My Aqua Blue Metallic/Carrera Red '12 Spyder - Tale of a custom order!
#1
Nordschleife Master
Thread Starter
My Aqua Blue Metallic/Carrera Red '12 Spyder - Tale of a custom order!
Back in May of 2011, I was able to obtain one of the approx. 125 allocations given to US dealers for the abbreviated production of the MY2012 Spyder. I believe MY2012 production lasted only about 4 months and I know it was finished by the end of July. This Spyder, #5187, was built on July 18th. Since I had missed the PTS deadline on March 25th, I was forced to choose from one of only seven colors offered on this limited production model. I first decided on an interior color - the bold 'Carrera Red' full leather option. I now was left to choose an exterior color that would go with it and that was not too common. Carrara White had been the overwhelming favorite with 'Carrera Red', closely followed by Black and Silver (first Arctic and then Platinum). But having lost the opportunity to do a unique exterior paint via PTS (missed the March 25th deadline), I was determined to get an unusual color combination on this late production Spyder.
My conversations with 'Porsche Exclusive' in Zuffenhausen started back in October of 2010. A deal I had been working on to acquire a used '10 gt3 RS tanked and I turned my attention to a new Spyder. After PCNA & PAG confirmed that PTS was not an option (they lied!), I started discussing the possibility of an Aqua/Carrera Red custom order. Michael Hack, the advisor helping me out in Germany, pointed out that he had never seen that color combination done in Germany before and cautioned me against it. I myself had never seen it done in the US either, so I was a bit hesitant. After exhaustive research, I was able to find only one example in this color combination done. It was on a Spyder somewhere in Europe and the red interior was barely visible in the photo I found at the gallery of 'Spyda', a website on the Spyders founded by RL's Donavan (aka Cayman).
http://www.dspyda.com/dspyda/Spyder_...etallic.html#7
I first went to the 2010 LA Auto Show and briefly considered a Peridot Green Metallic Cayman R during November & December. I was then side-tracked when I acquired a friend's 2007 Carrera S in a marvelous PTS 'Signal Green' color. As it became clear that there would be a limited production of MY2012 Spyders and an early end of all Spyder production by mid-summer, I decided to get one of the last available allocations in May. As it was fairly late in the game and production schedules were being 'locked up', I had to make up my specs on very short notice. I finally decided to go with my gut feeling and do an 'Aqua Blue Metallic' with a 'Carrera Red' interior. I then waited several months for it to be built before being able to tell if the combination 'worked' in real life and in person.
Because of my many unusual 'Porsche Exclusive' options, the car remained in Zuffenhausen several weeks after initial 'built'. Many of these options were installed after series production in a special 'Porsche Exclusive' area of the factory. The car was then put on a boat (the 'Mediterranean Highway') on August 4th, arrived at a US port on August 17th, a week later was at my dealer in the Mid-West and just this Friday finally got at my West Coast home! I am very pleased with the results. You can judge for yourself.
In the next few days I will post the complete story behind this custom order - the options I discovered could be ordered via 'Porsche Exclusive' but were NOT listed in the PCNA configurator, the custom packages one could ask 'Porsche Exclusive' to do that are truly 'custom', and all the rest. It should be interesting reading for anyone that plans, in the future, to order any custom vehicle from Porsche. And I hope it helps people understand better how this somewhat mysterious 'Porsche Exclusive' department works and, more importantly, how to make sure you can use it to create a truly unique vehicle that is an expression of your own personal taste & style! Not many manufacturers allow it, so know how to take advantage of what Porsche lets you do!
Saludos,
Eduardo
2012 Spyder - 'Aqua Blue'/Red
1970 911E Targa - 'Crystal Blue'/Black
Past:
1968 912 Targa 'Polo Red'
1970 911 T Coupe
1983 944
1972 914 2.0
1984 911 SC Coupe
1986 944 Turbo
1960 356 B Cab
1954 356 Pre-A Cab 'Azure Blue'
1960 356 B Roadster
1964 356 C Cab
1959 356 Convertible D
1964 356 Carrera 2 Coupe 'Königsblau'
1965 356 C Cab 'Signal Red'
1990 Carrera 4 Coupe
1997 Boxster
1997 Boxster #2
1973 911T Sunroof 'Signal Yellow'
2007 997 Carrera S 'Signal Green'
My conversations with 'Porsche Exclusive' in Zuffenhausen started back in October of 2010. A deal I had been working on to acquire a used '10 gt3 RS tanked and I turned my attention to a new Spyder. After PCNA & PAG confirmed that PTS was not an option (they lied!), I started discussing the possibility of an Aqua/Carrera Red custom order. Michael Hack, the advisor helping me out in Germany, pointed out that he had never seen that color combination done in Germany before and cautioned me against it. I myself had never seen it done in the US either, so I was a bit hesitant. After exhaustive research, I was able to find only one example in this color combination done. It was on a Spyder somewhere in Europe and the red interior was barely visible in the photo I found at the gallery of 'Spyda', a website on the Spyders founded by RL's Donavan (aka Cayman).
http://www.dspyda.com/dspyda/Spyder_...etallic.html#7
I first went to the 2010 LA Auto Show and briefly considered a Peridot Green Metallic Cayman R during November & December. I was then side-tracked when I acquired a friend's 2007 Carrera S in a marvelous PTS 'Signal Green' color. As it became clear that there would be a limited production of MY2012 Spyders and an early end of all Spyder production by mid-summer, I decided to get one of the last available allocations in May. As it was fairly late in the game and production schedules were being 'locked up', I had to make up my specs on very short notice. I finally decided to go with my gut feeling and do an 'Aqua Blue Metallic' with a 'Carrera Red' interior. I then waited several months for it to be built before being able to tell if the combination 'worked' in real life and in person.
Because of my many unusual 'Porsche Exclusive' options, the car remained in Zuffenhausen several weeks after initial 'built'. Many of these options were installed after series production in a special 'Porsche Exclusive' area of the factory. The car was then put on a boat (the 'Mediterranean Highway') on August 4th, arrived at a US port on August 17th, a week later was at my dealer in the Mid-West and just this Friday finally got at my West Coast home! I am very pleased with the results. You can judge for yourself.
In the next few days I will post the complete story behind this custom order - the options I discovered could be ordered via 'Porsche Exclusive' but were NOT listed in the PCNA configurator, the custom packages one could ask 'Porsche Exclusive' to do that are truly 'custom', and all the rest. It should be interesting reading for anyone that plans, in the future, to order any custom vehicle from Porsche. And I hope it helps people understand better how this somewhat mysterious 'Porsche Exclusive' department works and, more importantly, how to make sure you can use it to create a truly unique vehicle that is an expression of your own personal taste & style! Not many manufacturers allow it, so know how to take advantage of what Porsche lets you do!
Saludos,
Eduardo
2012 Spyder - 'Aqua Blue'/Red
1970 911E Targa - 'Crystal Blue'/Black
Past:
1968 912 Targa 'Polo Red'
1970 911 T Coupe
1983 944
1972 914 2.0
1984 911 SC Coupe
1986 944 Turbo
1960 356 B Cab
1954 356 Pre-A Cab 'Azure Blue'
1960 356 B Roadster
1964 356 C Cab
1959 356 Convertible D
1964 356 Carrera 2 Coupe 'Königsblau'
1965 356 C Cab 'Signal Red'
1990 Carrera 4 Coupe
1997 Boxster
1997 Boxster #2
1973 911T Sunroof 'Signal Yellow'
2007 997 Carrera S 'Signal Green'
Last edited by Z356; 07-23-2012 at 11:39 AM.
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Very very NICE Eduardo! Sometimes it pays to choose something that others wouldn't have the ***** to order. Your choice is stunning and I look forward to seeing more details in the near future.
Congrats and enjoy in good health!
Congrats and enjoy in good health!
#3
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
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Yes, very nice! I really like that combination, and am surprised that it is not spec'd more often. It's definitely on the more sporting side in the spectrum of color combinations. Then again, so is the rest of the car. ...Perfect. Congrats!
#5
Nordschleife Master
Looks amazing z356!
I'm happy you finally got your baby and it turned out great!
I hope to see it soon on www.dspyda.com
Additionally I look forward to reading your write-up on the customization ordering process. Sounds like you learned a quite deal about it through your ordering experience.
Thanks again for sharing!
Donavan
I'm happy you finally got your baby and it turned out great!
I hope to see it soon on www.dspyda.com
Additionally I look forward to reading your write-up on the customization ordering process. Sounds like you learned a quite deal about it through your ordering experience.
Thanks again for sharing!
Donavan
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#8
Looks amazing Eduardo! Can't wait to hear more about the process and get our Spyder together for a photoshoot soon! Love all the rallye plaques in the garage as well! Simply beautiful and love the uniqueness!
#10
Your car turned out great Eduardo!
Very unique and sporty looking. Great job on the ordering process. Looking forward to reading more about it.
Enjoy her.
Phil
p.s. Love those garage doors.
Very unique and sporty looking. Great job on the ordering process. Looking forward to reading more about it.
Enjoy her.
Phil
p.s. Love those garage doors.
#11
z356,
simply awesome, congratulations!
Steve
simply awesome, congratulations!
Steve
#14
Burning Brakes
Love the blue exterior, very unique and beautiful. The red interior looks very classy, well done.
Last edited by Polarporsche; 09-13-2011 at 12:48 AM.