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These photos and articles were also posted on the 968.net website. They were funny articles, but what was completely unexpected to me were the responses that I have seen which are far funnier than the article. Or maybe they are scary, depending on your perspective. You'd be amazed how many people thought these things were real! Following are some of the emails and web site posts. Names have been abbreviated to protect the intellectually challenged.

From: A.L., '92 968 (posted on Rennlist), 2/9/00. Subject: Re: Porsche Snowplow. 944.194.984.01. I got this number from the www.968.net site. I guess that it's the Porsche part number for the "snow-plow" option. There's a 968 there with one attached. Scroll to the bottom of the main page for pics.

From N.N., 10/13/00. Subject: Tweaked 968, Dear Bruce, I saw the Yellow Sub and 968 Snowplow. Is this a joke?

From: K.M., 4/11/00. Bruce, after reading your entertaining yet improbable submarine article it has just dawned on me that the snowplow was a hoax as well. I'm so disappointed!  This is like finding out there's no Santa Claus. K.M., '92 Cab Tip

From: P.C.@aol.com, 10/9/00, Subject: sub-car. Bruce, I read your description of your Porsche and I have never heard of a sub option. Are you joking about that? Well please let me know because I am very interested in this. P.C.. This was my response: Yes. It is definitely true! If you would like to get a FREE set of plans, just send $399.95 to me and I would be happy to send you them!

From: J.B., 11/7/00 Subject: bull. You are full of bull. Show me pics in the water. Or at least half way in the water.

From: C.M., 1/25/01. Hello Bruce, Did you do the modifications or was it really Porsche as stated in the article? What I am referring to is the submarine 968 Porsche.

From: b.m.@netscapeonline.co.uk, 2/20/01 Subject: submarines. I don't believe you about the Porsche submarine.

From: R.@aol.com, 2/5/01, Subject: Submersible 968? Is this for real? What the hell is going on? I can't believe there is such a thing as a submersible 968 with a factory option!

From: M.T., 9/10/00, Subject: submersible Porsche 968. I'm sure I sound gullible for asking this, but is that real? I'm pretty sure its not, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

From: J.B.@accesscomm.ca, 9/6/00. Is this for real, a submersible Porsche?

From: M.R.@dowco.com, 6/12/00, Subject: Porsche 968 submersible. Bruce, Is this story of your submersible 968 true? How did you manage to completely seal the passenger cabin and the engine bay? If the water is over the hood, the engine would be flooded. Sounds quite interesting. My reply: Sure it's true. The passenger cabin is sealed by special gaskets around the doorframes and windows (which are 73% thicker than typical 968s).  It's a factory option, so I can't take credit for it. The propeller and dive planes are electric and are powered by 4 extra batteries, located in the rear of the car. They are charged by the engine, which you shut off when going underwater. The engine can draw air from a tube located in the periscope, allowing you to generate electricity when floating at the surface, but not when fully submerged.  It is similar to a Hummer engine, where the engine and electricals are sealed and can operate underwater, as long as the "snorkel" is above water. --Bruce

The following "thread" was from the 968.net site. A guy named John was very interested in the 968 submarine and a few people seemed to be having fun toying with him.

From: John, 2/3/01, I was reading on the modification section of this site of a "rare U202" option where as the 968 becomes a submarine? Is this really an option or just a joke?

From: d.@968.net, 2/3/01. Just try it, I did and am quite happy with the outcome. I regularly drive my '93 968CS about 5 m. (15ft.) below sea level. I even have it parked there right now! So far I have not seen any detrimental effects on the car or the environment. You do have to consider the different speed limits.

From: john, 2/3/01. So is this available as an after market upgrade from the factory. How does one go about doing this? And what parts are needed.

From: anonymous, 2/7/01. Sure it's for real! I've done this modification here in Germany! Last year I reached a depth of almost 20 meters (60feet) although the manual warns you not to go below 5 meters. I've been a diver for many years and now I can do it with my Porsche and no longer need a diving suit! Great! 

From: M., 2/18/01. I got my 968 coated with a special silicone lubricant to protect metallic paint and under body (suspension and brake components are very sensitive to salty water). You might have to get your door seals redone if your car has lots of mileage, a cheap modification. 
If you currently have a snowplow installed on your car, I suggest you get it removed before diving. My car had the plow and it slowed the car down considerably under water. On pavement however the plow is extremely effective at pushing sleepy 70 mph drivers out of the way. You're looking at a 6 to $7,000 investment. Worth every penny! The dealer might initially suggest you check in for professional help, but that's just a strategy to keep one of the industry's best-kept secrets still secret. Good luck and please let us know!

From: F.P., 2/4/01. I had my U202 upgrade installed last July at my local Porsche dealer. (Works great!) I'd recommend driving down to your local dealer and asking them about it. It's somewhat of a rare option, so you if they're not familiar with it, you might have to badger them into calling PCNA (Porsche Cars North America) or even the factory. Some of these dealers are lazy and don't want to be bothered with this sort of thing because it's a hassle for them to special order the parts. So if it seems like they're being evasive or pretend like they don't know what you're talking about, don't let up on them. Stand your ground and make them do their job!

From: G.B., 2/4/01. Dirk: Doesn't the salt water raise havoc on the metallic parts of the 968? Where is the Optional U202 Rebreather installed during long sub sea level travel? In addition, do factory recommended tire pressures affect sea bed adhesion (buoyancy)? Regards, G.B.

From: M., 2/3/01. You had it easy converting a coupe, I had major problems making my 92 cab watertight and it still leaks a little.

From: John, 2/3/01. So where would I go to have this done and get the parts? Can I get it done at the dealer? How much would something like this cost? Plus how the heck does the engine breathe?

From: G.B., 2/4/01. John: Aqua-lungs or rebreathers that change C02 back to oxygen have been used for many years by the military. A similar system was developed by Porsche to attach to the engine air intake plenum. Of course Option U202 is extremely expensive. I believe that Lloyd Bridges (Sea Hunt) was one notable person who ventured into the U202 option shortly before his death. Regards, G.B.

From: Nemo, 2/3/01. Two choices for air supply: standard U202 option relies on internal compressed air supply. Alternative option - somebody else help me with the number here, please - incorporates an extendable snorkel, sort of what you see on some Land Rovers. You also have to fit a backflow valve on the exhaust system: engine gas pressure at idle is not sufficient to keep water out below about 12 feet.

From: d.@968.net, 2/5/01. Sorry it took me so long to answer the rest of your questions but I went for a weekend trip and due to heavy ice I had a hard time re-surfacing. I thank all the other wet-Porsche addicts for pitching in and giving some good leads about the mods.

From: john, 2/3/01. Compressed air huh, those darn Germans are so smart aren't they! So if its compressed air then how long does it last or is it a running compressor. Also, someone please tell me where I can have this done! Call me crazy but this has to be one of the coolest things I have ever seen!

From: J.E., 2/4/01. Yeah, Seamonkeys are cool too! Ciao.

From: S., 2/20/01. John, go to your local Porsche dealer and ask about it. They should know the option. At first they sounded confused but then when I told them the option code and said "submersible package" they knew what I was talking about. It took about 2 weeks for them to get the job done and boy is it great. I paid only 3 thousand. I took it out to the lake last week and went for a dive. The only problem I had was getting sea weed stuck in my bumper but it is ok. It came off. I am contemplating putting a big net on the back of the car and catching some fish. What you think? Should I try it? Let me know buddy, S.

In conclusion, I guess P. T. Barnum was right.