In case you missed this on NatGeo TV, you can watch the Porsche episode on Youtube. Great eye candy for the Porsche-phile and it provides a terrific behind-the-scenes look at how our favorite model (911) is made. Enjoy.

PS: NatGeo also produced an episode on the Ferrari factory as well. Plan on watching that this weekend.

 

Nice find.

 

Jim, great post! I was fascinated with the whole program. When I took a factory tour I didn't get to see but about 20% of what is shown here. Obviously they wouldn't show the paint shop and much of the body fabrication was off limits as well. I did see a portion of the engine shop and what I saw was somewhat different than what was shown in the film clips. I saw a part of the upholstery shop and the "marriage" of the body to the engine and running gear.

 

I've got this on my DVR and will prob be watching this weekend!

 

I guess what is little puzzling to me is the narrator said the factory produces 110 911's a day, but the engine department builds about 500 engines a day. Where to the other engines go? I only saw flat 6's being built and it didn't look like they had that capacity with the work force on the floor. There wasn't any automation present in the engine build up area I toured. It appeared each engine was being hand built and then 'hot tested' on a test stand for about 30 minutes.

 

+1 and for those with Comcast it is channel 273 so you can search for future listings if you missed this etc..

 

very cool. thanks for sharing

 

sweet!

 

I caught it when it was on last week. Good episode. I've seen the Porsche, Lamborghini and Rolls Royce episodes. Very cool to watch.

 

very nice footage.....i was hooked, from the first one....

 

Makes me want a 2010 GT3, it just sounded so SWEET!!

I really liked it, gave a great overview of what goes into making a 911.

Larry, the extra engines are going to all the 996 cars for RMS & intermediate shaft issues.
J/K Maybe they only build engines a couple of days a week?

 

For the other 98% of you who aren't cheap bastards like PJ, it is on 673 in this new thing they call HD. For some reason it looks so much better.

Peer pressure PJ, get HD, everyone else is doing it! I think I even know someone who can get you a deal on a HD diplay

Great show, I watched it live, recorded it on my DVR (in HD PJ) and have watched it over a couple times.

What color blue was that GT3? I am in love.

 

You should see my diapers.com and tire rack bills - it is a miracle that we even have cable tv :-)

 

Touche brother =)

 

I just watched the Ferrari episode and it is just as fascinating. I didn't know Ferrari casts their own blocks from scratch. Impressive. And their paint process if fully automated, even moreso than Porsche's. I think I might have even overheard one of the paint guys *****ing about a Washington owner ordering his Scud in Carrara white!

After seeing this, I can understand the mystique, charm, and adoration of a Ferrari. Truly amazing machines and works of art. They are hand-crafted in all the right ways, and the engineering and quality control that goes into making these cars, particularly the engines, is astounding for such a low-volume manufacturer.