Watts says. “Even Porsche themselves admitted their hands were tied with how some parts were now being manufactured.”

Parts quality and service excellence have therefore become the main focus of KK. While it remains in the same location as before, the premises have received a makeover, as has the company’s website, which has been revamped to make searching for those rare and hard-to-find parts easier than ever.

As well as being able to locate New Old Stock (NOS) gems and high-quality secondhand parts, Watts is planning on focusing on manufacturing parts that other people cannot supply.

“I’m concentrating on all the products that we make in-house and the items that other people don’t offer. I don’t want to do what the competition is doing—I want to supply people with items that will make their Porsche 356 or SWB 911 feel different, special and exciting. So, you’ll be able to find quality parts to help build your car the right way.”

Those offerings will include classic steering wheels, Sebring-style exhausts, detailed headlights and once-unavailable parts like starter buttons, map lights, idiot lights and more, he reports.

“We’re kicking it hard on social media. In my opinion, ordering parts should be an enjoyable experience and a conversation, not filling out forms and waiting for your ticket to be replied to in the next 24 hours.”

It’s Karmann Konnection reimagined.

As for King, he’s still playing as he always has.

“I’m building the world’s lightest 911, which is currently on a strict diet toward my goal of 595 kilos (1,312 pounds),” he says. “Perhaps I’ll bring it to the U.S. and do a few events. We’ll see.”

It’s fantastic to see a small business thrive and survive in these turbulent times, and as the Porsche phenom continues to grow, I have no doubt Karmann Konnection is well-positioned to play a significant part.