"Porsche" script wrench question

[Jack Arct]

Greeting folks,

My father and I are trying figure out if these 4 "Porsche" script wrenches are original factory wrenches that came in 356 tool kits or not.
I have looked over at 356tools.com and found some info on them, but really nothing to tell if their reproductions or original. I did see a post on these forums about someone making reproduction "Porsche" script wrenches and selling them on ebay but this post was back in 2008. My father says he got them a year or two after buying his '62 Carrera 2 in the mid 80's to match his tool kit. He has since sold the car a few years ago (sigh..) but during the process of my folks moving he came across these wrenches. We're hoping someone could help us figure out this mystery.
Thank you in advance.

Jack and Wayne Arct

[Tom Tate]

Wayne,
I was told that those were issued in '62 only, the only year that the name Porsche was cast in the wrench but I'm sure that others will chime in here. Tell Jack I said hello!!
Tom

[Alan Hall]

Yes, I believe these were a one year only wrench, but repro versions were made a while back and sold, as I recall, by Robert Brocker from Amsterdam. Have not seen either originals or repros up close and personal, so can't help with saying how you tell the difference.

[John Wurner]

Here is a set of originals from my 62.
I dont know what the difference might be looking at repros.

[Peter Bartelli]

Those wrenches look like the real thing to me. The Brocker repros were cast in bronze or brass then plated. They are slightly smaller and thinner, feeling very smooth to the touch. They are "ceremonial", that is, they fill the need in a toolkit but will break or deform if used. I actually bent one in half (partially) before it snapped apart. Oh...I believe the next time Porsche put their name on a wrench was for the 997 around 2007. Nice find.

[Dick Roth]

Yo Pete! Hope all is well with you. Still remember sitting in your Champagne Yellow C2 with that perfect green leather interior. For an old friend of the house of Porsche, those are the cars that really did something for me. Yeah OK, my C4S does do the job. Best Richard...

[Jack Arct]

Wayne,
I was told that those were issued in '62 only, the only year that the name Porsche was cast in the wrench but I'm sure that others will chime in here. Tell Jack I said hello!!
Tom

Yes, I believe these were a one year only wrench, but repro versions were made a while back and sold, as I recall, by Robert Brocker from Amsterdam. Have not seen either originals or repros up close and personal, so can't help with saying how you tell the difference.

Tom, Alan,
My dad says hi Tom! I notice in his workshop there's a wheel with your name on it
Yes, we came to that conclusion too after looking at the 356tool.com picture, but we weren't sure if the wrenches in the picture were original or a set of Mr. Brocker. My dad's wrenches seem to have a different finish to them than the ones pictured. I guess we were hoping someone had a picture of what Mr Brocker wrenches looked like or maybe some telltale sign to be able to distinguish the two types?

[Jack Arct]

Here is a set of originals from my 62.
I dont know what the difference might be looking at repros.

John,
Thank you for the picture. Comparing the two pictures my dad's wrenches seem to have a different finish to them than yours, tho maybe it's the lighting ? Is possible to get a clearer picture so as to be able to zoom in more ?


*Edited to correct spelling and my bad grammer... lol*

[Jack Arct]

Those wrenches look like the real thing to me. The Brocker repros were cast in bronze or brass then plated. They are slightly smaller and thinner, feeling very smooth to the touch. They are "ceremonial", that is, they fill the need in a toolkit but will break or deform if used. I actually bent one in half (partially) before it snapped apart. Oh...I believe the next time Porsche put their name on a wrench was for the 997 around 2007. Nice find.

Peter,
Thank you for the info. My dad's do feel smooth to the touch.... You wouldn't to have a good picture of Mr. Brocker wrenches by chance ?

[Peter Bartelli]

Hi Jack,
I may have one in my junk pile somewhere. Brockers were plated in nickle and are noticeably thinner. I'll check tomorrow and post a picture. I've been meaning to contact you anyway about doing the visors in my '63. You recently did Gerry Curts' visors, a nearby friend of mine.

[Emil Wojcik]

If the repros are plated brass they will be a different weight compared to the originals. If someone with originals can weigh one and post the weight you can compare that to yours.

[Jon Bunin]

If the repros are plated brass they will be a different weight compared to the originals...

And they will probably not be magnetic, as a steel wrench would be.

[Vic Skirmants]

If the repros are plated brass they will be a different weight compared to the originals...

And they will probably not be magnetic, as a steel wrench would be.

[Emil Wojcik]

Doh! Not magnetic...so obvious and it didn't even cross my mind.

[Jim Breazeale]

Robert's reproduction wrenches are "magnetic". They are not made of brass, but are steel.
Notice the subtle differences. Yes, the repro is obviously in better shape but the other differences are pretty minor. As Pete said, the repro wrench is 6mm thick at the big end and the real one is 7mm. That should be the most obvious determining factor.

Regards

Jim