I am considering upgrading to a 997 c4s and need room for a wheelchair. The chair breaks down into 3 compact pieces and could be carried on a bike rack. I would like to keep the interior free for luggage so some type of rack would be great. Any ideas????

 

I think the major problem with a rack on the rear of the car would be the retractable spoiler. I would like to be able to carry fishing rods outside of the my cabrio on something like a ski rack. I have not seen anything in the aftermarket that will carry anything outside of the car. Mounting anything without causing cosmetic damage on a cabriolet looks difficult.

 

Thanks Michael, I agree that a rack attached to the body is problematical. I was thinking more in terms of a receiver hitch on the front instead of the rear. I'm wondering if the underbody structure on the front would have a place where a custom hitch could be mounted. The rack could be sloped like the hood to minimize visual obstruction and wind resistance.

 

Contact Willwood (will@willwoodsystem.com) to see if they can help you out with your 997. http://www.willwoodsystem.com/bicycle%20carrier.htm

 

I hope you can make this work. I have never seen a wheelchair come with a Porsche, and you could enable a whole new market. My Uncle would want to buy one.

 

Thanks very much for the link to Willwood. I'm sure I can make something work with this hitch.

SC Lemmons, attached is a photo of the wheelchair I use with the porsche. I currently carry it in the back seat but this makes it difficult because there is no room for luggage. Hope this helps your Uncle too.

 

I forgot to mention, the chair is manufactured by Quicke and is called Revolution. As you can see in the photo, the seat and back fold together and the wheels come off. It will even fit in the overhead bin of commercial jets. It's not as nice as my electric chair but it enables me to go places I would otherwise never visit.

 

Some questions on the size. I had a wheelchair for my mother that was a convertible type,--it could either be operated by the occupant or merely be pushed. When the later, you pulled off (quick disconnects) the larger rear wheels and it rode on 4 smaller wheels and was merely pushed. The unit weighed nearly nothing, with TIG welded aluminum and plastics throughout. It should fit in a 997 trunk,--perhaps not a AWD trunk.

As an alternative we have a member with a unique hitch that he uses on track days. Perhaps something could be manufactured (or located) that can adapt to that hitch receiver...see pic.

 

http://www.willwoodsystem.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/willwoodsystem

 

i wouldnt put anything on the front as the .2 hoods are aluminium can dent easily.