Porsche Factory Restorations, true or wishful thinking? Options

[fixer34]

Cleaning up old emails and I came across one from several years ago from another 914 group I belonged to. It claimed that Porsche had a 'Classic' division that would do a factory restore of a car, even to the point of 'bare metal' and reproducing body panels. Back then, it seemed like it would be too expensive, but with a pristine /6 going for $70k or more...

Anyone else ever heard of this, or was it basically urban legend/old wive's tale?

[McMark]

Porsche Classic is real - and they can get parts reproduced from original molds/tooling. Stuff we can only dream of.

But like anything in that category. You don't ask how much. They can't tell you, and the people who are paying won't tell you either. It's a ton. I suspect you would be SERIOUSLY upside down if you had them do a 914/6 that ended up being worth $70k.

[SirAndy]

A few years ago someone posted several pictures here from a 914/6 bare metal resto at Porsche Classic. They had the car sitting on a Celette bench.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Gustl]

if you ask for the price, you can't afford (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Mark Henry]

Plus shipping and duties.

[SirAndy]

A few years ago someone posted several pictures here from a 914/6 bare metal resto at Porsche Classic. They had the car sitting on a Celette bench.

Turns out, that "someone" was me ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=53284
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[fixer34]

A few years ago someone posted several pictures here from a 914/6 bare metal resto at Porsche Classic. They had the car sitting on a Celette bench.

Turns out, that "someone" was me ...

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=53284
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

Believe it or not, I did not see this post before I wrote mine. It was pure coincidence.

However, if it's that expensive, I can't see why anyone would do it except maybe to be able to say they have a 'brand new' 40 year old car?

[monkeyboy]

It wasn't designed for our cars, but the value of a Carrera RS or a 356 only goes up if you can show that all the resto was done by the mothership. You know it was done right with all factory parts.

[Steve]

Seinfeld had one done there. I remember readng about in Excellence or maybe it was PCA Panorama

[mepstein]

For some people, dropping a couple hundred K is play money. Percentage wise, it's probably less than we spend on our cars. If I had the money, I wouldn't think twice about having Porsche rebuild my Porsche.

[Johny Blackstain]

I agree; if I had the money I'd prefer the factory do my restos but there is a principle (@ least to me) that's bugging me. The 914 was sold world wide but as we all know the vast majority of teeners came to the USA, & for that matter so did a lot of other models. They're the corporation & we're not, so why the hell don't they open a resto facility here? I'm already paying for the resto but why should I be subject to VAT tax? Why should I have to pay for shipping to & fro? Maybe I'm being picky but it bugs me.

[mepstein]

I agree; if I had the money I'd prefer the factory do my restos but there is a principle (@ least to me) that's bugging me. The 914 was sold world wide but as we all know the vast majority of teeners came to the USA, & for that matter so did a lot of other models. They're the corporation & we're not, so why the hell don't they open a resto facility here? I'm already paying for the resto but why should I be subject to VAT tax? Why should I have to pay for shipping to & fro? Maybe I'm being picky but it bugs me.

Because they are Porsche and they are the ones making the rules. You have to decide if you want to play. If you think the shipping is pricey then I bet the $200/hour or whatever they charge is probably more than you are comfortable spending.

[Johny Blackstain]

Because they are Porsche and they are the ones making the rules. You have to decide if you want to play. If you think the shipping is pricey then I bet the $200/hour or whatever they charge is probably more than you are comfortable spending.

I agree, but paying VAT really bugs me- it's un American in that it's taxation w/out representation. Not trying to start a political discussion here, but I'm one of those guys who really paid attention in history class.

[mepstein]

Because they are Porsche and they are the ones making the rules. You have to decide if you want to play. If you think the shipping is pricey then I bet the $200/hour or whatever they charge is probably more than you are comfortable spending.

I agree, but paying VAT really bugs me- it's un American in that it's taxation w/out representation. Not trying to start a political discussion here, but I'm one of those guys who really paid attention in history class.

I don't think we pay it.

[Big Len]

I agree; if I had the money I'd prefer the factory do my restos but there is a principle (@ least to me) that's bugging me. The 914 was sold world wide but as we all know the vast majority of teeners came to the USA, & for that matter so did a lot of other models. They're the corporation & we're not, so why the hell don't they open a resto facility here? I'm already paying for the resto but why should I be subject to VAT tax? Why should I have to pay for shipping to & fro? Maybe I'm being picky but it bugs me.

Because they are Porsche and they are the ones making the rules. You have to decide if you want to play. If you think the shipping is pricey then I bet the $200/hour or whatever they charge is probably more than you are comfortable spending.

I paid more than that for my divorce attorney.

To lose that witch, worth every friggen' penny.

[Johny Blackstain]

I don't think we pay it.

I did when I ordered my Hayward & Scott SSHE's for my six (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[mepstein]

I don't think we pay it.

I did when I ordered my Hayward & Scott SSHE's for my six (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

VAT is "sales tax" charged in europe for goods that stay in europe. If you go in person and bring it back with you = you can get the VAT refunded to you either at the airport or later on your credit card. If you mail order goods to be shipped to the USA by mail - you normally will NOT be charged VAT.

[Johny Blackstain]

VAT is "sales tax" charged in europe for goods that stay in europe. If you go in person and bring it back with you = you can get the VAT refunded to you either at the airport or later on your credit card. If you mail order goods to be shipped to the USA by mail - you normally will NOT be charged VAT.

That was how I understood it but H&S sent a VAT bill to FedEx after the fact, who in turn dumped it in my lap so I paid it to avoid any litigation from FedEx. Probably should have told them to "piss off wankers" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[bcheney]

I have read recently that Porsche is bringing their restoration business to the USA and are in process of selecting a small handful of current dealers to open Porsche Classic facilities. My money says Brumos will be one such place...stay tuned in the months ahead.

[eitnurg]

That was how I understood it but H&S sent a VAT bill to FedEx after the fact, who in turn dumped it in my lap so I paid it to avoid any litigation from FedEx.

You should not have been charged - or paid - this. (Don't even try arguing with FedEx, they know diddeley-squat about import-export, despite being in the business).

BUT if it's a personal export - ie you take it with you - you have to pay VAT to the vendor. You then produce the goods and the bill at at the airport on departure, and get them certified. You then send the certified bill to the vendor, who then refunds you the VAT element. But I assume that as FedEx are involved, this didn't happen.

Sounds like your argument is with H&S. Either they, or FedEx, or probably both, fouled up and FedEx's "solution" was to just pass the charge on.