question for Porsche "old timers"-I was a little girl raised by a single father who always had a Porsche!

Question

I guess you can say I was raised with Porsche's. He had a lot of them. Not all at once, but he seemed to trade them in left and right. He would drop me off for a sleep over and then pick me up in another color. He owned one of the first street legal Carrera's. My question is, in those days it seemed like the community was real tight. Everytime one Porsche driver came upon another, it was proper etiquette to flash your
lights at them. Kind of a "recognition." I don't see them doing that today. Am I just missing this or has that tradition died?

Also a question for you. Of course sentementally I want to buy
a Porsche from that time. I know more about the guts, and how to work on them. It was something we shared. Dare I admit it, was mostly jr.&sr. high (close your eyes) 74-78. I can't really remember why but I think 76 was my fav. Is that the year they came out with the wrap around lights?
Scared to look! What would be a good start? Clubs?
Thanks a million!!!

I am so excited by the responses here.
And not one wierdo!! :) Now I will probably get inn trouble because this will be construed as promoting "chat."
Oh well. ZsaZA -no problem -but I have to say a big GOTCHA!!!! It only takes one time! As the "Dr." posted life is too short not to have a Porsche.!
And I can NOT believe there is an actual
site set up to "save the flash!" Unreal!!
I will be checking that out!
I am going to keep the ? up and hope to hear from even more Porsche lovers.
I can feel my Daddy's smile lookin down and probably a good laugh too.
Can you imagine when I was 10 and threw my baton into the side of his black (yep, black!) carrera? I ran away.
Well, for a few hrs. But he was cool. : )
keep 'em coming! And thanks to those so far!

Answer 1

I don't have an answer for any of your questions but since your question was one of the closest to what I'd like to share, I'll add my comment here. lol.

I test drove a 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and I absolutely loved it! I've actually never been interested in Porsche's before, but strangely enough I had a dream of this particular Porsche model (I had to go to the website to find the one I saw in my dreams). And it was 6 speed which I LOVE! I've never driven a car so low to the ground in my life! It was a definite difference between it and my 4 door Dodge 4X4! lol. For once I was looking at other cars' "under parts" as I passed them on the streets. The seats seemed to hug me as I raced down the highway. That car is REALLY FAST! And I was surprised at how simple everything inside was to operate (thermostat, radio, windshield wiper buttons, seat controls, steering wheel buttons etc.). And I've never seen a car with the engine in the back and the trunk space in the front! How cool is that!? Now I've just got to have one!

Anyway since this seemed to be the only question pertaining to the appreciation of Porsche's, I thought I'd share my first experience with one! (Hope you didn't mind).

Answer 2

The flash seems to have died over the last 10 years or so, though that or a friendly wave does still happen between Porsche owners... though it's almost never noticed or returned by owners of the newer cars (who are most likely oblivious to the tradition). The community is still there though - drop by any PCA event and you'll find all those same people you remember from times gone by.

The 911s and Carrera had the wrap around tail light introduced in MY 1974 along with the new impact bumpers. These were cars with the 2.7L engines (and unlike in Europe, the Carrera had the same engine as the 911S, just some other option differences). All of these cars are considered somewhat less by many enthusiasts due to the many problems they had with heat and pulled head studs... though most cars still around at this point should have long since addressed these problems. The 1974 lacked a couple of the updates that contributed to these problems and is probably the most desirable of this era, though there were little changes through most of these years.

1978 was the year that the 911SC was introduced. It is generally considered much more reliable than the previous generation, and features the same styling (though the wider fender flares were now standard).

In looking for such cars for sale, the local PCA region would be one good place to start. The BBS at Pelicanparts.com would also be a good spot, as would Rennlist.org.

Answer 3

I own a 2002 Porsche 911 Turbo and was "flashed" by a 1969 911 Prosche owner yesterday. FYI: The "flashing" is done by the momentary light switch that all Porsches are equipped with as to originally signal other drivers to move over when passing (when you're doing 140 on the Autobahn). There is a special bond that is STILL shared by us Porsche owners. I can't explain why. Once you own a Porsche you can't drive another car without complaining. I think it's also because we love the body lines of the Porsche design. And since there aren't a gazillion Porsches (like BMWs) it's more rare to see another driver. Also I usually wave to other Porsche drivers if I respect their cars ( I'm not a fan of 944s or Boxsters, 914s etc.)

Answer 4

The "flash your headlights" thing isnt around so much anymore, but i still do it with older 911s and various people you can tell are enthusiasts. There just are too many rich people that buy porsches as status symbols rather than proper sportscars nowadays.

One of the best places to look would be the local Porsche Club of America classifieds. Thats the place to find cars that were well taken care of (which may cost you more now, but will save you money 5 fold down the line).

Answer 5

The Porsche enthusiast community is very alive, check out www.rennlist.com, it is a very large enthusiast web site. I own a 1987 Porsche 928, often considering the black sheep of the Porsche family for its V8 water cooled engine up front. I always flash and wave at most P-cars and usually get a wave back, with the exception of most Boxster owners.

Answer 6

To the light question. I belong to a Porsche enthusiast community that has a site called "Save the Flash." Tells the whole story on flashing the lights.

Porsche's from that time aren't that expensive. You can find one in GREAT shape for $10-$15,000. Clubs and meets are great places to be around them too...

Answer 7

I'm totally with Paul on his answer. Buy a 1978-83 SC model. It's a durable car that's still reasonably priced and yet capable of dealing with the modern world. You won't get first class AC or creature comforts but you won't get lots of grief either.

Stay clear of 75-77 model 911s unless the 2.7 engine has been thrown away and a 3.0 installed or unless the 2.7 has been re-machined, totally rebuilt top to bottom and the airbox modified. If you disregard Paul's warning, you'll be sorry.

Porsche clubs are great but club owners are a bit anal and they have an inflated view of the value of their cars. Go to them for advice but don't buy a car from them unless it matches up with real world book values.

I also don't recommend Targa models.

Answer 8

Not sure I have the answer but I know my bf bought a 944 and you would think it was better than sliced bread and the invention of butter!!! He only bought it to go to South Carolina on vac. but now he drives it occassionally and he wants to sell it, in answer to your ? I live in a privleged comm. and no, noone has these cars at least the way u remember...they are few and far inbetween, I can tell u that the maintenance is more than I make in a few yrs... and I make great $$$ THINK B4 U INVEST they are like a boat; a $$$PIT!!!

Answer 9

GO TO A GOOD PORSCHE SHOP OFTEN THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SELLING A GOOD 911 OR SOMETHING USUALLY THEY CAN ALSO VERIFY IF THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND SO FORTH. ALSO THEY CAN GET YOU INFO ABOUT LOCAL CLUBS AND SUCH. LIFE IS TOO SHORT NOT TO HAVE A PORSCHE.

Answer 10

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