When did you first know you had to have a 911?
#16
#19
1975, just after graduating from HS. Never into cars to that point, but worked at a large auto dealership as a car jockey. Drove everything from MB SL's to Panteras to hot muscle cars. "THE DAY" came when I was to move a black '73 2.4 Targa from the lot across the street to the showroom. As I wisked by the dealership's owner's office in 2nd gear and happened to glance at the speedo, confirming that I was doing 40MPH, three things occured to me- 1) Surprise, because I didn't think I was going more than 20, 2) going WAY too fast for rapidly approaching turn, and 3) didn't matter because I'm about to get fired anyway.
I tapped the brakes, flicked the wheel, made the corner easily and the owner wasn't in his office. That was the day I knew that a 911 was in my future.
I tapped the brakes, flicked the wheel, made the corner easily and the owner wasn't in his office. That was the day I knew that a 911 was in my future.
#20
Addict
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1976 or so, I was about 11 and one of my dad's grad students had a late 60s E. The usual experience, bells ringing and angels singing. I occasionally shopped for one but knew the maintenance would kill me, finally bought my first 993 at 34 or so.
#21
Three Wheelin'
I have always been sports-car nut, as my dad would say since I was "knee-high over a grasshopper".
(We Irish have a way with words, sometimes.)
However, I have always LUSTED over the 'shape' of a 911. Maybe it's because of those 'hips' (that remind you of...well, you know...) or the fact that it seems to just defy time itself.
My earliest recollection, when I was about 11 or so (1971) living in Dublin, a neighbor had a beautiful dark-green 911 parked head-first in his driveway. I would purposefully go out of my way and cycle my Raleigh bicycle just so as to pass his house and oggle. Each time I passed this magnificent specimen I SWORE I would own one ...one day.
It took 45 years and I had to emigrate to another country... ...but it was so worth (the wait).
Gerry
(We Irish have a way with words, sometimes.)
However, I have always LUSTED over the 'shape' of a 911. Maybe it's because of those 'hips' (that remind you of...well, you know...) or the fact that it seems to just defy time itself.
My earliest recollection, when I was about 11 or so (1971) living in Dublin, a neighbor had a beautiful dark-green 911 parked head-first in his driveway. I would purposefully go out of my way and cycle my Raleigh bicycle just so as to pass his house and oggle. Each time I passed this magnificent specimen I SWORE I would own one ...one day.
It took 45 years and I had to emigrate to another country... ...but it was so worth (the wait).
Gerry
#22
Rennlist Member
I knew I had to have a 911 while attending the Nashville, TN Auto Show (for new cars) in 1967. At the time I was a freshman in college, and I was driving a Corvair Corsa Turbo. When I saw the Polo Red 911S coupe in the Porsche display, I was stunned and also realized how important a college education would be! Five years later, I was driving my first, a 912.
#23
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I grew up on a farm and always had practical vehicles. Trucks at first, then tiny passenger cars with decent mileage for the college years. My current ride at the time, this was 1996, was a '90 Jeep Cherokee. It was up in mileage and unreliable, having stranded me a couple times.
My replacement search criteria included leg and head room, two or four door passenger coupe. One of my co-workers suggested buying a Porsche. So for grins we went out and tried a few. I didn't fit in the 911 I tried, but the 968 coupe or 944 Turbo fit just fine. That turned into searching for a good one, joining up with (then) Porschelist and buying a nice Kalahari Gold '87 944 Turbo. I also purchased a '95 Audi A6Q for my daily driver. The 951 was a fair weather car.
We took all sorts of trips in the car, manage to fit a child seat and take our daughter along. I joined PCA and ran a few rallyes. I still smile when I think about the boost of that car pulling you from the steering and settling back into that comfortable V of the seat cushions.
Roll ahead a few years, after some PCA club events and having sat in a 993S where they had moved the seat back on the mounting, I realized I could fit in a 911.
Then we decided to move to Indiana, bought a house with a two car garage and circular drive. We decided to sell the Porsche since three cars weren't going to work.
My wife then told me to fix my depression because her, our daughter and the dog were all not enjoying it.
That started a mad dash to research prices, vehicles and search for a good 964 or 993 C4. We sold the Audi, found a nice '95 993C4. Bought an extra set of wheels and mounted snow tires and I had my year around daily driver. Mad as in sold the Porsche, flew out to Cleveland and bought the 993 (drove home), sold the Audi a day later, then had the 951 picked up when we were busy moving out of our old house and headed south.
Ten years in Porsches now, five of those in the 911, and enjoyed nearly every minute.
My replacement search criteria included leg and head room, two or four door passenger coupe. One of my co-workers suggested buying a Porsche. So for grins we went out and tried a few. I didn't fit in the 911 I tried, but the 968 coupe or 944 Turbo fit just fine. That turned into searching for a good one, joining up with (then) Porschelist and buying a nice Kalahari Gold '87 944 Turbo. I also purchased a '95 Audi A6Q for my daily driver. The 951 was a fair weather car.
We took all sorts of trips in the car, manage to fit a child seat and take our daughter along. I joined PCA and ran a few rallyes. I still smile when I think about the boost of that car pulling you from the steering and settling back into that comfortable V of the seat cushions.
Roll ahead a few years, after some PCA club events and having sat in a 993S where they had moved the seat back on the mounting, I realized I could fit in a 911.
Then we decided to move to Indiana, bought a house with a two car garage and circular drive. We decided to sell the Porsche since three cars weren't going to work.
My wife then told me to fix my depression because her, our daughter and the dog were all not enjoying it.
That started a mad dash to research prices, vehicles and search for a good 964 or 993 C4. We sold the Audi, found a nice '95 993C4. Bought an extra set of wheels and mounted snow tires and I had my year around daily driver. Mad as in sold the Porsche, flew out to Cleveland and bought the 993 (drove home), sold the Audi a day later, then had the 951 picked up when we were busy moving out of our old house and headed south.
Ten years in Porsches now, five of those in the 911, and enjoyed nearly every minute.
Last edited by grouchy; 08-27-2007 at 12:34 PM. Reason: more starry eyed remembrances :)
#24
Rennlist Member
Got a ride in a brand new black 77 targa that my cousins boyfriend had in the driveway. I think I was 9. I was amazed at the look - the smell - the speed.
Later that night my other cousin took me out in his brand new 77 black trans am.
I have to say - it didnt have the same effect - but I still love both cars to this day (for different reasons). Took me 27 years to act on the porsche.. I dont think I'll ever sell her... (and shes black!!)
Later that night my other cousin took me out in his brand new 77 black trans am.
I have to say - it didnt have the same effect - but I still love both cars to this day (for different reasons). Took me 27 years to act on the porsche.. I dont think I'll ever sell her... (and shes black!!)
#26
Rennlist Member
A progessive loveaffair:
Age ~3: Aircooled sounds and smells are engrained in my DNA as going for a ride in mom's VW bug is the only way she can put me to sleep.
Age 7: Got a 911 toy car
Age 7.5: Started dreaming about 911s (mom still has the drawings to prove it)
Age 15: Watched No Man's Land
Age 15.5: Put Porsche 911 and No Man's Land posters up on my wall
Age 16: HS buddy's cousin took me for a ride in his 78 SC
Age 18: Drove a 930...WOOOOHA!!!
Age 18 + 15 mins: Had an epiphany about owning a 911.
The rest is history, as documented in my sig.
Age ~3: Aircooled sounds and smells are engrained in my DNA as going for a ride in mom's VW bug is the only way she can put me to sleep.
Age 7: Got a 911 toy car
Age 7.5: Started dreaming about 911s (mom still has the drawings to prove it)
Age 15: Watched No Man's Land
Age 15.5: Put Porsche 911 and No Man's Land posters up on my wall
Age 16: HS buddy's cousin took me for a ride in his 78 SC
Age 18: Drove a 930...WOOOOHA!!!
Age 18 + 15 mins: Had an epiphany about owning a 911.
The rest is history, as documented in my sig.
#27
Rennlist Member
I was hooked when I was 7 or 8 years old. This would have been around '73. I think it was brown a brown 911. My memory is dim on the details, but what I'll never forget the feeling of how that car moved, particularly around corners. I rode in the back, holding on for dear life. All I could see were blurry street lights, trees, buildings and everything rushing by. It was amazing what that car could do. And not a single a tire screach the whole time.
#28
Drifting
When I was nine I picked up a book called "Porsche" at my elementary school's book fair. It is still sitting on my coffee table today. Shortly thereafter, my dad went on a business trip and asked what we wanted him to bring back for us. I wanted a Porsche toy. I cried when he handed me a 924 model! I guess that was the day I learned about the 911!
#29
Rennlist Member
I've loved the marque for so many years, way back in the mid-'70's, but there was no, one defining moment for me, but more like a constant lust that included Lotuses and Ferraris. 911's were rare sightings for me, and I would always get excited whenever I saw one. The article that Road & Track did on the first, or one of the first, 911 Turbos where they spun while they were going under a bridge after a gust of wind and on an icy patch was memorable to me, as was the silver 930 Turbo that I would see not far from my house.
Racing my 911 is a dream that I've had as a teenager. Now, all I need to do is make money at it...
Racing my 911 is a dream that I've had as a teenager. Now, all I need to do is make money at it...