Classic YouDrive @ Silverstone

[IanMcLeod]

An OPC restoration...

Oi, they have stolen one of my 'signature' touches. And mine has been like that for at least 5 years. The cheek of it !

[Nick Moss]

That white 944 is Harker's Hedge Find, what a beast

[Ferry Man]

[Ferry Man]

This orange targa was rather garish.
Not very well restored either, panel gaps - I felt - were so so.
And some odd choices (like an orange painted targa hoop).
Still, you've gotta love a car with Carrera stripes down the side - even if the sill end caps aren't present...

[Ferry Man]

Hey, we could paint the shroud orange! And the fan!

[Nick Moss]

The orange Targa really was quite nasty, apart from the odd seat trim there were differing and incorrect finish on the Fuchs, the issues that Ferry man has already highlighted and worst of all (really!), an oversize screw that was sitting 10mm proud of the driver's B pillar as you opened the door, just waiting to snag your clothing

[Bootsy]

Seems OPC's aren't quite as anal as DDK'ers when it comes to resto.

Maybe they just thought let's have a bit of fun and add a few signature touches along the way!

[Ferry Man]

I spoke at some length to many of the teams that had restored cars.
Everyone had underestimated the work invloved, the cost, the time it would take and the poor return on investment.
All the OPC's had spent far more undertaking the restorations than the cars were ultimately worth.
Many had farmed out much of the complex bodywork, wheel refinishing, paint and trimming. Even engine building.

I've heard tell that quite a few OPC's declined to participate after it became apparent the cost of finding suitable donor vehicles and the restoration costs beyond that.

It's quite telling that in their panic to participate those that sought out eligible cars* often were forced to buy targa or 'T', etc. No 'S' models were on show.
There was a project deadline and some failed to complete in time (which is telling).
Finding desirable RHD cars in good order had proved impossible to many dealers.

I think that those selecting a 993 had the easiest task, they appeared to encounter less rust issues and the 'restoration' often amounted to just a simpler respray and clean up of the trim.

* anything air-cooled apparently.

[Ferry Man]

I spoke to a guy from Porsche who told me of the difficulties with parts.

Apparently the outer sills made these days have indentations because they are for the 993, yet the early cars should be flat and smooth. “So, we had to carefully weld in patches and fill all the indentations in our efforts at originality”.
Oh, really.....

It was news to them. Not a clue. And they are the buggers making them.
If enough OPC’s need to replace outer sills then maybe – just maybe - they’ll tool up for the correct part.

He also told me later doors don’t match the early ones and involve a lot of effort in ‘backdating’.
Oh and, the inner wings needed modifying too.....

[54Kab]

- hilarious. TBH it all just proves that OPCs are no different than other marques main dealers... they know about different specs of new cars, and can follow flow-diagrams for servicing. Full stop.

..does anyone know what will happen to the bastardised cars they produced ?

[KS]

But why should everyone at an OPC know all about restoring an old 911? They exist to sell new – or good used – cars, and then to service them afterwards until they fall off the OPC radar and into the hands of independents. That doesn't make them 'bad people'. I think Porsche – and the OPCs that took part in the exercise – should be given credit for going along with the fun. Clearly there was nothing financially to be gained, but it acted as a good 'team building' exercise, I'm sure.

Porsche is a modern automobile manufacturer that happens to have made some stunning cars in the past (and does to this day, but others won't agree, I'm sure). They can't be expected to constantly dwell on the past, or they'll end up like Morgan, with a design which only really appeals to a select few. Just be thankful that there are still so many parts available for the older cars – even if you do have to weld in patches (or do some panel-beating) to make the sills look right.

[Darren65]

I think Keith's right and the OPC's were on a hiding to nothing and could never hope to match the detail of specialists like Canford Classics, Early911 etc. - they come from a different world.

That being said on the whole I think they did a commendable job parading a bunch of shiny restorations that to the vast majority of the Porsche public would appear to be simply outstanding …..

….even if they did use the wrong stamps for the paint tags!

[Darren65]

Always happy to add a touch of glamour.

Thank you

[theorangeperil]

I spoke at some length to many of the teams that often were forced to buy targa or 'T', etc.

God forbid!

[Bootsy]

I'm with Keith on this hence my post above. I don't think any OPC professes to be a master of restoring early 911s to factory spec nor should they.

I think some knowledge in the parts department is worthwhile and I've had very mixed experience when trying to order bits even for my 993.

However, good on the ones who took part