Winter in the Targa?

[daltvater]

Alright, need some advice. Was going to sell my 87 Targa for a 993 and drive the 993 year round. (Live in Denver) My goal is/was to avoid having 2 cars. Having the 87’ paid off and paying $50 a month for insurance is great. When all is said and done I just don’t think I can part with the Targa. (that and no one wants it

87 Silver Targa

It’s just too fun and too raw. I drove the 993 and it was a like a limo compared to the 87’. The Targa is close to perfect but I figure you only live once; it’s going to see a lot of track time in the future so I might as well drive it into the ground.

Am I going to kill myself driving up to Vail in a snow storm or is this car up for it. (Seems like all the torque may make things tricky)

Also, snow tires/sizes recommendations for 6’ and 7’ Fuchs?

Dan

*oh and I realize how bad the Mag Cloride is out here. I figured I'd just spray the car down often, it's currently rust free so it could use a spot of rust here or there.

[nut11]

Get the best snow tires out there for your application mounted on separate wheels (salt may get the Fuchs). You should be fine with prudent driving.

Back in the day, Vic Elford showed the way on snow...

Good luck. Hope your heat works well.

87 blk coupe

[daltvater]

Anyone else drive there pre-89 year round in CO??

[nesslar]

I'd say the car should be great in the snow. Especially with 6 and seven foot Fuchs.
Seriously, maybe with some extra weight up front just to plant that end a little better? Good snows with just slightly lower air pressure? Keep it.

[ski wagen]

When I bought my '79 a year ago it came with and extra set of wheels mounted with 4 studded snow tires, and also has part of a ski rack still mounted on the engine cover grille. Despite the ski wagen username (carried over from a Subaru discussion forum), I can't say that I've tried it in the snow, as the snow tires are really old (based on the date of the invoice from the files that came with the car); but, one of the PO's must have used it in past winters (it's been a Colorado Car for at least 20 years from the records). My first car was a VW bug (with a very similar ski rack) that I did take up skiing and actually did pretty well in the snow, although there's a lot more power to get into trouble with in the 911.

[daltvater]

Ski wagon, thanks. My biggest concern is the skis, I didn't think about that until today. (going to see if they fit inside tonight. Being a Targa I didn't know what to do with them if they don't fit. I bet I can rig up some sort of rack on the deck lid grill like you said. Maybe buy and old one and somehow strap they skis to it with Nylon straps. Should be nice and ghetto looking.

[AZ1977911]

During one of many trips to Denver I was caught going back to Phoenix in a good size storm in my 77 C3.0, tracked straight and true over Raton pass with 2 SUV's and a Mustang run off the road in front of me! The SUV drivers tend to get cocky and lose it. The Mustang was just to light in the rear 8-}

[waltvater]

ouch said his 993 driving dad, never thought of the 993 as a limo.

Porsche recommends Dunlop Winter Sport SP's for mine. They work great.

[Zef]

Snow...? and what about salt...!

[daltvater]

Originally Posted by waltvater

ouch said his 993 driving dad, never thought of the 993 as a limo.

Porsche recommends Dunlop Winter Sport SP's for mine. They work great.

I should have said "stock 993" yours isn't

Dan

[Rory Mckenna]

I drove My SC for 4 years as a year round car.. I always drove with a sand bag up front to add a bit of weight to the front as the SC has NO heat and ( which was a mother b*tch ) and that and it only weighs 2200 lbs so it's light it needed the extra weight. I think with the correct tire choice you'll be god as gold...
Hell.... they are made in Germany where it NEVER SNOWS! hahahah! or rains for that matter. just bustin yer hump Dan.. you'll be fine man get some good snow tires are go for it! you'll find the 911 is a great snow car. ask your Pop!

[daltvater]

Originally Posted by Rory Mckenna

I drove My SC for 4 years as a year round car.. I always drove with a sand bag up front to add a bit of weight to the front as the SC has NO heat and ( which was a mother b*tch ) and that and it only weighs 2200 lbs so it's light it needed the extra weight. I think with the correct tire choice you'll be god as gold...
Hell.... they are made in Germany where it NEVER SNOWS! hahahah! or rains for that matter. just bustin yer hump Dan.. you'll be fine man get some good snow tires are go for it! you'll find the 911 is a great snow car. ask your Pop!

Thanks "Rory", I'm going for it. I just found a solution to the one thing holding me back...

http://www.prolineracks.com/barrecrafters-wm100-window-ski-racks.html

If these work I'm set.

[tcar]

Drove my SC w/ Blizzaks year round. Heater is great on highway (backdated), just not when you're idling. 6's & 7's. Never an issue.

[Granite]

I ve driven my SC to Copper Mountain in Summit County to go skiing in the winter. My skis fit into the car just fine. I had no problem driving in the snow and ice. It is the other drivers that scare the hell out of me!!!

Just go easy on the brakes and gas , you should be fine.


If you car is really lowered you have watch out for the ruts. It can get tricky.

Good Luck and Ski on!

[Bob Butler]

Here's my opinion on the matter:



I snapped that while shovelling through a 5 ft drift on the garage door last year. It was one of our lovely Ohio ice, then snow storms and the 911 was the only member of the family fleet that could make it up the street with the ice on it. In snow this car out performs everything from my old beetle to my wife's over sized traction controlled grocery getter.


The body's galvanized, it has heated mirrors, headlight washers, a two stage rear defroster, and if you lower it enough, the chin spoiler doubles as a snow plow.

As far as protecting it, just wash it every chance you get to take the salt/mag off. If you don't get breaks in the weather where you can wash it yourself, talk to a detailer about doing a quick hand wash every couple of weeks (Approx $30). The weak point on these is the rubber, so keep it clean and well oiled. I use Meguiars in the garage once a week during the winter. Oh, and don't forget to get some cheap floor mats to control the salt on your shoes.

Post pix when you get the ski rack.

--Bob

[mossguy]

Dalvater - I used to use my '71 Targa to go skiing at Crystal Maountain here in Washington about twenty years ago. I still have the ski racks and don't plan to use them anymore. If you have an interest in them, let me know

Tom

[cubby911T]

Dan,

Looking at your For Sale post, it sure seems like a steal at 18K for all the stuff you've done to the car.....in fact you must be seriously losing your a$$ at that price with all the money you've got in it. That car is worth more to you than anyone else in this world. I think you ought to keep her - she's a beauty.

[daltvater]

She's going into the shop to get Dunlop Winter Sport M3's in October, I'll take pics of her when we get a good snow.

Mossguy: interested in your old racks. I shot you a PM.

[Garrison]

Oh the car pool should be fun this Winter...

[mossguy]

Here is a picture of the ski rack that I used to use many years ago. the longish piece on the left has a flange with two holes in one end. On the Targa bar, on the left side for sure, where the bar curves over from vertical to horizontal, there are two studs on the leading edge, mostly covered by rubber trim/molding.
The piece on the right attaches to the engine grille and cover in the same manner as a PCA or other badge.

Tom