Allow me to introduce myself...

ThumbsUp · ThumbsUp's Garage

I just wanted to go thru the formality of introducing myself as a new member to this forum. I recently purchased an immaculate '86 Carrera sunroof coupe after a 20+ year absense from P-cars. Way back then, I owned several 914's, and assorted 911s from time to time, but my pride and joy was a 1968 S that was sold so I could raise the down payment on my first house. Boy, do I wish I had that car today!

Anyway, I've recently been thru a parade of performance cars trying to scratch my itch. Most recently was a (please forgive me) Corvette Z06. Beautiful car, but the engineering and workmanship was pure crap. I always had this secret longing to get back into a Porsche, so I took the plunge after unloading the 'vette on some other unsuspecting fool.

I spent several years running SCCA autocross at the local and regional level, even made a few national attempts. I gave up the intense autocross schedule in order to save my marriage (I get intense!) a few years ago, but plan to get back into it some day.

I cut my teeth working on air cooled VWs, so the progression to Porsches was a natural for me. I love working on things, and that is how I got interested in racing. After all, if you're gonna race 'em, you're certainly gonna need to know how to fix 'em. The race gave me an opportunity to work on my cars more.

I'm 47, married with 3 kids, 23, 20, and 14; two dogs and one cat. We live just outside Birmingham, Alabama, and I work for a large regional bank as a credit systems and strategies manager. My wife works as a grant writer for a faith based organization ministering to homeless and abused children, youth and women.

I like beer, lots.

I look forward to passing some time here on the forum, and maybe from time to time adding a comment or two. I know I'll have lots of questions.

surflvr911sc · surflvr911sc's Garage

Welcome and Congrats! Look forward to pictures soon.

Planter91C2 · 08-23-2002, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThumbsUp
I cut my teeth working on air cooled VWs,

ouch!

Steve F · 08-23-2002, 11:48 AM

[QUOTE][

I like beer, lots.

Works for me

Welcome

steveW · steveW's Garage

Hey! I was born in Birmingham ..... England. I too like beer - lots of it, but I've never had the slightest desire to even get in a Beetle - NEVER, what if someone sees me in one.

I've got nothing against Beetles though. In fact, I once knew somebody who lived next door to a Beetle owner!

Jorgeman · Jorgeman's Garage

ThumbsUp--welcome aboard! I'm looking forward to sharing your knowledge of the '86--I have a Targa of that model year that is trying it's damndest to keep me young and smiling. I am undoubtedly the oldest fogey on this board and am continually soaking up the wisdom it provides! What a treasure
trove of info!! Enjoy!

Paul T · 08-23-2002, 12:28 PM

Welcome!

Botman · Botman's Garage

Welcome Thumbsup,

From a fellow 86 Carrera Sunroof Coupe owner.

Jeff · 08-23-2002, 12:58 PM

Welcome to the board. Do you have pictures you can show us? What color?

Beer IS good!

Sarah · Sarah's Garage

Hi ThumbsUp,

If you don't have a digital camera, now is the time to buy one!!

Jack Olsen · 08-23-2002, 05:56 PM

Wow. I know more about you now than I know about myself.

Welcome to Pelican.

Zeke · 08-23-2002, 06:49 PM

Get a copy of 101 Projects and have yourself a fine time with the great folks here on this board. BTW, my wife works for a non-profit that provides treatment at no cost to abused children who otherwise would get no counseling. Rare breed of people who can work in that sector of this troubled world. Kudos to your wife and congrats to you for your new acquisition.

cary · 08-23-2002, 07:00 PM

Welcome ..........Beer and DIY kind of go hand in hand. IMHO.

Chris Lovell · 08-23-2002, 07:26 PM

Welcome. We have a few things in common. "86 Coupe, 3 kids, love for workin' and fixin', 2 dogs, and, oh yeah, ... beer.
Good luck and stay away from competing with all the non-Pcar yahoos. They're sometimes faster. Never better.

kanihitit · 08-23-2002, 07:56 PM

Welcome to the family..

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Hey... Thumbsup... welcome aboard......

I think libations are in order..enjoy the company..

Jorrge (Targa Dude)

beamonk · 08-23-2002, 09:42 PM

Welcome All thumbs! I live in Tuscaloosa and there is a PCA event at the Talledega motorcycle course on sept. 28. It is alot of fun and hopefully I will be there in my 76 euro SC prototipo if I can get my frickin' front sway bar on. Hey I have beer! Contact me if you need info on Talledega.

Sean Hamilton · Sean Hamilton's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by ThumbsUp
..........I work for a large regional bank as a credit systems and strategies manager. ..........

Yup! YOU'RE in - we could use some of that!

Emission · Emission's Garage

Welcome!

Now, tell us what you REALLY thought of the Z06. I've always wanted to drive one, never wanted to own one (OK, maybe deep down inside....).

ThumbsUp · ThumbsUp's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by beamonk
Contact me if you need info on Talledega.

Thanks for the invite Beamonk. I probably know as much about TGPR ("TigPree") as anyone. The SCCA has run Solo 1 and Solo 2 there for years, and I always do the Timing and Scoring for the annual Unique Motorcars Cobrafest there.

Thanks for all the requests for photos - I'll post some later today. The car is white, and now has a set of C2 wheels. I pulled the cat and replaced with a straight pipe. The cat must have been close to total restriction because the pipe really woke it up! But the sonic improvement was the real payoff. Man this thing screams now!

Of course, my first purchase was 101 Projects ....

Pics later. Thanks for the warm welcome.