New 911 owner

rberry951 · 10:45 PM

Hello everyone,

My name is Russell Berry. I've been around in the 944 world a few years now. I'm a current vendor to that community. In fact Pelican carries my 944 Turbo chips, as does Paragon and Lindsey Racing. But I didn't enter the 944 world as a vendor, I began as an enthusiast. My next market is the 911, so I must start by owning one.

I just purchased my first 911.

She is a 1986 3.2L Carrera Targa. She has a fiberglass Widebody/Slantnose conversion, 18" wheels, 92K miles, formerly owned by another Pelican member. You may recognize the car. You can see a few pics taken by the PO at http://media.maxhpkit.com/911/

Off the bat I know the targa top needs some attention, but other than that she seems like a very sound car. I'm flying out to Indiana tomorrow to drive her back to NY. Should be a fun run.

You'll be seeing more of me over here in the 911 world, just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I'm very excited about the purchase, and look forward to years of fun from her!

Regards,
Russell

onlycafe · 09-16-2007, 12:25 PM

hello russell,
welcome aboard. where in the empire state are you located?

livi · 09-16-2007, 12:49 PM

Welcome Russel !

rberry951 · 09-16-2007, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlycafe

hello russell,
welcome aboard. where in the empire state are you located?

Thank you!

I'm located about 20 miles SW of Albany in the beautiful Catskill mountains, and only 15 minutes from the Hudson. I have coyotes and bears wandering through my yard. It is really peaceful here, I love it. I'm just not fond of the winters, as I'm originally from TN. But I've been in NY since '96, starting to get used to it.

Regards,
Russell

rberry951 · 09-16-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livi

Welcome Russel !

Thanks Markus!

onlycafe · 09-16-2007, 04:17 PM

route 20 should be perfect for your trip. i picked up a '78sc in lincoln, nebraska and drove most of the way home on 20. i love that road.
get aaa-plus, and a well charged cell phone. should be all you may need in case of an emergency.
oh, and a radar detector.

safe travel, take a bunch of pictures, and bond with the new ride.

scylla6 · 09-16-2007, 04:24 PM

You picked a good one. The 86 carrera is very nice 911.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Congratulations! Welcome aboard!

Zef · Zef's Garage

Hooooly nice Targa...Welcome aboard Russell...

Gene Wilkes · 09-16-2007, 05:00 PM

Love it! Great find!!

rberry951 · 09-16-2007, 06:16 PM

Thanks again to all the compliments and well wishes. I'm so excited I probably won't be able to sleep tonight. After rechecking the maps it's a solid 825 miles even if I stick to the highways. Which I plan to do. I trust the PO's word on the car's ability to make it whole heartedly, but one just can't know what might happen along the way. So I'll probably give AAA a call before departure. I just don't know if coverage of that type takes effect immediately or not, we'll see.

I'm arriving in Indy around 6 p.m., figure I can get to PA by midnight or so, hit a hotel and finish up the trip Tuesday. I do have a nice radar detector I could bring along, but I think I lost the mount for it years ago. Hmmm. Might have to stop at a truck stop along the way. I usually install a stealth one. I don't like anything dangling from my windshield or dash.

I'll take my laptop along, tomorrow evening I'll report in from the hotel and let everyone know how the trip is going, maybe put some more pictures on my site too.

Thanks again to all!

Regards,
Russell

onlycafe · 09-16-2007, 07:49 PM

i was able to upgrade my aaa from regular to plus on the phone while the tow truck waited. going from 5 miles of free towing to 150 miles and the extra charge was less than fifty bucks. saved me seventy five dollars on the tow. make sure you get the plus.
if you are coming back during lunch or dinner hours, call me at the cafe, i'll make you something good to eat. if you need help or lunch call me at 315 829 3030. i am in vernon. just four miles off of exit 33 on the I-90.
good luck again on the ride.
david

rberry951 · 09-16-2007, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onlycafe

i was able to upgrade my aaa from regular to plus on the phone while the tow truck waited. going from 5 miles of free towing to 150 miles and the extra charge was less than fifty bucks. saved me seventy five dollars on the tow. make sure you get the plus.
if you are coming back during lunch or dinner hours, call me at the cafe, i'll make you something good to eat. if you need help or lunch call me at 315 829 3030. i am in vernon. just four miles off of exit 33 on the I-90.
good luck again on the ride.
david

Thanks David, I just plugged the number into my cell phone. Not sure where I'll be or when, but when I get close to 33 I'll give you a call.

Regards,
Russell

strupgolf · 09-17-2007, 04:26 PM

Well, my "Rose" is down the road. Man, you really dont miss a car until its no longer yours and its heading to a new home. It looked as good as if ever has. I hope Russel has lots of fun with her as I have. It was, and is, a great car. I called the state police tonight becasue he "stole" it. Best to you Russ.

rberry951 · 09-17-2007, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Well, my "Rose" is down the road. Man, you really dont miss a car until its no longer yours and its heading to a new home. It looked as good as if ever has. I hope Russel has lots of fun with her as I have. It was, and is, a great car. I called the state police tonight becasue he "stole" it. Best to you Russ.

Thanks Bill. She drives nice, you can feel a hair if you ran over it. I always wanted that kind of feedback from the front wheels. She wants to be driven, the highway just doesn't do it justice. I'm somewhere between columbus and cleveland. Not sure where, exit 165ish maybe. Stopped for the night, it was a loooong day. I think I've covered just under 200 miles. I wanted to reset the odometer but forgot to until I was moving, but I know it was on 620 when I left the gas station down the road from your house. Lesson No. 1, do not over fill gas tank. Right off the bat though I can tell I need to tighten up my driving posture. I've never driven anything where the pedals were so close together, and these pivot down, whereas I'm used to hung pedals on a 944. It's a whole different feel. And yet I find the clutch very natural feeling, launching is effortless.

Oh I could sit here and write all night, I need to get to bed so I can drive all day tomorrow!

Thanks again Bill, it was really a pleasure meeting you, I wish I had more time to visit. I'm sure I'll be hitting some tracks out this way next summer, I'll surely let you know when I'll be in the area. And of course I'll keep you posted on the evolution of Rose.

Russell

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

may be helpful....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/189572-long-term-commonly-neglected-maintenance-post2955054.html#post2955054

strupgolf · 09-18-2007, 01:22 PM

Russel, I forgot to tell you the bill of sale is in the glovebox. The paperwork is under the passenger seat. Also, do a search on how to check and fill the oil. I did it wrong the first time; engine warm, car level, fill slowly. Hope you have fun.

rberry951 · 09-18-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strupgolf

Russel, I forgot to tell you the bill of sale is in the glovebox. The paperwork is under the passenger seat. Also, do a search on how to check and fill the oil. I did it wrong the first time; engine warm, car level, fill slowly. Hope you have fun.

I'm home! Was on the road about 10 hours today, I'm pooped. I forgot all about the bill of sale and paperwork, duh. I have much to write about the trip home, I enjoyed it very much. But for now I have to hit the sheets, just wanted to let eveyone know I made it in.

Stopped in and visited with David 'onlycafe', thanks for dinner, I needed that. You're not so far off, I"ll have to check out the back ways there and come back soon.

More tomorrow...

Russell

rberry951 · 09-19-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

may be helpful....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=2955054#post2955054

There sure are some scary pictures in there!

But overall a very helpful thread to the new 911 owner, thanks!

Regards,
Russell

carolinatrophy · 09-19-2007, 09:08 AM

Welcome aboard! I just bought my first 911 too - a 1985 Carrera Cabriolet - after many years of 944 and 951 ownership. Although my "new" 911 needs a bunch of work, I love the heck out of it, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way...

Enjoy!!!