Porsche is building new parts for 50 year-old cars

Porsche has a bigger back catalogue of timeless classics than most brands, and it’s better than most at looking after them.

You can buy new head units complete with Apple CarPlay for its classic models, and even its latest, greatest track cars feature overt nods to those that came before.

Now, it’s making new crankcases – from magnesium, no less – for F and G series 911s built between 1968 and 1976.

This particular run of 911s is known for having issues with their magnesium crankcases, which become brittle over time.

Rather than having to weld cracks or reuse parts from decommissioned cars, Porsche says the new crankcases mean any 911 owner can walk into a Porsche Centre or approved Porsche Classic service centre and order a brand new unit.

The magnesium unit pictured here will sit alongside a reissue (albeit made of aluminium, not magnesium) of the crankcase for early-1990s versions of the 911.

“This reissue closes another gap in our range of spare parts, making it possible to build completely new engines for most classic 911 models,” said Ulrike Lutz, director of Porsche Classic.

“There’s a lot of demand from our customers for true-to-original engine components like this.”

CAD data provided to a supplier is used to sand cast the magnesium crankcases, before they’re machined on a five-axis CNC machine.

Porsche says quality control is extremely tight, and before adding it to the catalogue Porsche Classic extensively bench tested the new part extensively using an RS 2.7 engine.

The automaker isn’t alone in offering a catalogue of spare parts for its classic fleet. Nissan is restoring examples of the R32 GT-R, and offers a selection of parts to owners who want to keep their old Godzilla snarling.

Mazda will also sell you parts for its old RX-7 and MX-5 ranges.

MORE: Everything Porsche 911