While in Europe for about 24 days the factory looked after my matching hardtop so that I could drive around sans roof. It is my first true convertible and just a great experience. The rigidity of these cars with the top up or down is incredible. With the top up there isn't much road noise to speak of.

When the car arrived here in California it arrived with the hardtop installed, just like I first saw it in Zuffenhausen. I didn't get around to rigging up the hoist for the one-man operation of removing the top until tonight. For the past week I have been driving it with the hardtop.

Several things have really impressed me about the hardtop, other than the obvious issues of (1) protecting the canvas top from the elements and (2) increased security. I found that the rear window in the hardtop is much better than the cabrio's tiny rear window. It makes backing up a lot easier. It's also even quieter than the coupe. I also found that I really like the lines of the hardtop. It doesn't have the characteristic cabrio 'hump' with the pure cabriolets, and it doesn't have the characteristic c-pillar of the beautiful coupes. Having been a coupe driver for most of my life this has worked out to be a great bonus,--terrific looks nearly of those of the coupe,--but different.

Just another thing to consider when ordering a cabriolet.

 

beautiful

 

Dan - Your car is stunning. I'm mesmerized every time I see a pic of it. You made some excellent choices in colors and options.

As I'm sill a realitive newbie (bought my first p-car 5 months ago) your overall p-car comments and observations have been very helpful - both as I made my purchase decisions and as as I continue to enjoy my p-car. You, and most others on this forum, helped push me over the edge and become a Porsche owner.

Still can't believe how much fun the car is to drive and detail......

 

Aren't these things great! And I haven't even been over 81 mph in it yet (in the states...) ;-)

I have tried to not take it to the office but alas, I'm weak.

 

I've really never liked that color, but it looks sweet on a 997 with the tan interior. I like! Also, when you took delivery in Europe, did they drill holes in your car for those Euro plates?

 

Very cool that they will hold onto the hardtop while you tour around. Never thought of that issue for European Delivery...

SilverSteel, BMW drilled my bumper for European plates...twice, actually...one pair of holes for the US bracket, and another pair for the European plate, through the bracket, and into the bumper.

 

The factory is getting smarter about WHERE to drill for the front plates. (At least the prep guy that worked on my car). The front plastic support was installed where it is supposed to go (only one position) and then the euro plates were lined up and put into that with the two screws going through that arbitrarly place on the plates, through the holes in the support piece, and finally into the bumper. (The plates come with no holes in them to dictate placement).

If you talk with your guys at Porsche ahead of time you should be able to avoid this hole buisness,--but you better have a plate hanging alternative. A front plate is mandatory in Europe and that part is not negotiable. If you don't have a center cooler (non X51 or Tipronic car) then you should be able to design a simpler mount that hangs the plate from the top part of that central opening (no holes visible from any normal viewing position). Keep in mind that the Euro plates for USA cars are no wider than a USA state plate, but quite a bit narrower.

 

Hardtop on 997 is rare. I am afraid to leave the top down for extended period as that leaves wrinkle the soft top. In CA, I opt not to have the hardtop -- looks too bulky and I drive top down most of time.