My 42 year wait...

[hcrv]

I think it was 42 years ago when one of the gasoline companies was raffling off a Porsche 911 Targa on their TV commercials.

I was ten and had already been going through the gears driving my mom's VW Beetle in the Towers parking lot since I was 8, but other than that, I knew very little about cars. But I knew enough that I wanted to own a Porsche one day.

Well thanks to an 18 year old with a 17 day old driver's licence that made it happen.

While stopped in traffic for the car ahead of me, this lame brain on a cell phone comes plowing into the back of my motorcycle while I was on my second day of a four-plus week tour of the Alps. The result: a thirteen day stay in the hospital for a fully fractured lower leg, a written off motorcycle, a ruined vacation BUT....a Porsche!

You get a different perspective on life when one of your parents passes away which is then further reinforced by an accident that could have killed you. The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman makes one think as well; people should see it.

I wasn't waiting any longer to live one of my dreams.

Not being able to enjoy motorcycling for the rest of this year, I started my search and lucked in and found an absolutely mint 1995 Porsche Carrera 993. Its been a great motivator to get off my crutches.



Original paint, ultra low mileage, no winters and from what I could tell, its hardly seen any rain. BTW, I also test drove the current model 997 and was surprised that I didn't nearly like it as much.

Little did I know that when I accidentally bumped into the Porsche test track and development centre in Weissach, Germany while on my return form another motorcycle tour in 2008, that I would one day own one.

[TopGun]

Congrats on the car.  I drove a 993 about a year ago...talk about a car with personality.  I don't think I'd ever get bored of that flat-6 sound...at idle...and especially when it gets up there in the rev range.

It was the only car that I've driven that clearly came from the track to the road...as opposed to the other way around.

 


Of your Porsche that is...

[BJB]

That's awesome, congratulations!  Can't wait to see more pics.

[hcrv]

It was the only car that I've driven that clearly came from the track to the road...as opposed to the other way around.

I don't have any track time, but its funny, that is the way I felt about the 993 when I drove it.

I still have some JR (Jim Russell) stickers and patches from the early 70s when I was in my teens and dreaming of taking a 3 day course. Back then, the roughly $795 course was an infinite amount for me and my mom. Maybe that is something I'll now do.

The 997, which would have had me eating Kraft Dinners for a while due to the $$$, lacked something. Plus, with its large LCD screen and countless buttons, etc. it looked like it was aimed at a different crowd...certainly not me.

More pics here...
http://edelweiss.smugmug.com/Cars/1995-Porsche-Carrera-2

[Allen]

very very nice  congrats and enjoy

[ovr50]

A big congrats, hcrv, on the Porsche. I know exactly where you are coming from the Bucket List thing......

Enjoy.....as if you won't!!! 

[tpl]

Is the Porsche being kept in EUland where it can be driven properly or is it destined to spend its days dragging slowly around Canada?

[Flinter]

I think it was 42 years ago when one of the gasoline companies was raffling off a Porsche 911 Targa on their TV commercials.
.
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You get a different perspective on life when one of your parents passes away which is then further reinforced by an accident that could have killed you.
.
.
I wasn't waiting any longer to live one of my dreams.

Congratulations!! Looks like an awesome ride. I must admitt, I get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I hear of someone like yourself who is obviously an enthusiast finally getting an opportunity to obtain one of your dream cars.

However, my warm and fuzzy is now quickly turning to envy. 

[Ontariodriver]

 

[hcrv]

very very nice  congrats and enjoy

Thanks! Even at near legal speeds, I am loving this car and the way it feels.

I had fun driving back home on the 401 as boring as that might sound, while being passed by the majority of cars as some driver's and most passenger's heads just turned and drooled.

[hcrv]

I know exactly where you are coming from the Bucket List thing......

It is unfortunate that many can't sample that thought without actually be in the position when its too late. What a world it would be.

I also understand the waves of anger during recovery towards the person that caused you grief in the first place. I remember seeing a movie about a person in that situation.

The good news is, I did get on my motorcycle, start it, push it backwards out of the garage, place it in gear and drive it to the side of the garage to make room for the Carrera (so far only 4 motorcycle have occupied my garage along with a lathe and mill, compressor and torches).

The better news is, my 2003 BMW R1150 GS Adventure will be shipped over to Europe next year to replace my 2004 (same make and model) that was written off. The best news is that my friend and his wife will be coming to join me for two weeks of riding in the Alps...something I wish everybody could experience, be it on two wheels or four.

[hcrv]

Is the Porsche being kept in EUland where it can be driven properly or is it destined to spend its days dragging slowly around Canada?

Unfortunately, the latter.

And for months prior to the purchase I was saying to myself and friends that it really wouldn't make sense to own a Porsche or any car like it on this continent due to our laws and drivers (left lane dreamers).

Many years ago when I was on the A3 heading towards Koeln while crusing along (in the middle and right hand lane) at about 140 km/hr on my old 45 hp BMW R65, I was passed by a 911 Carrera doing...my very conservative guess was about 260 km/hr. A short while later, he passed me again; he must have stopped to fill up.

I joked about having to hold the paint on my gas tank...he nearly sucked it off while passing.

[Railton]

Congratulations! Nice ride.
Railotn

[hcrv]

I get a warm and fuzzy feeling when I hear of someone like yourself who is obviously an enthusiast finally getting an opportunity to obtain one of your dream cars.

An enthusiast? More like sick. LOL

I got a little over zealous with the garden hose and noticed some water droplets in one of the taillight compartments the day after. I couldn't have that, so off came the center taillight panel (you first have to remove both sides) and got the paper towels and hair dryer out.

Well that lead to washing the backs of the taillights and the recess in the painted plastic bumper panel where the taillights mount, finishing that area with Meguiar's Swirl Remover polish and Meguiar's Yellow 26 wax.

See what I mean. I will be seeing a shrink on Monday. I hope he calls it a passion.

[dr_spock]

Congrats.  Nice yellow.   

[initial_D]

Congrats on the Porsche! That is some AWESOME ride!   ... but no Honda!  

[hcrv]

OK...OK, even though I did post a link...

The day after I took delivery, I took a drive along back roads to meet a friend for lunch...



A pic after my first session detailing the car...

[hcrv]

Congrats.  Nice yellow.   

Thanks!

Officially called Speed Yellow (colour code: 12G).

I never thought I would have liked the colour...till I saw it in person. I was originally going to go for silver. No regrets!

[hcrv]

That is some AWESOME ride!   ... but no Honda!  

Well I was looking at a late model Acura NSX-S, but it wasn't my dream car and I was never thrilled with the looks of the rear end of it. Besides, the owner was asking too much $$$.

[Giant Dwarf]

WOW!!!!  I don't think I could be happier for you (nor more envious!).  It's no secret I'm a die-hard Porsche fan (it's definitely on my MUST DO list too since I was a kid), but the 993s have got to be my favourite.

They're still a little out of reach for me, but I've been keeping my eyes on the '87-89 Carreras, just in case one of the next years is a very "good year".  

One question though:  was all the matting removed from the 'trunk' in those pics to show how clean it is?

Being in Ontario, I really hope you can make it out to one of the "CTC meets" some day -- I would kill for a ride in that beauty (oh, and I suppose it'd be nice to meet you too, and all that jazz, ha ha)...