Early 912 Bonnet / Hood badges

[lewy 912]

Hi All,

I'm currently having my 66' 912 restored, nearly there and now getting to the fun bit, putting it back together.

The rear Porsche script and 912 badge are being replaced as they're broken and in a sorry state. The front emblem is original and the patina is great so I'm inclined to put it back on the car. My question is what sort of money are these badges worth and if I was to replace it with a new one would it be an Orange Bar badge?
I've seen these on e bay and other sites for big money, but with a huge price difference depending on year / type of emblem.
your advise would be most welcome

Cheers
Dave

[MikeyC]

Hi Dave,

If you already have an original front badge, with some great patina, then yes, put it back on the car. Seems no point to replace it with another, period-correct 'orange-bar' badge. For the aficionado, there were changes to the back-side that came in '68/LWB (which you won't see when mounted), and changes to 'red-bar' in '74. There are also some very unrealistic prices asked for the early ones online.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Mike.

[Nick Moss]

There are also some very unrealistic prices asked for the early ones online.

What is unrealistic? Correct, early badges were fetching £300 10 years ago!

[210bhp]

It depends on how detailed you want to go. There are subtle differences between the ‘orange bar’ badge and I have noted at least 7 types to date. I’m not sure the ‘smooth’ backed badge was replaced in the 68/lwb changeover. I think that is possibly a generalization which was once stated as fact and has just stuck. Also, orange bar badges (with differences) have been found on some cars into 1975.

A picture of the front and rear of your badge Dave would be really helpful if you are 100% sure it is original to your car. I’d be inclined to refit it if it is in good shape.

There is a thread on here about bonnet badge restoration.

Regards
Mike

[T911UK]

Porsche have used many suppliers for the hood badge over the years, hence the differences. They were just picked out of a parts bin, whatever was in there went on that car, you cant say a model year had a certain badge.

The latest version (now all hood badges are made in house to stop forgery etc) is £110.08 + vat, you could buy one, pop it in the ground for a year and then it would look "older"

[210bhp]

[quote="T911UK"]Porsche have used many suppliers for the hood badge over the years, hence the differences. They were just picked out of a parts bin, whatever was in there went on that car, you cant say a model year had a certain badge.


That’s not a true statement. From the 356 around 1955 to at least 1975 only one supplier was used. A certain year did have a certain badge. The difficulty lies with the fact that not too many cars still sport their original badge so it becomes difficult to work out exactly when the changes occurred but there is a specific order to those changes as the 911 (and the other models) were built. The metal, horse, stag horns, background pebble effect, position of all the markings on the rear, Porsche font and enamel bar colour all change slightly from 1964 through to 1975. After 1975 the badge changed significantly.

The latest in-house orange bar version is nothing like the originals and will not look correct however you try to ‘age’ it (at least for pre-74 cars). It has issues with quality as well as appearance. The enamel bars have fallen out by simply washing in some cases. They look cheap and nasty and weigh far less than an original. The features are quite different when you see them side by side.

Regards
Mike

[T911UK]

My comments were regarding the 1975 on badge, sorry I didnt make that clear.

[210bhp]

My comments were regarding the 1975 on badge, sorry I didnt make that clear.

No problem. I’m not familiar with those modern Porsche’s.

All 912’s were built pre 1970 save for a few in 1976 or thereabouts and Dave’s question was about a 66 car.

Any pictures Dave?

Regards
Mike

[lewy 912]

Hi Gents,
thanks for the feedback.
Mike having computer issues at the moment as soon as it's sorted i'll post pics of it and you can let me have your expert opinion on it.

cheers
Dave

[wildtexas]

Dave, if you like the patina on your badge just stick with it. I like a little bit of history on a car. They aren't brand new, they are 50 plus years old with all the life experience that implies.

I like to get them mechanically right and presentable personally, but not immaculate.

[lewy 912]

[lewy 912]

[210bhp]

That’s a modern new Porsche badge artificially aged to give false patina. It’s about 50 years newer than your car.

Regards
Mike

[lewy 912]

Cheers Mike!
I had my suspicions as the rear of the badge is the same as a new one!
thanks again for your expect eye!

[lewy 912]

'expert' even!