Porche Classic evening at Leeds

[ChrisW.]

Just a quick post to say thanks for a tremendous evening at Porsche Centre Leeds yesterday.

Amazing committment to our passion for Classic original components to keep our cars "real" --- and no less than Mr Derek Bell sharing some of his stories first hand, and being a genuinely nice and modest bloke.

I'm generally the one taking a few pics but was far too busy chatting car stuff --- so if anybody has any, please post them

Only the second Classic partner in the UK, Porsche have plans for a few more centres that will have a permanent Classic presence in their show rooms with some genuinely fascinating stories --- such as the story behind the Porsche badge --- it's heritage and current manufacturing process (hand-made by a medallist company and still great value).

And the re-manufacture of light weight panels for the 2.7RS --- a fortune switched from the marketing budget to the classic engineering budget, for nut-cases like me !

Not that I own a 2.7RS -- but one day I want a "real" one ...

So, again, thank-you messrs Porsche and their friends ! If there is anything I can do to encourage you .......

[goldsbd]

Have to agree, had a great evening, got Derek Bells autograph, as you said great night, loads of classic metal around and the new stuff as well, and loads of genuinely nice people from all over to talk to too.

I took a few pics, not enough though, will post later.

[supersport]

Was an excellent night, that Bell bloke is thoroughly nice guy and had some wonderful stories to tell, holding the steering wheel with your knees whilst wiping the sweet off your face through your visa at 240 MPH down the Mulsanne driving a 956 anyone?

[boxsey]

ChrisW. said:

Only the second Classic partner in the UK, Porsche have plans for a few more centres that will have a permanent Classic presence in their show rooms with some genuinely fascinating stories --- such as the story behind the Porsche badge --- it's heritage and current manufacturing process (hand-made by a medallist company and still great value).

Hmmm....I bought a new (period correct) bonnet badge for the 964. Less than a year later the coloured 'enamel' parts started falling out!

[pete.g]

boxsey said:

Hmmm....I bought a new (period correct) bonnet badge for the 964. Less than a year later the coloured 'enamel' parts started falling out!

I believe that's known as patina in classic circles. You're lucky they haven't charged you extra for it.

[M666LMJ]

Agreed, another good event at Porsche Leeds, best turnout I've seen (and them judging by the chaotic parking management, lol). Here's our pics...


https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.47898567...


Mike

[Slippydiff]

boxsey said:

Hmmm....I bought a new (period correct) bonnet badge for the 964. Less than a year later the coloured 'enamel' parts started falling out!

There's a good reason for that Steve, much as Porsche like to make a big noise about re-manufacturing a lot of the classic parts, the majority of it is poorly made tat.
Much of the original tooling has either been scrapped or the tooling that does still exist is well past it's best and has been poorly lashed up to enable the manufacture of products. Worse still some of the components are being manufactured in China (cheaply, and it shows) or the former Eastern Germany.

The 964 was a hand made car to all intents and purposes (as were all the 911's that preceeded it) and accordingly a lot of time was devoted to the manufacture of the panels, and the subsequent custom fitting of them to the car.

Take a look at the panels now available and the assembly and finish is truly appalling, either the pressings are being produced from sub standard press/clipping tools, the skills aren't available to assemble the panels properly, or the the manufacturing costs have been curbed to such a degree the end result can never be as good as the originals (or a combination of all three).

So while we're fortunate that Porsche are at least manufacturing the panels (try buying a new door for Ferrari 348 of the same period....) don't be fooled into thinking the parts are anything like the originals ......
Your Porsche crest is proof perfect of that !

[boxsey]

Slippydiff said:

There's a good reason for that Steve, much as Porsche like to make a big noise about re-manufacturing a lot of the classic parts, the majority of it is poorly made tat.
Much of the original tooling has either been scrapped or the tooling that does still exist is well past it's best and has been poorly lashed up to enable the manufacture of products. Worse still some of the components are being manufactured in China (cheaply, and it shows) or the former Eastern Germany.

Yep they certainly seem to be spreading out the new classic parts suppliers. Those parts originally made by Bosch seem to be particularly affected - my new rear centre reflector was made in France and my new headlamp in the Czech republic. Both are original parts bought direct from Porsche. These appear to be OK so far unlike the new badge! I was happy with the patina of the original badge and only replaced it because one of the pins had corroded through. After the fiasco of the new badge losing its coloured bits (which were clearly just glued in) I've since replaced it with a used 996 badge which at least I know has stood the test of time.

[964RS.]

boxsey said:

Hmmm....I bought a new (period correct) bonnet badge for the 964. Less than a year later the coloured 'enamel' parts started falling out!

The head of the Classic Centres Germany had an explanation for this. They can only make 3,000 enamel badges from the mould before it needs to be replaced. The moulds are hand finished and frequently re-finished to try to get an undercut taper in the mould so that the enamel stays in when applied. Because of the undercut - the badges are deformed to get them out and this wears away the taper.

The badges are gold-plated.