We're not worthy.

Here's something special: 1956 Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider.

and rear:

with hard top:


sigh.

Monterey Historics 2009

Made it to the Monterey Historic Races this year -- featured marque was Porsche! The races were pretty cool, but the most fun was had walking around the parking lots.

These pictures are from the special Porsche parking area. It was so enlightening to be able to see so many generations of these cars, side-by-side!

This was the first time I was able to contrast an early t2 body-style with a later t6 bodied car. Check out the differences:


I've mentioned before the subtle differences in body style. The most notable is that the trunk lid on the newer t6 is wider and flat at the front, whereas that of the older t2 comes to more of a rounded point. The bumpers clearly changed dramatically. Harder to notice is the positioning of the headlights. On the t6, the headlights are at the end of the front fenders -- they follow the natural line of the car. On the t2, the headlights are actually positioned downward a bit, as the front of the fender slopes forward toward the ground. It's hard to tell in this picture, but the t6 body type also has a gas cap on the outside of the car, whereas with the earlier models you have to open the hood and pump the gas directly into the tank.


The biggest difference on the rear of the car is the size of the rear window -- wow, look at the improved visibility on the later model! From afar, the dual grills on the deck lid is a sure-fire give-away as to body types.

And check out how small they look! Granted, at 6'7" I'm a little big for a sports car. But trust me, I've been in a couple now and with a few slight modifications, I fit just fine.


Irish green! Good color.

Giulietta Review

Thought some of you might enjoy this recent article on the history of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, otherwise known as Kelan's #2 car, if the Porsche 356 Notchback falls through.

Honestly, I think I like the early Giulietta Sprint better than the regular fastback 356. Weird!

Not(ch) that Aerodynamic

Though the basic design of the Porsche 356 remained the same over the decade of its production, minor changes in the body are evident to the discerning enthusiast. The earliest 356s, made in Porsche's first, tiny, factory in Gmund, take the design to its extreme -- sacrificing aesthetics and cargo space to aerodynamics.

Basically, the car was shaped like a drop of water: the shape most efficient for a liquid to take when traveling through air. A problem with this is that, when someone asks me to imagine a generic "car," I picture a Volvo 240.

I don't want a car shaped like a rocket. I don't want a car shaped like a teardrop. I want a car that looks like a car. Especially if I'm going to drive it everyday.

So, yes, it's a Notchback for me. Case closed.

But I was thinking. What does the regular 356 remind me of? I was looking at a picture of an early, aerodynamic Gmund-era 356 when it suddenly struck me: it looks just like a time-trial bicycle helmet! It's the sort of thing that makes hard-core cyclists drool in appreciation, and that makes everyone else in the world ask, "what is on your head?!"
I understand the appeal of each. But when it comes down to it, I want something I can drive to work every day.

Notch wins again!

Worst Best Car

This weekend I drove my first 356. !!! I was down in Monterey this weekend and my brother told me that he'd been driving past a used-car place that had classic Porsches. So we swung by.

They had two 912s and, tucked in the back, a red 1961 Porsche 356 t5 Notchback. Now, the t5 is the earlier model of Notchback and not the one I covet. I thought I'd check it out anyway, because how often do I get a chance to put my grimy hands all over a 356? Especially a Notchback??? Only 1,400 of these were ever made, less than 2% of the total run of the Porsche 356.

Long story short, I took it for a test drive, and it was the worst car I've ever driven. The carburetors would stick, so that when I pushed on the gas, in neutral, the engine would stay at the higher revs (instead of the lovely "vroom-vroom" sound). The brakes were so soft I had to push the pedal to the floor to even begin to slow down. I could hardly find first gear, and once I did, I could wiggle the stick a foot in every direction. And let's not get into the steering.

All in all, it was horrible. But at the same time: so exhilarating! I was behind the wheel of a 356 Notchback!

First: I fit! There was enough leg room, my head cleared the ceiling, and I could easily see out all the windows. I'd need to swap in a smaller steering wheel, because the stock wheel is too close to my legs. The stock stick-shifter requires me to smash it into my knees in order to get into reverse, but it's easy to swap in a shorter stick. I'd also mount the rear-view mirror on the dash, instead of the windshield, right in the middle of my line of sight. All in all, easy mods.

I wish Erik has taken pictures. He said I looked great. I'm sure the ear-to-ear grin helped.

-----
Aetna Blue makes these cars look good:


check out the clearance between the steering wheel and the seat!

Notch Out of Reach

The supposed "perfect" Porsche 356 Notchback sold within 24 hours of being posted on Craigslist. It sold even before the seller could email out pictures, to a list of at least 20 of us. For $15k, it was a great price for an all-original car.

Thus, I'm still holding out hope for a cheap 62 Notch. I'd be more likely to be successful if I was willing to pay $30k, as that's the median price. Even then they're still hard to track down, as so few were produced (about 680 total). Unless I find one for under 8k, I'll just keep coveting quietly until I've got a spare 30 grand lying around that I don't need for, you know, paying off college loans or buying a house or not starving during the global economic meltdown in 2010.

Check out this Notch for $33,500:

Man, I love how these Notchbacks look from behind. This one is from a well-known and reputable purveyor of classic Porsches, down in sunny So-Cal. I've always been a bit "miffed" at them because once they grabbed a car I found listed on AutoTrader for $5k and immediately posted it on their website for $12k. Bleh.

That's another reason why that last car, the 15k one, was such a rare find. One-owner cars are pretty hard to find after 40 years, and the owers are not in it to make a quick buck. My goal is to find some guy who wants an "open adoption" arrangement, where s/he'd give it to me for less $$ in exchange for knowing I'd take good care of it, and I would let 'em drive it every now and then.

In conclusion:

I've never liked the reflectors above the rear lenses. I've seen them re-positioned under the bumper, and that's what I'd do with mine. These cars sit so low that it's a good idea to jerry-rig a center brake-light on the inside-top of the rear window. They make units 1/2" tall by 5" wide, so they don't obstruct the view, while letting the people behind you know not to careen into your tail. Seems much more useful than rear reflectors that just stick out awkwardly from the otherwise svelt curves.

Perfection

Found the perfect car yesterday

Albuquerque, NM

1962 Porsche 356 t6 Notchback with a Super engine

one owner since new

driver-quality. runs and drives.

well-maintained over the years, with an engine rebuild, 12-volt upgrade, new-ish shocks, paint re-spray, new-ish clutch, new-ish generator

just a little rust in the battery tray, per usual, but a replacement tray comes with

original tool kit, spare tire -- everything as delivered 46 years ago

$15,000.

good lord.