1973 911S

[Robin]

Just thought you might like to know that today Monday 23rd October 2012 I am celebrating having owned my early 911S for thirty years. During which time I have driven it nearly 192000 miles of its total of 256000 miles, at an approximate average of about 20 mpg which means the original little fuel pump has moved at least 9600 gallons of various petrols (thats 43500 litres) The car has let me down, (that is when I have needed outside help to move it) only twice, not including two punctures. The engine and gearbox were rebuilt for the first time at about 240000 miles and are currently running well. Just for your interest the first tank of fuel I bought for it in 1982 was priced at £0.389 / litre, I filled it up again today and paid £1.389 / litre that is up by £1 per litre which is an increase of 357% in 30 years. Incidentally the car took Jo and I around Europe this Summer with a few friends in their Porsche's, including driving the Stelvio.
Has anyone else a similar story to tell, lets hear about your experiences with these old cars?

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: Robin

Just thought you might like to know that today Monday 23rd October 2012 I am celebrating having owned my early 911S for thirty years.

We have followed you many miles over Europe on WOTYs in your car.

Sorry I don't come near matching any of that but I can tell you that today is not Monday the 23rd October 2012. If it is I'm in trouble since our wedding anniversary is on the 23rd October.

I would not think anyone else will come close to your achievement!


Well done indeed Robin (and Jo) But just put the Bottle down for one more day![]

 

[vic cohen]

Congratulations , a terrific achievement..............................price of petrol then brings back happier memories !

ps i ve never got one [911) past 213000 miles .........................

 

[Black Beauty]

Wrong car and doesn't quite match your provenance, but the 944 has been in the family since 1989, so 23 years and 3 careful - ish, owners!!

 

[Robin]

Hi John, yes it should have been 22nd, just a slip of the finger on the keyboard but we will have another drink on the 23rd to celebrate your wedding anniversary, congratulations.

 

[jason]

Great achievement Robin, congratulations!! []

 

[paul kelley]

Hi Robin

As you know I have also followed you on many occasions, and have the oil all over my windscreen to prove it !!!!

Have fun...Keep the faith.

Paul Kelley

 

[Robin]

ORIGINAL: paul kelley

As you know I have also followed you on many occasions, and have the oil all over my windscreen to prove it !!!!

Not to mention the lingering smell of unburnt fuel when I put my foot down !

 

[chas3.2]

Robin

One of those break downs must have been somewhere in France when the clutch adjusting nut snapped and we backed your car over a ditch. The rest of us were sent out along the road to find any nuts, bolts or washers which might do the job. Someone came back with a large sheet of cardboard to lie on, back came several useful bits and pieces, out came your toolbox, the repair was completed despite the ants the size of beetles and we went on our way. This repair then lasted you all round the Monte Carlo Ralley Route at the back of Monaco and saw you safely home.

 

[MIB 959]

Well done Robin ! You won't remember, but you once peeped under my 73S Targa at a meeting & spotted the cam cover strengthening ribs as non-standard, at once.
I have had mine from 26.09.81, running a 1980 SC at the time, having "graduated" from a 924. I was newly-wed, with my
wife's umpteenth birthday coming up,so with the predictable rush of blood to the head, I asked " would you like one too ? ",having seen the advert in "P.P." She loved it, but we agreed that it was much too good for a Tesco-trolley, so I took it over, didn't I ? &
kept it for dry use & fun exclusively. Present mileage £ 122 K approx. Only let me down once, when I put diesel in, so relieved to find
a filling station in darkest Essex on a Sunday afternoon returning from a Castle Hedingham do. Home on a low-loader, sorted by Strasse -- there is a convenient tap to obviate tank removal.
Present urgency - increase agrred insurance value. Oh - Yes ? What replaced it as a daily driver ? An Alfa Sud GT --
fun, reliable, but crumbly, so didn't last. CP

 

[Robin]

Thanks Jason, from the view of the car and the Austrian vignettes in the window that photo must have been on the 2009 PEYT from the roof of the Porsche Design building. Went to Zell am See this year as well but didn't go to visit them again.
More update news on the car, I took it to Autofarm for a professional valuation from the master of all things Early 911, Josh Sadler and am staggered at his valuation of my LHD matching numbers 911 S. I am now contacting the insurance company as I am (was) seriously under valued for the insurance. I suggest that any early 911 owner who has not had their car valued for the past couple of years should do so asap and stand back for the surprise, wow!

 

[drummerboytom]

An amazing achievement Robin .
Hoping you enjoy many more trouble-free miles .

p.s.
Unfortunately I doubt it will take another 30 years for petrol to go up a further pound a litre []

 

[ChrisW]

It's what Porsche built them for --- what a fabulous example.

Do you do anything special to keep the rust weevil at bay ?

I have to concede an interest, I have just bought a beautiful LHD car from SCoM which I intend to drive --- but I'll defer delivery until the better weather []

'Had a wonderful day out in a 2.7 Carerra today ...

 

[Robin]

Hello Chris, I am afraid that the rust weevil is active as always and conforms to the saying that "Rust never sleeps" however I do wash up under the car as often as possible to remove any mud, dirt and salt. The car is stored in a unheated but dry garage.
When the car was last restored twenty years ago it was repainted all over including underneath after the stone chip underseal had been removed, so it is relatively easy to wipe down the paintwork under the wings and floorpan. I wipe down the cleaned paintwork underneath with a mixture of Waxoyl thinned with white spirit to leave a very thin coat of wax to seal the paint. This helps with cleaning mud off the paint the next time and reduces rusting although not completely. Anyone who has seen my car will know I am not a fan of Concours, I like to drive the car whenever I can but amazingly it usually rains or worse, when I take it out of the garage.
I hope you find some dry days to drive your new car and make sure you have it at the 2013 Silverstone Classic when we can celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the 911 with a PCGB display of the early cars and a parade round the GP circuit.

 

[ChrisW]

Thanks Robin,

I was told (actually by 9M) that pressure washers are a problem with the older cars --- hence cleaning underneath requires the patience of a saint -- which I am not.

Would a low pressure Karcher do the job ?

Thanks again for your swift reply ... appreciated []

Chris

 

[jamescharnley]

I clean off undernearth after any winter time run with a standard hose with standard hose gun ( hozlock ) , not a pressure washer of any kind ... just lots of water to wash away any salt , mud etc

Seems to do a good job , but then again i very rarely use my car once we are in the 'salt season' .......... the only reason I do drive it on nice days during winter is my belief that having the car / mecahanicals / rubber hoses etc sat for 5 months does more harm to the car than a bit of salt that can be washed off ... either way it's a compromise as to what is worse for the car IMHO

 

[Robin]

High pressure or Jet washers can be used to remove paint ! but can be used provided you do not place the lance end too close to the surface being cleaned. I just use warm water with a soft brush or just a damp cloth to remove the dirt that accumulates in wet weather. I have used a normal hose with brush attached but never a jet washer. I find warm water removes the salt more quickly. The important thing as James says is to use the car as often as possible to stop things going wrong or seizing up, it's enjoyable as well as beneficial.

 

[ChrisW]

That's exactly what I needed to know ...

Thankyou all ... []