911 Book recommendation needed.

[chrisp]

I am trying to recommend a good book to someone who wants to buy a 911 but doesn't know anything about them. I think I have given him the bug and he needs something to refer to while in bed reading. It certainly isn't going to be me!!

He is a total newbie and wants to know the cars inside and out when he gets around to buying one.

I have the performance books but none of the "buyers guides" or books that outline the models and help new buyers. He is probably looking in the Carrera and later range of cars.

I would like to limit it to one, maybe two, recommended titles.

Thanks.

[cary]

I like my "Original Porsche 911" by Peter Morgan. Lots of # info. Good explanation of yearly changes.

[cstreit]

I have one called "Porsche Owners Companion" A manual of preservation and theft protection that had some good chapters on what to look for... It's somewhat dated but a good start.

Author was Dan Werner Post

[cegerer]

'Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide' by Randy Leffingwell would suit your purpose very well. It goes year by year (1965 to 2001) with good photos pointing out all the various differences and problem areas. -- Curt

[LeeH]

Certainly not the only book he needs, but very interesting books are the Brookland's Gold Portfilios. They are a compilation of road test reprints for each model. It's great to read what automotive journalists thought when they first drove an SC or a Carrera.

I'm pretty sure Wayne sells them.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by chrisp


He is a total newbie and wants to know the cars inside and out when he gets around to buying one.

I would like to limit it to one, maybe two, recommended titles.

Thanks. [/B]

HOOT! Ain't possible! I'm willing to guess that even John Walker will tell you he learns everyday. Know the cars inside out by reading a book or two? Ain't possible!

[jmohn]

Where to begin? For a newbie The "Porsche 911 Buyer's Guide" as Curt suggested is quite good, Morgan's book is good (suggested by Cary), I also like "Porsche 911 Road Cars" by Dennis Adler. These all give a pretty good overview of these cars. "The 1974-1989 911, 912E & 930 Porsche Authenticity Series" by Mark Haab is good for helping to recognize the subtle differences from year to year and assists in determining if a car has been "molested" or not. For sheer beauty you can't beat "Porsche the Essence of Performance" or "Porsche the Fine Art of the Sportscar", these are larger, coffee table type books and may be difficult to find, but well worth the search. Let's not forget "Porsche Performance Handbook" by Bruce Anderson, it may get a bit technical for a newcomer but it's good info. I still occasionally page through the infamous "Haynes" manual and a copy of Wayne's "101 Projects" wouldn't be inappropriate for someone interested in an "older" car, it certainly describes the most commonly needed repairs. If I had to choose just two for a newbie I guess it would have to be the "buyer's guide" and "911 road cars". But, if you want to "hook" him for sure get "the Fine Art of the Sportscar" the photographs alone make me want to take mine for a drive.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[Bobboloo]

Aside from the books tell him to spend a year looking. He won't regret it. This time next year he will know exactly what car he is looking for, what potential problems a given model may have and it will be winter again when the prices are down a little compared to summer.

Bobby

[chrisp]

Thanks for the input everyone.