1968 Running Changes During Model Year: Elephant Hide, Deck Lid, Alum/Mag Case, etc

[L.a.Brooks]

I own a 1968 911S and have owned a few 1968's over the years. Porsche made more running changes during 1968 than any other model year in their history with the possible exception of 1955.

I have always found them interesting even though they were considered the red haired step child of early 911's for many years. Certainly due to the air pumps, poorly designed door pockets and side reflectors. But they also had some other unique characteristics the most significant being the "Elephant Hide" vinyl found in early 1968 911S and 911L models. People either loved it or hated it.

It was also during that year that Porsche switched from Aluminum to Magnesium engine cases and went away from the center bar deck lid.

The case material change and deck lid change have been well documented (see charts from this forum below).

But when did Porsche switch from the "Elephant Hide" to "Basket Weave" vinyl on the L and S?

I also wonder when they switched from the fitted perforated vinyl headliner to the cloth insert type on Targas.

When did the first hard window Targa appear?

Based on emails I have received over the past year, it is apparent that many others have the same questions.

Does anyone have that information?

My 911S SWT, #11850106 was built Oct. 18, 1967. It has Elephant Hide and the fitted vinyl headliner. Twelve cars after mine they switched to the non-crossbar deck lid and about 300 cars later went to the magnesium case. I would be interested in how many cars after mine before they switched to "Basket Weave" and also the cloth headliner?

The first chart below is when they switched the deck lid.
The second chart is the switch from aluminum engine cases.

[911L Guy]

Well, my US-version 911L (VIN 11805200), production date 2/13/1968, has basketweave, so it must hav been somewhere before then!

I've wondered about this as well. From my research on this board and talking with others, the best answer I come up with is that the MY68 run of the "S" and US "L" models all started out with elephant hide interiors and switched to basket weave during the production run due to lack of elephant hide (?). When did this take place? No idea.

As info, my interior is EH, with a production date of 9/23/67.

[mrar]

I've wondered about this as well. From my research on this board and talking with others, the best answer I come up with is that the MY68 run of the "S" and US "L" models all started out with elephant hide interiors and switched to basket weave during the production run due to lack of elephant hide (?). When did this take place? No idea.

As info, my interior is EH, with a production date of 9/23/67.

I have prod date 22.8.67 car with elephant dash trim insert only/ basket weave inserts rest of trim. So was it just a matter order preference options by owner?

[L.a.Brooks]

Well, my US-version 911L (VIN 11805200), production date 2/13/1968, has basketweave, so it must hav been somewhere before then!

So mine was built Oct. 18, 1967. It has Elephant Hide and the fitted vinyl headliner.

Any one have an S or L built between those 4 months and which vinyl does it have?

Also if it is a Targa, what type headliner? I have included a picture of my headliner and the later style to show what I'm talking about.

[Rennman]

On the Elephant Hide topic: I have had a fair amount of 68s and it seems that those built in 67 all had Elephant Hide. I have not seen a 68 built in 68 that had it, though I am sure there may be some but from my cross section just the earliest cars so maybe the change was around the New Year?

Don

[JT912]

I think I was told the SWB Soft window should have a perforated vinyl liner in the Targa top. However, my basically original '68 softie had the newer fabric liner (or remnants thereof).

[911T1971]

68 MY was a transitional year.
I know of a 68S with green 67 style dials. It was built in August/September 1967 and has a very early chassis No.
Unfortunately, all pics in Milou's thread are gone, he is still owning the car.
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ight=Milou+68S

Today restored (pictured in front).

[RANGELOVER]

Hello
here is a pic of my 911L my68with elephant slin vinyl.
My car is a sportomatic with aluminium engine
Delivred in 9/20/67
N°11810169
N°type engine 901/07 Sporto N°31800051

you can see a difference between 67 and 68 armrest
67 with a seamed armrest
68 smooth armrest
Bye

[Fishcop]

I own 11805114 (US delivered L) and it has basket weave vinyl.

I also owned 11850343 ROW S Targa (factory HARD window). It had a mag case engine 4081144. I understood it to be one of only a handful cars ordered with a glass rear window for 68. It also had basket weave.

[Milou]

[QUOTE=911T1971;785577]68 MY was a transitional year.
I know of a 68S with green 67 style dials. It was built in August/September 1967 and has a very early chassis No.
Unfortunately, all pics in Milou's thread are gone, he is still owning the car.
http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ight=Milou+68S

I was initially told that 911S 11800009 had green dials, but actually they were black. The car does have elephant hide.