Classic car motoring is all about the experience. The exhaust note, interior smell, and tight manual steering can put the driver in a euphoric time capsule of a simpler era. But a windshield cluttered with a modern GPS and radar detector can break the spell. Also those who want to add a little background music have had to either relocate the radio to the glove box or suffer the humiliation of displaying an ill-fitting modern unit.
Porsche will soon be resolving this issue for classic 911 drivers with a modern navigation unit disguised to look like original equipment. While reviewing the upcoming products from Porsche Classic, the company’s in-house OEM parts catalogue, we stumbled on the Porsche Classic Radio Navigation System.
This is replaces the original Blaupunkt AM/FM radio that was integrated into the lower right dash. Porsche’s new radio still carries the classic two-knob design with minimal buttons and chrome accents, but the radio dial has been replaced with a subtle navigation screen. This will fit all 911s from 1963 possibly until as late as 1977. It should also be a good fit for the first generation 912 and perhaps the 914.
The radio with navigation system will be available from Porsche starting next month for €595 (Part # 911 645 910 00), but we don’t have a list of the initial markets yet. We also don’t have all the technical specs, but judging by the lack of buttons, we can be pretty sure this is a touch screen unit.
This may be a great compromise for classic Porsche owners who want to get a little technology, but we are not all convinced. There are still some of us who believe the classic car experience still needs to include the wilted feel of a well-used pocket map. After all, isn’t getting lost part of the fun of a meandering road trip?
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