Introduction: '86 Targa and Me

[911TargaGuy]

Inspired by the recent RWebb posting for new Porsche owners to introduce themselves, here goes. I’m Gayle Rhodes, live in Dutchess County New York (an hour from Manhatten) and purchased my first Porsche in February, this year – a 1986 Targa; Meteor Grey/Burgundy. She has 130,000 miles; had a clutch and top end rebuild by Eisenbuds (Denver, Colorado) at 98,000. In a way, I feel like I have brought the car home (at least close to home); she was sold new in New Jersey, made her way to Colorado, then to Houston, where I found her. Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS) brought her to me, with a brief stop at their New Jersey terminal (not far from Paul Miller Porsche, Parsippany, NJ where she was sold new).

I love the car: what a smile it brings every time I drive it. The 915 transmission shifts well (with the appropriate pause from 1st to 2nd), steering is tight and the torque/power the 3.2 develops is far beyond that of my British cars of the past few years (MG Midget, TR3, Austin Healey, MGB). I’m retired so I have some time to spend with my cars. This P–car is not my first German car; have owned VW squareback, Mercedes (including a 190SL many years ago), BMW (535is, 635csi), and Audi Coupe Quattro (my wife and I together had 3 of them). But this car is special; my plans now are to work my way through the other air cooled cars – 964, 993 to understand first hand how they compare. Unfortunately my limited storage space will cause that to be more or less a single-threaded operation, unless I can figure out a way to double or triple my garage space.

This forum provides outstanding support. The forum/you guys are amazing. Kudos to Wayne for supporting such a venue to provide an outlet for all the emotions that come with owning these cars and kudos to all of you for being so willing to help others who are still learning. The closest I have come to a similar group in the past was the Audi 20-valve folks who have the early 20v sedans and coupe quattros. I have made extensive use of this forum’s search facility to fix a number of problems: high beam/turn signals, odometer gear replacement, steering wheel recovering (interesting experience with AGLA), carpet installation and others I just don’t recall at the moment. If anyone finds this message while searching, I’ll be happy to share my experience with the repairs mentioned.

Pictures attached….so far this is still my favorite color combination (although the Ruby Red and Arena Red run a close second). She does not yet have the full clay bar/polish/wax paint treatment nor the vaseline wheel treatment nor my own valve adjustment…just a few more things to look forward to. Thank you all.

[pgeorgeson]

Welcome and great car. Love those '86s.

[craigyirush]

Welcome - I also have a meteor gray '86. Like you, my previous sports cars were English - 60s Bs. The difference in acceleration is noticeable, isn't it!

[kidrock]

What a great looking car...welcome.

FWIW, I really like the old British Steel as well.

[86 911 Targa]