hacker-pschorr

I guess you missed the example of the McLaren ROAD CAR how many times now?

They are now 11 years old, zero issues with the CF.

Bob Rouleau

Is yellowing an issue or is it merely cosmetic? The mcLarenm is hardly an example of a production car. Few built at a million a copy. Have to be returned to the FACTORY for service. Not convenient if you happen to be outside the UK.
I have no experience with CF parts except on aircraft. A stressed member made of CF is replaced (at stupid cost) if it is damaged. Again one cannot compare the cost of aircraft maintenance with a production car I think. A set of brake rotors on a private jet costs $100,000.

Best,

PogueMoHone

Based upon what I have seen to date (on my car and others) it doesn't even rise to the level of a cosmetic issue.

The original poster was to provide a copy of the response from Porsche but he has gone quiet.

Overblown emotional reactions (and perceived slights) are sometimes nothing more than a rationalization to pursue the latest whim.

Greg A

There are authorized service facilities in the U.S.

Greg A

Bob Rouleau

Thanks Greg. That is a change from a while back. Where are they?

Greg A

Bob,

Oxnard, CA & NJ. They are BMW's facilities.

Greg A

sharkster

I'm told that company is no longer around and the lost so much money on those three projects alone that it killed them

yetis

Not true, ATR is still alive and well.

http://www.atrgroup.it/eng/atrcomposites/index.htm

Snowboarder54

lager99

Not Acceptable...

porschemeister

I am also very interested what the outcome will be. I am in the market for a GT and have looked at several GT's owned by friends and the yellowing really disturbs me....

I am not a concours guy, but love to drive my cars and thought oh well a little yellowing no big deal, but seeing it in person it sucks really bad

Especially when you have carbon which looks normal right next to the yellowing stuff. The brace in the back is the worst.

How will this effect the market for these cars??? I think we are currently only seeing the tip of the iceberg and lots of owners are looking "the other way" right now because the car has so much to offer otherwise.

I guess time will tell.

RufMD

In time, it will be called patina....

Jarez Mifkin

I was looking a GT yesterday that has 1600 miles on it, never driven in rain, is garaged in a heated/cooled garage and say that the brace in the back of it is yellowing slightly. The fender liner next to it is still perfect...

Bill S.

Does the CGT use two different types of materials? That is, for the structural parts, I think Porsche uses carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastic (CFP). The other parts may use a different composition. Is it the plastic in the CFP that breaks down in the UV rays? If so, it may be a much more serious problem than just cosmetic.

The fact that the yellowing is occuring after only a few years is disturbing. That implies there is a finite life to these pieces from UV rays and possibly even mechanical stresses. Porsche should have a public announcement that clearly states what's happening here and what this means to CGT owners. If they don't, I suspect it may be a bigger issue than just yellowing.

BTW, I agree that carbon street cars are overkill. We've already seen lighter street cars with less exotic materials, including new cars coming from Porsche. Remember that the CGT is built off an existing racing design, not a street design. I doubt Porsche would ever again make a street car in carbon.

The only possible advantage I see in a carbon street car is the strength of the tub providing increased safety for the driver and occupant. However, a much less expensive roll cage does that also.

Current sport cars are too big, and much effort is spent making these big cars lighter. GM initiated the smaller sport car with the Z06. Ferrari will likely be the lead in the next generation of smaller sport cars. In 10 years, I predict the current sport cars will look way too big.

porschemeister

I looked at a 1997 911 GT1 yesterday and ALL the carbon fiber pieces (doors, part of the rear frame which is wrapped around tubes) is just fine. No yellowing whatsoever...go figure a car 10 years old