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Final Preparations Porsche Parade 2010
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In the foreground is Brian Fryer cleaning Patrick. I am in the background cleaning the Sepia 911S.
Need Advice on Tire Rotation Pattern
Tomorrow, I am going to rotate the tires. I can't find the information about the pattern anywhere. I think the pattern is front to back. But, I thought I should check. The car is a 1973 911S with Michelin XWX tires. Thanks!
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Sunday Morning in the Park
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My BFF taking pictures of my car.
Goldilocks and the Three Flairs
Thank you, Ed, for the history lesson. I just thought the man was asking me a trick question.
Saturday, A Red Letter Day
Even though we were "trolls" in a hot, stuffy sub basement, my favorite part of the Salt Lake City Parade was Concours Prep. The esprit de corp among the competitors was inspiring. Everyone was willing to share stories, jokes, tips, supplies, and equipment.
When I saw Paul's 1973 black Targa, Ed's 1970 blue Targa, and John's 1967 911, I knew that it would be a very competitive concours. The cars were in exemplary condition each with a unique story. And, that was a good thing. When I looked at their cars, my goal was to make my car the best it could be.
Dent in the Front Valance
Quote:
What happened to your front spoiler?
David, RS Targa,
The dent is the front valance has been there since the mid 1970's. Jim was driving across Montana at night and hit a boulder in the road. There is an ongoing debate about fixing it. The judges at Salt Lake City and perfectionists tell me it needs to be repaired and painted for the car to remain competitive at Concours. Others, who prize originality, advise me to leave it as is stating, "It is only original once. Still others, tell me to remove the original valance and store it. Then purchase a replacement valance and paint it to match the car. I'm not sure what I should do and really feel no urgency to do anything about it. Plus, right now, I really don't have the extra money to fix it.
There is a story about the front license plate. Until this year, no one noticed that the car has an Indiana plate on the back and an Illinois plate on the front. The car has spent most of its life in Illinois. It was always a hassle for the car to pass the emissions tests. When the car turned 25 years old, I suggested antique plates. Jim was aghast at the idea ... antique plates weren't for the Porsche. Several years later, I cut out and handed to him a newspaper article stating that cars with antique plates were exempt from emissions testing. Soon, antique plates were on that car.
When I transferred the title to Indiana, I tried to remove the Illinois plates. I was able to remove the rear plate but the front was more difficult. I needed to hold the nut with needle nose pliers so I could remove the screw. I just couldn't get the screws to turn and worried I would scratch the car. And, I kept forgetting to ask my neighbor to remove it. The more I thought about it, I decided to keep the Illinois plate. It is part of the car's history.
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Concours Sunday, Another Red Letter Day
Sunday morning the interior of the car was cleaned. By the afternoon, it was time to relax and talk with the contestants and the people who came to see the cars. Several members of the Registry came by and it was fun to meet them. Two of them went over the Porsche with flashlights. I thought that was very cool; but, I was a bit incredulous.
Several people had little tips to share or details about the car they wanted to show me:
•The center point on the wheel emblem needs to point at the valve stem. I didn't know the emblem was removable.
•The windshield wiper arms have been replaced. There is a box of wiper arms in the basement and I need to see if the originals are there. Maybe they can be refurbished. Porsche Classic has the original windshield wiper arms for a reasonable amount.
•The plastic piece on the door strikers on both sides of the car need to be replaced. The left side is completely gone and the right side is worn. After 39 years of opening and closing doors, that is normal wear.
•Beneath the wheel emblem on the driver's side is a bright yellow paint mark. It is a factory inspection mark. I don't know what they were inspecting.
•The car still has "dum-dum," a factory puty, in some of the corners.
•I need a red oil filter to make the engine pop.
•The ignition coil has been replaced. Sometime in the 1980s it was supeseded (?).
I met Bob Ruder and "Brown Car." He has a restored 1973 911S in Sepia. It was great fun comparing the two cars. He taught me all about the VIN. His car was built early in '73 while mine was built later. He pointed out all the differences between the two cars. Thank you Bob!
My favorite part of Concours Prep is chatting with the people. Of course, they want to know about my car. But, more important, they want to share their stories.
I just love listening to the stories!
Little Things and Big Things
Thank you, Harvey. I know there are little things I need to "tweak." Much of that I can do with some help ... I can time the wheels, get a red oil filter, etc. Every year, as I learn new things, the car just gets better and better. It has a new life.
I know I have to address the dents. That is coming but I need to take care of some mechanical things first.
Last night, I went to a local cruise night. I was the only woman with a car. The Porsche was the only foreign car there. For a bit, the guys with the "shiny, American metal" just kept eyeing me and the car. Finally, one by one, they started asking about the car. It was interesting to see the change in their attitudes. Such great fun.
The car won a "top-ten" award ... the first time it ever won something at a local cruise night. Sweet!! The big, ugly award was placed right next to the Parade awards.
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Concours Prep, Sub Basement, Great America
Indiana and ... Some History
The car is licensed and titled in Indiana. I kept a copy of the original Illinois title. I did not know I could keep the original title. I just found out about the year/plate match. I have to look into that. I checked into antique vanity plates; but, Indiana does not offer that ... don't know why. The cost of the antique plates in Indiana is reasonable.
Jim always loved Porsches. The '73 911S was the fourth one he owned. He was always trading up. He owned a used 356, a used 1966 911, and a used 1969 911. The car was ordered from O'Hare Porsche Audi in 1973. My husband was a quiet, unassuming man and never showed the car. He was a private pilot and loved taking things apart and putting them back together. A well read, self-taught mechanic, he did all of his own maintenance. When he worked on the car, I was always the helper, the extra pair of hands, the runner. I wish I remembered everything he told me. There was a great respect for German engineering and all that it stood for. He knew what he was doing and was careful.
It was a summer car. The car was waxed twice a year, washed frequently, and kept covered in the garage. I think the paint and the dash is in such good condition because it was always covered. The mileage just turned 53,000. I have driven it over 5,000 miles in the last two years. Jim was a road race fan. We mostly drove the car to Road American for every major race and some smaller club races. I always enjoyed the longer races and the vintage races; but, I was not a fan of the June Sprints. Sometimes, we went to Mid Ohio and Watkins Glen. We went to Mosport once. I always wanted to go to Lime Rock. There were a few cross country trips to Seattle, Denver, Wyoming, and Montana. After I get the mechanicals sorted out, I would love to take a long trip to New England. Just love the road trips!
As John S. so aptly stated, the car talks to me. The car needs to be well maintained, driven, shared with others, and the story told. it is a great story about starting over for both the car and me.