Gemballa Avalanche Boxster

[Kirk]

So.... I was on vacation this last week and driving the Boxster. I stopped off at the Monterey, California Porsche dealer. As I was leaving I had my head buried in my GPS and didn't even notice when a Gemballa Avalanche Boxster pulled up and parked next to me. I had somewhere I needed to be, so unfortunately I didn't get a chance to meet the owner. I wish I had taken more time than just snapping a few pictures though. It wasn't until later that I realized how rare this car is. I didn't even know Gemballa made a kit for the 987, I thought the Avalanche kit was just for the 997. They don't even mention it on the Gemballa USA website and their German site is down now that the company is dead.

Any way, kind of funny - an old school 986 Gemballa next to the 987 Gemballa.

Kirk

[JTP]

Very nice,I like how wide that car looks and the side vents are pretty cool.
Not crazy about that wing though, makes the trunk almost useless.

[Boxtaboy]

Honestly, I don't think that's a 987. If you look closely, the side mirrors are 986 style mirrors. The 987 mirrors have a vent in them as shown in the pic I attached below:

Also, the rear pic you posted shows a convertible top that looks like an aftermarket GAHH (which does not have a rubber seal surrounding the window). The OEM tops have a rubber seal around the window, as well as the extra rib in the frame:
So, IMO, that is a 986 made to look like a 987 Avalance. Lol

[favino1006]

Yowza, that thing looks fierce!

[Lobo1186]

here in monterey... very nice ill have to keep a weather eye out for it.

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by Boxtaboy

So, IMO, that is a 986 made to look like a 987 Avalance. Lol

Wow, good eye! I did not even notice those differences. I was going off of the headlights and tail lights alone to think that it was a 987. However, now that you mention it I think you are right. The headlights are not in fact 987 headlights, but are 997 headlights! Wow, someone went through a LOT of trouble with that conversion. I'm betting then that Gemballa didn't actually make an Avalanche Boxster kit, although you can find a YouTube video of a different one. With the headlight and tail light conversions, the body shop certainly had the capability to also modify a 997 Avalanche kit to fit a Boxster. I'm betting that's what they did.

Kirk

[Lobo1186]

those headlights are actually 997! (i think from the pictures anyway.)

a mod I plan for my 986 and this is a good refernce for how my car could look if I go through with the modification.

but are you in town for the races?

[Kirk]

All has become clear now....

This isn't a Gemballa kit. It's a knock off of the Gemballa Avalanche kit (which I don't believe they ever made for the Boxster) made by Extreme Motorcars. Here's their sales ad for the exact car that I saw:

http://www.xtrememotorcars.com/01/for_sale/2010/2010%20Boxster%20997%20Avalanche%20GTR%20Black/01.html

I hope the new owner didn't really think it was a 2010 Boxster as they advertised. Their conversion kit is really for a 986. It would have been interesting to talk to the owner to see if he would try to fool me into thinking it was really Gemballa. I wonder why nobody ever knocked off the rear bumper on my car. I thought that was pretty decent.

Here's the eBay ad for the kit to convert your 986 Boxster to this wide body Avalanche look:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-986-Boxster-997-Turbo-XTREMO-widebody-NEW-/180490499403?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

What's nice is that it's a very complete kit, including the headlights and tail lights. But for $30,000 it's pretty spendy, especially for knock off parts. Might as well pay that much to Gemballa. But, alas, Gemballa is now defunct. Maybe if these guys don't need to worry about patent issues now they'll knock off more stuff. If the quality is good, then this might be a fun kit to get. But still, I think they'll have a hard time selling this. $15K to $20K for a decent 986S, $30K for the kit, $5K+ for install and paint.... You could almost buy a new car for that price or a very nice, used 996 Turbo!!! I got my 996 C4S with full TechArt kit and HRE wheels for less. I can't believe that with their yellow and orange test cars they didn't even use S models. But with that cost I guess comes exclusivity. Now I really wish I had looked at that car more and talked to the owner. I doubt I will ever see one again!

Kirk

[Lobo1186]

now this is attractive...

I thought I liked the black one but this bodykit for the box... is gorgeous. im sold. I want this!
thanks kirk for finding it.

[Kirk]

Originally Posted by Lobo1186

now this is attractive...

I thought I liked the black one but this bodykit for the box... is gorgeous. im sold. I want this!
thanks kirk for finding it.

I agree, I like the rear wing and front bumper of that kit better. I think the Avalanche is a little too over the top, a little too wild, IMHO. This one looks nice. The only problem is that you're still talking about the same components - front bumper, 997 headlights, front fenders, door covers, rear quarter panels, Cayman tail lights, rear bumper, wheels, etc. I didn't see this one on eBay, but the price has to be near $30,000.

Kirk

[Lobo1186]

heres the link to the ebay kirk

they list it as 13 large. but that doesnt include the lights and whatnot like the other one. and on their website they said it was like 17 to install paint etc. so you are looking at a 35 grand project all told. very pricey.

[backman_z]

I like 'em both.

But I have 2 questions.

1- Where can I get tail lights that are black like on the "Avalanch?"

2- Where can I get the rear spoiler that is on the orange Boster posted by Boxstaboy? (I have seen some that were similar, but they do not have the base lip (or whatever you call it) that remains as the spoiler raises.)

I have searched for both and come up empty....

[Kirk]

>1- Where can I get tail lights that are black like on the "Avalanch?"

That's not an off the shelf item, you have to custom make them. That body kit uses Cayman rear tail lights. To make them black you need to either spray them with a tint spray paint or apply a tint film over them. Looks cool, but is unquestionably illegal, might get you a ticket, unsafe, and might get you rear ended and put you at fault due to the dim tail lights.


>2- Where can I get the rear spoiler that is on the orange Boster posted by Boxstaboy? (I have seen some that were similar, but they do not have the base lip (or whatever you call it) that remains as the spoiler raises.)

There are a bunch more pictures here:

http://automobile.automotive.com/6196/0705-2008-porsche-boxster-special-edition/wallpaper.html

That's an OEM/stock spoiler for the special edition Boxster. It wouldn't work on a 986. I'm not sure what you'd have to do to get one installed on a 987. You'd probably have to change out the whole rear bumper. With OEM Porsche parts that would be terribly spendy just for a spoiler.

Kirk

[racincobalt]

http://www.youtube.com/user/1nickmrozi1

This is the link that i saw 10 month ago.
I kept asking him to give more details but he does not update the upcoming videos (well he updated it about 1 week ago however it doesn't give enough detail.)
I really wanted that kit but I am selling my 986 S so.. probably, i'll do it later.



This is my 986 that i'm selling so sadly

more photos link below
http://dorages.smugmug.com/Cars/986S/14006141_ZbG9b#1030214060_kdX62

BTW
Uwe Gemballa found dead(murdered) in south Africa yesterday.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/sundaytimes/article686917.ece/Tycoon-Executed
I will be missing his work.
Rest in peace U.G.

[Jake D]

Originally Posted by backman_z

1- Where can I get tail lights that are black like on the "Avalanch?"

Sand yours down with some really fine 1000 grit. Basically so they arent shiny anymore, kind of dull looking. Mix up some nice quality clear coat. Add a couple drops (10% or so) black paint to clear coat paint, and spray on. If its not dark enough then spray another layer. Done. Did all my lights this way. Headlights and side markers aren't as dark as the rears for obvious reasons