Porsche

[jclay]

Andreas Kummetat's KG.

Anybody who is, by deeds done, a member of Bruce Gordon's SOPWAMTOS (Society of People Who Actually Make Their Own Shit) can have some idea of what it took to morph a KG into this little monster in such a stellar fashion. Having a fair bit in common with a NACA 0012 airfoil I can well believe it gets light at serious speed.

KarmannGhiaAndreasK.jpg

KarmannGhiaAndreasK-2.jpg

[j44ke]

The thing I remember about Karmann Ghias was how hard it was to keep the body in one piece. Beautiful lines but perpetual rust issues.

[jclay]

The thing I remember about Karmann Ghias was how hard it was to keep the body in one piece. Beautiful lines but perpetual rust issues.

My 1970 vert started showing a few tiny rust bubbles in the rocker panels at the end of the '70s but it had done some wet jeep trail and low tide hard-pack driving at the beach on more than a few occasions. Aside from that only a little battery acid splash (preventable with a plastic box) and a water leak due to a rotting front bow; once replaced that stopped.

I've never seen such a sophisticated convertible top. The outer skin backed by a natural fiber acoustic insulation material and then the headliner; an EZ to operate pair of front latches and a hinged, glass rear window. Quiet for what it was and so easy to drop the top; lean around in the drivers seat, flip the latch, lower the glass, pop the two front latches and just sweep it back. It was lovely. Way nicer than my fathers 280SL (a seriously timeless car), in the same red as the one in the Alec Baldwin episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

A diligent student of Alan Johnson's Driving in Competition and Tarffui's The Technique of Motor Racing, the major danger to my car would have appeared to have been me (to the untrained eye) but was actually the jackass that rear ended me at a red light; luckily it just a bumper replacement.

Man, I'm getting all nostalgic for that car....or was it that era? Maybe both.

[rwsaunders]

I was going to recommend some headlamp cover polish to this gent, or perpahs a swap with that rust bucket that was shown a few posts ago.

[j44ke]

Who parks their Porsche and leaves the windows open?

[rwsaunders]

Who parks their Porsche and leaves the windows open?

A man who has several…

[j44ke]

A man who has several…

Or someone driving a hotwired one.

[72gmc]

Who parks their Porsche and leaves the windows open?

Florida plate …

[echappist]

I was going to recommend some headlamp cover polish to this gent, or perpahs a swap with that rust bucket that was shown a few posts ago.

Is this at a rest area in Shenandoah National Park, say the one near Front Royal by chance?

[rwsaunders]

Is this at a rest area in Shenandoah National Park, say the one near Front Royal by chance?

Getting warm…one of the parking areas at the Antietam National Battlefield.

[j44ke]

Mentally sketching first chapter of spy thriller that begins with abandoned Porsche in parking lot at Antietam ...

[72gmc]

Mentally sketching first chapter of spy thriller that begins with abandoned Porsche in parking lot at Antietam ...

It's a trap. As you're flying from the scene with wind in your hair (this is fiction so you have long flowing hair) you are unwittingly delivering the package.

[echappist]

Mentally sketching first chapter of spy thriller that begins with abandoned Porsche in parking lot at Antietam ...

Somewhat reminiscent to a plot point in a Le Carré novel.

Since the windows were left open on a presumably cool day, let's call it the Spy Who Embraces the Cold?

[rwsaunders]

A regular literary collective you gents are…and it’s only Monday.

[jclay]

I'm constantly amazed by folks who get dark colored cars in Florida, North Florida even, never mind South which seem positively insane. But, then again, we elected Rick Scott (of largest Medicare fraud fame) as US senator and Ron D as guv. Florida's always been a culturally weird state.

I'm just gonna say it: The KG I posted is way cooler than any modern 911! The 911 is just a throw $$$ at it factory car; anybody can do that. The blue KG? Man, that's a gorgeous and brilliant piece of kinetic sculpture. If I'd been thinking about that 25 years ago when I started building bicycle frames I might have taken the other fork in the road....rear end hanging out of course! Thing is, these days, speed scares me....unless it's got wings.

[ldamelio]

The 911 is just a throw $$$ at it factory car; anybody can do that.

You could not be more wrong about this. So much so that I would have to spend hours writing a tome of explanation. I'll use that time to ride or drive instead.

And yes, the KG is a very cool car.

[gggross]

I have always wanted a Porsche. So, at 62, I am in the market for one. I am looking at a 911 (997.2), Boxster S or Cayman S (flat six). This is strictly for fun. I am not looking to spend a fortune - just want a fun, reliable car. I am working with a dealer that a buddy of mine trusts. Any thoughts or insights?

[Drew]

I have always wanted a Porsche. So, at 62, I am in the market for one. I am looking at a 911 (997.2), Boxster S or Cayman S (flat six). This is strictly for fun. I am not looking to spend a fortune - just want a fun, reliable car. I am working with a dealer that a buddy of mine trusts. Any thoughts or insights?

911 and Cayman/Boxter are very different. Test drive both and go with your gut!

[72gmc]

911 and Cayman/Boxter are very different. Test drive both and go with your gut!

This is what I would do, but Cayman / 911. Is there a significant cost of ownership difference? Or does the Porsche parts catalog treat all models the same?

[Saab2000]

I’ve been looking at this myself lately but so far I’ve resisted. The Cayman I’d like and can likely get an allocation for is in the mid-$80s, which is more than I feel comfortable spending. I’ve just had a significant career development and have been using that extra to fund more retirement options. I like having just one car in my garage too. With plenty of space for bikes.

Thus far I haven’t pulled the trigger.