Do you smell like your car?

[Sporttracguy]

I've had my 1970 911 E for over 10 years and although I haven't driven it nearly as much as I've wanted to, every time I do my wife says I smell like the car. It's true, I smell of fuel and oil (and exhaust). There are no leaks in the exhaust system (its brand new) but the car does have a smell (different from modern cars anyway).

I like it, it's nostalgic and familiar, a smell that I enjoy and brings back memories and experiences....But the end result is, I do smell.... A bit like a lawn mower, without the grass...

Is this a common thing? Do you just live with it or is there something that you do to remedy this? Do you just embrace this and enjoy it?

[poorsha]

Love the smell in the garage after a drive.
And yes, I stink (a good stink)

[DRACO A5OG]

Eau de 911

[Oh Haha]

I use Vanilla air fresheners in all of our vehicles but the 911 still has that unique smell. I think it adds to the character of the car.

[X JBM X]

A unique combination of oil, gas, and leather. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[86 ssinit]

Getting out of the coupe I do have that classic odor. But the targa with the top off no odor. Not sure if that's a positive or negative though.

[matt930s]

Yup. More so with carbed cars.

MattR

[4flyboy]

Originally Posted by X JBM X

A unique combination of oil, gas, and leather. I wouldn't have it any other way.

What JBM said......

The first ride I gave in my, new to me, '84 Carrera was to my 15 year old niece.

Her dad is a big shot with Toyota so she's never been in anything but new Japanese antiseptic vanilla cars.

First words out of her mouth were "I love that smell what is it?"

"It's oil and gas and leather sweetheart, old airplanes smell exactly the same"

Wish I could bottle it and spray it on every morning. After all John Wayne would wear it. Mixed with a little Scotch maybe....

Scott

[mreid]

Yep and I love it!

[orange260z]

Right on! My wife doesn't like to ride in the 911 because of it, but it's part of the character of a classic car.

[evan9eleven]

Ah yes, the Porsche smell. Its how my wife always knows when I've been out with my "mistress."

In my case however, the PO recovered the seats in vinyl which creates a different aroma altogether. The missus gets a headache from the smell and as such doesn't like to ride in the 911. I'm hoping that when the new interior goes in this will improve.

[ClickClickBoom]

Originally Posted by 4flyboy

What JBM said......

The first ride I gave in my, new to me, '84 Carrera was to my 15 year old niece.

Her dad is a big shot with Toyota so she's never been in anything but new Japanese antiseptic vanilla cars.

First words out of her mouth were "I love that smell what is it?"

"It's oil and gas and leather sweetheart, old airplanes smell exactly the same"

Wish I could bottle it and spray it on every morning. After all John Wayne would wear it. Mixed with a little Scotch maybe....

Scott

What about the padding, horsehair wasn't it?

[mikesride]

Sometimes....very infrequently after sitting a while my car lets out a fair belch of "burning oil smoke" on start up. If it sitting in the garage with the car windows open then even I cant handle the nostalgic smells!!!!! Otherwise....I love the smell of the old German cars.

[4flyboy]

Lol....nice

[SpenceRx]

These cars definitely have a distinct odour. I love it.

Fuel, oil and leather. Awesome.

[dntlft]

I have to agree, smells the same as my 1972 2002tii when I owned her up until a few years back. I've always liked the smell, and my wife admits to it adding to the uniqueness of the whole old German car experience.

[NYNick]

No doubt about it…it's all part of the allure and addiction.

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Sporttracguy

Is this a common thing? Do you just live with it or is there something that you do to remedy this? Do you just embrace this and enjoy it?

I like the way the car smells. And I think it's "just the way it is" with any car where the bare motor itself is a source of interior air in any way.

I like it, and I don't care what the wife thinks about it.

[dicklague]

Originally Posted by 86 ssinit

Getting out of the coupe I do have that classic odor. But the targa with the top off no odor. Not sure if that's a positive or negative though.

Another reason that Targas as inferior!!!!

[dicklague]

As Jay Leno says "when you come home and you smell like gas and oil, at least you wife knows where you have been!"

Much better than coming home smelling of cheap perfume!!