On my mind

[murphyjp]

I've been shopping for a 911 a few months and have read hundreds of adds, and have always been bothered by how many say "California Car", or "Original California Car"....blah, blah, blah. What is all the hype about? Last time I checked California borders the Pacific which is full of salt. That salt is carried with the wind and can end up on the car. Sun damage is more likely due to year round exposure. It does snow in the California mountains, and yes they use salt.

In comparison, here in Michigan we use salt on the roads, but by the time the cars come out in spring it has all washed away with the rain.

Why are we not looking for the ever elusive Arkansas, or Oklahoma car? No snow, no salt, no ocean.

This has been on my mind for a while and have only just been inclined to post after reading about another Pelicanite's misfortune. His car, yes, a California car flooded by sea water while parked in a commuter lot. Unfortunate as it is, and my heart goes out to him, but just shows that "California Car" may be nothing more than psychological warfare.

[baq911]

It's just marketing. The term California car is supposed to set you on a day dream get away of the sun, the mountains, and the ocean. I completely agree with you, the term doesn't make sense. The term is mostly used by car dealers or people selling their cars.

The term I hate when associated with Porsche's or any european car for that matter is "hot rod" UKH! I hate it. To me, a hot rod is a car built in detroit in the 60's -70's has leaf springs, 6" brakes up front and drums in the rear, good for burn-outs and doughnuts, is stupidly overpowered and really can't do anything properly. Usually associated with the term "yee haww"
hehehe...aaaah got that off my chest.

[Steeve]

Yup, ignore "California car" as a stupid marketing ploy, just like you should read $12,999 as a $13k car, not a $12k car.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by murphyjp

Why are we not looking for the ever elusive Arkansas, or Oklahoma car? No snow, no salt, no ocean..

Well, we just got 6" of snow, on top of an inch of ice. And, the city is out salting all the roads as I type this. So much for that theory.

Having visited LA recently, I can say that the salt air isn't an issue. It's paradise. Trust me, I want to move there.

As for the sun exposure, we have that here too. If you think about it, a car that doesn't get driven in the rain will get driven in the sun. One that has covered X miles will have been in the sun Y hours, whether in Oklahoma, or California. It's the same thing.

Of course, I have an '86 targa for sale, if you are looking to buy one.. It was first sold in California, then it made it here. So, it's the rare, and highly desirable, California/Oklahoma car...

JR

[zippy_gg]

California car also means that it is smog compliant and will pass emissions testing.
Some 911s from other states are modified for performance and the cat is the first thing to go.
You MAY be less likely to have rust on a (southern) California car because they never see the salt unless you live right on the coast. The downside is more exposure to the sun.
California car? Take the term or leave it, just ask the right questions when buying.

[MH911]

California restricts the use of salt on the roads. There also is very low humidity here.

[chocolatelab]

also very little rain

[Bamberg96]

I lived in California until I was 27, there were old cars everywhere. Sure the sun takes it toll and if you live on the ocean it might as well be from the north east but the majority of cars are dry. Same for Arizona but there are just not the same selection. California WAS cutting edge in the 60's and 70's. Lots of engineering jobs and people who thought outside the box - not just V8's with the standard engine on girders crap with solid axles. I am sure the selection has thinned since I left. I bought a nice clean 72 T from the northeast and when you can find the rare jewel they can be great - no sun damage since they spend 3/4 of their life in the garage. I sold the car because I could see how a ungalvanized car could not take the Florida humidity even sitting in the garage. My son's 64 bug from California had surface rust in some areas but it cleaned right off - if the car had spent the same amount of time in Florida it would have been a pile of rust. When you have low humidity and little rain metal lasts - even without paint. Thats why California or Arizona is your best bet for finding a car that was never meant to last 50 years from turning into the Flintstone car.

[Ofishbein]

I grew up in Indiana and moved to CA eleven years ago.

In IN, they would salt the roads when it was icy and as it melted the resulting salty slop would get kicked up all over a car's nether regions. Every nook and cranny would be vulnerable and no amount of underwashes or rinses by the local car wash could get it all out. Rust was inevitable.

When I first moved here, I couldn't believe all the cars on the road you would never see in IN. I still see Mavericks, Pintos, and Vegas running around in pretty good shape (never mind all the Porsches, Ferraris and Lambos). It tends to rain here about a week every January or February, with the odd one or two more days in March/April - then it's in the 70's - 90's and sunny pretty much the rest of the year with virtually no humidity.

It truly is car mecca out here. I'll never go back.

[c0metdot]

Well I never been to heaven
But I been to Oklahoma
Well they tell me I was born there
But I really don't remember
In Oklahoma, not Arizona
What does it matter?


In the Rust Belt, a "winter beater" car is mandatory and routine for those who want to keep/drive a car they care about during the "non-winter".


"CA car" or specifically, "Southern CA" car refers to one that has lived its days dry.


FL is not near the ocean, it is IN the ocean.


Now back to the arctic NE, where we have an entire season to go before the snow subsides.

[Macroni]

Minimal impact on cars post 1977......