A Pristine Porsche — The Result Of Many Hours Of Hard Work!

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 48, 19 May 1987, Page 3 (Supplement)

A Pristine Porsche — The Result Of Many Hours Of Hard Work!

HARRY Baker of Taumarunui has put 956 man hours into restoring his 1963 Porsche 356B. In his four car garage, his other 'hobby car' is a 1961 V.W. Karmann Ghia. Despite retiring in 1980, the former owner and founder of Matapuna Motors has continued being a car enthusiast. Mr Baker purchased his Porsche in raupo in 1983.

He describes the state of it then as "shocking". To make the car - which spent the first few years of its life in the U.S. - as authentic as possible, much imagination was needed in rebuilding and restoring the engine and body. He has paid attention to intricate detail. When Mr Baker bought the car its reflectors were round. After searching high and

low unsuccesstully, he made the original style square reflector lights himself. The V.W. Karmann Ghia was purchased by Mr Baker in 1964 for £1,500, and he says he will never sell it. He describes it as comfortable and practical and he has travelled to the South Island in the vehicle five times. The car is also very economical, obtuining about forty miles per gallon, and

can cruise comfortably at 100 kph. Built in Germany with a 1200cc motor, Mr Baker replaced the original with a 150Gcc motor in 1970. Last October, he replaced it again as he had a new engine waiting to be used and someone who was restoring a similar car wanted the existing motor. The car had a paint job in 1 969 after Mr Baker ran into a herd of cows near Te Kuiti at night. However, he retained the original colour of 'paprika'. The interior and roof remain in immaculate original condition. Mr Baker uses his cars for different purposes. However, he has a 1982 Laser which he uses frequently in winter as it has the best heater!