A Thank You from Mike80911's Son

[Mike80911]

Hi all,

Many of you know my father, Mike80911, from his years of being on this forum.

I am sad to report that he unfortunately passed away unexpectedly back in February, and I just wanted to drop in and give everyone here a thank you.

My father was fanatical about air-cooled Porsches, having owned around 20 throughout the years. He sold his first one, a pristine black 1989 911, when my mother was pregnant with me because he knew he'd need a more practical car.

He then reignited his passion for them when I was around 8 by purchasing a guard's red 1981 911 convertible, and helping him work on that car and going to car shows is what sparked my own interest in cars. I even learned to drive on his 1986 930 when I turned 16.

At the time of his passing, he owned a 1989 930 Cabriolet, which I am sure many of you have seen in person at Metro NY PCA events throughout the last few years. This car was the one, and I truly think he never would have sold it. He had always wanted an '89 Cabriolet because he loved the 5-speed 930s, and this one had it all.

However, after much deliberation, we have decided to sell it. I just graduated from school, got married, and moved across the country, and my mother can't drive it. I looked into many different ways to make keeping it work, but unfortunately it just isn't feasible at this point in my life. On the bright side, part of me is excited at the prospect of the car making someone else happy the same way that it made him happy.

So anyway, thank you all for reading this and for the community you provided for my father.

I'd like to leave you all with the last photo I took of the car. It was taken while on a Thanksgiving drive through Hawk's Nest in NY that him and I went on almost every year, organized by some members from this forum.

[WPOZZZ]

Condolences, and sorry for your loss. That is a gorgeous car!

[masraum]

My deepest condolences. I'm sorry that you can't figure out how to hang on to the car. What's truly important are the memories that you have of your dad, and you'll have those forever.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Really sorry to hear about your dad Mike. I have two sons and only hope that someday when I pass, they will have such kind things to say about me.

I grew up flying in my grandfather’s Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, and when he died in 2012 I tried to figure out any possible way to keep it. At the time it deeply bothered me, but in hindsight it was the memories I wanted, not the plane. You’ll never forget your experiences with your dad and the 930, and that’s how his memory will live on.

[A930Rocket]

I’m sorry to hear about your dad‘s passing. While it would’ve been nice to keep the car, the memories will last at lifetime.

[WPOZZZ]

In Hawaii, we don't say goodbye. Instead we use "a hui hou kakou", until we meet again.

[look 171]

Sorry to hear about your dad. Too bad about the green 930 but if you are in Socal, and want to drive a 930 cab, give me a shout to take a drive down memory lane. I will get it out of storage for ya.

[Seahawk]

What a lovely post. Thank you.

[Noah930]

Sorry for your loss. As a bunch of car guys, we all wish there was a way for you to hang on to the car. But in the end, it's the memories that are important, not the material objects.

[Mike80911]

Thank you all for your kind words. You are all correct in saying it is the memories I want rather than the car itself, and I will always have those. I just wish he had some more time to enjoy the car, but that would have likely made parting with it more painful anyway.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Really sorry to hear about your dad Mike. I have two sons and only hope that someday when I pass, they will have such kind things to say about me.

I grew up flying in my grandfather’s Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, and when he died in 2012 I tried to figure out any possible way to keep it. At the time it deeply bothered me, but in hindsight it was the memories I wanted, not the plane. You’ll never forget your experiences with your dad and the 930, and that’s how his memory will live on.

You must have some really cool stories from that. Figuring out a way to keep the car has been difficult, so I can't imagine trying to figure out the logistics of keeping a plane.

Originally Posted by look 171

Sorry to hear about your dad. Too bad about the green 930 but if you are in Socal, and want to drive a 930 cab, give me a shout to take a drive down memory lane. I will get it out of storage for ya.

I'm in Texas now but that is a very generous offer and I appreciate it!

[vash]

what a thoughtful post. we are honored.

[flatbutt]

What Vash said x10. Thank you.

[WPOZZZ]

Please be careful when selling the car. It may be easier and less stressful to consign it to one of the Porsche specialists.

[Bill Douglas]

Sorry for your loss and thanks for being so kind as to tell us more about your dad and for giving us an update.

[KFC911]

Condolences for your loss, and as others have posted... thank you for letting us know... and cherish those memories.

Be well...

[Tobra]

Thank you for sharing this. Hard choices

[911boost]

Call Doug at Switchars, he can help and is a stand up guy.

Sorry to hear about your dad.

Bill

[Zeke]

@vash since we don't have a like button.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Call Doug at Switchars, he can help and is a stand up guy.

Sorry to hear about your dad.

Bill

It’s already running on BaT. He’ll get a good price for it.

[Scott Douglas]

After reading post #44 of this thread: https://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1154607-why-do-some-people-think-s-ok-park-handicapped-spots-4.html
by your dad, I think he was the type of guy I'd like to have known.

Thank you for your post. Sorry for your loss. It makes me think about what would have happened if I hadn't survived my heart attack and subsequent surgery.

I hope his car does exceedingly well on BaT and that you can derive a lot of good memories of him when you turn it over to the next caretaker.