Message from the Dark Side
 

Is this a forum for air-cooled 911's? I know - of course it's not, but I do feel a long-standing connection with the 997 forum group.

I'm posting this for anyone who perhaps may be contemplating a shift to the "dark side" in acquiring a more vintage air-cooled ride.

These are really fun cars that I've found connect you with the road in a way that modern cars can't.

No computers / nannies to get in your way. No bore-scoring, PDK crap-outs, PASM spasms, and the like.

And (no affiliation), for any model exceptional Porsche (air-cooled or water bearers), I enthusiastically recommend Nathan Merz (Columbia Valley Luxury Cars, Redmond WA).

This car was a "needle-in-a-haystack" find - and I am indebted to Nathan for his help in making it happen for me.


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...435b4e965.jpeg
'88 Carrera Sport Coupe
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...90505aa30.jpeg
Marine Blue / Can Can Red - Black
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...ee9136d41.jpeg
17" Zuffenhaus 3-piece wheels
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...0855b8ab5.jpeg
Full leather interior
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...77231b742.jpeg
Factory Rear Seat Delete
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...cfb3f5f8c.jpeg
Complete restoration - mechanical, body, interior
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7afaf614d.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...1b31a6aba.jpeg

Well played sir!
That looks like an exceedingly clean example. :thumbup:
I hope you have many enjoyable miles ahead of you

I do wish water-cooled 911s had engine access like air-cooled 911s. It's a pretty tight fit in the 997 with a small engine cover, making simple jobs more difficult.

Super cool with that color combo etc. Just update the headlights - I believe they make plug and play leds for these models which will make it even cooler and good looking

Those are upgraded H4 headlights. The photo with them activated are with the parking lights on. (Normal headlight operation is MUCH brighter.)

Nice choice Ironman! I like the color too!
Never cared for the Whale Tail.

:thumbup:

From those of us with air cool backgrounds, YES, this is a real car. Does everything a sportscar is supposed to do and add to that comfort and total reliability. The definition stops here.
Also you don't have to worry about dash warts, gauges that are not black faced or Ricky Racer brightly painted brakes. You do get the proper wheels.
Well done- from a 911E guy.

The tail, red interior, unique color, I love it. I have had several and completely get the appeal. Drive the wheels off! No garage queens!

Stunning car. Enjoy it! I really enjoy my 997, but still miss my ‘87. Regret selling it.

Dude, great car! Great specs, amazing colors. Absolutely love it.

I came from the dark side....the way dark side! My first 911 was a 1977 911S. The platinum metallic paint was bubbling on nearly every surface, the tan pleather seats had holes, it leaked like a sieve from every possible orifice no matter what gaskets I changed, and the heater boxes were blown through, so she was choking the life out of me and not in that fun way. I sold her to a 15 year old kid who told my wife (then g'friend) it was gonna be "a sex machine" while his father forked over $6k to me in the kitchen.

Before you give me any crap, I fully handed her over to them for 1/2 a day to drive from SF to their mech in Sonoma for a full PPM. They came back exclaiming it was the best one they'd seen....with the whole family stuffed inside her tiny cab!! Mom, dad, sister..it was hilarious....it's a miracle they didn't fall over from the carbon monoxide.

I took cash and went to the darkest side I could find...I bought an Alfa GTV6. D'oh. Didn't see that comin' did you?! Bucket of ****in bolts, but man, that motor....oh man, that motor! Glorious. Hot cams, open exhaust....it would never keep up with a 911 but it sounded like Le Mans.

Here I am running her down Mulholland Hwy. in Mailbu heading out to the Rock Store:

I just bought my first Porsche, an ‘09 997. But in my mind, when I think of a 911, your new ride is what I picture. Timeless design. And I love s air cooled cars (I have a ‘65 Corvair Corsa convertible).

Thanks Floyd.

I certainly won't go on an on about the 3.2 Carrera (and the other pre-996 911's), but there is definitely an undeniable magic that these cars possess. One thing in particular that I think is at the center of it is the size of the car and the weight.

That also seems to be a component in the formula of the 997 that makes it so much better than a 991 - smaller / more compact dimensions. And the hydraulic steering...

congratulations, beautiful car, I too follow Nathan Merz on You Tube and met him in person at a Tech Tactics, he answered via email a couple of questions I had on cars I was looking at. He is a standup guy. I recall a video he did on the 997.1 and he was asked, what about IMS, what about bore scoring? He said look, all generations of Porsche have issues, your job as a buyer is to know what they are, know when to walk away or know how to manage them. I put air-cooled cars in high regard. I have taken care of two '87 Coupes, a 951 Coupe, a 986 Boxster and now have a '11 Spyder and '08 C4 S. I prefer both of these cars to my air-cooled experience. But of course, if I win the lottery I'll look for an air-cooled car to round out the experience. The thing about Porsches is they offer the widest range of driving experiences of any single marque and that's why there's as many opinions as there are minutes in a day.

That is a beautiful example. Congrats!

I do miss my 82SC (w/ 87 3.2 Euro Spec Engine).

Congrats on your new purchase @Ironman88 . That looks like a superb example and great color combination :thumbup: