hood badge help

[66S]

I'd like some opinions on the authenticity of this hood badge. The orange bars have a splotchy look otherwise the badge looks like an NOS second generation badge should. thanks, Rick

[kentf14]

I'll be interested to see what conclusion is drawn here.
2 observations from me.

• The ® is offset from the number below which some have indicated is a sign of reproduction
• There is an absence of solder running out from the pins.

Subscribed.

[Harvey Weidman]

What is a "NOS second generation badge"? There were original (delivered on the car) and replacement until 74 and then there were reproductions as far as I know.
H

[ESully]

I would agree with Kentf14. The original orange bar badges had no dimpling, 1972-74 had light dimpling. My new orange bar badge just purchased from Porsche duplicates the original smooth back badge. I have an original late orange bar badge with the light dimpling. The missing solder and offset ® lead me to say reproduction. Some information from my research.
"The best way to determine if an "orange bar" crest is authentic is through examination of the back. Lesser reproductions (available for about $60) state "Made in Germany" and have more pronounced "dimpling" on the back than even the later originals possessed. Higher quality reproductions have the correct "901," "�" and "AR" markings embossed on the back, but still have more distinct "dimpling" in the metal than do the originals, which were either smooth, or, in later versions (1972-1974), had very faint dimpling. Such reproductions are frequently misrepresented as factory original or NOS, so it is important to be familiar with the differences. Generally, if an early Porsche crest looks too gaudy or pristine to be a late 1960s or early 1970s item, it is not authentic."
Quoted from:
http://www.p914.com/p914_badges_crest.htm

[66S]

There is some solder but not as much as most. 2nd generation has dimples on back as far as I know, like the two NOS ones I had in original Porsche packaging. All the repro badges I've seen have a shiny polished gold plating but this one is more dull just like the NOS ones I've had including the little horizontal scratches above the horse. It's the splotchy orange bars that Im suspicious about. I wonder if the new Porsche badges are shiny or dull Here are photos of one of the NOS badges I used to own. they were NOS originals in a double Porsche blister pack. These had the offset circle R also. If my badge is a phony it was phonied up by someone with good plating skills but very poor enamel skill.

[mfitton]

Don't think the offset "901" means reproduction, I have 2 badges one orange and one red with offset and they are not reproduction. In the attached pictures, they are #1 (red) and #2 (orange).

[kentf14]

Perhaps the poor quality of the enamel on the orange bars is a sign that someone took a red bar badge like #1 above and redid the bars to orange?

[mfitton]

Perhaps the poor quality of the enamel on the orange bars is a sign that someone took a red bar badge like #1 above and redid the bars to orange?

+1, I agree with Kent. But it must have been a transition period with the offset "901" because #2 above is an orange badge.

[66S]

that could have been done but the plating would have to be done after that to get the precise edge to the orange and maintain the gold finish. My opinion is that it was redone but who would do a poor re-color and do such nice plating? It doesn't make any sense to me.

[steve shea]

The lack of solder is not an indication it is a repro. Also there is orange and there is orange. I have had many many original badges and seen the orange all over the map. Some light, some dark, some with grey splotches in the orange and perfect plating. Also very slight but noticeable differences in the horse. But they were all Fritz Reu badges. All in the 356 early 900 era. Yes, the badge that the factory put on is the original to the car but not necessarily an exact copy of the first one made. Also the early badges had a VERY light clear coat which is almost imperceptable but it should be there.But then again I don't know if they were all clearcoated. I have seen a lot that were. The famous 100,000 km badge that Fritz Reu made for the factory give away to original owners who clocked 60,000 mi has two generations. The second is just about as coveted as the first and is considered by most to be an 'original'. Stoddard sold a second generation 356 A horn button made by Petri. The original supplier. Even though they do not say VDM on the back they are just as the originals but for one thing. The number of points on one of the antlers. With the Petri logo on the back, three points or four it is still an 'original' second gen. They are very expensive if you can find one. Just some observations from owning Porsches since 1964 and I'm still learning.