In this instance, size does not matter. Big or small, Cayenne or 911 Coupe, your Porsche can benefit from a bra. No, I’m not talking about the old school, Don Johnson era, leather/vinyl cover-ups. I’m talking about the new, clear, “invisible” bra products.
We’ve always been aware of the “invisible” bras. In fact, John’s 993 C4S has it applied on the rear fender wells (as stone guards) and a few other strategic locations to protect against rock chips. However, we weren’t really familiar with the ins and out of the product, or how it is installed, until we bought my new Cayenne and decided with all of our road trips (Florida to Maine and back every year and then some) that we best do what we can to protect the paint on my “Pepper” to keep it looking new (not to mention those costly Xenon headlight assemblies).
After some research on the web we found out that there are a few different products available for Porsche owners. We decide on the 3M Super Shield (please note, this is not a paid post for 3M, it just happens to be the product we choose) for four major reasons:
1. It is our understanding that the 3M template for our Cayenne has the fewest pieces (meaning fewer possible chances at any lines being visible).
2. 3M’s newer film allows for UV light to pass through (meaning paint under the bra will have the same sun exposure as areas that are not covered).
3. We like 3M’s warranty and what the research shows about lack of yellowing from the 3M films. Some other films are known to yellow over time (some shorter than others). That’s not to say the 3M won’t ever yellow, but it seems like it is less likely given what we’ve read.
4. Perhaps, most importantly, the installer – Pepe Feliu (the co-owner of Auto Super Shield in Boca Raton) comes as highly recommended as anyone could. Over the span of three days we speak with as many as 20 Porsche owners in Southern Florida who had their invisible bras installed by Pepe (including the local PCA club) and they all have nothing but good things to say (here’s but one of the many threads on Rennlist about Pepe). To top it off, most of the major hi-end sport and luxury brand dealers in the area outsource their installations to Pepe and his crew.
After watching our installation, and it’s complexity, it becomes pretty clear that the key to a good experience is the right installer. If you live in Southern Florida call Pepe’s wife Wendy (she runs the front of the shop) and they will treat you right!! (We are so impressed with their work, that we end up working out a deal for PorschePurist.com’s readers. Simply let Wendy know you heard about their work on our site and they’ll give you a 20% discount off the cost of the kit – depending on your Porsche this can be a significant savings; They offer the same discount for local PCA clubs as well. More on this later).
Introductions and Installation Time
We arrive at Auto Super Shield not knowing quite what to expect, only that our installation will take at least four hours (we go way over that, but that’s because I didn’t stop asking questions and ended up getting much more work done than originally planned) and Wendy and Pepe agree to let me stay and document the whole process for PorschePurist’s readers (thanks Wendy!!).
Immediately upon arrival, it’s pretty clear that the recommendations for Pepe and his work are spot on. Not only is the shop clean and well lit, but almost every square inch of wall space in the waiting room is covered with pictures of Porsches, Ferraris, Bugatis, Lambos and any other exotic car manufacture you could think of. These are all photos of cars that Pepe has installed clear bras, window tinting or some other form of paint protection. It kind of gives you that same feeling you get when walking into a new doctor’s office and see all the degrees from well known Ivy league schools. You know in some ways they are just props, but it gives you the warm fuzzy feeling that you came to the right place and what you need done will be done right.
Clear Bra Installation Process
After completing introductions, Pepe pulls my Cayenne out back to give it a thorough wash in order to make sure it is clean and, more importantly, to strip any wax from the areas where he is going to install the 3M film (like most things, prep is key to a good finished product). After finishing the wash down my Cayenne is pulled into the shop from the rear bay.
As I enter the work-shop my eyes are immediately drawn to a Ferrari 599 delivered by a local dealer for a rush job. Apparently, the Ferrari was just sold yesterday and the new owner wants the car covered from stem to stern with the Supershield product (including all the glass) and wants the tinting replaced with something a bit darker. At this point, any remaining doubts, that there might be a better installer in the area, abruptly leave me. I know I’m in the right place.
With my Cayenne in the installation bay and raised up for easy access, Pepe moves to the shop computer where he calls up the proper pattern for my Cayenne. A few minutes later, the large commercial printer is cutting the film to order and placing it all on a roll that Pepe will use for installation. My first thought is that the clear film is adhesive and will stick to the paint like tape. Fortunately, I’m completely wrong.
How the invisible bra is applied
The 3M Paint Protection film has a paper backing that is first removed to expose the adhesive under the backing. It is then sprayed with a solvent composed of 25% alcohol, and 75% water (this explains the spray bottle on Pepe’s tool belt).
The 3M Paint Protection film is then moistened, positioned in place, and squeegeed to the surface of the vehicle in order to remove any air pockets. If there is any excess moisture remaining after installation, a few days in the sun will remove it and allow the film to cure properly.
Initially, I choose to have the front bumper (including 1/3 of the hood) and side view mirrors covered. However, after talking with Pepe for a few minutes we decide to add the film to the headlights too. Even though the additional work adds a slight bump to the cost, the extra expense is more than worth it considering the 3M film can withstand a direct hit from a small pebble up to 120 mph. What this means is that my very, very expensive headlamp assemblies are well protected from stray stones and rocks while commuting (imagine the benefits on the track).
Proper Installation is the Most Important Ingredient
As Pepe continues his installation, I’m amazed by the attention to detail. Proper installation requires good lighting, good tools, a clean work environment and a very steady hand. The placement of the film on the body of the Cayenne is as important as taking the time to ensure all trapped air is completely squeegeed out from under.
Have Clear Bra. Will Travel!
Pepe talks with me while he works and it’s clear he enjoys what he does. Not only does he work in his shop, he will frequently set up road trips at the request of local car clubs. In fact, he recently did a weekend with one of the local Florida PCA regions. In this instance, the region’s members got together to form a type of “group buy”. Here’s how it works:
1. Someone from the region acts as a liaison for their group.
2. Group members express interest and supply information about their particular model Porsche.
3. A quote is provided (including a 20% discount on materials) and a final commitment is given by the group.
4. A clean garage with good lighting is located (the space is usually donated by a local member or possibly even a local sponsor of the PCA).
5. Pepe and his crew cut all the templates (along with spares) at their shop in Boca and then travel to do the installs.
While Pepe didn’t give a minimum number of cars he likes to have lined up before he travels, it seems pretty clear he likes to stay busy. My guess, depending on distance, is that he wants at least six to eight cars so that he can work straight through the weekend.
As Pepe is finishing my hood, I look back to see window tinting being applied to the Ferrari. My Cayenne came stock from the factory with tint on the rear windows but nothing on front. As John and I are now spending almost five months a year in Florida I decide to have Pepe match the factory tinting for my front windows. That Florida sun can get pretty hot in the afternoon. Pepe immediately notices my MA plates and quickly looks up the maximum percentage of tint allowed in Massachusetts (he doesn’t want me getting any tickets for having my windows too dark).
The window tint is applied in a similar manner as the invisible bra. The biggest difference being that the template is created right there on the window of the car and then trimmed as applied. As Pepe’s brother (part of his crew) works on the window tinting I talk with him about the 3M film. It turns out the film works so good at stopping stone chips and scratches that both he and his brother have applied it to their iPhones. Even after hard drops, the evidence of which is clearly seen by bashed corners and gouges in the plastic, the glass on their iPhones is still intact. If only I had come a week earlier, maybe I wouldn’t have to stare through a spiderweb to see my own email. Anyway, back to the work in progress.
You may remember that shortly after purchasing the Cayenne I installed a Thule roof rack and cargo box. It suddenly occurs to me that maybe I should install a strip of the invisible bra product above my doors, right under the cargo box. This way, when I pull things down from the rack, they won’t scratch the hell out of my paint (this was a big problem on my last truck). Pepe say, no problem! He simply measures the distance and the computer cuts a new piece to fit.
At this point, I’ve covered the bumper, almost 1/2 the hood, the headlights and fog lights, had the windows tinted and added extra paint protection above the doors to avoid scratches from cargo going in and out of my roof top box. I think I’m done. I take one last walk around the Cayenne and notice there is a strip of paint between the rear cargo area and the plastic trim on the edge of the bumper. This painted area is exactly where my 125 lb Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Scout, (that’s him up above testing the strength of the tailgate on our Jeep) likes to step as he enters and exits his Cayenne. Hmmm, maybe I should cover that too? I know he’s going to scratch it within days.
I begin to realize that maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for me to have stuck around for the install. I’ve almost doubled the size of the original job. Protecting your paint is addictive.
The funny thing is, throughout the entire process, no-one tried to sell me on anything. All the additional work was requested by me as I thought of how many things could get scratched. I now understand why some people “wrap” their entire car. Think about it. Depending on your car, for a few thousand dollars, you can have the entire car cocooned in a protective coating that will keep your car looking like new now matter what kind of hell you put it through. Not a bad choice for a super expensive Porsche (Carrera GT, Turbo S, GT3s, etc.) and other hi-end sports and luxury cars. Heck, if you’re even thinking of tracking your car you should, at the very least, get the headlights and front bumper done.
At the end of the day, your Porsche may not need a bra, but for a very limited expense (call it $700 and up) you can really protect your Porsche and its paint. Remember Mike from the PCA Parade? That’s his 911 above (he drove it to the Parade from Alaska). While I commend him on his ingenuity and creativeness a clear bra is a much easier application and it lasts a lot longer!!!
If you are thinking about getting a clear bra installed on your Porsche and you are anywhere in southern Florida (or even within a 3 to 5 hour driving range) you should consider using Pepe at Auto Super Shield to have your work done. Not only will they do a perfect job, but as I mentioned earlier, they will give PorschePurist reader’s and PCA members a 20% discount on material costs. Don’t forget, if you live far away, but have a group of other Porsche owners that want installations, you just might be able to get Pepe and his crew to travel to you!!
Build a Porsche out of wood, that is. Because, that’s exactly what Italian Designer Alessandro Gedda has done for a Porsche dealer in Milan (at least according to Autoblog in Italy).
We’re not quite sure what to think at this point. In general, we like Gedda’s Porsche artwork. This sculpture, we’re not so sure about. What do you think?
Thanks to everyone who took the time to enter or nominate their dad for one of the prizes generously donated by Mobil 1 and mPower. This month’s contest had a great response with over 40 entries (although I’m always surprised there aren’t more as it’s a chance to get stuff for FREE) and we chose six lucky winners (seven if you include our runner up) based on their comments or method of entry.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY EVERYONE!!
Winners of a case of Mobil 1 Oil
Jim Breeden
Ronald Tippie
Robert (no last name given but we have your email)
@KellyShip (entered via Twitter)
Chris Stout (entered as a new subscriber)
Winner of the mPower Emergency Illuminator and Glove Box Bracket
Wilson Schooly
Consolation Prize
While flattery won’t win you a case of oil in this particular contest, it does get our attention. So, Wendell Wilson, thanks for your comments about how much you like the site! Drop us a note, as per the instructions below, and let us know your shirt size and we’ll ship you out a PorschePurist.com long sleeve shirt that’s great for DE events.
Upcoming GiveAways
Stay tuned for more information on additional upcoming contests. We’ll have another 5 case of oil for you to win next month in conjunction with the PorschePurist.com’s live coverage of the PCA Parade. In addition, we’ll have some great savings opportunities from Flying Lizard Motorsport and a few others that we think you’ll like.
Thanks again to our sponsors and to everyone that entered. We’ll be contacting you shortly with details on how to claim your prizes. If you want to be pro-active, simply reach out to us using the contact form and let us know your full name, mailing address, email address and your favorite flavor of Mobil 1. We’ll then get back to you with anticipated delivery times.
This year for Father’s Day, not only do we have a list of great Porsche Gift Ideas, we’re also giving away some great prizes. You may remember on Mother’s Day we gave away five case of oil courtesy of Mobil 1. Well, Mobil 1 stepped up to the plate yet again and we have another five (5) cases of your favorite oil to give away to five (5) deserving dads. But wait, there’s more…
In addition to the oil, we have a Porsche designed Emergency Illuminator manufactured by mPower to award to one (1) lucky dad. Not only can you win some life giving lubrication for your Porsche, you can also win one of the newest products on the market from the Porsche Design Studio (for more info you can check out mPower’s website or PorschePurist’s review of the Emergency Illuminator).
How To Enter our Porsche Product Giveaway
Entry couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is comment below and tell us why your dad deserves to win (and dads, if you’re the one reading this, feel free to enter yourself) . Just like we did in the Mother’s Day contest, we’ll pick the winners at random* and then assign a gift to them. Five of you will receive your favorite flavor of Mobil 1 and one lucky reader will win an Emergency Illuminator from mPower.
If you want to give yourself an even bigger chance of winning you can do one of the following:
We’ll keep track of who starts following us as of the day we post this and we’ll also keep track of new subscribers. If you refer someone, just let us know in a comment below along with your entry (at the very least you’ll double your chances of winning). Remember, you don’t have to do either of the two things above if you don’t want, but they will help your odds. If you receive our posts via email, remember to click on the title of the post to visit our site and tell us why you or your dad deserves to win one of our prizes. We will send and email to the winners on Father’s day as well as announce it here on the site. So, be sure to give us a good email address when you enter!!!
Father’s Day Porsche Gift Ideas
Unfortunately, not everyone can win the contest. However, there are still lots of different gift ideas for your dad. The list below is just a short list of things you might consider this Father’s Day
Porsche Books
I absorb as much as I can about Porsche. My information comes from online sources, magazines and the numerous Porsche Books in John’s office library. In fact, when John gets a new Porsche related book I have not yet read, I’m usually happier than he is. The list below is but a short sampling of my favorites:
The list above is but a small example of the many Porsche books available. For a more comprehensive list, check out the compilation of all the Porsche books we’ve reviewed here on PorschePurist.
Porsche Clothing and Apparel
John shows off his affinity for the Porsche marque whenever he can. At 6′3″ and 260 lbs, he could probably charge Porsche rent as a walking billboard for showcasing the crest as much as he does. If you’re looking for something that dad can wear to show off his passion for Porsche you have a number of different options.
Porsche Design Driver’s Selection. Inspired by the official equipment of the Porsche works drivers, Porsche Design Driver’s Selection offers the Motorsport Collection. This is the same clothing, that until very recently, was only available to Porsche employees and Motorsport insiders.
Porsche Shirts and Porsche Hats. Amazon.com has a large selection of Porsche clothing and hats from a number of different sellers.
At times, if seems as if Porsche and Hollywood go hand in hand. John wrote posts about the most famous Porsche movie, the most famous Porsche (as a character in a movie) and even reported on the speculation of Brad Pitt starring as Steve McQueen in an upcoming movie about the actor’s life and his affinity to racing and Porsche. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, inexpensive Porsche gift that dad can enjoy over and over, a DVD of any of the following Porsche related movies might be just the thing (some are just great car movies).
There are plenty of other car and Porsche movies available, but the list above seems to be the most popular. Prices range from $1.99 to $25.99
Porsche Driving School
Our Porsches are meant to perform and do so at a level that’s not safe to experience on the street (at least not for any length of time). The great thing about a gift likes this is that not only will your dad get to drive his Porsche the way it was meant to be driven, he’ll come out of it a safer and more confident Porsche pilot. While there are many options when it comes to driver education, the top three (in my opinion) are as follows:
Porsche Club of America Driver Education. Dad can learn to drive his very own Porsche in a relaxed in friendly environment by a PCA certified instructor familiar with his model Porsche. Prices vary by region but the typical cost is under $200 for a day of instruction and track time.
Porsche Sport Driving School. According to the web-site, PSDS isn’t just for novices, and it isn’t just for veteran drivers either; it’s for anyone with a love of performance vehicles and a desire to learn something new and exciting. At PSDS, your dad will enjoy more track time than at any other school, and is sure to leave with a smile cemented on his face. He will also leave with a newly found addiction to performance driving. The thing to remember about the Porsche Sport Driving School is that Dad won’t be driving his own Porsche, but rather one of many different models supplied by the school itself. Prices range from $1795 all the way to $9,995 depending on the course and length of instruction.
Skip Barber’s High Performance Driving School. If you want dad to learn and practice advanced car-control skills – and then apply those skills almost immediately to the race track, driving high-end, world class sports cars and sedans, this is the class to get. Prices range from $1800 for a one day course to $3200 fro the two day course.
Porsche Club of America Membership
The Porsche Club of America is the largest single marque club in the world with more than 100,000 members in over 139 regions. However, the fact is, there are 100s of thousands of Porsches on the road today so there must be quite a few Porsche drivers out there who are not yet receiving the benefits of membership in the PCA. I won’t go over everything your dad will get, you can read about it on the PCA web-site or in our post about the ways to enhance your Porsche ownership. I will say, that of all the gifts on this list, membership in the Porsche Club of America provides the biggest bang for the buck. $42 dollars gives dad a 12 month membership and the chance to make life-long friends.
Porsche Designed Emergency Illuminator by mPower
Yes, we’re giving one of these away, but only one (1) of you will get the chance to win. For the rest, you’ll need to buy your dad one. I won’t go into all the details again on why we like this light so much, but Dad will be extremely happy and in the event he needs a light in an emergency sometime in the next 20 years or so, he’ll remember your thoughtful gift while everyone else is fumbling around in the dark.
Porsche Radio Controlled Cars
Can’t afford to buy dad a real Porsche to play with. Not to worry, these two puny Porsches will still put a smile on Dad’s face.
For years I’ve been saying that John is a little kid at heart (more like a 12 year old child trapped inside a man’s body). As much as he likes our real Porsches he still enjoys playing with radio controlled Porsches too. Don’t laugh, some of the newer models available are so realistic it’s hard to tell them apart. Look at the photo below and see for yourself.
We reviewed the Tamiya Porsche GT3 Cup VIP last year and a number of you were fooled into thinking we had the real thing at our disposal (at least until you read the rest of that post). In addition to the 911 GT3 Cup car, we love the Porsche Cayenne S Transsyberia. Either one of these would make any Porsche fan smile like me a little kid again.
Good luck and happy shopping. If you have other items that you think we should add to the list, be sure to let us know.
It was cold, it was dark and that loud thump THUMP made it fairly obvious that Ronald Durando’s Porsche had a flat tire. As an experienced Porsche driver, and a prepared one at that, Ron wasn’t worried. Not only did he know how to change a flat tire, he was prepared for almost all contingencies with an emergency repair kit, including a flashlight for the dark conditions. Unfortunately, all the preparation in the world doesn’t help when your flashlight’s batteries have gone dead from sitting too long.
Frustrated from his encounter with the dead batteries in his flashlight Ron decided then and there to come up with a better solution. Fortunately, as the co-founder of mPhase Technologies (a publicly traded company that manufactures and designs the batteries of the future, today) he was in a unique position to make good on his promise.
As a Porsche owner and enthusiast Ron was familiar with products from the legendary Porsche Design Studio. Confident in his company’s unique battery technology Ron fired off a “cold” email to Porsche Design in an effort to gauge their interest in creating a product together. According to Ron, “one thing led to another and we now have a co-branding agreement with Porsche Design for this very unusual flashlight”. Quite an understatement when you consider the technology and design of the Emergency Illuminator.
What is the mPower Emergency Illuminator?
First and foremost, it’s a flashlight. However, calling the Emergency Illuminator a flashlight is like calling your Porsche a car. It’s accurate, but it doesn’t do it the justice it deserves. Seriously, what “flashlight” do you know of that can sit left alone on a shelf (or in your glovebox) for 20+ years and still be ready to light the way the at the very moment you need it? As if that weren’t enough, the Emergency Illuminator has a built in USB port that allows you to charge any number of devices in the event of a power failure of other emergency.
mPower On Command™ Reserve Battery
At the heart of the mPower Emergency Illuminator is a revolutionary battery with a shelf life of at least 20 years prior to manual activation. Unlike conventional batteries, the mPower On Command Reserve Battery provides the full capacity of its charge decades into the future without deterioration or corrosion. In other words, when you need light, the Illuminator will deliver.
How does it work?
While we could try to explain the technology, it’s probably easier to simply watch the video below.
PorschePurist’s Review of the mPower Emergency Illuminator
When we first saw the Illuminator we knew we had to have one. When mPower offered to send us one of the first lights to roll off the production line in Austria to review, we jumped at the chance.
Our light arrived in typical Porsche Design fashion, packaged well and dressed in black
As sophisticated as the technology found in the mPower’s unique reserve battery is, getting the light working is incredibly simple. Included in the shipping and storage box is everything you need.
Under normal circumstances the Emergency Illuminator provides clean, bright, white light from the two included CR-123 batteries. Additional accessories include a wrist strap, handy carrying case, a set of instructions and, of course, the mpower On Command Reserve Battery
Porsche Design’s influence is evident the moment you open the box. The sturdy carrying case cradles the Emergency Illuminator in a foam surround that protects it both in transport and in storage. Out of the box, the matte black finish and sleek design of the two tube handle makes this light a piece of functional art. At first, I was a bit skeptical about the light’s small size and sophisticated design.
Here you can see how the Emergency Illuminator compares in size to my trusty 4 D Cell Mag Light
However, after simply unscrewing a machined cap at the end of one of the two tubes (that make up the light’s handle) and inserting the supplied CR-123 batteries, I saw the light I was converted.
An aluminum collar on the handle of the light is used to move between the off position, on and USB charging (more on this later). The intensity of the beam emitted by the Emergency Illuminator is nothing short of, well, illuminating. From such a small package, the LED throws a fixed width (as opposed to adjustable like the Mag) bright, white light that cuts through the darkness easily.
Additionally, the unique Porsche Designed case allows you to stand the light straight up (allowing you to illuminate an entire room, as if with a lamp, when the power is out) or to lie it on the ground and illuminate an object in from of you (say changing a tire in the dark) without having to worry about it rolling away as my Mag light so often does.
Due to its size and sleek, matte finish, I was originally concerned with the Emergency Illuminator’s durability. However, the light is actually quite rugged and water resistant. The body is made from extruded aluminum and most other parts are machined aluminum. In other words, if you drop it, it will take the impact.
USB Charging Capability
Besides the innovative On Command Reserve battery, the other unique feature that sets the Emergency Illuminator apart from any other flashlight currently on the market is its unique ability to charge a myriad of portable electronic devices via its built in USB port. By simply moving the aluminum selector ring from “ON” to the “USB” position I was able to easily plug in my iPhone and bring its completely drained battery back to life using the supplied CR-123 batteries. According to the product literature, in an emergency situation, the On Command Reserve Battery will provide power for up to two hours of continuous light as well as charging ability to make and receive calls or your cell phone.
What to consider when purchasing the Emergency Illuminator
Pros
unique battery technology with a shelf life of 20+ years
USB port to charge portable devices in an emergency situation
small, compact yet powerful and rugged
high intensity, clean white light
Items to note:
two tube handle makes for an awkward hand grip (this bothered me for quite some time until I realized the design is best suited for emergency situations where you will most likely be standing the light up straight or lying it on the side vs holding it your hand for long periods of time. Once I realized that I decided it’s not really an issue but would be remiss if I didn’t mention it)
available glove box bracket not included in price
no Porsche Design branding on the light itself
Price of the Emergency Illuminator and where to buy one
Like a lot of products developed in conjunction with Porsche Design, the Emergency Illuminator is not inexpensive. However, at $289 you’re not simply buying a status symbol from a renowned Design House. Instead, you’re buying a rugged emergency device that provides peace of mind and security!
What is it worth to know that the next time you need a light in an emergency situation, no matter how long ago you checked the batteries, that you’ll have one? Hopefully, you’ll never need to find out, but if you do and you have the Emergency Illuminator, you can rest assured that you won’t be left in the dark.
If you’re interested in owning one of these lights (as we are) to either put in your Porsche, or for your home, they can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. mPower’s web-site offers much more information on the product as well as the Amazon.com checkout feature for added security.
This light would make a great Father’s Day gift for the Porsche loving dad in your life and I’m sure it will make it on our recommended Porsche Christmas Gift list later this year.
Each year we’ve posted Porsche gift ideas for Christmas, Father’s day, etc. However, I just realized that until now we’ve never done a gift list for Mother’s day. As a woman and the newest Porsche owner in our family, I thought it only right to give everyone a list specifically for their mother and to start a new tradition here on PorschePurist. In order to make sure the list incorporated gifts for all budgets we reached out to a couple of our favorite Porsche women and got their take as well. So, special thanks to Dede Seward, the Porsche queen of Facebook, as well as to frequent contributor and PorschePurist LifeStyle Editor, Valerie Roedenbeck.
In addition, Mobil1, a sponsor here on PorschePurist, has offered up five cases of Mobil1 oil (in the flavor of your choice) for us to award FREE to five lucky Moms (don’t worry all you dad’s, we’ll be running a similar promotion for you next month). All you have to do to win a case of this liquid gold for you and your Mom’s Porsche is tell us why she deserves it in a comment below. And don’t worry about being selfish, if you’re a mom and you’re reading this post, feel free to enter yourself. After all, it is for Mother’s Day.
Don’t forget, if you receive this post via email, you’ll need to click on the title of the post to come to our site and comment (don’t reply to your email). Simply scroll to the bottom of the post and you’ll see a form where you can enter your comment. Five lucky moms will be chosen at random* and we’ll contact you via email to get your address and viscosity choice, it’s that easy. Thanks again to Mobil1 for providing the oil!!
Porsche Related Gifts for Women
I don’t know about you, but I happen to love to cook. So, a little over a year ago when Chroma sent us a set of their Type 301 Knives (which happen to be designed by Porsche), I jumped all over it. If you haven’t yet done so, I would encourage you to check out my review on the Type 301 knives and if your mom happens to be a cooking fan, then a set of these knives, or even just one all purpose Chroma knife would make a fantastic Mother’s day gift.
If you’re mom is a Porsche owner and she doesn’t belong to your local owner’s club, she doesn’t really know what she’s missing. Here in the US, the Porsche Club of America (PCA) is king. With more than 100,000 members nationwide, there is bound to be a local and active group in your community. I personally participate in three different regions and enjoy interacting with other Porsche owners immensely. If you’re not yet a member of the PCA or similar type club, you should really think about joining up. If you’re the husband, son, daughter, sister, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, etc of a Porsche owning mom and she’s not yet a PCA member, this is a fantastic gift (the cost of membership includes 2 people). Not only will she meet other people with similar obsessions interests, a membership to the PCA includes a monthly subscription to Panorama Magazine.
There aren’t really any books on Porsche dedicated to women that I’m aware of, but John thinks Fast Ladies: Female Racing Drivers 1888 to 1970 holds promise based wholly on the following review. I’m not so sure I agree, but I’ll let you decide.
“Most impressive is the picture research, which shows lesbian racer and Nazi spy Violette Morris at home and the first shot I’ve seen of Bob Cowell after he became Roberta …” – Motor Sport
Based on how many copies the following book has sold, there can’t be many people left out there that haven’t read it. However, if you’re mom is on that list, you might want to consider give her a copy of The Art of Racing in the Rain. If you’re not sure why she might like it, check out our review here on PorschePurist
If you’re mom is into gadgets, you might want to check out the new Porsche Designed Emergency Illuminator from mPower. We’ll be posting a review on this one-of-a-kind flashlight in the next week or so. Two things you should know about this light. 1. It’s designed by Porsche. 2. It’s the only flashlight in the world with a battery that has a shelf life of 20+ years.
This Porsche Key Chain or Neck Lanyard with Swarovski Crystals looks interesting. The Porsche logo is made from Swarovski crystals and the lanyard is large enough to fit around your neck to hold your racing passes or, you can use it as a key chain too. Personally, I like the idea of a key chain. I always tell John I would use my keys as a weapon if I were mugged, with my big Porsche Cayenne key on the end of this, I could really get some momentum behind my swing.
Porsche Gift Suggestions from Valerie and Dede
The ultimate luxe gift: the Porsche Sports Driving School Women’s only course. I gave this to my Mom for her birthday and it was a wonderful experience for a car-loving woman. Instructors are very good, the atmosphere is friendly, and being surrounded by 20 other car-loving women is just fantastic. Participating women receive special treats at the Ross Bridge Resort and a discount on Spa Services.
If Mom loves her Porsche and exercise, a Porsche tracksuit is a great treat!
If your Mom is like my Mom, she loves her Porsche and anything she can pamper it with. The wheel cleaning kit is fun and the car care case is very complete
For the budget gift giver, crested valve stem caps are a nice touch: Porsche valve stem caps
Not sure what we’re talking about? Some of you may remember a post back in 2008 about a power boat designed by Porsche and manufactured by Fearless Yachts. Unfortunately, just a few short months after introducing their first Porsche Designed Boat (The Fearless 28) the company, Fearless International, filed for bankruptcy and was never to be heard from again.
What might not be widely known, and quite frankly the details still aren’t all that clear, is that besides press releases and company statements to the contrary, the Fearless 28 was not the first boat ever designed by Porsche. Based on our research (and it’s not necessarily conclusive or accurate) it appears that Porsche first designed a boat back in 1985 and commissioned Kineo to build the hulls. The result was the Kineo 27‘, of which only three hulls were completed.
Where things get really foggy is trying to figure out how these boats were powered. Some claim that only one hull and power option was ever approved by Porsche and that’s the Kineo 27′ with twin Mercruiser MAG 454s (see the link above). Others, like the seller of this eBay listing claim that their boat is the only one with Porsche Marine engines (Porsche 928 v8s that were converted to marine use). If, in fact, the seller of the boat on eBay is to be believed (and based on our research we can’t figure it out either way) this particular boat is the first ever to be designed and produced by Porsche and the only speed boat powered by a Porsche marine engine.
While the details aren’t clear, and the seller’s not talking (which has us wanting to ask even more questions), it appears that this particular boat was designed by Porsche, built by Kineo and powered by Porsche but never released to the public. According to the seller, this boat was Manufactured in 1992 – a full 16 years before Fearless launched their boat at the Miami boat show.
Let’s recap. Three of these hulls were produced, but only one of them, this one (hull #1), is powered with the Porsche Marine Engine option (a $75k option in ’92). If this really is the case, then we’re looking at a one-off, one-of-a-kind prototype, that just might be worth the asking price as the only thing like it in existence. But, buyer beware! Do your homework first, ask a lot of questions and get the documentation!
Porsche Design Boat Details
Carbon Fiber Kevlar Construction
Hull #1 of 2 (or three)
0 Hours and Stored Since New
Porsche Metallic Silver Paint, Dual Matching Silver Hard Shell Fully Adjustable Sport Seats (GT3?) with Red Cushions
“PORSCHE” Designed By FA Porsche on the transom that hydraulically opens to a fold down swim platform with ladder and wash down
Cushioned sunpad-hydraulic engine hatch
Small berth able cabin with gray cushions and headliner
Vacuflush toilet
Dual VDO gadge instrumentation
Brand new teak decks complete mechanical and cosmetic updates (not sure what is meant by update?)
Original MSRP was $550K plus $75K for the Porsche Marine Option
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If you’re looking for something that dad can wear to show off his passion for Porsche you have a number of different options.
and 
. Either one of these would make any Porsche fan smile like 
would make a fantastic Mother’s day gift.
holds promise based wholly on the following review. I’m not so sure I agree, but I’ll let you decide. 
. If you’re not sure why she might like it, check out 
looks interesting. The Porsche logo is made from Swarovski crystals and the lanyard is large enough to fit around your neck to hold your racing passes or, you can use it as a key chain too. Personally, I like the idea of a key chain. I always tell John I would use my keys as a weapon if I were mugged, with my big Porsche Cayenne key on the end of this, I could really get some momentum behind my swing. 
