early 911 s ownership

[veet]

How differently do owners treat these appreciating cars . Have you stopped driving them? Are they garage queens now that they are worth 6 figures? Curious ? Or do you still drive and enjoy them like you should?

[brianvb]

I have a 68S . We are part-restoring it to "driver" level so that I can run the sh@t out of it for a few years . Then I can enjoy it. We will do a concour restoration later. I want to have fun first.

[ficke]

This is a good question, one I had to deal with.
I had a 67S, I it bought when I could not afford a SC. In those days you always wanted to buy the newest you can afford. Because they got better, ?
I started worrying about it to much and quit tracking it, taking long road trips and eventually sold it and cashed out.
Then I realized, I just like driving SWB 911S's more than all other 911's and you only go around once in life. I lucked into another SWBS, a 68S and now I just fix it enough ( always the money issue) to make it run well and drive the snot out of it, I love it!
I have Mexican blankets to cover the ratty seats and a funky paint, but it runs well, and is fun to drive.
I drove it to Rennsport and ran some errands in Cal. put over 2,500 miles on it in 7 days. last year I drove it to Texas to help a friend on his boat.
Back to your question, I had to come to terms with the fact I just really like these cars and money is not everything, your time is. So I try to spend my time doing what I like now.
I would rather drive a SWBS than a new 911, so I do.

[73.5TinPA]

Nice pics, ficke.

[ficke]

Originally Posted by 73.5TinPA

Nice pics, ficke.

Thanks, Here's some more. I like Porsches! the best part of Porsche ownership is driving them.
Funny thing is, most people have no idea of the value of these cars, so you can drive around with out the snob look at all.
I get thumbs up from the homeless people, and eat at taco wagons with out the rich guy stigma. The Porsche club guys in Tucson still say I could "sell the S and with a little more money be able to buy a used Boxster"

[bpfordfan]

OH MY, the paint! FANTASTIC!!!!

[Matt Monson]

If I had an S I would drive it. I drive all my cars... Well the ones that are running.

[TH_DUDE]

Originally Posted by ficke

This is a good question, one I had to deal with.
I had a 67S, I it bought when I could not afford a SC. In those days you always wanted to buy the newest you can afford. Because they got better, ?
I started worrying about it to much and quit tracking it, taking long road trips and eventually sold it and cashed out.
Then I realized, I just like driving SWB 911S's more than all other 911's and you only go around once in life. I lucked into another SWBS, a 68S and now I just fix it enough ( always the money issue) to make it run well and drive the snot out of it, I love it!
I have Mexican blankets to cover the ratty seats and a funky paint, but it runs well, and is fun to drive.
I drove it to Rennsport and ran some errands in Cal. put over 2,500 miles on it in 7 days. last year I drove it to Texas to help a friend on his boat.
Back to your question, I had to come to terms with the fact I just really like these cars and money is not everything, your time is. So I try to spend my time doing what I like now.
I would rather drive a SWBS than a new 911, so I do.

I like this story. Big "thumbs up" to you, brother.

[Flynt]

Ficke - you have the right idea! Love your car and outlook on the whole thing.
Nothing to add to the topic at hand, sorry. I will say that if I had one, I'd drive it! (unless it was "perfect" - in which case I'd sell, get a "driver" and bank the change)

[vracer]

I love the "Q-ship" aspect of your car. It is a great advantage to have a car that only cognoscenti recognize.

[Fubawu]

I tend to use mine!

[ficke]

Thanks guys!
We need to remind ourselves once in awhile what it is all about with these cars, threads like this help.
I am in a British car club, I am not that fond of British cars but the club is great, super active drivers, that let me play. One of the guys says "I like to buy 95 point cars and drive them into 85 point cars"
The theory is that people do not bat an eye on buying new cars which are 100 point cars and then they drive them into 70 point cars are worse all the time, So why not buy a good used car and drive it?
The only difference is these old 911's are worth repairing and rebuilding as they wear out.
And now I think it is easier to get new parts for these early cars than it was 10-20 years ago.
So many people are in the business now making stuff for them. That is one of the big up sides to the value going up on these old 911's. Parts availability.
And people save them now, instead of using them up and throwing them away or making 930, SC clones out of them.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by ficke

The only difference is these old 911's are worth repairing and rebuilding as they wear out.
And now I think it is easier to get new parts for these early cars than it was 10-20 years ago.
So many people are in the business now making stuff for them. That is one of the big up sides to the value going up on these old 911's. Parts availability.
And people save them now, instead of using them up and throwing them away or making 930, SC clones out of them.

Hear hear. These cars pay my bills. I sell more 915 gearsets than any other kind of gear, and that includes Cup Cars, which are still at the bleeding edge of motorsports. I am starting to see demand for 901 gears that didn't exist 5 years ago. If people want them I will make them. The enthusiast drives the market. The wax and show guys don't spend any money maintaining these cars because they aren't using these cars.

[pmax]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Hear hear. These cars pay my bills. I sell more 915 gearsets than any other kind of gear

I'm starting a budget for the 915. How much should I save ?

, and that includes Cup Cars, which are still at the bleeding edge of motorsports. I am starting to see demand for 901 gears that didn't exist 5 years ago. If people want them I will make them. The enthusiast drives the market. The wax and show guys don't spend any money maintaining these cars because they aren't using these cars.

But they spend money sheltering and shipping them around to car shows.

[gearby]

I just leave it sitting in the barn where it's sat for the last quarter century. However, I did pull a box off of it and throw it somewhere else. Progress at last.

[kennykimk2]

Originally Posted by ficke

This is a good question, one I had to deal with.
I had a 67S, I it bought when I could not afford a SC. In those days you always wanted to buy the newest you can afford. Because they got better, ?
I started worrying about it to much and quit tracking it, taking long road trips and eventually sold it and cashed out.
Then I realized, I just like driving SWB 911S's more than all other 911's and you only go around once in life. I lucked into another SWBS, a 68S and now I just fix it enough ( always the money issue) to make it run well and drive the snot out of it, I love it!
I have Mexican blankets to cover the ratty seats and a funky paint, but it runs well, and is fun to drive.
I drove it to Rennsport and ran some errands in Cal. put over 2,500 miles on it in 7 days. last year I drove it to Texas to help a friend on his boat.
Back to your question, I had to come to terms with the fact I just really like these cars and money is not everything, your time is. So I try to spend my time doing what I like now.
I would rather drive a SWBS than a new 911, so I do.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.
Question I ask my friends time and time again " if you own a Thoroughbred horse, would you just walk/ trot it or would you let it run as fast as it can? "

Carpe Diem.

[Matt Monson]

Originally Posted by pmax

I'm starting a budget for the 915. How much should I save ?.

You shouldn't need gears unless you want to make the car faster. And for most they do an LSD before they do ratios. A rebuild for new synchros and bearings will set you back $3-4k. An LSD is $2500. Gears are $850 each. But I discourage gears for most street guys because they are noisy and can be annoying cruising down the highway.

[veet]

I would love an early s . I have an 87 and I get the gears from friends. I drive it get caught in the rain and I tell them that the car comes with wipers. Drive them and enjoy!!

[76_rookie]

I like the smell that these car leave on my cloth when I drive them. MY 73' T has lots of it and I carry extra jacket so it smells like my car afterwards. I know weird huh....but I love it!!!

[NYNick]

Agree with everybody...drive them!
The best part of this thread is Ficke's paint job. I LOVE IT!