Question for old-timers - Chris Harris

[Luis Nazario]

In a recent Collecting Cars video about a 996 GT3 RS (link below), Chris Harris - at 4:30 - points to the dashboard and says "Manuel. Anyone on Pistonheads will know what Manuel means".

I've been lurking on here for longer than I've had an account, and I'm familiar with stories about Plato, custard, frozen sausages and all the usual stuff, but I'm stumped by this.

Can any of the old boys / girls enlighten me? (I've deliberately not used the search function, as I think this is more fun....)

Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ppSjVmWTpw

[jeremyc]

On LHD Porsches when the AC/heating is switched from 'Auto' the display reads "Manuel".

It became a reference to the manual gearboxes in Porsches.

No, it's not that funny is it.

[bolidemichael]

On the barge thread we refer to ‘Spanish’ boxes i.e. Manuel from Fawlty Towers because Manuel sounds like ‘manual’. Without having watch the video, I presume that driving this car involves stirring one’s own soup?

[Luis Nazario]

Thanks, folks - I think that ends the thread!

[Wills2]

Yes, Spanish (Manuel) = Manual.

[Slippydiff]

jeremyc said:

On LHD Porsches when the AC/heating is switched from 'Auto' the display reads "Manuel".

It became a reference to the manual gearboxes in Porsches.

No, it's not that funny is it.

It’s about as funny as root canal surgery J, yet some “sages” on the Porsche forum seem to think it amusing

[GeniusOfLove]

On the barge thread I thought it was because a good third of ebay ads for crap old cars mis-spell it as "manuel gearbox"

[Lester H]

GeniusOfLove said:

On the barge thread I thought it was because a good third of ebay ads for crap old cars mis-spell it as "manuel gearbox"

I think it is funny. However, a better example of its kind was , instead of Karmann Ghia, ‘ common gear.”

[Scrump]

jeremyc said:

On LHD Porsches when the AC/heating is switched from 'Auto' the display reads "Manuel".

It became a reference to the manual gearboxes in Porsches.

No, it's not that funny is it.

My RHD Porsche displays manuel.

[Robertb]

I wish the oil pressure gauge in the modern cars was labelled "Druck Press" as that always made me smile in my 3.2