Coachbuilders for Porsche +/- on Value or Perception?

[BAPhotowerks]

Just curious if there is, or ever has been, any negative (or positive) sentiment toward bodies made for Porsche by Karmann, Reutter, Drauz (sp?), etc. Have there been any defects or differences of note that alter their value one way or the other?

In modern manufacturing, that sort of thing could be construed as outsourcing, farming-out, contracting, whatever... but generally not regarded as a positive, often even percieved as being less than the "real thing". Was that the case back then or no?

BA

[WCB4]

I would always pick a Karmann out of the 69-71 bodies. Weight will always make a diffrence. As the late great Smokey used to say "the loss of 7 pounds will be compairable too gaining about 1 hp". And since the loss of 100 pounds of is equal to gaining about 10 ponies. Gee the choice is clear to me Mr Obvious .
Regards. Bill

[SandyI]

I don't know about 35 years ago. But today? The early 911 body that's worth the most is the one with the least amount of rust.

[Scott Clarke]

Brad-
The Reuter cars got galvanized floor pans in '70, whereas the Karman cars did not. I have heard claims that there are other differences, but no one has ever been explicit about the matter. As for "outsourcing," the use of coach builders used to be the norm. Porsche didn't buy Reuter until the early '70s, and had not produced bodies of their own to any great degree prior to that acquisition.

-Scott

[BAPhotowerks]

Thanks guys, that's why I asked!

So was it the galvinizing that made Reuters heavier? A little confused about that... Were the Karmann cars structurally different in any way making them lighter?

I'm not sure were I got it, but I thought Reuter was bought in the later 356 era... thanks Scott for the update. I do realize that coachbuilding was totally the norm in Europe, and that's part of what makes cars of this and previous eras so unique!

BA

[preS]

I'm not sure were I got it, but I thought Reuter was bought in the later 356 era...

It was .. the summer of 1963.

Richard

[Scott Clarke]

Jeff Smith is the guy to answer these questions. He has owned both, and could likely supply an inventory of the differences. I don't think the weight difference can be attributed to the galvanizing.
-Scott

[72targa]

This earlier thread was useful to me...

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...hlight=karmann

[erick72pors]

It still doesn't answer the question- what are some of the differeences between a Karmann car and a Reutter/porsche car besides galvanizing?

ex. extra sheetmetal, different welding method, etc??

Erick

[Bummler]

Different Germans...

Tom

That about sums it up...

Until this thread I was under the impression that Karmann bodied cars were ever so slightly less desirable. But then that's likely old BS as well....

There is likely is no definitive answer...