97Targa

I don't know about seeing your own car being built. However, I do know that you can make arrangements to take delivery at the factory.
I was on a tour and with a group that was handed the keys to their new cars parked and waiting for them at the conclusion of the factory tour.
Saddly, I was 18 at the time and walked away empty handed. But it was still quite a experience.

drmrfi

Valmet Automotive plant is in Uusikaupunki, in South-Western part of Finland on the West coast. About 150 miles from Helsinki.
Contact Finnish Porsche importer AutoCarrera www.autocarrera.com , they should be able to assist you regarding the factory visit or alternatively contact the plant directly: www.valmet-automotive.com


Mika

RJT

Pedro...

I have a few pictures we snapped outside of the factory when we took the tour in 1996. We actually snapped a picture of a prototype and were told in a very nice way, to put the camera away. The next day when we returned to the factory to purchase a few more models at the factory store, the shell of the car we took a picture of was covered up tight with plastic and tape to keep away prying eyes..... Anyway, I'll dig the pics up, scan and post them for you later.

JoAnne

Coleman

Sweet!! I took that Photo of the 993!!! I think it was a rust test.. I was living in Munich and had some business in Stuggy-Town. I did a little factory-recon. I'll post the rest.. after I resize all of them it's a PITA.. >>

COleman.

RJT

Tell me about it. I've found a few and I can't get them to resize and upload to Rennlist for some reason. It's not like I haven't posted tons of pics here before. Maybe becuse they were scanned?? Heck!!!
The prototype we took the pic of was a 996. I also have a pic of a couple of 993's being driven back into the factory after their test drive. I think it's cool that we even got to see the 993's being built. Anyway, If I can't get them resized, I won't be posting them..... I ain't got all day, ya know what I mean???

J

Marine Blue

If someone wants to send them to me by email I can resize and post them. Email to nayeri@adelphia.net

C4S_fan

I've been to the factory twice and once had the opportunity to do a tour. I was so excited about visting 'mecca' that I forgot most of it... thus the second trip The second trip is JUST as production of the 997 was starting... I hadn't seen a review or any pictures until I went there... thus I took a bunch of pictures.

You can see them here:

http://www.dennispi.com/gallery/PorscheFactory?page=1


The factory is very strict about allowing photographs within the production floors. I'm sure its partly because of trade secrets etc, but also because in Germany personal privacy is regarded as a "given". Pictures can't be taken without permission of the person who's picture is being taken. You can imagine how that would slow the production line.

Jon 'Bama

here is their Website, pretty good site actually.
Valmet Automotive

I haven't looked at it in a while but it used to have some great info on the building of the boxsters on it. They also Build Saab convertibles there (or used to) My former Boxster S was born in Finland at the Valmet plant.

there is an article in "911 and Porsche world" from a few years back called "perfect Finnish" that details the process at Valmet, it's a good read.







here is their first and one millionth car produced




Jon

RJT

The original Boxster's were made in Stuttgart, we saw them in the factory in July of '96. Matter of fact, since our tour was the second to the last tour at the factory before their big summer holiday shut down, we were allowed to do the full factory tour for the first time that year. Until that time they were doing an shortened tour due to the production of the Boxster and all the secrecy. We saw them in every color. They looked like easter eggs on the production line line. Later Porsche started building the most the US destination Boxster's in Finland, then all the Boxsters except for the Boxster S. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, because I am certainly not a Boxster expert, but I think that all the Boxster's (including the S's) are now made in Finland. Yes, I am a women that loves to read and learn everything she can about Porsche's

Anyway, we are happy that we got to see the 993's being built, Shoot, we even saw some Carrera S's on the production line. I only wish we could have taken pictures during the tour, but at the same time I certainly can understand why it isn't allowed.

JoAnne

ed devinney

When I took the tour this summer they noted that the car production lines can build any of the cars, and I think they said that they build some boxters in Stuttgart. I don't remember seeing any on the line, but wasn't checking, either - I was looking to see if any 997 TTs or C4s were being built (they were, I spotted two different front driveshaft assemblies :-) ).

Maybe just to say that they're built in both Germany and Finland?

Marine Blue

Thank you JoAnne for digging these out! I've resized them for everyone's viewing pleasure. JoAnne, hope you don't mind, I quoted your description for each of the pics.....

1) a couple of 993's returning to the factory after their 1st road test. What a job!!
2) the prototype of the 996 that we tried to photograph the day before is at the top of the picture. Robert was told to put the camera away and then asked what he was was trying to take a picture of. Robert told him a 996 and the gentleman said "How do you know of such things"? Robert just answered, "Autoweek". We returned to the factory the next day and the Prototype was covered to keep prying eyes away.
3) The Boxster was on the production line when we toured in '96, but not released for sale. Robert snapped this shot and he was once again told it was a no, no. It was also covered the next day.
4) The bridge from the Assembly area to the Paint Shop. Look close and you'll see 993's and Boxsters.

mkol1248

Here are some pictures of a chaotic 993 assembly in late 1996 or early 1997. Not sure if the first picture is a body of 993 or Boxter.

NoSubEDU

Very cool pics! Thanks for sharing...

AOW162435

Excellent pictures! Here is my quick translation of the captions:


1) In the chassis assembly area, modern machines replace humans.

2) Building by hand on the slow-moving assembly line: the engine, and a parts cart on the right.

3) Man-made interior pieces, hand-assembled with glue and covered in leather.

4) Model types and colors fulfill the need for change on the assembly line.

5) A high level of craftsmanship is required for the interior assembly process.

6) After final assembly, the vehicles are measured with optical equipment on a rolling test bed.

7) After the engine and spray test, each vehicle enjoys a hand polishing.


I knew my first language would come in handy some day

Andreas

chris walrod

Those are great pics, and thanks for the translation. I took a semester of German, all I remember is the swear words...