Just returned yesterday from another great Blue Ridge Boxster Summit event. It was 800 miles/11hrs drive from S. FL, but definitely worth the drive. In addition to about 80+ Porsches (Boxsters, Caymans, Carerras and GT3's), catching up with old friends and making new ones.. the organizers (running 13th year) were able to get PCNA (not to confused with PCA) to send up three 981 Boxster S for display at this year's event. Needless to say, these cars drew quite a bit of attention as they sat side-by-side on the lawns of Little Switzerland, overlooking the NC mountains & valleys. Definitely not an easy feat to get PCNA to support an Boxster-focused enthusiasts event. Thumbs up to the organizers!
Anyways, here are a few pix...









After the crowd cleared... I finally got a clean picture.


BTW, couple of observations as a few of us tried to "figure out" the 981:

• There is no easy way to access engine - unlike 986/7, it doesn't look like there is an easy way to access the engine bay from top. It does not appear you can put the top in service position, and the carpet that covers the engine is one complete piece.
• rollbar is lower than 987 - if your track requires clearing the "broom stick",... you may be out of luck without adding a rollbar extension. I am shorter than avg, and I think I would barely clear it with seat at lowest position.

 

Great pics... I live in NC and wanted to attend this event but without a car, I felt inadequate...lol.

Hopefully I'll be there next year.


Thanks for the pics.

Mark

 

Okay, odd question... are those cars wrapped with vinyl or painted? They look great! I noticed at the last ALMS races I went to at Laguna Seca that most of the GT3's were actually wrapped. Kind of surprised me... LOL

David

 

I would say wrapped but (definitely on the Lowenbrau one) but without getting close, it almost looks like they painted the light blue one and added decals.

Perhaps someone that saw them up close can comment.


Mark

 

I'm pretty sure they are all just wrapped...

These are cars they are going to sell when the introduction campaign is over. They want to be able to easily restore them to original condition.

 

If that is the case, I need to find the shop they used! LOL

 

If its wrapped, whoever did these could make a lot of money selling race livery full body wraps.

 

All 3 cars (Sunoco, Loewenbraeu and Gulf) were vinyl wrapped. The Sunoco is actually a dark blue car, other two are white... but pretty much all but the side mirrors are wrapped. All 3 cars also have clear bra installed on the front clip (1/3 way up the hood/fenders/bumper), then vinyl wrap went over that. Whoever did the wrap, did an excellent job, for sure.

BTW, they all were running 20" wheels and by the look of it, the suspension sit lower than earlier generations of Boxsters.

 

I'll bet whoever did that job charged almost what a paint job is. I thought wraps were like 1800-2000 until I priced one for my H2. The company quoted me 6500 bucks

And that was 2 years ago. I'm sure whoever wrapped a brand new 981 representing Porsche made it pretty close to flawless and they paid a good penny.


Mark

 

Ahh...good ol Lowenbrau.

It would be a shame for Porsche to remove the wraps when they sell, I would seriously think about buying the Gulf or Lowenbrau cars as is.

 

absolutely.... I'd drive it as it is.


Mark