This thread's purpose is to shed some light into the sometimes opaque world of 'Porsche Exclusive'. And to disseminate some of information I have gained from past Porsche ordering experiences and current research into custom ordering a 991 or 981. I hope that others join in and share their ordering experiences so that we can establish a well documented thread that is helpful to others that are contemplating custom ordering their cars. In general, Americans rarely custom order a Porsche. Most just buy what dealers have ordered, which are often 'safe' choices that appeals to an 'average' buyer. It's no wonder that so many 991's & 981's are spec'ed pretty much the same in so many regional markets. 'Porsche Exclusive', if used wisely, opens up a whole new world of personalization for you & your car which is relatively rare to find today in the mass-production automotive industry. Mercedes and BMW offers no equivalent program in the US. Only 'Audi Exclusive' offers something similar.

The many different choices available through 'Porsche Exclusive' sometimes can overwhelm the 'average' Porsche customer. And few dealers have experienced sales staff that knows the inside/out of custom ordering a car and the intricacies of 'Porsche Exclusive'. So YOU will have to do your own homework and research before you can successfully master this complex ordering system. I hope this thread lifts the veil on some of the custom ordering process at Porsche and helps some of you achieve the perfect 981 spec! I am not affiliated with PAG, PCNA or any dealer, so all of this is being done is the spirit of 'Liebe Zu Ihm'.

I will initially touch on the following topics:

1) Paint to Sample
2) Leather interior choices
3) Deviating Stitching
4) Leather to Sample
4) Wheels in deviating colors
5) Special Requests not found in Configurator
6) New options about to be announced

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1) Paint to Sample

Timing: Available for a limited time window during the model year. Opens and closes depending on series production scheduling. In the initial limited period of MY2012 991, it was open briefly then closed as MY2013 production was about to start. Now it appears to be open again for MY2013 991 and 981. Could close on the MY2013 981 sometime in the late Fall or early Winter of 2012, but apparently nothing yet has been communicated to dealers. Seems like the factory likes to bunch up PTS requests in batches and tries to do them all in a row. If you know something about the complicated process of auto painting technology, you probably will understand why! So always check that the window for PTS is open so that you are not disappointed by being shut out due to the factory 'fickle' PTS scheduling!

Cost: Currently $5,500.

Colors Available: Any...as long as it passes a very strict and severe test conducted by PAG in Zuffenhausen with the assistance of their current paint supplier - Dupont. Some colors that are deemed proprietary to a model (e.g. Speedster Blue or Sport Classic Grey) are often 'off-limits'. Some that are registered trade-marks of corporations (e.g. Gulf colors) might also be currently prohibited. Overall, what Porsche is looking to do is limit customer complaints that might trigger costly warranty claims and consumer dissatisfaction of mis-matched colors on any part of the vehicle. Since the materials now used in cars involve steel, plastic, carbon fiber, etc, it is important that colors don't fade at a different rate on the varied surfaces of a modern Porsche!

The process of determining suitability could take weeks or months. It only starts after you place the order with your dealer and it sends an actual 'sample' metal piece painted (minimum size of a business letter) with your desired PTS color to the factory in Germany. So this 'Paint to Sample' process is not for those that are in a hurry in getting their 991's or are easily upset by a possible rejection of your color selection! But perseverance will reward you efforts with a fairly rare or even unique color on your special vehicle!

To their credit, PCNA has actually issued a document on 6/4/2012 which told dealers of PTS colors that they have already tested and pre-approved. This is a tremendous advantage for those of you willing to select one of those pre-approved colors because you don't have to submit color 'samples' and wait in limbo! It means you quickly pass 'Go' and your car can be quickly scheduled for production!

Among the PTS colors pre-approved as of 6/4/2012 are:

Mexico Blue
Riviera Blue
RS Green
Pastell Orange (German Spelling)
Aetna Blue (misspelled in List as Etna)
Stone Grey
Fashion Grey
Grey Black
Arena Red
Brewster Green
Arctic Silver

Among the PTS colors officially rejected and 'Not Available' are:
Aquamarine Blue Metallic
Atlas Grey Metallic
Slate Metallic
RS Orange (from personal experience)

Among the PTS under 'Feasibility Check Started' are:
Gulf Blue (don't bet on being approved!)
Gulf Orange (don't bet on being approved!)
Carrara White
Horizon Blue Metallic
Ipanema Blue Metallic
Peru Red
Sepia Brown
Maritime Blue
Meteor Grey Metallic
Voodoo Blue
Polar Silver Metallic

Among the colors under 'Feasibility Check Necessary' are:
Guards Red
Speed Yellow
GTS Red
Azzurro California Metallic
and countless others!

That is enough to digest on the first day!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado

 

1964 356 Carrera 2 Coupe 'Königsblau'

any pix of this sire?

 

No, when I got the car in the 1980's, it was already repainted 'Champagne Yellow'. But I got the factory Kardex (we could back then!) and it was originally painted at the factory in the color Königsblau, which was a 1960/1 356 hue. It translates into 'Royal Blue' in English. The original German owner of this Carrera 2 special ordered it, much as you can do PTS today!

I foolishly took the car apart thinking I would restore it. I never did and sold it with all parts still in boxes to a German businessman who actually did the restoration. The Carrera 2 engine for this car (a factory Kdf replacement) was totally redone by Billy Doyle to concours standard for all the time I owned it. I wanted to display it in my living room (it was that beautiful!) but my wife nixed that idea quickly! I can still remember to this day the smell of the Racing Castrol oil in it!

As I mentioned to Brandon in another post at Teamspeed, most of my 356's were gone from my garage before the age of digital photography came of age. The only digital photos I have handy are of my the last (and best) 356 that I kept for over 15 long years! It was a 1965 C Cabriolet with 35k original miles, factory paint, interior & top. A museum quality vehicle that would have done very well in Preservation Class at any PCA Parade, although I never took it out to a single show - ever! It was 'Signal Red' with black leather seats. It was built very early in 1965, one of the last made before production ended that Winter. Bought from the original owner from Sunnyvale, CA. Included full records, tool kit, etc. It was purchased at Gus Mozart dealership in Palo Alto in May of 1965, the last of the 356's among brand new 911's in the dealer's showroom. Set a record sales price for a 356 C cabriolet when I sold it in 2007! Photo taken in a garage at a former mountain home we used to have in Nevada.

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado

 

OK, for my next post on this thread, perhaps we can make a bit of internet news! I will reveal the photos of the new 'AMBER ORANGE' leather interior color scheduled now for production on the 981 (and perhaps optional in the 991 in the future?) soon to hit our shores! See attached photos below. I have yet to see a finished car done with this interior. If any of you have, please provide us with a link!

The name 'Amber Orange' is a bit deceiving. I would consider it almost a member of the 'brown' family of colors, just brighter but with a decidedly hint of an 'orangy' overtone! This will be available for the 981 in what the configurator calls a 'two-tone' color combination, in conjunction only with 'Agate Grey' leather. PAG calls this type of offering a 'Leder Bicolor' and it translates to English as 'Leather bicolor'. More importantly, this BiColor combination will sport a very significant 'orange' deviating color stitching on the 'Agate Grey' leather dash and top door panels which will be very striking and noticeable! I urge you all to go to the PCNA website and 'built your own' 981 in this color combination with 3D! It is absolutely stunning!

It is also very reasonably priced and includes the extra deviating stitching (normally over $1000 of extra costs if ordered 'a la carte'). I will talk more about all the 'two-tone' interior combinations in an upcoming post on this thread. To me, these 'Bicolors' are the most interesting offerings currently available from Porsche on the new 981 and 991 models! The trick is to match them correctly to an exterior color! But for today, I wanted you all of you to see for yourselves what 'Amber Orange' looks like!

Although this new 'Amber Orange' color is initially offered only on the 981, I believe that this leather color MIGHT be available for mix & match into panels in the 991, but only by special request! And perhaps a similar 'BiColor Leder' option with 'Agate Grey' leather may be offered on the 991 in the future. That is why I am also posting this information on these 991 forums so you are aware of this 'new' leather color choice from Porsche.

I took these pictures at the Salt Lake City PCA Parade which just concluded less than two weeks ago! They were graciously shown to me by Sascha Glaeser who is 'Manager, Customer Consultation', for 'Porsche Exclusive' in the US. A few preliminary words about Sascha Glaeser. He is based in Los Angeles. His assistant, Melissa Witek, is based in New York. In future posts, I will describe in greater detail all the good work they are both doing to liven up our cars via the exquisite offerings of 'Porsche Exclusive'! PAG has assigned Sascha to the US after working for 'Porsche Exclusive' in Germany. 'Beautiful Melissa', as I like to call her, was hired here in the States. They work with both US dealers and individuals to educate them on the various possibilities open to North American customers of Porsche via 'Porsche Exclusive'. I hope the information on my thread will make all of you better informed so that when you finally talk to either Sascha or Melissa on your prospective orders and make those conversations more productive for both parties!

I personally want to thank Sascha for all the time he spent with me in Salt Lake City (and previously helping me with my custom ordered Aqua Blue/Carrera Red MY2012 Spyder). Without his help, I would have very little to share with you on this forum!

http://www.porsche.com/usa/accessori...ion/contactus/

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado

 

Link is broken but thanks for sharing. Lots of good information in here.

 

Thanks. PCNA site is finicky. Here is the information on these two individuals I mention in the post above.

Porsche Cars North America
Customer Consultation Center
236 N. Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
E-Mail: CustomerConsultations@porsche.us

Customer Consultation Center Business Hours: By Appointment Only

Mr. Sascha Glaeser - Manager, Customer Consultation
Ms. Melissa Witek - Customer Consultation Specialist

Saludos,
Eduardo

 

2) Leather Interior Choices - Part 1

First, let's talk about what leathers Porsche offers. You will note that in the Configurator, they give you the following options:

a)Standard color
b)Special Leather
c)Two Tone
d)Natural/Special leather
e)Custom Colors

It seems for sure that the only 'Natural' leathers offered, on the face of it, are 'Carrera Red' and 'Espresso'. So what are the 'un-natural' leathers being offered to us by Porsche?

Over at the 6speed forum, member 'jmmk' recently gave us a very interesting tutorial which might help explain things better for us. "Leather is a starting point for a car manufacturer. With the base leather, the leather is stretched and the outer layer is sanded off and a new grain is embossed into it to make it more uniform. This increases the porosity of the leather when the outside is sanded off and it accepts color better. However, it doesn't hold up as well unless a sealer is applied. So the "leather" interior is considerably changed from its natural state. It is now thinner, uniform in both grain and color, and sealed against UV and infrared damage from the sun, making it suitable for an automobile use. Since it is stretched thinner you don't notice that it is slightly stiffer. It could be dark black or dark grey according to what the designer wanted. Full leather has nothing to do with what kind of leather is used, although the designer might specify a better grade if their research indicates the consumer expects it with the cost upgrade.

Natural leather is not stretched. It is natural thickness and has the natural grain still intact. It is tumble dyed in large drums that constantly roll and knead it to get it to accept the color. This softens it much like you would soften a dry chamois by kneading it. It retains the natural, saddle-like leather smell without adding synthetic aromas. The comfort, if you took the time to compare it, is obvious to the educated rear end. Even though less is done to cure leather this way, it is still more expensive since you get fewer square feet of leather out of a hide. The UV and infrared sealants are introduced into the leather while it is tumbling in the dye soaked drums and like the dye, is soaked all the way through the leather rather than added with the sealant.

Additional leather options in a Porsche, beyond the full leather option, show the skill and technology that Porsche craftsmen are capable of. For leather air conditioner vents, the leather is stretched almost paper thin to cover the plastic vanes of the outlet. Also, the match between what is leather and what is similar to leather is outstanding by automobile standards."

Over the years we have also heard the term 'aniline leather' to signified what is referred to by 'jmmk' and Porsche as 'Natural'. Wikipedia describes it as "Aniline leather is a type of leather dyed exclusively with soluble dyes without covering the surface with a topcoat paint or insoluble pigments. The resulting product retains the hide's natural surface with the 'grain', i.e. visible pores, scars etc. of the complete original animal's skin structure. Originally, the dyes used for this process were synthesized from aniline through chemical reactions. These dyes used to be called 'aniline dyes' or 'tar dyes'. In modern times, the dyes used are subject to laws and regulations in many countries, and the use of certain azo compounds is prohibited as there are reasons to assume health risks. Typically, leather is dyed both for aesthetic reasons and to conceal blemishes. The dye colours leather without producing the uniform surface of pigmented leather. Any visible variations on the surface of the undyed leather such as natural blemishes will remain visible. There are different kinds of aniline leather, but the same kinds of dyes are used in the process. The dyes used are clear and transparent chemicals that allow the grain structure of the leather to be seen. These dyes show the natural texture, but do not protect the leather from damage. Aniline leather may be referred to as full aniline or full sauvage leather to differentiate between this dye treatment and variants. Semi-aniline leather is produced through a very similar process to full-aniline, but has a thin protective top coat added to protect it from wear and staining. Pull up aniline leather has additional oil or wax applied to the leather to give it a distressed look'.

So it seems that the 'standard' leather offerings from Porsche are not 'natural', or 'aniline', or even 'semi-aniline'. These 'base' leathers on the 981 include the colors 'Black', 'Platinum Grey', 'Yachting Blue' and 'Luxor Beige'. Also not categorized as 'Natural' leathers are these other leather offerings: a) 'Special Leathers' in the color 'Agate Grey'; and b)Two-Tone (BiColor) 'Agate Grey/Pebble Grey' and 'Agate Grey/Amber Orange'! An interesting new Bi-Color - 'Agate Grey/Lime Gold' - is only listed for partial leather seats but I would hope it can be available in full leather combination too. I will have to inquire about that. Only 'Carrera Red' and 'Espresso' fit into this 'premium' or 'exclusive' Natural / 'aniline' leather designation! Note that Umber is offered on the 991 but not on the 981! On the other hand, neither 'Agate Grey/Amber Orange' or 'Agate Grey/Lime Gold' is offered on the 991!

I believe that 'Custom Colors', which from now on I will simply call 'Leather to Sample', can be had in either 'base' leather (if particularly colorful) or in 'Natural', if that particular leather grade is available in the color you desire. 'Leather to Sample' is a seldom selected option here in the US. It is more common to markets like the Middle East/Gulf States. I will make it my business in the next few months to inquire more on this subject. Personally, I find the standard 'Black' in the base leather as offered by Porsche not to be particularly desirable. So I would like to know if they can provide us in 'Leather to Sample' a deeper 'Black' leather in 'Natural' upscale grade that will be darker in color & richer than the standard 'Black' offered. Others have commented that the new standard 'black' seems to be a bit more 'charcoal' this year than they remember in the recent 997/987 models. I am also fascinated by the previous 997.2 offering of 'Natural Brown' leather, which was a beautiful color and of great quality! More about this when I talk about 'Leather to Sample' on a future post on this thread.

Note that the leather colors for the new 981 are almost all new to the Boxster/Cayman model range. The only true carry over is 'Carrera Red' Natural leather. I believe that the base 'Black' is slightly more 'charcoal' than in the outgoing 997/987, but I could be wrong. 'Agate Grey', 'Platinum Grey', 'Yachting Blue' are totally new offerings! 'Luxor Beige' has apparently replaced 'Sand Beige' and 'Espresso' Natural replaced 'Cocoa Brown' Natural. Sadly, 'Natural Brown' was not kept even for the 991! The Dual-Tones (BiColor) are all new to the range. Note they are not 'Natural' leathers and in the 981 can be had with partial leather combinations (not available to the 991)! Some have wondered why a Dual-Tone (BiColor) 'Black/Carrera Red' is not yet offered. I don't know the answer but note there is a mismatch of grade quality given the 'standard' black with the 'natural' Carrera Red. Perhaps that is one of the reasons it is not yet offered! There is the possibility of mix & matching via other 'Porsche Exclusive' options, and we will talk about that on another day.

Colors of leather fall within the range of personal taste. I will not comment on that subject, but I will explain in greater detail the new 'BiColors' in my next post. I think these BiColors are some of the most interesting offerings yet from Porsche and deserve particular attention as to what they offer.

Leather grade is not a matter of personal taste but of your budget! When all possible, order the highest grade of 'Natural' or 'Aniline' leather you can afford! I voted with my wallet. I ordered 'Carrera Red' Natural leather on my MY2012 Aqua Blue Metallic Spyder. I think it's a beautiful and striking interior which has kept to this day some of its original leather aroma! The quality of that 'Natural' leather is excellent and highly recommended. I am also lucky to have a rare Porsche factory leather interior on my well preserved 'Crystal Blue' 1970 911E Targa. That 'full' leather interior - door, front & rear seats, rear back and side panels - still smells like leather some 42 years later on my particular 55K original mile vehicle!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, CO

 

Great thread! Thanks!!

 

'Mike in Ca', a Rennlist forum member who has a Cocoa interior 997.2, has pointed out to me that 'Cocoa' was not a 'natural' offering, just a 'Special Leather' for MY2009 thru MY2011. It was phased out early in MY2012! So 'Espresso' Natural has replaced 'Natural Brown' in the 991's line-up, but the latter was never offered on the 987. Regardless, this old 'Natural Brown' was one of my favorite interiors!

Saludos,
Eduardo

 

2) Leather Interior Choices - Part 2

The new Two Tone (BiColor) interior offerings from Porsche are worthy a separate discussion on this thread. Although Porsche offered some limited two tone interiors in the past, the ones for the new 991 and 981 are especially significant because they are also combined with very distinctive deviating stitching in 'key' upper panels. These are very similar to the interesting BiColors introduced very late in the 997.2 model range (e.g. MY2012), although one of my favorites - 'Black/Sand Beige' - was seldom ordered by customers or dealers on its debut. That is why I am highlighting these BiColor options for you today. I believe when customers get more familiar with them and what flair they offer your car's interior, they will become very popular with Porsche buyers on the 981!

These new BiColors are all color coordinated to their matching lower panel colors and look positively smashing! For a great number of prospective new owners that have often thought of ordering deviating stitching but gave up because of the complexity and color decision process, this is a ready-made coordinated package from 'factory' that has great appeal and it's easy to do! In addition, it's a bloody bargain! The BiColor option is $430 extra on a 'Full Leather' interior or $140 for 'Partial Leather', according to the PCNA Configurator for the 981!

The stitching alone, if done 'a la carte', would cost you an extra $700 on the Boxster and more in the upcoming Cayman. You get an additional rear panel top stitched in the coupe! Here are some current deviating stitching prices from Porsche for the US:

Deviating stitch dashboard 310.00
Deviating Stitching door trim 390.00

On the 981, you get to choose from three BiColor choices: 'Agate Grey/Amber Orange', 'Black/Platinum Grey' (See Photo in Post #4 above) and 'Agate Grey/Lime Gold' (first photo below). The later is shown on the PCNA Configurator as available only in 'Partial Leather', but which I hope it's also allowed in 'Full Leather. I will check soon with 'Porsche Exclusive' to confirm what can be done in this unusual BiColor 'Lime Gold'. As I have mentioned on a previous post, the challenge will be to match these BiColor interior options to an acceptable 'exterior' color!

The advantages of Two Tone or BiColor are many but let me list a few:

a) It visually helps 'enlarge' the 981's cabin space by the lighter color under panels!
b) Reduces glare on front windshield since dash is dark color. A common objection to lighter color interiors!
b) The deviating stitching is just enough to make the whole interior 'pop'!
c) It is an easy, no-fuss way to distinguish your interior from the drab 'black' so often favored by Teutons over at the Fatherland!
d) Leather Steering Wheel is color coordinated to your BiColor interior!
d) It is a bargain as far as normal 'Porsche Exclusive' options go!

I don't have yet any photos of 981's in these special Two Tone/BiColor options. But these can be already seen in the new 991's. The second set of photos below are of a 'Racing Yellow' 991 Coupe with the BiColor 'Black/Platinum Grey' option. Photos taken at Rennsport IV at Laguna Seca.

I hope some of you seriously consider these great new options on your next Porsche 981!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado