A Reunion, of sorts . . .

[Tony-K]

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would share this 944 story. I am a long-time 944 owner/enthusiast - am now on my tenth one since 1997. Of all the 944s I've had -- early, late, S, and even S2 -- my favorite was this 1985.5 in white with white Fuchs and burgundy interior:



I bought it from a rennlister in 2003, and proceeded to enjoy and maintain it as a daily driver for the next 7+ years. It was my favorite 944. During those years, my girlfriend became my fiancee and then my wife. We took many trips in that car, all over the United States, and it saw year round service, with Blizzaks and Hakkas on cookie cutters and phone dials in the winter. I kept it clean and rust-free, and in all those miles never had as much as a door ding . . .

. . . Until October 2010, when a driver who was not paying attention rear-ended us on the freeway and punted us into a guard rail in what was to be the last of this wonderful car's many trips:









One of the many reasons I had originally bought my first 944 in 1997 was because they had a reputation for being safe in accidents. I always believed this. Here was this car's chance to make good on that reputation, and it delivered. My wife and I walked away from that accident with no need for medical treatment -- she had a cut on her head and I had a bruise on my face. The seats did their job in protecting us from neck and back injuries. The seatbelts did their job in restraining us. The crumple zones of the body did their job. Please note that, while two sides of the car were bashed in, there was no broken glass.

It was a sad end to a car that we cherished so much, and that I had every intention of keeping to old age. But of infinitely greater importance, we were thankful to God and the people who built this car that we were okay.

As we walked away from that white 944 one last time, I looked at my wife, held her hand thankful that she was okay, and said, "It did it's job."

. . . . .


Having just been not hurt in a 944 accident, I was eager to replace it with another one. In late 2010, there was not a "regular" (2.5 NA) 944 on the market as well maintained as ours . . . the couple that came close had asking prices that were practically S2 money.

So we just went ahead and bought an S2. Linen over burgundy, up to date on maintenance . . . and the air bags had suddenly become a very desirable feature considering what we had just experienced.

I intended to never sell that S2, but in a moment of foolishness I sold it to a friend. In an ongoing spat of wisdom, he has repeatedly refused to sell it back to me, despite my badgering him every few months since I sold it to him a year and a half ago!

I picked up a white-on-black early 944 to replace it, which was nice . . . but it was not the same. I sold it to a friend who is still enjoying it today. I still missed my white/burgundy 85.5.

. . . . .


Fast forward to May of 2015. I was browsing craigslist one day . . . and this caught my eye:




White . . . white fuchs . . . burgundy interior? . . . YES!


I happened to be traveling for business with a friend (and fellow 944 owner) near the car's location, and, on a whim, said to him, "Hey, wanna look at a 944 near by?"

"Sure, why not Tony," was his reply.

When we got there, the car turned out to be well worth the drive. Not perfect, but road ready with some good recent maintenance and in the hands of a very conscientious 2nd owner.

I totally was not planning to buy another 944. I totally don't need another car. But this was too good to pass up. After some negotiating that involved the kind of good faith and good will that you just don't see enough of these days, I became the car's 3rd owner, and drove it home with the biggest "driving-grin" I've had in years!




So here it is, and I'm quite happy to have it. It needs some detailing and a bit of maintenance, but it's just like old times.

Unlike my previous 944s, this one will be preserved and maintained as a collector car, not a daily driver or "spare" car. I can't wait to get started cleaning it up and attending to the little details . . .

My wife and I are both happy to have our trusty steed back. It's like meeting up with an old friend. It's like finding that old jacket in your closet that always fit you just right. It is -- despite being nearly five years -- like not a day has passed. It's a reunion, of sorts.


I hope you enjoyed my little 944 story. If there are any "old timers" from here or rennlist who remember me, hello again!


Cheers,

Tony K.

[pfarah]

Great story Tony! Although not in the game as long as you, I've enjoy my 84 immensely over the past three years. There's always something to do but she's become quite reliable as I do take her only nice long road trips as well as weekend drives. Good luck with your new friend!

A pic of my 84, just out of the restoration shop three weeks ago (she's got a few bugs on her since then):

[mikepellegrini]

Very cool story. It's obvious you really loved the car. I can relate to that.

[Tony-K]

Originally Posted by pfarah

Great story Tony! Although not in the game as long as you, I've enjoy my 84 immensely over the past three years. There's always something to do but she's become quite reliable as I do take her only nice long road trips as well as weekend drives. Good luck with your new friend!

A pic of my 84, just out of the restoration shop three weeks ago (she's got a few bugs on her since then):

Thanks, Patrick. Your car looks great -- it's great to see people restoring 944s these days -- I definitely see an uptick in appreciation for these great cars!

Originally Posted by mikepellegrini

Very cool story. It's obvious you really loved the car. I can relate to that.

Thanks, Mike!


One more positive note to the story: The previous owner just mailed me the service history for the car, which he had misplaced at the time of the transaction. It has receipts for regular specialist service going back to 1986, plus the original window sticker. Happy day today!

[jeff968]

Great story, and you just don't see that many white 944s. Enjoy.

[fiily]

Originally Posted by jeff968

Great story, and you just don't see that many white 944s. Enjoy.

Tony, thats a great looking 944 with those rims! My garage queen.

[ckelly78z]

Great story and similar to mine. I live about an hour South of Toledo, Ohio and also got into a horrible accident when someone ran a stop sign at 70 mph into my RF wheel and I sustained 17 broken bones from the center console and steering wheel. I still say the car saved my life because it took the hit like a champ.

Fast forward 3 months later as I was still learning to walk again, I saw on Buffalo N.Y. Craigslist, a white 85.5 N/A 944 with a beautiful burgundy interior. It didn't have Fuchs, but had been upgraded with 16" cup Boxster wheels and spacers. We took my truck and car dolly up (through Cleveland) to N.Y. and bought it on the spot (3rd owner). Test driving that car was the first time since my accident that I had driven a 5 speed again, and it felt so good.

I'll try to post a pic or two.

[JoshB]

Great story - glad you've got another white 944 again Love the fuchs!

[ddbach]

Originally Posted by jeff968

Great story, and you just don't see that many white 944s. Enjoy.

Congratulations on the new to you car. May you enjoy many miles and smiles without incident.

I too love the white/burgundy combo. There are a number of white ones near me including a cab with a blue interior and top. Lemon yellow is much rarer, I have spotted one twice - once in 2013 and then just 2 days ago.

[ideola]

Is that the one that was for sale up in Shelby Twp MI?

[Tony-K]

Thanks for the replies and the kind words, everyone.

Nice to see some more white/burgundy out there!

ckelly78z -- I've heard so many stories over the years of people surviving accidents in 944s, either uninjured when injury would have been likely or surviving an accident where death would have been a strong possibility. It's comforting. Please do post a pic of your car! And if you have the chance, drive up to Toledo Cars & Coffee -- 2nd Sunday morning of each month!


ideola -- Yes, that's the car. It was clean, but "daily driver dirty" (not detailed) when I bought it (as seen in the pics); I've since cleaned it up a bit -- the fuchs, stone guards, and engine bay all brightened up right away. It was one of those cars that looked "average" at first, but upon closer inspection -- no winters, no accidents, nice interior, everything works, full specialist service history, etc. -- turned out to be a nice car. It's not perfect, but nothing that would stop me from buying it (obviously)!

[mocha07]

Tony k;I have a '86na,identical in appearance to your first car. With burgundy script seats, white Fuchs,just under 60,000 miles

Good luck with your newer one.

Cheers,Bill

[Tony-K]

Thanks, Bill!

[ideola]

Originally Posted by Tony-K

ideola -- Yes, that's the car. It was clean, but "daily driver dirty" (not detailed) when I bought it (as seen in the pics); I've since cleaned it up a bit -- the fuchs, stone guards, and engine bay all brightened up right away. It was one of those cars that looked "average" at first, but upon closer inspection -- no winters, no accidents, nice interior, everything works, full specialist service history, etc. -- turned out to be a nice car. It's not perfect, but nothing that would stop me from buying it (obviously)!

That is simply awesome...what a great story. Congrats on the acquisition! It was "meant to be", as the saying goes!

[CHICKS]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing!