Vt. to Michigan Road Trip - Where Are They?
 

My wife and I just got back from a road trip from our place in Vermont...through New York, northern PA, and into Ohio for a niece's wedding in Columbus. After this, we headed north into Grand Rapids, Mich...then over to Jackson, then back home.

We drove on all types of roads...from the usual big highways, to state roads, to smaller town roads and streets.

And while I did notice a fair number of newer Cayanns, Macans, Boxters, and the odd 996/991/997...my total P-car count for anything built earlier than about 1996 was as follows: one very lovely 1972-ish long hood parked on a street in Columbus, and one 924S up on blocks in rural northern Ohio. That's it...no other 911's, no 944's, no 914's. Nothing on the road, nor parked in driveways/parking lots.

Meanwhile, while tooling around Columbus, what pulls up beside me at a stoplight? A Delorean. And what do I see parking on the street outside a restaurant in Grand Rapids? A Ferrari...looked like an F-430. Plus a number of classic 'Vettes, Alfas, MG's, and what have you.

Thing is, when I did this same trip back in 2018, I noticed a fair number of early 911's and 944's on the road and in driveways.

...but where are they now?

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I live on the north side of Grand Rapids and notice the same.
10 or 15 years ago, every trip out with the 911 I would see others...now, I don't think I've seen any early 911's this summer. Granted, I'm usually within a 50 mile radius of home, but I drive both of them each week. (when the weather is good)

The positive is that other drivers wave and yell comments way more than before.
One guy a few weeks ago saw my black one parked and tracked me down inside a cafe to ask me questions about it.

I've got a 914 registered, insured and road ready in Buffalo. But work and family commitments have it parked for the entirety of 2022.

In garages.. afraid to be driven!

I was at my local PCA AX yesterday.. We had 3 air-cooled Porsches (my 914 and two 911s) and there was a 968 cab as well.. otherwise, nothing older than a 986/996... and most were 987/997 or newer. Time keeps marching on I am afraid!

Even ten years ago, on a road trip in our '78 SC to visit the fam in GR we suffered a broken sway bar link thanks to the gorillas on the Badger ferry - went to some (I think gone now) "********" eurocentric place near the 6th st bridge and they were amazed that we'd drive such a thing across the country. Ummm, isn't that what they're supposed to do?

(discounting the heat-soak issues with the starter, but that's what a strong wife is handy for to push-start the thing)

Granted, it's a New Mexican car for all of its life so no salt cancer risk. I recall from my youth that the experience in MI can differ...

Still a few long hoods and SC/carerras to be seen on the commute in Los Alamos. Not a 993 anywhere oddly. And of course there's this one beige/tan 356 at the Physics Division that has commuted daily (almost 100 mi RT) from Santa Fe for many decades.

(edited... starred out reference above must be for just my generic car-shop name - no relation to anything currently related to PP or other places - oops?!)

My '79 911SC and my '87 951 are safely parked/stored in my building in NW Ohio. The Cayennes are in the garage. :)

[QUOTE=mjohnson;11758261]Even ten years ago, on a road trip in our '78 SC to visit the fam in GR we suffered a broken sway bar link thanks to the gorillas on the Badger ferry - went to some (I think gone now) "********" eurocentric place near the 6th st bridge and they were amazed that we'd drive such a thing across the country. Ummm, isn't that what they're supposed to do?



If you are ever needing repairs around GR again...Euro AutoWorks in Rockford/Belding is excellent.
A fellow Pelican just purchased the business. The previous owner, Tim, still is the head mechanic...he is very good.