Porsche sighting: Thumbs up from Peoria, IL

[Shuie]

Im basically starting a new work assignment this week. Looks like I'll be in Peoria, IL for a while. Woooohoooo! Cant wait for the winter . So if you live in Peoria, watch out for the goon in the Ford Focus rental flashing his lights and waving

1st day back in Peoria I pull into the 401 parking garage off of Adams and see a nice SC on Cup I's. Thought it might be a 3.6 from the exhaust setup. I refrained from crawling around on the garage floor to really check it out since I was in my work clothes.

So what is there to do in Peoria thats porsche related? Any good shops, parts sources, or salvage yards?

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by Shuie

So what is there to do in Peoria thats porsche related? Any good shops, parts sources, or salvage yards?

Yeah Drive to Chicago for a little night life, or Wisconsin for Road America.

I think Partwerks in nearby Peoria!

I think Souk lives near Peoria.

[jriera]

Shuie, I may be in Peoria, IL for a client engagement for several weeks starting late this month .. I will keep you posted.

[Par911]

Shuie, you might want to check with the gruppeb site, there is always something going on in that neck of the woods.

[Lukesportsman]

Road America is great and a few hours north. Putnam Park is over here in my neck of the woods which is a great DE course.

Otherwise, if you find anything else fun in eastern IL, let me know. I've lived in western IN for 10 years and am bored

Race tracks, yes. Other fun interactions...not so much. You'll love our winters, they give you more time to work on your cars.

[Wavey]

I'll be up there a lot after mid-August when my daughter goes back to Bradley (no she's not available for dating). Let's keep in touch. I'll bring the Carrera up, that is if I ever get time to put the suspension/brakes back together!

[ChicagoPete]

You should look up Brad Mayeur...he is a pretty well respected 914 mechanic and restorer. I know he is in Peoria somewhere? Don't know if that interests you 911 guys?

Other than that, pretty good poke up to Road America from Peoria, but, vintage cars running the Brian Redman event July 15-17

[Eric Mckenna]

I was in Chicago this weekend for a wedding and Ash called me while she was out with the ladies and she had a Black Carrera GT behind he in town.. CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Eric

[mb911]

I am about hour 30 up from where your at

[930LDR]

Chicago Historic Races are coming to Road America July 15-17.

I am heading up with some friends from Chicago. Should be a blast. If you have never been up there it is a fun little town with a very well respected track and auto racing history attached to it.

[horspowr1001]

I don't know about anything in peoria, but u'll defnintely find something in Chicago. In Volo there's one of the best auto museums in the country. They have THE cars from all the famous movies---i.e. Eleanor from Gone in 60 Seconds. I also know that in downtown Elmhurst, on every wednesday during the summer there is a classic car show on the streets. I'ts mostly muscle cars, but last time i went i saw several classic Porsches.

Just look around a bit... im sure u'll find something...

...besides if there's nothing to do, u could always come up to my place and help me restore my 911T

[ruf-porsche]

There's a tuner show in Chicago in August (Coffee can muffler crowd), but the tuner girls are b!tchin.

There always SEMA in November drive to Chnicago and take a plane from Midway airport or O'Hare to Las Vegas, the SEMA girls are also b!tchin.

[Sarc]

Wow! What a small world; born and raised in Peoria, moved here for school in 95. You'll find quite a few 911s (new and old), even the odd Ferrari of varying vintage trolling around.

Peoria you'll find is big small town. Plenty of nightlife downtown; Sully's Pub (an institution), Big Al's "gentleman's club" (an institution unto itself); the bar above Al's changes every few years but packed nonetheless.
Down where 401 is on Water St. you'll find recent growth in the old industrial buildings; Kelleher's Pub, Rhythm Kitchen (good jazz and soul food if that's your thing), etc. Roxy's (on the east side of Water St.) is a small joint with tremendous late 20s early 30's eye candy (at least last time I was back).
On the West end down on Farmington Road you'll find a variety of bars with varying demographics. And if your into live music, you'll have no trouble finding something. From blues to zydeco to basic barroom rock

Regarding shops, Kauth and Mayer is the place to go for service on anything German. There North of Main St. at "the top of the hill" around Sheridan. Keep on Main and you'll run into Bradley U, another nice place for some scenery of the female persuasion (sorry Wavey).
(on a side note, when driving up the hill on Main Street from downtown, if you take the first left after the big white house, you'll see a huge green house; that was the brothel that Richard Pryor grew up in.)

In the summertime on the weekends, you should be able to find regular autocrossing activity in the main lot of Illinois Central College in East Peoria (take Centennial Drive off of 116 to the top of the hill).
As for driving around, once your out of the city, there's an abundance of two lane country roads for the odd drive-not necessarily curvy, but wide open nonetheless.

For scenery, you'll have to check out detweiller park (North of the city on Rt. 29). Used to be the site of many a hill climb rally back in the 80s.
Be sure to check out grandview drive, some primo historic homes (the "castle is quite badass"-every stone shipped form Europe at the turn of the century). Grandview also serves as a great spot for a lunch date overlooking the river valley. While in Peoria Heights, you can get a great view of the area by going up in the red tower.

Go North on War Memorial and you'll be greeted by sprawl; franchise restaurants, malls, etc.

Hope this helps. Where are you staying at? If I can be of anymore help....

-Paul

[Mookster]

If you are down town Peoria, check out Sully's (sports bar with a lot of bottie). It's been awhile but I hear it hasn't changed. Big Al's... you are on your own on that one.

VOP for dinner, on Knoxville is my place of choice.

If possible, I would suggest a Caterpillar equipment show (Power Parade). Interesting but not sure if available for general audiences.

Enjoy the Midwest. If you do go to the Windy City...Rush Street. Based on the photos, I had a good time...

Travel safely.

[930LDR]

Originally posted by Sarc


Regarding shops, Kauth and Mayer is the place to go for service on anything German.


-Paul

Paul -

Do you have personal experience with this shop? I am looking at a used transmission that was recently rebuilt by them.

Thanks

[Sarc]

Rob,

No personal experience with them per se; Just that my uncle had his various German cars serviced there exlusively when I was younger. I've always heard is what the place to go as an alternative to the dealer. I'll see what I can find out for you.

Paul

[930LDR]

Thanks!

[Mookster]

Rob,

10 years ago, Kauth and Mayer was a good shop. If I recall Peter was the office manger and Charlie ran the shop. They worked on my 72 T when I lived in the area. Things may have changed.

The closest dealer was Pekin Imports. They did a lot of warranty work....didn't touch the old birds.

If you are looking for speed, mods... Bill Weigan (sp) in Mahomet was the guy to see (never used him personally). He is 2 hours east, outside of Champaign. Again, this was 10 years ago.

If my dated material is incorrect, I hope a local person will chime in and correct me.

[limble]

ALMS
August 19-22 Road America Elkhart Lake, WI, US
About 5 hours from Peoria but worth the drive. Look for the flamingos in the camping area, they are professional party people.
Sibkiens bar in town after the racing. All the racers hang out there.
Thrownhammer is having a benefit in Warsaw. Great guy!! 4.5 hours.

[Shuie]

Thanks guys! Great stuff.

Saw a Tangerine 73.5 on 55 South near Cicero yesterday as I was going to the airport.