deven07

Hiyas!

I've got a 71T Targa...my first Porsche, first summer, boy I've had a blast! Unfortunately, its half way through August, summer will be over soon, and I live in northern MI, which means in a matter of a few months, I'll be sitting in SNOW up the WAZOO, as well as SALT and GRIME that would eat my little blue car like a pack of rabid termites (I guess termites dont get rabies or travel in packs, do they...well, you know what I mean). So its off to storage she goes.

So here's my question. Does anyone drive their Pcar in the snowy winter weather? Are there any years that dont mind the salt? I know many of you are cringing at the mere thought of it, but I can't help it! I don't want to put it away!

Jamie
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911T Targa
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/71911TTarga.jpg" target="_blank">My Car</a>

Jgordon

From what I understand, 76 and on Pcars used galvanized bodies, which cut down the rust immensely. I drive mine in the winter (had her for one, last winter) but there was no snow, and it was 70 degrees in January. Not the best yardstick. You could get a cayenne for the snow....

Dean

I have a 81 SC and I will not drive mine in the snow. There are too many nooks and crannies for the salt and sand to go. My advice is drive as long as you can then when the snow flies, work on your car. That is what I do.
Enjoy your car
Dean

Targamike

Deven-
Great looking car.

rayjay...'80SC

Your car is way too nice to ruin in the salt.
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Flying Finn

Yep,

Just put it away.

I know from experience, it's not easy to be without driving it but the first drive after the winter...

Man, it's HEAVEN!

And think about your feeling when in spring time you'll disciver rust here, this there etc. That salt is nasty!

If you need storage suggestions, let me know, I have pretty good list what to do.

A Quiet Boom

I got stuck driving my '66 a little ways into last winter due to a broken trans in my truck (winter vehicle). Needless to say I got salt on it and despite powerwashing the underside as best I could I didn't get all the salt off. I noticed this when I removed the motor and trans in late Jan for a tranny overhaul. I wound up lifting the car with a forklift over my head and completely cleaning the underside. Since this isn't an option for most people (LOL) I have to agree there are way to many places for the salt to hide. I survive winters without my nice car by planning my upgrades over the summer and carrying them out in the winter although this summer I couldn't resist a motor swap. I remember a few years back when I was heavy into drag racing my Mustang, I'd teardown the motor and freshen everything up then complete a list of "necessary" mods to the engine and chassis hehe. That first hit of the key in the spring always made it worth it.

Jay H

I concur with everyone else. Put the Porsche away for the winter.

It's not just the body that suffers, it's also the all the other little stuff that gets corroded and fails prematurely. Stuff like the metal ends on the oil lines, all the various clamps, electrical connection, screws and bolts weld tight from rust, etc. etc.

It's not worth in (IMO) on such a nice car. They don't make them anymore...

Rick C

I have an 87 Targa in Chicago and I know your pain! I drive mine right up to the first snow that brings out the salt trucks, but put it away after that. I WILL take it out when the weather breaks and there's been a decent rain, whether that's New Year's Day or April 1st. Otherwise, it simply sits/gets worked on. I start it up once a month and let it run to keep the A/C seals happy (and to hear the sound!) Last year I sent the wheels away for refinishing and put on a new steering wheel so I wasn't tempted to drive it. taking something major apart on Dec. 1 keeps my driving ambition at bay.

By the way, even the galvinised cars will rust, just much more slowly (look at a galvinised chain-link fence). Since I'm probably keeping mine forever, no salt for me. The salt really messes up each and every bolt that it touches, so the body issue is only one problem to worry about.

Bought a 911 sounds CD from Classic Motorbooks and plan to put it on in mid-January just to dream of summer. Other than that, just need to find a way to skate, downhill or xc ski, or otherwise occupy the time through the winter.

carrera

Jamie;

Nice car, I like the colour.
Now as far as snow and salt is concerned, being a canadian eh, I know salt and snow very well.
It would certainly be a shame to reduce your car to rust. As someone here stated your car is not galvanised and as a result will not hold up well.
The targa top will not help matters either.

I myself drive my carrera all year and have a set of winter tires for it. It is a joy to drive in the snow. So far rust is not an issue. My suggestion if you want to drive all year is to get a post '77 911. And wash regularly.

deven07

Hiyas,

Thanks for the replys...there is no doubt my '71 would suffer dearly in a north MI winter, so away she will go...luckily storage is right outside my garage door, so even though I wont be driving it, every day I'll see it and smell it and giggle like a schoolgirl at how friggin cool it is to have it sitting in MY garage

So then no 911 body style is safe in the winter weather eh? How about the newer years? What about the all wheel drive model...is that the C4? Hehe that would be a BLAST in 6" of fresh powder! <img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Jamie
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'71 911T Targa
<a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/71911back2.JPG" target="_blank">Check out the Back</a>

gerry100

Deven,

I'm in upstate NY, maybe not as tough as northern Michigan, but I used my '86 occasional driver through the winter.
Here there are sufficient dry days to get the car out often, but only after a careful evaluation of road conditions.

- obviously no slush or standing water(w dissolved road salt). I pretty much know when the last salting has been washed away and conditions haven't been right for more.

- know your routes, some are more likely salted, and have worse heaves and potholes.

I can always bring her back in clean and dry if I'm careful. I think it's better to exercise the car occasionally during the winter than leave it sit and bring it back to life so I leave my insurance/tags on all year. It may save money in the long run as the flat6 collects moisture in the cylinders if it sits too long.

My 2cts.

Flying Finn

Jamie, how's this?



It's taken from Porsche's camp 4 event. Porsche organises these events at Lapland (in Finland) every winter. They'll drive the cars in -30 degrees all kinds of snowy roads etc!

BTW, Rick said he'll start to car once a month (to keep a/c seals happy & hear the sound).

I never do it (and advice against).

Since that first start (after sitting for longer period) is always the worst for engine (oil lines have been drained) I'd advice not to do it. I know only just to hear the engine is tempting but I'd wait until spring and then...