factory replacement body - Body-in-White - history?

[larrym]

question inspired by recent thread on 914World & an old thread on 356 forum (links below)

in all my yrs of association with Porsche's (PCA since '76 when i got my second Porsche which i still have) there was always a rumor that a person with a pile of cash could send a pile of junk to Germany & Porsche would send it back whole & as-new - maybe in a couple years .... i think the collection of disparate knowledge bits in this 914 thread generally confirm that rumor

914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!

www.abcgt.com/forum/4-356-Forum/29099-Re-bodied-cars-and-Kardex.html

(my question is primarily about "older Porsche's" - not about USA cars that are "salvage-titled" after insurance settlements - a different, more recent scenario)

whom among us has some definitive knowledge & explanation of the detail and extent of obtaining such replacement factory bodies?

What was the process?

In Germany - How did Porsche "certify" the refurbished car to the 'authorities" TUV after it had been "de-registered" as not-road worthy in its K-brief?

In other countries?

[djpateman]

Back in the 356 era and into the late 1960's Porsche used a special chassis # series for spare bodies; 13xxx, although I do know of some in the 54xx and 56xx range, so perhaps two series. In about 1969 with the advent of the production # such a number with a leading "0" was a replacement body. In the mid 1970's a lot of the race cars were built from replacement bodies. I do not think that Porsche stocked many spare bodies; they were primarily current production bodies and could be painted or trimmed to customer requirements. That does mean that the body could be updated or the paint code a later version (and not even the same color) as the body being replaced.

[Trackrash]

Not sure what the OP wants, but this has been discussed.

Apparently Pelican has them listed in their catalog.
Pelican Parts - European Automotive Parts and Accessories - Porsche • BMW • Mercedes • Volkswagen • Audi • Saab • Volvo • MINI
Dansk has them. Breaking: Dansk Offering New Complete LWB Early 911 Chassis | FLATSIXES
A u t o Atlanta has them listed as well. http://www.***********.com/porsche-parts/hardparts.php?dir=911-87-89&section=801-00

Not sure of availability however.

[Canada Kev]

Seeing that they had a part number and it was listed in the PET, theoretically one could purchase a body in white. Presumably, it wasn't quite as easy as walking in to your local parts department at the P-car dealer and ordering one, but maybe it might have been. If your pockets were deep enough...

[MARISOL78sc]

Seems like anything is possible if money is not a factor: as per restoration by Porsche AG....

Porsche Restoration - Porsche AG

[RSTarga]

RUF purchased bodies in white for their first cars.

[djpateman]

Kremer used many replacement bodies for their cars, particularly the K2 & K3 series.

[GH85Carrera]

Sending your 911 back to Porsche AG and the putting it back to original is possible. They will do it for a 911 but if you press them about doing a 356 or 914 they will admit they are not the best choice. The oldest 356 sold new in America is a local OKC car now. The owner has had Porsche AG send a truck to his house to borrow it on occasion. He asked them about a full factory restoration and they told him to have it done in the US. He has more than one 356. Super nice guy.

[larrym]

- this inquiry is reaching back into history where verbal statements & recollection of "them who were there" has to substitute for the perfect-documentation-with-pictures that we now have come to expect

i'm now reminded of a thread on 914world just a few yrs ago with pics of a 914 body "under the knife" at Zuffenhausen with substantial new component sections beside it - $$$$$$$

re: "do in USA" - good comment here:
factory replacement bodies - Body-in-White?

another good historical recollection here - factory replacement bodies - Body-in-White?

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Sending your 911 back to Porsche AG and the putting it back to original is possible. They will do it for a 911 but if you press them about doing a 356 or 914 they will admit they are not the best choice. The oldest 356 sold new in America is a local OKC car now. The owner has had Porsche AG send a truck to his house to borrow it on occasion. He asked them about a full factory restoration and they told him to have it done in the US. He has more than one 356. Super nice guy.