1974 Porsche 911 Targa on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Porsche Classic to offer vintage 911 dashboards

Porsche Classic already offers everything from oil specifically for the brand's air-cooled models to GPS navigation units for them. For restorers looking for just the right piece, the division is now also selling replacement dashboards for early 911s. Fitting models from 1969 to 1975, these dashboards aren't 100-percent original replacements. Instead, Porsche Classic reengineered the part with a modern substructure to hold up better to the sun, temperature changes, and humidity. The outer surface still looks entirely correct, though, to fit the design of these vintage air-cooled coupes. Porsche Classic is selling them for $1,353, but the the windshield needs to come out for installation. While the price may sound steep, it appears to be right in line with other dashboard replacements for the vintage 911. The Porsche specialists at Stoddard offer an example for $1,325 and list a factory part for $1,501.29. Shopping around might be worthwhile, though, because another website already seems to show the Porsche Classic unit with a markdown to $1,150. Porsche Classic Recreates Dashboard for Historic 911 June 1, 2015 New dashboard built to original specifications Atlanta. It is back: Porsche Classic is reproducing the dashboard for vintage 911 models from years 1969 to 1975. A sophisticated manufacturing process combines high quality meeting today's standards and a design that is true to the original. The new dashboard consists of a modern substructure and the original surface design. The fluted texture, tactile feel, gloss and shade of black are designed to be as close as possible to the original. The new part is now available to be ordered from any authorized Porsche dealer in the United States. MSRP is $1,353 plus any applicable taxes, shipping, and handling. Like the technical equipment, the classic vehicles' interiors are subject to normal wear. Solar radiation as well as fluctuations in temperature and humidity attack the surface and materials over time. Today's materials hold up better; therefore, to help preserve the long-term value of classic Porsche cars, Porsche Classic re-engineered the dashboard. Extensive tests conducted to modern standards assure precision fit and quality. As an original equipment part, the dashboard, which contains the loudspeaker cover, can only be installed by the original assembly procedure – which involves removing the windshield.

Porsche bringing electric Pajun concept to Frankfurt?

France's L'Automobile magazine reports that a precursor to the long-rumored and much-discussed Porsche Pajun will come to the Frankfurt Motor Show. The reveal is being characterized as a "'connected' study that could well turn into a series model." Just seeing something at all, however, would be a major step. Pajun palaver has been splattered all over the Internet for more than three years, since back when it was going to come with a V6 to be an ICE challenger to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes E-Class. The intervening years have turned the rumormill up to Level: Sasquatch, and still we had no idea when we'd ever see a car that, at one time, was headed for showrooms next year. Then we got a bunch of reports at the end of last year about a swoopy electric sedan, accompanied by patent filings for novel electric and hydrogen fuel cell powerplants. This year, Porsche has been making noise in the US and Europe about EV and connected-car initiatives, and reports blossomed with giggly details concerning the Pajun, like a 300-mile range, potentially 600 horsepower, two electric motors, four-wheel steering, and a topological battery layout with "108 separate battery pouches." A more recent report posits a Tesla Model S-fighting 420 horsepower and a 265-mile range. So we hope L'Automobile is correct, because we can't wait to see the proper, sheetmetal inspiration for whatever the Pajun will be. Related Video:

Porsche hybrids come up short at Le Mans

Two cars, one finish, zero victories. That's a brief synopsis of Porsche's hybrid-vehicle performance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France. There's always next year. Porsche entered two 919 Hybrid vehicles in the race. The No. 14 car essentially limped to the finish line after encountering drivetrain problems. The other Porsche hybrid, No. 20, was driven by Germany's Timo Bernhard, New Zealand's Brendon Hartley and Australia's Mark Webber. That car ran for more than 22 hours before its own powertrain issues did that racing team in for good. Both vehicles ran towards the front of the pack at times during the race, and the No. 20 car actually led the race after about 20 hours. Still, both teams said they were disappointed in the results. Porsche sister company Audi came up big for the 13th time in the race's long and storied history. One Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro won the race, while another finished second. The Toyota that had pole-position and was winning much of the race shut down after 15 hours of racing because of electrical issues and Nissan had trouble with is ZEOD RC. Check out Porsche's press release below, and read here for a more general race recap. STRONG PERFORMANCE BY PORSCHE 919 HYBRIDS BUT NO DREAM ENDING IN PROTOTYPE RETURN TO LE MANS Le Mans. After a strong performance by both Porsche 919 Hybrids, the Porsche Team was left empty-handed after a dramatic final stage of the race. Following more than 22 hours, car No. 20 driven by Timo Bernhard (Germany), Brendon Hartley (New Zealand) and Mark Webber (Australia) suffered a powertrain problem at the world's most famous endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Earlier in the race the LMP1 class car was leading overall for a significant period of time. The second innovative and highly complex prototype – in the hands of Romain Dumas (France), Neel Jani (Switzerland) and Marc Lieb (Germany) – likewise proved to be very competitive, but was hampered by a drivetrain problem. However, their No. 14 car crossed the finish line under its own power. After a thrilling start to the race with changing weather conditions, numerous accidents and a relatively calm night, Bernhard took the overall lead in the No. 20. The longtime Porsche factory driver returned to the top spot after 20 of the 24 hours. At 12:36 (CET) on Sunday, he handed the leading car over to Webber. Less than 20 minutes later the Australian was forced to slow down and drove solely on electric power back to pit lane.