#01: The Genesis of Sanctum: A Vision Born from Porsche Passion

In 2018, after a successful sale of my digital health startup, I embarked on a journey of personal indulgence – a Porsche 911 (991.2). The allure of driving had always beckoned, and this acquisition represented the realization of a lifelong dream. However, residing in the bustling confines of the NYC tri-state area meant that I could not fully savor the 911's prowess on the open road.

It was during my 2019 annual visit to family in Croatia that my imagination ran wild. The thought of navigating a Porsche 911 through the winding serpentine roads hugging the Adriatic coastline or cruising its scenic highways became an irresistible daydream. It was then that I began delving into the prices of 911s in Europe, only to be astounded by the stark contrast with the USA market. My 991.2, valued at around $145K, paled in comparison to the staggering $245K price tag for an equivalent model in Europe, primarily due to exorbitant taxes.

As I delved deeper into the intricacies of importing a car from the USA into Croatia, I found myself entangled in the world of Rimac electric cars. I crossed paths with individuals who had worked there or were intimately acquainted with the complexities of electric vehicle manufacturing. An intriguing idea took root – to temporarily import Porsches from the USA, electrify them in Zagreb, Croatia, and subsequently repatriate these electrified marvels back to the American market. Zagreb boasted a rich pool of engineering talent, with many engineers well-versed in Rimac's groundbreaking technology, and labor costs were considerably more affordable.

This idea simmered in the back of my mind until a moment in mid-2022 when I shared the idea with my friend Ted. Without hesitation, he declared, "I would join you in this project." And thus, the wheels were set in motion. Our initial plan was to procure the Porsche 996, well-known as the most “affordable” Porsche 911 model. However, sage advice from my New Jersey mechanic urged us to pivot towards the Porsche 997, steering clear of potential bearing issues and complexities. In mere weeks, we enlisted the expertise of a former Rimac engineer to conduct a comprehensive three-week feasibility study on electrifying the Porsche 997. However, when the engineer returned, the verdict was disheartening – "Don't proceed." The task of electrifying any car manufactured after 1995 proved to be a formidable challenge. A labyrinth of computer chips demanded intricate modifications, setting the stage for a potential cascade of issues down the road. The disappointment was palpable.

Undeterred, Ted proposed a creative alternative – "Let's work with a combustion engine car and embark on a RestoMod backdate journey." Without hesitation, I responded with a resounding "Let's do it." And thus, in December 2022, the SanctumEgo project was officially set in motion.