doctorpcar

Without it showing that it was once there?

I cannot believe this is even an option, but uh, whatever. Just wondering if its possible to remove.

helispud

There are 4 slots on the roof that open for the mounting points for the roof rack. When the rack is off, plastic covers hide the attachment points.

Mark1996

Yes, it can be installed and removed and the appearance of the car is not changed. It is attached to the fittings under the plastic caps above the doors.

doctorpcar

I don't suppose anyone has pics of the car with the rack off and the plastic covers on? I would love to see how well it hides them. Also, does it change anything structurally in the roof in terms of rigidity when the rack is off?

StickShift964

not our turbo but it is a 997, you can see the plastic cover in the closed position.

helispud

To me they seem more noticeable in Stickshift's picture than when your standing next to the car. Which explains why you've never noticed them on your test drives.

doctorpcar

I don't understand, you're saying every car is fitted with them? It's just the roof rack itself that is the option, not the fittings?

helispud

Yes, every car has the fittings for the rack (transport system) built in.

gota911

Doc, that is correct. All Coupes come with the 4 flaps (as Porsche calls them) and they open to reveal a bracket to hold the roof rack system. When you remove the roof rack and close the flaps, you are back to "normal."

There are three different Roof Transport support systems one for Coupes, another for Cabs, and the third for Targas. Here is a link to the Touring section of the Porsche web site. On the left side of the page you can click on any of the following to get additional info.
- Roof transport system (has the 3 different part numbers mentioned above)
- Roof Box
- Ski/snowboard carrier
- Bike carrier
- Racing Bike carrier

Roof Rack System

StickShift964

here i just ran down and took a picture with the little cover opened.

YA911Fan

These flaps also make excellent wax-catchers so you'll find yourself flipping them to clean out the wax residue, if you're one who still uses the old-fashioned stuff.

maxmissy

Does anyone know if the transport system will fit the optional hardtop for a 997 cab? Tequipment page for 997s only list a system for the coupe.

Thanks

meaker

Here is a pic of my coupe with the rack and some bikes and one without.. It takes me about 5 min. to install and un-install the rack. It has been on my car better then 30 times with no visible marks.

meaker

I would like to see the cab one...