Porsche ST balsa hood

[saintdave]

Hi All, has anyone got the sizes and thickness of the balsa strips that are fitted to the underside of a 911 racing hood, as fitted to the likes of the ST.

Thanks Dave.

[John Z Goriup]

Can't help directly with dimensions, ( although if pressed I'd say the wood strips are about 4-5 millimeters thick by about 50 millimeters wide ) but I can post a photograph I took of Ritchie Ginther's S/T "Sloopy Jr." at Rennsport III in '07 so you can see the underside of the hood.

Good Luck

JZG

[Flunder]

Sorry Saintdave but the lid is at the shop and do not have a record of the measurements you need.

However, here is a pic of how the underside looks up close.

Second pic is a German repro.

[saintdave]

Thanks for the pictures, it looks like the balsa strips are secured in place with the last coat of matting as you can see through it, i thought that maybe they were bonded in. If you could get me the measurements sometime that would be great.

Thanks Dave.

[Will 1967]

Thanks for the pictures, it looks like the balsa strips are secured in place with the last coat of matting as you can see through it, i thought that maybe they were bonded in. If you could get me the measurements sometime that would be great.

Thanks Dave.

Balsa itself wouldn't not add any strengh if it wouldn't be inside laminate (it is used to make it part "2-core" and thus adding streng. (there are more modern solutions available but balsa is easy and cheap and period correct) I did e.g. swimming deck for my boat usng balsa reinforced grp, just make sure balsa won't get wet or (so no screw holes) or it will ruin part.
Also if you have ready made grp lid, you can add those balsa strips afterwards to get that correct look and bit more strength.

[911kiwi]

I understand Dave at TRE can supply these hoods, perhaps he can help.

[Ernie W]

under side of hood, shows balsa wood strips

anyone know the story behind the the red ink marker inside the hood ? I've seen the same mark on many original fiberglass parts. Did the person who made the parts sign his/her work ? A specical thanks to Geroge K (CH) the markings, "i.o" stand for In Ordnung = i.o, which means O Kay, or Alright, so the part passed inspection. and the "we" is the person who either made it, or inspected it. Thanks, George.
The balsa wood used in the R hood if from a company called "Graupner Modellbau" (company started in 1930, Stuttgart/Wangen). On several hoods you can see the Graupner logo printed on the wood. The balsa strips are for reforcement to the center section of the hood. Under speed the hood has a tendency to collapse, even with the wooden strips. Check out the BP World Record Car photos.

[John Straub]

I understand it was the maker. My 914/6 GT hoods have the same marks.

John

[saintdave]

All this information makes great reading, thanks for all the input.

[andrea70]

The next week, i'll post the picture of mine, bought from a well-know italian pilot that raced with it in late sixties, that have already the Porsche teile-number hand-written inside.
He has also the engine fiberglass hood (but he doesn't want to sell for now) with the teile-number too....
You have correctly understood: Engine FIBERGLASS hood, not aluminium. That means before 1970. I think it's the rarest thing i have already seen.

I'll try to make a photo as soon as possible.

Ernie, thanks for the name of the producer. the next month i'll go to Stuttgart for work and i'll go to visit them, and i will ask about the hoods.

Best
Andrea