Jack Olsen Envy

MotoSook · 04-02-2002, 07:13 PM

I've got a huge crush on Jack's car. I have to admit I've visited his website a few times, and I've even saved a couple of the images to my harddrive (sorry Jack). So my cure (maybe) and question: I will be painting my '76 911S soon, and it occurred to me that I might be able to convert my not so interesting looking 76S to a pre-74 look, prior to spending the money on a paint job. New fenders, hood, rear valance? What are the differences between the two? If the panels are not a direct swap (bolts only), how much modification and welding I'm I looking at?
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'76 911S w/ 3.0

pwd72s · 04-02-2002, 07:18 PM

With sincere apologies to Jack? I'm not sure which I envy more...his writing talent or his car. Probably the talent...I'd give up a car to be able to write as well as he...

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

jack's car simply stated is "phat". got to admire a man's pursuit of a vision and making it reality.
bob
68 L

Bill Douglas · 04-02-2002, 07:39 PM

Honestly mate, the car's nothing. You should see his wife!

pwd72s · 04-02-2002, 07:42 PM

Next we should bring out the tape measure????

CamB · CamB's Garage

On the other hand - to answer the question!!!!

It has been done (not by me!). The front trunk support (or some such name) needs to be replaced too. It is a good opportunity to change to fibreglass front and rear bumpers if weight saving is your bag. Jens Wendorf did it, as did one of the R-Gruppe guys (not one who posts here though, but one of the other guys posted a pic once).

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9183

That is all I can find.

john70t · 04-02-2002, 08:16 PM

He's definitely an inspiration to most of us-along with the wisdom, knowledge and experience of every one of the "ol' timer" posters who pass along volumes and libraries worth of knowledge to the lurkers, wannabies and newbies to the porsche world.
With his paint job he probably also saved a buck or two by not having to buy a seperate mirror.

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

Some of the parts for the backdate are pretty ridiculously priced if want new. I think the 69-73 turn signal assemblies are something like $500 EACH if you go through Pelican... Ouch!!

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

I think most of us have a bit of Jack envy.

Between the awesome car, and the job that allows him the freedom and resources to take it to a racetrack a couple times a month. The writing ability and seemingly natural eye for photography are added bonuses.

Hell, I've had my car for 15 months, and it still hasn't seen a track or autocross course.

Tom

Jack Olsen · 09:44 PM

Well, well, well... I go away for dinner, and I come back and everyone's trying to get in good with the moderator.

My car is actually not even in the top ten of the best (and best-looking) 911's on this board. In my opinion (and in no particular order), Randy Jones, Randy Wells, Mike Marshall, John Walker, CurtisAA, Cris Huergas, Mark Hargett, Matt Holcomb, Leland. RarlyL8, Dave Griswold, just about every car in R Gruppe... and others I can't think of right now -- all have more carefully and cleanly put together cars.

My goals with my car were pretty straightforward. I wanted it to 1) look like I wanted it to look and that it 2) not be too clean or shiny (it still has never been waxed), so that 3) I could drive the crap out of the thing (preferably at a track) on a regular basis, like this:

Quicktime Driving

AVI Driving

I'll never win a concours (no wax, lots of chips), an SCCA or POC club race (hopeless in their classification systems), or a popularity contest with the neighbors (the $60 'German' Flaumeister muffler insures that part).

But it's exactly the car I want. And I take a lot of pictures of it, and it looks pretty nice on camera. After 20 years of driving whatever car I could afford, it's nice to finally be able to own one that I love.

Another guy who's done the retro treatment to a later car, in his case to a Carrera, is CurtisAA, on this board.

But thank you for the kind words about my car, my writing, my devotion to an idea, and my wife. Knowing that there are a lot of guys on the internet who know about me, now, I'll take care to keep them all carefully locked up.

Jack Olsen · 04-02-2002, 09:06 PM

And for the record, I have a case of Roland Kunz envy. Anybody can buy a cool car. To know as much as he does is, in my opinion, a much cooler thing.

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

As usual Jack, to quote Slim Pickens "sir, you use your tongue purdier than a twenny dollar whore!"

Tom
(Sorry for the obscure Mel Brooks reference)

RarlyL8 · RarlyL8's Garage

Yes, we are all living vicariously through Jack.
Hell, I'd just like to be able to spell!

Slim Pickens, good grief I about wet myself.

Jdub · 04-03-2002, 05:59 AM

"Heck, a guy could have a good time in Paree with all this stuff."

Jack's car is wallpaper material. And I agree that Roland, along with his ability to speak two languages, is quite a resource. In the most base and selfish sense, this 'board and everyone who has contributed (yes, those with the most basic questions) have saved me thousands of dollars, period. I would never have understood a stuck ring and bad comp. without Steve Weiner's Techron advice or pulled my distributor for a cleaning without Warren's scold.

Good time, good times! I may provide borderline advice but never let it be said I am not grateful!

John

juan ruiz · juan ruiz's Garage

No Kidding Mr.Jack you can spell and write thats for sure! !!!
I sometimes wish i can do that but my english with my spanish and my spanglish make things very hard but i sure try...
And the car well what can i said ....... can wait for those news
(Guys i will Turbo her it will be a 3.8 or 4.0 Twin Turbo)

Regards Juan

Leland Pate · 04-03-2002, 05:44 PM

For the record...

My car is no where near as nice as Jacks or most others as well.
I have a long way to go.

Quote:

My car is actually not even in the top ten of the best (and best-looking) 911's on this board. In my opinion (and in no particular order), Randy Jones, Randy Wells, Mike Marshall, John Walker, CurtisAA, Cris Huergas, Mark Hargett, Matt Holcomb, Leland. RarlyL8, Dave Griswold, just about every car in R Gruppe... and others I can't think of right now -- all have more carefully and cleanly put together cars.

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

Congratulations, Jack, for making your life the one you wanted - that is the best reward of all. Have fun enjoying all the best your life has to offer. Thanks for your kind words and for being our moderator - see you in Cambria...

pwd72s · 04-03-2002, 06:10 PM

Lee? Jack is a super writer. He has a talent nobody can deny, he is a wordsmith. Of the highest level. But as a Porsche car guy? He's "merely" one of us. We all have different talents professionally. That's what helps make this board so great. Hey, I'll propose a little contest between Me, you, and 99% of the others on this board...Just for kicks, let's all go out and try to disarm a 20+ year old Russian land mine. How many takers? The only guy on this board who would be willing to do that because it's his "job"? That's Leland Pate. OKay, enuf said...

Brian993 · Brian993's Garage

I think im gonna puke... I can understand admiration but this is to much. What happened to originality. I think Jacks car's nice and he writes good but so whats the point. Is this like some kinda ass kissing contest or something?

MMARSH · MMARSH's Garage

Ya know BigBpainta, my mom always says if ya dont have anything nice to say, keep your mouth shut, maybe you should use my mothers advice. If this thread bothers you maybe you should just go away.

I agree with the previous posts and would like to add that Jack is also an extremely nice guy. As nice as his car is and as elequently as he can write, thats what I like about Jack the most.

BigBpainta, you can puke now