bumper as well, because the towing point is higher up in the rubber strip, as opposed to below in non-diffuser models, but I couldn’t find one in time so left it. I am delighted with the diffuser, which doesn’t actually add anything to the performance but does, in my opinion, ‘finish’ off the back of the car rather nicely. “In the early 1990s owner number two had added what was, I have no doubt at the time, a state-ofthe-art mobile phone system. Unfortunately, this involved a rather large box being screwed into the rear wheel storage bin, an aerial glued onto the top of the hatch and, most annoyingly, holes drilled in the lower section of the dashboard to fit the phone holder. This was a Panasonic analogue system, so not OEM Porsche and hence not worth keeping as a period piece. I removed the dashboard-mounted phone holder and was pleased to see that there were only a couple of holes, which I filled with some white plastic filler to match the dash. I removed all the wiring throughout the car quite easily (mostly tucked into the trim), including the power wires connected directly onto the battery – not via the fuse box – how lazy some fitters were! I was slightly nervous about removing the glued aerial in case I cracked the rear hatch, and asked the advice of a chap who works on vehicles. He had a plastic tool kit designed to work on car trim, and was able to prise the aerial off quickly without any damage to the glass. Quite a pile of ugly obsolete equipment has now been removed.
Significant weight loss to John D Stratford’s 944 with the removal of the old telephone system
“Finally, despite my desire for originality, I couldn’t stand the originally fitted Panasonic CQ-F35 radio cassette player any longer. It just about worked on short local trips but was completely useless on longer journeys and required continual retuning as we moved between FM signals – all accompanied by crackles, hiss and horrible distortion. I investigated the Porsche Classic Stereo replacement (with sat nav), which looked really good but, at around £900, was hideously expensive. However, what completely ruled it out for me was the lack of DAB radio and separate mounting for the USB connectors – really Porsche, in 2016? In the end I choose a Kenwood unit, which was £140 and included FM/AM, DAB, CD, USB, AUX, iPhone direct connect/control and hands free Bluetooth. I already have sat nav for the rare occasions that I need it. The difference it makes is significant and shows how much radio technology has moved on in 27 years. I now have crisp, clear music from a number of sources (my iPhone has 4,000 songs on it) using the original speakers, as well as the hands-free phone. I have boxed up the original radio and added it to the original steering wheel, cassette holder divider and some other parts I updated, just in case at some point someone wants to return my 944 back to how it was originally.”
968 Register Secretary Ken Coad 01923 262960 968@porscheclubgb.com Assistant Register Secretary Richard Warburton richard@rwarburton.com Technical Advisor Alex Eacock 01213 282225 Hello Register members Finding something to write about on a regular basis is quite difficult as, although it’s not my daily driver, I use my 968 most of the time. Recommended oil Recently I bought some more oil from Millers, it’s not cheap but PCGB gets a discount (see Porsche File). I buy Millers engine and gearbox oil and have an oil change once a year, which my local Porsche specialist sorts out for me. Work leads to more work Whenever I fix an appointment I seem to find something else that needs doing. When the steering rack was replaced it was suggested the high-pressure hose from the pump to the rack should be replaced too, but that was another £200 and I opted not to bother. The groaning almost over, if I had the hose replaced the noise should be solved. So eventually I went for it, and noticed the front offside disc was binding occasionally (as electrolytic corrosion occurs with different metals in and around the caliper causing the pads being restricted in movement). I remember having this issue when I first bought the car and my godson completely dismantled the calipers remarking what a time-consuming job it was. My local garage bead-blasted the components, rebuilt the front calipers and also fitted a pair of second hand discs, which had been gathering dust in my garage. When I bought the car I used to visit second-hand Porsche part sites and car boot sales buying anything I reckoned might be useful – you don’t hear of these events nowadays and most of my items have sold through eBay. I found a nearside headlight in a box, which I should move on, plus a spare pair of front black Brembo calipers. They are worth a good £300 of anyone’s money but need reconditioning. I’m thinking of buying soundproofing material for the boot floor and saw some at a recent event I attended. A company called NKK Group from Oldham supplies this. As a last word on the subject, the steering noises appear to have been eliminated! Terrific… New paint job My 968 refresh paint job has temporarily been put on the back burner as I need the car for a couple of events and it would mean being off the road for a month. I enjoy driving the 968 – the performance after re-chipping and a top-end engine overhaul gives so much more oomph! What a great car it is now. Spending money on appearance does not come easily, especially compared to mechanics; I like to think my car is mechanically brilliant and performance justifies the financial input. 108 porscheclubgb.com
Checking out the Boxster S Already the silly season (when the weather usually turns colder and we start buying presents) is being talked of. I am temporarily driving a Boxster S to evaluate comfort etc. It goes well, but is very limited for space and it takes a bit of working out how you get to the engine. Was toying with the idea of buying an early one, but the engine issues are a problem and you can easily spend out what you paid for the car on a rebuild. I’ll give it a few runs and evaluate but my six foot three inches feel cramped so it’s not ticking all the boxes yet. Remember, whichever model 968 you drive they are all basically the same so we should all enjoy these fine cars that 968s are. Ken
Boxster Register Secretary Tracy Wilkins 01992 450740 boxster@porscheclubgb.com Assistant Secretary Cliff Wilkins Contact details as above Technical Advisor Steve Winter steve@jazweb.co.uk Nick Pike 01189 473925 (evenings and weekends) Let the celebrations begin On Saturday, September 10 we kicked off the Boxster 20th Anniversary celebrations with the Register Rendezvous at Kedleston Hall. We were expecting 113 cars but, late on Friday evening, rain began to fall and carried on through the night into Saturday morning. On leaving our B&B we drove through the thick mud and puddles of local country lanes and, on arriving at Kedleston Hall, were amazed to see two rows of Boxsters already parked up. The stewards were soaked through but still had a cheery smile for everyone and did a sterling job in parking the cars. With the rain not letting up many members said their quick hellos as Maggie and Dick Powell and I handed them their refreshment tickets. Everyone then made a dash for the welcoming and dry main Club marquee. To my utter amazement the cars just kept arriving for well over two hours and, as they snaked along the grand drive, it was a sight to behold. As soon as the rain gave us a short reprieve I had a quick count up – 98 Boxsters on site including every model ever manufactured; from a 1996 986 to a couple of 550s, RS60s, 987 and 981 Spyders, a couple of 718s, a race car and even four Boxsters that had been entered into the ‘show and shine’ competition in front of the house. We had planned to hold a meet among the cars at midday – the idea being to let Boxster members catch up with each other, look around the cars and enjoy the refreshments. However, as the weather was so wet, we moved everything into the marquee where at least the cakes stayed dry and people chatted happily. It was really lovely as we served the refreshments to have members introduce themselves and I was able to put so many names to faces. With the refreshments devoured and the skies finally brightening up we were asked to attend the prize giving for the ‘show and shine’. Despite the inclement weather, the cars entered in the competition still looked amazing and all of the Boxster entries were immaculate – all winners in my eyes.