Fiberglass RS front and rear bumpers from Porsche. Any thoughts or experience ?

[GT3Racerich]

I have only seen photos of them but they appear to be much nicer then any other reproductions that I have seen.
Has anyone used them or seen them.
Thanks, Rich

[john rice]

The 90s reproductions were of exceptional quality. As usual, the first sets sold quickly but demand fell incredibly short of supply. They were discounted heavily and discontinued. At the time they called the division "Porsche Vintage" [if memory is correct]. I happened in touch with them back then as I was trying to source a high quality RS ducktail. They informed me of this situation. BTW, I did see a couple of sets of these bumpers and they were on an entirely different quality level than anything I had seen from the aftermarket or as originally supplied. They are SO nice that they don't look factory!

[GT3Racerich]

John, just to clarify. In your last two sentences, when you say they are so nice, you are talking about the bumpers available now, correct? Not the reproductions from the 90s.
Thanks, Rich

[john rice]

NOT for a minute am I referring to the aftermarket ones sold now. Some of them are pretty nice, yes. But nothing I have seen have approached the quality and detail work of the ones that Porsche Vintage was selling through the dealerships in the 90s. If I were building a car today, but only if it were particularly special, I would look to see if there are still any out there. Ironically, once they are mounted hese differences are hidden. So perhaps it's not that significant.

[chris_seven]

John,

I would agree that many repro fibreglass parts are quite poor and cheaply made.

The factory parts use a 2 x 2 Twill and use a clear resin on the inside of the panel and a specialised bonding paste for adding the brackets.

Having been victims of many poor quality fibreglass parts for several years we set out, around 3 years ago, to make parts which would measure up to the standards established by Porsche.

We use the correct 2 x 2 Twill, we use a clear resin for the inside, we use a bonding paste with an identical appearance to the factory parts for the brackets.

Side brackets we form from Aluminium and the main bumper brackets are moulded fibreglass.

We started with a 911R Style front bumper which uses Kaynar Floating Anchors which we believe were used on the factory parts and we believe we have met the correct standards.

We mount the brackets using a jig and we have a fitting jig to check the bumper before delivery.

We have made some simple jigs which support the bumper for 3-4 days after it is released from the mould so that it doesn't change shape while finally curing.

I believe we have achieved a very high standard that has a very similar appearance to the factory part and that fits well.

We started with the R Front and Rear bumpers but now have RS Front and Rear, RSR Front and Rear, 2.3 and 2.5 ST Front, ST rear and a Ducktail.

We are just completing the body to bumper brackets to allow these parts to be fitted to a range of shells.

We will make engine lids, bonnets and R front fenders early next year.

If we were restoring a genuine RS Lightweight I would probably use genuine Porsche parts but for a Replica I think we have achieved a good result at around 1/5th of the price.