Introduction and my 911 pics

ToolZero · 09-09-2009, 11:09 AM

My name is Grant, I live in Sacramento, CA, and I just bought my first Porsche. It's a 1986 Carrera that my dad bought new in 1986. This is the car I grew up riding in and it means a lot to me.

The car runs great, but there are lots of little projects to be done, and this forum has been fantastic for help with them so far. I feel lucky to have such a fantastic resource available.

I'm really new to this so don't be surprised if you see me asking a lot of really dumb questions here and there (when my saavy with the Search Button fails). Thanks in advance for your help.

-Grant

Here are some (large) pics:

Oh Haha · 09-09-2009, 12:26 PM

Nice 911 and welcome to Pelican. Great story on it as well.

Don't sweat asking "dumb" questions. We'll point you in the right direction anyway.

The seach function is great but can be a little cumbersome for new folks.

ruby911 · ruby911's Garage

Welcome, great car. I was in your shoes a year ago and have asked my share of questions. Don't feel dumb, you will be amazed at how much you will know a year from now by staying in touch with this forum.

CharlesJones · 09-09-2009, 12:48 PM

What a beautiful car! I love the colour. And that's great that you're keeping it in the family - it is a great from a practical point of view because you know the provenance and how its been looked after, but its also great just have such a special connection with you car. No one will know that car as well as you do!

repp · 09-09-2009, 12:54 PM

beautiful color, looks like you need some euro headlights. a good first search.

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

Great looking car!

Axeman · 09-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repp

beautiful color, looks like you need some euro headlights. a good first search.

Welcome to the board, beautiful car and +1 on the H-4 headlights!

kidrock · 09-09-2009, 02:54 PM

Great looking ride...drive the heck out of it like it's intended for the next 20 years, and keep it in the family!!!

snbush67 · snbush67's Garage

Welcome Grant, Great looking car.

carreraken · carreraken's Garage

Nice car! Well done.

theclaw · 09-09-2009, 03:04 PM

Great car! Did you buy if from your Dad or did it leave the family for a while. I love those stories, I'd track down an old TR-6 I used to have if I could.

scarceller · scarceller's Garage

Car looks well cared for, very nice

motorcop · 09-09-2009, 03:47 PM

Nice car!! the only dumb questions are the ones that are never asked. Welcome, please ask all you want just like I did...and still do.

AshEvan · 09-09-2009, 04:09 PM

There are none, so put the pride in your back pocket and ask away. the benefit you have is I have alrady asked all the really stupid ones so you never have to be in that coveted space HA HA HA

Love the color and car looks really clean and well cared for so need pics of the engine to confirm. Based on pics the only thing you need to add is a COOL COLLAR for your oil filter as it will reduce engine heat by 50%. Ask others for their opinion on this and let the harrassment and humor begin . . . ask me how I know? ? ?

GREAT LOOKING RIDE!

teamfee3 · teamfee3's Garage

Nice car and everyone knows '86s are the best Carreras.

tmsautoart · 09-09-2009, 04:34 PM

welcome and nice looking Carrera! This forum is great and just about everything you ever wanted to know about your car can be found here. Don't be afraid to ask, but just be advised that there is sometimes a thick layer of sarcasm and humor that blankets these forums...just be ready for it....its all in good fun....you'll like it here. This place is addictive.

ToolZero · 09-09-2009, 04:42 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

This car was owned by my dad all 23 years. Over the past 7 years I absolutely forbid him from selling it. He bought it when I was 9, so this is the car I remember most from my childhood.

In high school I drove like a maniac, so my dad would not let me drive it under any circumstances (even to Prom, which made me furious). Christmas of my senior year I knew I would never ever be allowed to get behind the wheel. My parents went skiing for a week without me, so I dug the keys out of his dresser and put 200 miles on this car. I took three different girls on dates, gave some friends the rides of their life, and had a fabulous time.

I marked where the tires were parked in the garage, got the tripometer back to exactly where it was (hence the 200 miles), I left no trace that I had driven it. After he returned from his ski trip, I remember clearly him pulling into the garage, walking inside and asking me, "Grant, did you drive the Porsche while I was gone?" On the spot I came up with the best answer I could think of. Casually I said, "Yes."

Many years later (when we could laugh about it) my dad told me that for some reason right before he left he wrote down the mileage. He also told me that he was so shocked by my honest answer that it stunned him, saving me from an immediate very bad experience.

Even after my eventual punishment, I have never regretted driving those 200 miles. A year and a half after "borrowing" this Porsche I married one of those girls I took out, and we are still married today

ToolZero · 09-09-2009, 04:49 PM

As soon as I got the car one of the H1 headlights burned out. After removing the headlight ring I discovered 23 years of grime behind the headlight assembly area. I know that area is never ever seen except when the headlight is removed, but I could not stop myself from cleaning and detailing everything, and then did the same to the other side. That's just how I am. (Getting those headlight rings back on is no fun, btw.)

I've used this forum to research the H4 replacement headlights. They are definitely on my list of things to do. I see that they require new headlight rings that come primered. How easy is it to get those painted to match my car?

j_mancini · 09-09-2009, 06:03 PM

That is a great story! I like the ending. Remember it when your teenage son gets to be that age.

...and that is one be-you-ti-full Carrera.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToolZero

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!
In high school I drove like a maniac, ...

Even after my eventual punishment, I have never regretted driving those 200 miles. A year and a half after "borrowing" this Porsche I married one of those girls I took out, and we are still married today

911st · 09-09-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamfee3

Nice car and everyone knows '86s are the best Carreras.

Agreed. Lowered front seats, bigger rear torsion bar (25 v 24), bigger sway bars 22/21 v 21/18), 915 transmission and about 100 lbs lighter than those wonderful G50 cars.

Enjoy neighbor.