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Meet the 14-Year-Old Teen Who is Building an Electric Porsche
A teen from Sierra Madre is saying goodbye to gasoline by turning a classic car into an electrifying ride.
In his makeshift garage she is known as the "Tinkergineering," at only 14-year-old Frances Farnam has built a high drive.
“I'm working on converting and restoring it (Porsche 914) to electric at the same time. And I'm so excited to see the end result,” Farnam said.
Welding, grinding, cutting and sanding is now her passion. It was an idea born from watching gas prices hit record highs in the last two years.
"I really want to be able to leave this earth better than I found it,” Farnam said.
The 9th grader saved $2,000 by picking grapefruit and vegetables from her garden and selling them to a local farmers market to afford the 1976 Porsche 914.
Farnam's dad tells us she’s been able to get it all done thanks to helping hands in their community.
“To all the parents with the kids that are looking for things to do, there are mentors out there, professionals that have a ton of experience, that have the need to give back. So be open to receiving that as well,” said Dan Farnam.
“I'm learning how to like paint and prime from Rhino down in by Coast Airbrush and he has been just teaching me all the basics of painting. And then I learned how to weld from John Esposito down in the Resto and also the people at the Rose Float Barn here in Sierra Madre,” she said. “I've been like learning all the electric components from Mark Bruns. He has like two electric 914’s.”
Farnam shares her journey through her social media accounts and does not edit out any of the red lights she faces.
“I want to be able to inspire other kids my age and younger, and they don't have to be like an adult in order to go out there and make change,” she said.
While her dad will tell you he hopes he gets invited to drive with her when she turns 16, it’s her courage that is paving the way to motivate others to make a difference.
INTEGRATED ARTS STUDENT FRANCES FARNAM ATTENDS SEMA FOR CONVERTING PORSCHE 914 INTO ELECTRIC VEHICLE
Frances Farnam (IA, ‘26) recently returned to CSArts-SGV from Las Vegas, where she was invited to attend the 2022 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show. SEMA, the largest automotive association of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and more, hosts a show to connect its members and give them the opportunity to network, showcase, and buy and sell their specialty parts and accessories. Frances was personally invited to the show by the SEMA President and CEO, Mike Spagnola, himself. The only thing more impressive than this is the reason for her invite.
At only 11-years old, Frances purchased a Porsche 914 with the hopes of restoring and converting the car into an electric vehicle with her father. Since then, she has documented the process of converting the car on her YouTube channel and website. This sustainable project landed her an invitation to the Sierra Madre Earth Day Festival, where the car was put on display.
Spagnola happened to walk past this festival, where he spotted Frances and her vehicle. Frances recounted the encounter as a stroke of luck.
“He introduced himself to me as ‘just a car guy in town’ and we started talking . . . He left for a bit and came back a few hours later, and was like, ‘I’m actually the CEO of SEMA, and I was wondering if you want your car to be there,’” she said.
At SEMA, Frances was able to network with others in the industry, trying to manage both her schoolwork and presenting her car. Thankfully, Frances said she is not the type of person to give up on her goals. When she gets overwhelmed with her multiple responsibilities, she makes a list in her head of her top priorities and pushes through.
Being in high school and converting a car is no easy feat, as Frances tends to put the most work into both financing the project and keeping herself motivated. To combat these issues, Frances turns to her sponsors.
SEMA was the perfect place to network with others in the industry and increase her sponsorships. While there, she met an individual who manages an electric charging company who asked if he could give her electric chargers.
“I met so many cool people there, and also reconnected with people who I’ve known along the way that helped me,” she said.
Frances has a few local sponsors that she works with as well, including 914 Rubber and Sierra Madre Collection. In return for store credits or parts, Frances helps these companies with their film projects, similar to her own YouTube channel.
Frances credits her arts education at CSArts-SGV for helping her create content for her page. Integrated Arts is the only conservatory on campus that offers classes in film production, which she has used for her YouTube videos and Instagram reels.
Frances said for each hour of filming she does at least two more hours of editing. In addition to this, she said her arts education has helped her be more comfortable in the spotlight.
“I realized that when I first started [filming], I would look directly at the camera’s monitor. I wouldn’t look at the camera or engage in it,” Frances said. “As I progressed through middle school and entered high school, I saw myself really looking into the camera and showing my personality a little bit more.”
Through all her work, Frances said she hopes that she will have the car restored and fully electric by Spring of 2024. While she has goals of driving herself to school and surfing, her main goal is much more near to her heart.
“I want to inspire other kids, my age or younger, that they don’t have to be an adult to make change in the world.” She also credits her father as her partner in this project, stating that it has been a father/daughter journey through the entire process.