Karmann Badge

[Jerry Connolly]

I have a '63 S, 213235 with the same badge.

Jerry Connolly
#1014

[Peter Silten]

There is a 63 B on eBay that has the same badge. Its vin # is 210762.

[Bob Forman]

UPDATE: I took my wounded badge to an art restorer here in Seattle and was informed the amount to fix it would be $250. Ouch! If you've got a good original one, you can imagine its value.

[John Knight]

Bob,

Did he give you an idea of the process used for restoration? I would imagine the first step would be to remove the old cloissonne and then repair any damage to the metal. He would then place the new material in the badge and fire it in a kiln. Did he say he was going to use cloissonne or enamel? Cloissonne is a lost art these days and enamel is being substituted. If you have noticed the material on the newer grille badges it seems softer and I have noticed that the white yellows over a short period of time.

BTW my VIN # is 213627 and it had a stamped aluminum badge on it that had faded to a bronze color. So I have no idea what came on it originally.

[Peter Silten]

I had my original badge restore by Allan Heywood (Heywood Enamels). He took everything down to bare metal and then restored it to look like new. He is located in Australia. I chose him because he is considered to be one of the best restorers and he has a quick turn-around time.

[Bob Forman]

John, I was so dazzled by the drop-dead gorgeous red-head that would do the restoration that I forgot what she said about how it would be restored. From what I can reconstruct I believe she would have built up the gouges to their proper levels and then polish the badge back to its orginal shine.

After all these contributions and PM's, I believe I'll go back to her for a second opinion. Plus, I think I have a couple of old posters than need attending to....

I'll stay in touch.

[Mike Wilson]

My car #213532 (May 30, 1963) did not have the Karmann badge when I bought it but, the car had been repainted and I found the two mounting holes filled with Bondo when I looked for them. I am only guessing that the car originally came with the badge and not added by a p.o.

Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

[Brad Ripley]

Cloisonne badge on chassis number 213 526 . http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche- ... sQ5fTrucks

[Ron Hoff]

#212518 had the cloisonne badge also. 63 S90 coupe.

[Bob Kelly]

I picked up a Karmann Badge years a go for my 62 Hardtop but it has two holes for screws where the posts should be. Another piece of junk or installed on another year?

[Rafael Quepons]

I had my original badge restore by Allan Heywood (Heywood Enamels). He took everything down to bare metal and then restored it to look like new. He is located in Australia. I chose him because he is considered to be one of the best restorers and he has a quick turn-around time.

Allan Heywood was the Badge restoration expert. His work was second to none. Ive purchased and had Allan restore badges for me and all I can say is the colors and the details were flawless. His service was also top flight. Unfortunately the last batch I sent to Allan returned to me unfinished with a personal letter from his son informing me that he had passed away.

[Michael Hodos]

My '64 C Coupe 218752 has an original Karmann badge and the mounting clasps that secure the badge to the car inside the wheel well appear to be original as well although since I'm at least the sixth owner there's no way to be certain.

Here's an interesting sidebar that may help contribute to the confusion. Pages 34-35 of the factory Porsche Museum book that I purchased at the factory in the mid-80s has a photo of a car labeled "1963 Porsche 356 B Coupe" that has the badge. The chassis number is 213711 which makes it a Karmann B Coupe yet the car shown has disk brake wheels!

[John Knight]

I picked up a Karmann Badge years a go for my 62 Hardtop but it has two holes for screws where the posts should be. Another piece of junk or installed on another year?

Bob,

The early Karmann coupes had the anodized aluminum badges and the later cars had the cloissonne badges. And the last of the late Karmann Bs had no badge. According to Dr. B. Johnson in his book titled "The 356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity", the last cloissonne appeared on Karmann VIN #213040. But, as you can see from some of the comments above, they may have appeared on some cars after that number.

[Roy Lock]

My S90 B Coupe 213246 has it's original cloisonné badge.

[Bob Kelly]

Does anyone know when cloissonne badges first appeared? My hardtop 202133 didn't have a badge.