I have acquired the 993
10-31-2017, 03:02 PM
#16
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
"I should have kept them all."
Keeping them both is clearly the only solution, I just need to make sure I don't derail my life for it. I think I'll extend my window...It's funny, I always tell people to drive their classics, and here I am waffling at the thought of parking it outside for a while or driving it through snow. Will I feel better selling it to drive a normal car that'll cost the same?? I think I'll get a set of 16" wheels and some Hakkapeliittas and see how it does through a winter in Big Bear. I'll split the difference between GT2 and Baja Bug.
Here's a bonus shot of the first Porsche in the family, a long-dead dark blue 912 that we picked up for $200. We got it running (this was momentous) with my father under the hood spraying stuff into the carb while my sister worked the gas pedal ("Don't let off!"). The rust was far too gone for us to make anything useful out of it, so it was sold for a grand that same year.
It would be another decade before another Porsche came around, at my vehement teenage behest, in the form of that 944 (which was also sold to me after college—I drove it rain, hail, sleet, and snow for years until I sold it to move to NYC, where I more or less still am).
I put a ball through every square in that window more than once. You reap what you sew, parents!
Keeping them both is clearly the only solution, I just need to make sure I don't derail my life for it. I think I'll extend my window...It's funny, I always tell people to drive their classics, and here I am waffling at the thought of parking it outside for a while or driving it through snow. Will I feel better selling it to drive a normal car that'll cost the same?? I think I'll get a set of 16" wheels and some Hakkapeliittas and see how it does through a winter in Big Bear. I'll split the difference between GT2 and Baja Bug.
Here's a bonus shot of the first Porsche in the family, a long-dead dark blue 912 that we picked up for $200. We got it running (this was momentous) with my father under the hood spraying stuff into the carb while my sister worked the gas pedal ("Don't let off!"). The rust was far too gone for us to make anything useful out of it, so it was sold for a grand that same year.
It would be another decade before another Porsche came around, at my vehement teenage behest, in the form of that 944 (which was also sold to me after college—I drove it rain, hail, sleet, and snow for years until I sold it to move to NYC, where I more or less still am).
I put a ball through every square in that window more than once. You reap what you sew, parents!
Last edited by Tremelune; 10-31-2017 at 06:11 PM.
10-31-2017, 03:24 PM
#17
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
A shot of the car that brought me to the Rennlist forums almost two decades ago (the barn wasn't ours, but it's where I lived through most of high school):
Loved that damn thing...even when the damn starter posts got corroded every winter.
Loved that damn thing...even when the damn starter posts got corroded every winter.
10-31-2017, 03:40 PM
#18
Racing as old aston in loafers.
THAT is someone who knew how to live. Great stuff.
THAT is someone who knew how to live. Great stuff.
10-31-2017, 04:41 PM
#19
Rennlist Member
This story just keeps getting better and better. Your father is becoming a hero figure in my mind...
Where in NJ did you grow up?
Where in NJ did you grow up?
10-31-2017, 04:46 PM
#20
Three Wheelin'
This is a great story and great writing. Should be turned into a book. Sounds like you have plenty of material.
I started by reading the first post, checked the calendar... is it april fools day? Nope, this is real. Settled in to enjoy.
I started by reading the first post, checked the calendar... is it april fools day? Nope, this is real. Settled in to enjoy.
10-31-2017, 05:09 PM
#21
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Ha, man I have tons of these stories, although most of them were from before I was much aware of the world. Legend has it we owned 16 classic Minis when he made a go at becoming an importer of sorts...It didn't pan out, but don't let anyone tell you you can't fit a family of seven in a Cooper.
I do personally recall a time when there were nine cars strewn about the driveway in various states of repair...A redneck backyard of top European classics in runningish condition. I wish the blue Alfa GTV he raced stuck around, but a lot of these were lost to rust before anyone knew they were anything but cheap transport.
Most of my extended family lived and lives on Long Island where I was born, but before I was a year old we moved to Connecticut; literally because of how much my father hated the LIE and NYC...where he would later commute to by train for 25 years straight.
I think he just brought the Aston from Jersey and that was the day of arrival. I can't remember if he drove it back like that to avoid paying for a tow or if the car wasn't quite running at the time...
I do personally recall a time when there were nine cars strewn about the driveway in various states of repair...A redneck backyard of top European classics in runningish condition. I wish the blue Alfa GTV he raced stuck around, but a lot of these were lost to rust before anyone knew they were anything but cheap transport.
Most of my extended family lived and lives on Long Island where I was born, but before I was a year old we moved to Connecticut; literally because of how much my father hated the LIE and NYC...where he would later commute to by train for 25 years straight.
I think he just brought the Aston from Jersey and that was the day of arrival. I can't remember if he drove it back like that to avoid paying for a tow or if the car wasn't quite running at the time...
Last edited by Tremelune; 10-31-2017 at 06:13 PM.
10-31-2017, 05:36 PM
#23
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
He took it to the train station one day, and it just wasn't there when he got back from work. He truly felt robbed. After all the heaps he'd gone through for years, he finally found The One...and he deserved it. Hell, I felt robbed too, brat that I am—that was supposed to be mine in 20 years! When he drove the 993 he said it had Turbo power without the Turbo hassle...and some creature comforts to boot. It was also less likely to exit turns backwards. In 20 years it didn't hiccup once. It got an engine out-refresh two years ago when the original clutch went out, but that's it apart from what's listed in this thread. He says he had the chance to buy a brand new 996 off the showroom floor but passed in favor of the 993. Can you imagine?
He once told me that, at least with theft, he could take some solace in the idea that maybe the thief really, really needed it. That is some gracious sh:t. I try to remember phrases like that as I sit fed in my warm home, trying to figure out which extra Porsche I should hold on to.
10-31-2017, 05:55 PM
#24
Burning Brakes
If I recall correctly, fender chevrons were used in racing to identify which was the driver's side of the car and/or was also used as additional differentiation markers between same team cars.
10-31-2017, 11:54 PM
#25
Burning Brakes
"I should have kept them all."
Keeping them both is clearly the only solution, I just need to make sure I don't derail my life for it. I think I'll extend my window...It's funny, I always tell people to drive their classics, and here I am waffling at the thought of parking it outside for a while or driving it through snow. Will I feel better selling it to drive a normal car that'll cost the same?? I think I'll get a set of 16" wheels and some Hakkapeliittas and see how it does through a winter in Big Bear. I'll split the difference between GT2 and Baja Bug.
Here's a bonus shot of the first Porsche in the family, a long-dead dark blue 912 that we picked up for $200. We got it running (this was momentous) with my father under the hood spraying stuff into the carb while my sister worked the gas pedal ("Don't let off!"). The rust was far too gone for us to make anything useful out of it, so it was sold for a grand that same year.
It would be another decade before another Porsche came around, at my vehement teenage behest, in the form of that 944 (which was also sold to me after college—I drove it rain, hail, sleet, and snow for years until I sold it to move to NYC, where I more or less still am).
I put a ball through every square in that window more than once. You reap what you sew, parents!
Keeping them both is clearly the only solution, I just need to make sure I don't derail my life for it. I think I'll extend my window...It's funny, I always tell people to drive their classics, and here I am waffling at the thought of parking it outside for a while or driving it through snow. Will I feel better selling it to drive a normal car that'll cost the same?? I think I'll get a set of 16" wheels and some Hakkapeliittas and see how it does through a winter in Big Bear. I'll split the difference between GT2 and Baja Bug.
Here's a bonus shot of the first Porsche in the family, a long-dead dark blue 912 that we picked up for $200. We got it running (this was momentous) with my father under the hood spraying stuff into the carb while my sister worked the gas pedal ("Don't let off!"). The rust was far too gone for us to make anything useful out of it, so it was sold for a grand that same year.
It would be another decade before another Porsche came around, at my vehement teenage behest, in the form of that 944 (which was also sold to me after college—I drove it rain, hail, sleet, and snow for years until I sold it to move to NYC, where I more or less still am).
I put a ball through every square in that window more than once. You reap what you sew, parents!
Now this one reminds me of my father spraying mystery stuff into the Chrysler inboard on the '47 Chris Craft while he asks me to do god knows what up front...
11-02-2017, 10:30 PM
#27
Great story. Find a way to keep both. It will pay of in the long run.
11-02-2017, 10:48 PM
#28
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Criminy, great story to being with, and got better at every turn! Your dad is awesome!!! Good times there, to be sure!
I cherish the pic that I have right here at my computer desk with three of my youngins (when they were still little!) standing in front of the "race" car, my humble little SC-trackmeister. Great times; just priceless! You are a fortunate man!
Edward
I cherish the pic that I have right here at my computer desk with three of my youngins (when they were still little!) standing in front of the "race" car, my humble little SC-trackmeister. Great times; just priceless! You are a fortunate man!
Edward
11-03-2017, 03:36 PM
#29
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Some updates and corrections from the fam...With regard to the racing loafers, sis and dad say:
"They were British driving shoes and I reckon they were the most expensive pair of shoes that dad ever owned and will ever own."
"VSCCA only required leather shoes at the time. Jim Simpson convinced me to get real driving shoes when I shared his DB4GT at an enduro at Watkins Glen in 1987. It was the year Ford bought Aston Martin. Peter Livanos's family owned most of the stock. Big celebration at Watkins that weekend. I was on the back straight at 140 mph in the DB4GT (this was before they put in the chicane) and Brian Redmond passed me in Peter's GT40 at over 200 mph. I'll never forget it. Closest I ever got to real racing."
"The 57 Porsche 1600 Normal was actually my first Porsche. I was still in college. Paid something like $500 for it."
Fins forward, if you notice that kind of thing...
These photos server no other purpose than to illustrate his willingness to drive weird cars in whatever weather, and my willingness to post a picture of my father in jorts:
"They were British driving shoes and I reckon they were the most expensive pair of shoes that dad ever owned and will ever own."
"VSCCA only required leather shoes at the time. Jim Simpson convinced me to get real driving shoes when I shared his DB4GT at an enduro at Watkins Glen in 1987. It was the year Ford bought Aston Martin. Peter Livanos's family owned most of the stock. Big celebration at Watkins that weekend. I was on the back straight at 140 mph in the DB4GT (this was before they put in the chicane) and Brian Redmond passed me in Peter's GT40 at over 200 mph. I'll never forget it. Closest I ever got to real racing."
"The 57 Porsche 1600 Normal was actually my first Porsche. I was still in college. Paid something like $500 for it."
Fins forward, if you notice that kind of thing...
These photos server no other purpose than to illustrate his willingness to drive weird cars in whatever weather, and my willingness to post a picture of my father in jorts:
11-03-2017, 04:04 PM
#30
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
