Special early 1964 features on 1965 cars

[preS]

It is a true story, at least w prototypes.

In May 1965, 901 Prototyp Number 5 (Chassis 13325 hellgelb, Built 1963 by Karmann, the car shown in Paris, London 1963 and Frankfurt, Turin in 1964 and used in Spring 1965 on a European Dealer Promo-tour, driven by Dieter Lenz) was on a test run near Cologne and needed reinforcements by welding additional/thicker metal pieces at the shocktower area, done at the factory. In fact, the Boge shocks disconnected with the shock tower, additional strength was needed by a reinforced chassis structure.

This happened while the 901/911 production already started and it seems (no written document I found so far) that dealers were subsequently informed about this issue.
I assume they thought this would not happen on a brand new car but it was feared that in the long run (Chassis 13325 had 20'000km when the incident happened in May 1965), other 911' could develop the same technical problem when driven under similar (regular) conditions.

Casey Nagel has (had?) car no. 300555. That car was a Vorfuhrwagen at Glockler. The latest km's on his warranty card are over 40.000 km (about a year after it was put on the road). You would expect that being it a dealer / demo car w/ so many km's it will have the modification?

Richard

[911T1971]

Richard; I only report what I can read in german from period documents, some provided by Aichele.

Maybe the shock tower welding is related to this info:
They write some protoytypes had adjustable shock tower attachements, some not. Hans Tomala, technical chief engineer writes in 1963 he "does not think the front suspension needs adjustable shock towers. Tolerances in manufacturing were very little and if the holes for the shock tower attachments are bored after the completed chassis build, angle and diameter tolerances are sufficient". However, Aichele reports that this was not possible to do it as precise to be whished for during the manufacturing process.
Hans Hönick was ordered to calculate acceptable tolerances in shock tower attachments which would not interfere too much with the driving qualities of the 911. It was reported in October 1964 the first 12 produced 901 were controlled by Rolf Hannes and the results were catastrophal: no car had the same front levels (wheels, direction, shock angle)…the factory needed sometimes to adjust the bored out shock tower holes in the chassis by up to 3mm (maybe by welding in a new plate ?).
Further it was reported that Ferry Porsche -receiving one of the first pre-production 901- was dissapointed by the car's straight line driving abilities and reported to Helmut Bott. Bott then equipped Ferry's 901 with adjustable shock towers plates-which were welded in- as it was the case with some 13xxx prototyp cars. Ferry then ordered to do this for all 901/911 cars.

It was also reported, after manufacturing all cars needed to be re-mesured at the factory and if tolerances (in shock towers) were too large, it was corrected. The factory continued to use several show cars as test bests and at least 13325 needed its shock re-welded and reinforced.

Mind you and as most know, Porsche also had problems with the front end and after the first (German) Test drive by AMS magazine by Mr.Seiffert in early January 1965, the factory needed to add the legendary "wheights" in the front bumpers. The order to improve was out on January 20th 1965 by P.Glockenbach, Aichele notes that after 301340, all cars received the wheigts as standard in their front bumpers.

Imo, developing the 901 was much more "try and error" than we think, from a corporate view it might even was (almost) a mess. Even its model name needed to be changed to 911.

[pss]

I have 300359. champagne yellow original paint. not restored. small fuel door release knob like Johns.

One thing you need to add to the list is round end airbox as shown in the early manual (all four corners are the same and no baffles internally).

300359 came with round end airbox

Pretty sure this ended around 400 or so.

Attachment 318640

This is the later style that most have:

Attachment 318642

In my view we have 2 topics here
1- the single inlet snorkel as your first picture shows that your car has
2- the snorkel with baffles

The first one is a change between 1964 and 1965 probably, with some extension into 1965 like your car apparently (250 did not seem to have that).
The second thing I am not sure about. Is your photo a real Solex snorkel or is it a Weber snorkel on a Solex airfilter? I have 2 Solex snorkels on my cars and one spare and all 3 are without baffles (and the double inlet). See picture.

[21window]

Wow I had not noticed the lack of air heater inlet on the early snorkel. I will have to see which one my car has.

I was referring to the airbox area as shown in the circle here:

[pss]

Ah, sorry, now see what you mean! Indeed this seems a symmetrical airbox, whereas other versions are topped off indeed.
Here picture of 835 (allegedly matching engine 900965) with such symmetrical airbox (picture from sales ad). Airbox of 292 seems topped off (from sales ad pics).

[pss]

Txs for interesting history Karim. Hard to imagine these days.

Richard; I only report what I can read in german from period documents, some provided by Aichele.

Maybe the shock tower welding is related to this info:
They write some protoytypes had adjustable shock tower attachements, some not. Hans Tomala, technical chief engineer writes in 1963 he "does not think the front suspension needs adjustable shock towers. Tolerances in manufacturing were very little and if the holes for the shock tower attachments are bored after the completed chassis build, angle and diameter tolerances are sufficient". However, Aichele reports that this was not possible to do it as precise to be whished for during the manufacturing process.
Hans Hönick was ordered to calculate acceptable tolerances in shock tower attachments which would not interfere too much with the driving qualities of the 911. It was reported in October 1964 the first 12 produced 901 were controlled by Rolf Hannes and the results were catastrophal: no car had the same front levels (wheels, direction, shock angle)…the factory needed sometimes to adjust the bored out shock tower holes in the chassis by up to 3mm (maybe by welding in a new plate ?).
Further it was reported that Ferry Porsche -receiving one of the first pre-production 901- was dissapointed by the car's straight line driving abilities and reported to Helmut Bott. Bott then equipped Ferry's 901 with adjustable shock towers plates-which were welded in- as it was the case with some 13xxx prototyp cars. Ferry then ordered to do this for all 901/911 cars.

It was also reported, after manufacturing all cars needed to be re-mesured at the factory and if tolerances (in shock towers) were too large, it was corrected. The factory continued to use several show cars as test bests and at least 13325 needed its shock re-welded and reinforced.

Mind you and as most know, Porsche also had problems with the front end and after the first (German) Test drive by AMS magazine by Mr.Seiffert in early January 1965, the factory needed to add the legendary "wheights" in the front bumpers. The order to improve was out on January 20th 1965 by P.Glockenbach, Aichele notes that after 301340, all cars received the wheigts as standard in their front bumpers.

Imo, developing the 901 was much more "try and error" than we think, from a corporate view it might even was (almost) a mess. Even its model name needed to be changed to 911.

[John Straub]

Jacque, could you please add this to #301111

John

Non-round air cleaner box
Interior, Bl.
Adjustable shock tower, No
Small decklid knob, Yes
2 screw frames, No
Carpet trim, Yes
Gear shift knob, Yes
6 piece wood, No
Centre lube cam, Yes

[pss]

This is it for today, hope it's all reflected well. We are 70% complete in confirming the features identified so far, which means 30% to go people. Also new features welcome, for processing tomorrow ;-)

[21window]

Ok things to add for 359. I REALLY appreciate you doing this spreadsheet. Is there any chance you can send me a link to the sheet or copy for my own editing?

chassis= 300359
production date--? either jan 5th or feb 4th?
Interio--r B/P
color-- champ yellow

luggage hooks--no
non adjust shocks--yes non adjustable
4 screw grilles-- yes
circular indents on pan-- not sure what this means
911 script on lid--- none anywhere
flat engine lid panel--no
longer engine lid with rubber --yes
fuel release thru pillar-- no but small knob
grey ts gaskets--yes
small engine release knob--no
wedge door frame--yes
2 screw door frame--no
tall grill--yes
black under grill--yes black under hood too
early heat exchangers --no
center lube cams--yes
thin edged valve covers--?
symmetrical airbox--yes
preheater tube--no
6 fold seats-- yes
6 piece dash--yes
mushroom shift knob --yes
carpet timmed pedal n vents--yes
ealy lower dash--yes
small key bezel--yes
leather shift boot and handbrake--yes
5 screw dash--yes
911 script on glovebox--no
rubber mats--no

[Frank Beck]

Missing a certain Togo Brown car here.

come on John.