Quick survey: repro vs Orig

[Frank Beck]

Out of hibernation. Been out of the loop for a while.

Before I post some parts, what's the consensus on values; repro vs Original?
For instance: Door pockets, clear Sigla windshields, or soft window Targa assembly?
If this topic has been handled recently elsewhere, please direct me toward a link.

Thanks.

[merbesfield]

Welcome back. Not sure what year you have, but the door pockets are available new from Porsche. The repops seem to be almost the same money as Original new.

[Soterik]

Welcome back. Not sure what year you have, but the door pockets are available new from Porsche. The repops seem to be almost the same money as Original new.

Interesting comment.... So who do you "think" is making the new ones for Porsche? Depending on the item (there are actually a couple of people doing the pockets), the "Original New from Porsche" are the same product as the "repops" in a great many cases.

Eric

[blucille]

Agree with Eric if you are a careful shopper, some repros are just junk, but there are plenty of good ones out there.

[66S]

Also some currently available "Original" is just junk.

[Eminence Gris]

The most infamous parts are the metal, chromed LWB horn grilles. Sold by independents and dealers like Stoddard and 6-7mm narrower than the original parts. This poorly-fitting part was tolerated by the market for too long. The alternative has been to restore and rechrome pitted original parts, which is rarely satisfactory unless done by a real restoration shop at stupendous prices.

You can do a similar thing with door pockets, repolishing the trim on the pop-out pockets and giving them new clear anodizing, then reassembling with new vinyl. But some of the repros are so close, the work and expense is not worthwhile.

The dash pads are a continuing problem on LWB cars. Again, a repro was sold by Porsche and its dealer system that had too-large cutouts for the defroster vents and many shops spent a lot of effort grinding the dash flange or routing out the back of the pad to get it to sit correctly. That's why the other thread here on the Lakewell repro dash is so interesting to folks.

The standard for do-it-yourself restoration seems to be about 85% correct (meaning visibly different from an as-delivered part in measurement, fit or finish), if the price is low. Even some restoration shops are using 85% correct parts because customers don't demand better.

There are a lot of 85% correct fuchs replicas out there. Not to mention Recaro replicas, etc.

Now that our cars are on the appreciation curve, it's time to demand better. Some folks -- like Eric -- are working on it and will not settle for less than 100%.

[gregbus]

I've just gone through this exact issue with euro lenses! The cost for OEM is quite a bit more, but are the repro lenes as "accepted" by enthusiasts? Being a newbie early owner, I'm just not sure which is the way to go...

[Fredie]

Beware the CHINA industrial complex has invaded the knock off Porsche parts market in a big way. Formed strictly to take your money, not to earn your loyalty.

[Eminence Gris]

China is not originating these replicas. US and European companies are commissioning parts to be made there.

[Fredie]

I agree, but not in the strictest sense. There are plenty of Chinese businesses that are invading the world with crappy products as well.