Using exotic materials (for the time) which included body panels made from carbon fibre and plastic the Panamericana was created in 6 months by designer Harm Lagaay under the supervision of Ulrich Betz (project technical director) at Porsche’s Weissach R&D centre. As well as using advanced materials and production methods the Panamericana had interesting styling features (some of which made their way onto production Porsches of the 1990s and later). These includes smoother flowing lines, a new wide and deeper 'Targa' style roof (the Panamericana used a pink zip to seal a waterproof membrane over the open Targa style roof – even now Porsche has eschewed any use of pink zips on production cars...) as well as features yet to be seen on any production Porsche like the Porsche emblem in the tyre treads or the ability to accept a multitude of wheel and tyre combinations under the wheel arches; including full off road M&S tyres fitted to heavy duty off road wheels.The stunning Porsche Panamericana was in actual fact a gift from the car company Porsche to Dr. Ferry Porsche to celebrate his 80th birthday. Today the Porsche Panamericana resides in the equally impressive Porsche museum in Stuttgart, testimony to the team that built a concept car that still looks modern 20 years after it first stunned the IAA!
The model pictured is/was made by Provence Moulage and is a resin kit with metal details. Very good quality this kit has sat on shelf for many years challenging me to make it. I have all the correct paint codes to build it as close to the genuine article's colours as possible. Perhaps 2010 will see me finally build this wonderful little model of an equally interesting and impressive real car.
I'm interested in purchasing any other Porsche Panamericana models, including Provence Moulage kits. Contact me with what you have to offer!!
