Do you ever get asked this question?

[Axeman]

Every single person that finds out I have a Porsche asks me the same question. I swear, this is the first thing that comes out of their mouth:

"What year is it?"

Mine is a 75' with a C2 Turbo body, but why do people have such an obsession with the year? Do you think they're just trying to figure out if you ave money or not?
If I tell them it's 30 years old, either they don't believe me (nice paint work), or they ask me why would I want a 30 year car (they don't get it). I'm so sick of getting asked the same question, now I just answer: "It's a 94' Turbo"!!
Anyone of you have similar stories?

Cheers!

[ChrisBennet]

Aah! that's what they meant. I just thought I was meeting an unusual number of time travelers.... ("What year is it?")
-Chris

[masraum]

Yep, what year is it. The reason is that they don't know and usually after I tell them they say, "Wow it seems so much newer. It's in such good shape."

[SilverPoly]

I think it's just a testament to how good these cars look. Timeless.
The other day on the freeway, I saw a 911 targa and from a mile away I was like.. damn that car looks awesome. Wait a minute, I have one! I am stoked! We have dreamy cars and a lot of people are jealous and some are haters.

Is there any other car on the road that looks as good after 2 or 3 decades... I think not.

[david914]

All the time. I take it as a compliment though. The reason people ask what year it is, is because the 911 styling is so timeless. The styling has changed so gradually over the past 30+ years that the average person can't tell how old your car is. Consider yourself lucky! It's like being 40+ years old and still getting carded! (which I do occasionally! )

[Jack Olsen]

To the general public, the car hardly ever changed, so it's always tough to get the era right.

I get the question frequently, even after people have seen the plate.

[96conv]

I get asked that a lot also. Usually, their reaction to my answer is one of disbelief, "but it looks so shiny and new". Until, that is, they get inside and see the original Blaupunkt Franfurt radio with push buttons!

[cowtown]

It's an easy question to break the ice, I guess. I get it too.

Once I saw a 911SC in the parking lot of a store, and asked what year it was. The kid driving it said, "It's a 2000." I just grinned and walked away. When he saw me leaving in my '88, he wouldn't make eye contact for some reason.

[scedmonds]

I love getting that question. We do have cars that sport a classic look with decades of legendary performance . . .

Recently I was at a local shopping center, getting back in the SC after improving the local economy, and a BMW pulled up behind me in the parking lot. The driver gets out staring at my car and asks, "What year is that?" Before I could answer he read my license plate, "Oh, an '83 Targa. Great car, man!"

Cheers!

C.

[Rando]

I used to get that question frequently... so I get a personalized plate

90C2CAB

Think... hey that will solve the interminal quesiton... nope... just spurs even more questions like... "What does THAT mean?"

[VincentVega]

My 87 has a tail. Now I get asked if it's a turbo first, then for the year. My SC has 993 cup wheels, some folks never believe me when they learn it's an 81. Timeless.

[Stuttgart951]

I agree - I dont think that the general public can differentiate between years any better than I can differentiate between Midol and Tylenol (just like the commercials say).

The only think tugging at the back of most peoples minds is the 'something' thats different about one 911 from the next - the flares. Alot of people cant put their finger on it, but I think its that they dont understand the narrow from widebody cars and their way of trying to figure it out without looking stupid is 'What year is it?'

[pbs911]

A guy asked me the other day at the market. I replied, "it's a 78." "Looks great" he replies. I turn the key and start the motor and the B&B's open with the 3.6. He swings his head back to me with a look of disbelief. I respond, "oh, but its a 93 european motor with a few other little goodies." He nods in approval and smiles.

[North Coast Cab]

Is it a turbo?
What year is it?

JG

[Supergranule]

i make them guess what year it is! people almost always thought my '71 was much newer. some people have thought it was from the mid-late '90s!

[brawlins]

The reason people ask what year it is:
Because they want to make conversation about a car they evidently think is cool, and...

How else do you start a conversation about a car with a stranger?

I do the same thing myself, without thinking. I was at the gas station and a really well restored 60's model Mustang pulls up next to me. My first question: "Hey, is that a '67 or '68?" (Answer: A '68.) Then the conversations starts: "Wow - You did a great job in restoration., blah, blah blah."

[Jandrews]

I'm with Axe. The cynic in me always feels like people are immediately trying to judge you by your car. I can just feel them thinking... gee, if that thing is as new as it looks, this guy must have some money. Then I say, it is a 1970E with RSR bodywork and a '73 RS motor. You can see the deflation in there face and body language... "oh... this is some old Porsche... must be much cheaper than the new ones. He must be trying to make people think it is a new one by keeping it in such good condition."

Cynical, maybe. But I just don't have the patience or the energy to try to explain why I would rather have an RSR than a 996. I guess I must be crazy.


JA

[tiorio]

Wow. Here in LA LA land I have only been asked about my p-car twice, and that was 50 miles north of LA proper...

Outside of this great debacle of a state it's another story. I guess in LA if a guy (or gal) were to ask about every P-car they saw they wouldn't be able to do anything else (except run for governor of course)!

[901/05]

LOL Chris that was a good one, can I use that. My response is always "Which part?"

Shawn.

[Adman]

Originally posted by Chris Martin
My 87 has a tail. Now I get asked if it's a turbo first, then for the year.

Ditto!