Steering Shaft Cover on the MY 65 911s

[prs356]

I have seen steering shaft covers on the very early 65 911s that are both black in color (see, e.g., the photo on page 23 of B. Johnson's book on the 911 and 912) and ones with a "leopard skin" pattern. I have been told that both are correct. Is that so? What gave the ones with the leopard skin pattern that appearance? Thanks.

[pss]

aren't the black ones just painted/coated?

[mundo-kombi]

My July 65, which seems to be pretty accurate when it comes to originality, has the "leopard skin" style. I believe that it's Bakelite - which although more commonly seen in a black finish, can also be made in any color you choose, or mottled, as in the case with our steering column covers.

I have no idea how it's manufactured other than it contains Formaldehyde - as is used in embalming and taxidermy.

I believe that the plain black versions are for >67 cars, or maybe aftermarket?

[Scott72]

My 69 is Bakelite and Bob Joyce’s 68 is also Bakelite. If remember correctly our once owned 65 (#423) was also Bakelite (sold in the late 90’s so going off a fading memory)

Scott

[prs356]

I decided to contact Dr. Brett Johnson on the subject as the one photo in his 911/912 book on page 23 shows a steering shaft cover that is black. I sent him a photo of a cover with the leopard pattern and wondered if that is what a cover that had not been painted looked like. (FYI, the photo of the unpainted cover came from an early 911 that is listed for sale on California Porsche Restoration’s website.) Brett replied: “That is what an unpainted one would look like. They may have come from the Porsche dealer’s parts dept. unpainted or someone may have stripped that one thinking that it was correct that way (or prettier). I have lots of photos from various SWB cars including many ‘65s back to 12/64 -- they are all black.” FWIW, the cover on my May 65 is painted black and, according to the person who restored my car who is a stickler for details, that is the correct finish.

[moito]

my observation is that they all are black...but the early ones are painted lepards.it appears to me that the producer of those covers changed the compound several times over the years
the paint comes off with thinner. but on the earlier ones the surface that comes to light is glossy and can be nicely polished..whereas the later ones are a bit dull. the lepard also becomes darker the younger the car is. at some point they had the final recipie-which was black ... that also 68+LWB covers got...but also some of the final recipe covers where painted black even if the material itself already was black...maybe they simply forgot to tell the spray master that he can now retire my 0.02

[doigthom]

Checked the PET and its say '67 and earlier are different than '68 and up. '67 below circled in red and '68 circled in blue. Different shape at the one end. Also included two sided pictures of the '67 for sale on Ebay. Clearly leopard skin on the bottom but appears to be black on top. Factory paint or restorer paint? Went out of my way to get a leopard skin on both sides '67.version Interestingly enough Eric Lindens '67 Targa seemed to have a gray leopard shin pattern. I think its safe to say that the leopard skin is the natural Bakelite but cant guess why if factory painted the '67 and earlier black, why didn't they do both sides.

[moito]

yes `68 is the changeover ...different steering collumn -- thats why

[doigthom]

Bought a 67 on Ebay. Nice seller. Guy thought it was broken and sent me a 68. Told him the 67 was not broken and he exchanged. The 68 was black on both sides and appeared to be painted over the leopard skin Bakelite. The 67 was leopard skin Bakelite and clean as a whistle. No evidence of Black paint residue. Your call depending on year and preference.

[John Straub]

My '65 is a very dark leopard, never painted and original.

John