New Owner Introduction (with pics)

mrk_d · mrk_d's Garage

Hey everyone,

A few days ago I picked up the car I have wanted for a long, long time. Ever since I was a kid, Porsches were around - there were books, models, and cars present in one form or another throughout my childhood. I developed an affinity for 911s quite early.

I purchased this particular car from my uncle - it has been owned by him, my father, and another uncle, who upon passing away had willed the car to my father. Needless to say I have a pretty big sentimental attachment to this car.

I am currently a sophomore in college, and so this purchase has been monumental for me. Maybe it isn't the most prudent choice to put nearly all of my money into a car, but I couldn't let this one leave the family once I learned it was going to be for sale. I have always dreamed of having a 911 and still almost can't believe that I have the privilege of owning one.

Anyways, onto the car. It has 117k miles, and is overall in great shape for a driver. There are a few issues here and there that will provide me with weekend projects, but nothing major. Things like fixing the courtesy lights, cleaning up a couple scratches, finding knobs for some of the climate control sliders, etc. I look forward to improving it a bit with the help of 101 Projects, this forum, and other publications.

So far I have put 400 miles on it in a couple days, nearly all of it on backroads. I can't wait to learn the intricacies of its handling, but already the feel of heel-toeing into a corner and getting on the gas early, and hearing the tires just barely holding on for traction, is addicting! I have already learned a lot from this forum and I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions down the road.

-Mark

tomphot · 03-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Welcome Mark - great car - did your you uncle own it since it was new?

ZAMIRZ · ZAMIRZ's Garage

Nice. My 911SC has been in the family since new and isn't going anywhere either. We've gotta keep these relics of our past close! Good luck with the projects and post some more photos when you get the chance.

Oh Haha · 03-06-2011, 04:02 PM

Welcome to Pelican!! That is a great looking 911.

It's always nice to hear a backstory to a special car. Enjoy it as much as possible.

WIL84911 · WIL84911's Garage

Congratulations! Looks like you're gonna have some fun. What year is it?

mrk_d · mrk_d's Garage

Oops - forgot to mention that it's a 1987.

Also, should have clarified that while it's been in the family for a long time, my uncle was not the original, but rather the second owner.

Gustyones · Gustyones's Garage

Nice looking car Mark! Welcome

wolf76 · wolf76's Garage

Nice looking car in a great color combo. Did your family let you drive it before or was this your first time?

Chris

jjwood · jjwood's Garage

Welcome and enjoy the pleasure of owning one of the best Porsches ever made. Great that it's staying in the family. I've owned my '71 911 hot rod since the early eighties and can only hope it stays in the family after I'm gone (which I hope is no time soon).

ivangene · 03-06-2011, 06:51 PM

great story I am sure there is a feeling of closeness with your family when driving it...

best regards!

kidrock · 03-06-2011, 06:58 PM

Way to go, Mark....very nice score with the G50 and everything else. Welcome.

Hugh R · 03-06-2011, 07:12 PM

Sweet, my daughter went to UCSB, which is where I'm guessing you are. My favorite drive is north of SB to the Solvang area.

WIL84911 · WIL84911's Garage

Are those 15 inch wheels?

tcar · 03-07-2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIL84911

Are those 15 inch wheels?

Look like 16's to me...

16X7 Front and 16x8 Rear it looks like to me.

cattman · 03-07-2011, 02:59 PM

Welcome aboard, Mark!
I, too, have an '87, same colors but with a whale tail, and it's a great vintage for classic-looking 911's that are bullet-proof and a joy to drive.

Here's mine, with the tail, but seeing yours, am really liking the cleaner no-tail look.
CATTMAN

cattman · 03-07-2011, 03:04 PM

For fun, here's an antique-looking version of the same photo...

Zeke · 03-07-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrk_d

So far I have put 400 miles on it in a couple days, nearly all of it on backroads. I can't wait to learn the intricacies of its handling, but already the feel of heel-toeing into a corner and getting on the gas early, and hearing the tires just barely holding on for traction, is addicting! I have already learned a lot from this forum and I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions down the road.

Great looking car and a very good year. I hope you follow through with your statement. It only takes once when you got a little over confident, entered the corner too fast and decided to lift, not put the throttle down.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrk_d

I am currently a sophomore in college, and so this purchase has been monumental for me.

I can't wait to learn the intricacies of its handling, but already the feel of heel-toeing into a corner and getting on the gas early, and hearing the tires just barely holding on for traction, is addicting! I have already learned a lot from this forum and I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions down the road.

-Mark

Mark - Congratulations on taking over the ownership of a great car. I'll be the bad cop here and say slow down, from what you wrote above I don't see this car lasting long. 20 years old and driving with "tires barely holding on for traction" just sounds like a parts car waiting to happen. Save your money and join PCA, attend a Driver's Ed event and learn to drive the car properly.... on the track.

Best of luck with the car!

Plecostomus · 03-07-2011, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cattman

Welcome aboard, Mark!
I, too, have an '87, same colors but with a whale tail, and it's a great vintage for classic-looking 911's that are bullet-proof and a joy to drive.

Here's mine, with the tail, but seeing yours, am really liking the cleaner no-tail look.
CATTMAN

I'm a tail man. Nice car!

mrk_d · mrk_d's Garage

Tomphot, I have driven the car a few times prior to picking it up, but the experience is different when it's "your" 911!

WIL84911 and tcar, It does have 16" wheels, 7" wide in the front and 8" in the back. They might look smaller because the car is lowered.

Milt and GaryR, as far as driving, I always thought that 911s were in their element in the twisty stuff, I guess I should refrain from ever driving quickly through corners?

Joking aside, I know my limits pretty well - I am not trying to squeeze out that extra 10% that separates street and track speeds, but am rather just driving quickly enough to have fun in the corners and really work on my smoothness. I plan on doing some track days or DEs in the near future to push the limits of the car where I should. However, when I'm on mostly empty back roads I have driven hundreds, if not thousands of times, being 20 I can't help but go a bit faster than I probably should.

Cattman, your car looks great! I have to admit red wasn't my favorite at first but it's really growing on me, especially when I see nice examples such as yours.

Thanks for the warm reception everyone, I'm sure you'll be seeing more of me in the coming years!