Let me explain..I am lucky to have three Porsches, but I don't have a proper RWD aircooled 911. And I was having that feeling, that is maybe familar to some of you, that I may soon not be able to afford one, the way values are going, and all that.
So, an impact bumper then. But, far from being a bandwagon jump and settling for any old 911, the IB cars were the Porsches I fell in love with: from a poster of the 1980 model range complete with 924s and 928s, to the cars I saw at sightseeing trips to Parker and Parker, or on family holidays in Europe. To me they are 'the' 911 in many ways. Not to mention cool images of Paul Frere and Alan Clark with theirs. And finally, on recent DDK tours, I found myself gazing longingly at cars brought along by our very own (pearl and) Dean, and Peter the Geordie.
I also was after something period, proper, and German. The sort of thing the local physician would have bought from the Porsche dealer in Frankfurt. And I'm not a cabriolet guy, but Targas are suddenly looking just right, funny isnt it?
So a combination of a search for something that was cheap but not catastrophically rusty lead me to look for a Euro-spec US dry state car, and there were a few in Europe that were improved further by the constantly weakening Euro. From this point I ended up speaking to two young enthusiasts who specialise in importing and flipping scruffy but solid Porsches and Mercedes from the US, about a well worn but original and 'rust free' 1979 SC Targa in Oak Green Metallic, delivered new to, as it happens, Frankfurt. And then imported to California for the subsequent 30+ years before returning across the pond to somewhere near Amsterdam.
Its too easy to get stuck trying to find the perfect car, and I tend to just see something that looks happy and go for it. This car looked happy, despite being the typical sunburned and perished cali car - and so, well, I just went for it. My regular copilot David was duly booked for an early morning flight from Edinburgh airport to Schiphol, and a ferry for both of us plus a motorcar from Ichmuiden to Newcastle later that night. Followed by some slightly uncertain arrangements around registration that don't merit further discussion here, and some dialogue with the Porsche Gods that they might smile on our plan to drive the thing home, seeing it as a challenge a middle aged 911 should be able to step up to. That is how I found myself at Schiphol station on Valentine's morning, in trouble with my wife, again.
And then we were there, picked up by an uncommonly tall Dutchman in a w124 saloon. And then I was next to the car I had been studying on internet pics and videos. First impressions were the same as all my Porsche purchases - just fab to be close to it and see it in the metal, a happy-looking car that I wanted to take home. And, as described and befitting the agreed price, sunburned laquer, cracked dash (and 'screen, eek!), lots of interior plastics cracked and worn..but, great seats and carpet, and..drum roll..what is probably best described as factory fresh underneath. Bingo.
Unusually for these cars, there was a little bit of paperwork in evidence, which included some vague suggestions of work including a new oil cooler and tensioners, and endless confirmations of smog test results. But also that the supplying dealer was one Otto Glockler VW-Porsche-Sportwagen, Frankfurt, which was nice to see.
At this point the engine's status hadnt really been explored beyond reassurances that she 'goes well' (I was still going on feel), so the first job was to start her up..which took a slightly embarassingly long time..(as she was completely out of petrol as it turned out)
But she came alive, and after a limited test drive that revealed that she drove, and had some gears, and stopped, without too much in the way of smoking, knocking or other untoward symptoms, I reached up onto my tiptoes and sealed the deal with the vendor..
Then the work began..with a ferry to catch, we were happy to be given free use of a ramp to carry out two important jobs before attempting to make it home to Scotland. New oil and filter, and a nod towards temporary rustproofing by emptying a can of ACF50 and a can of Tectyl ML into the dry crevices, full of California spiderwebs.
I had brought an oilfilter, but having guessed that EasyJet would refuse my hold luggage if it contained 15 litres of VR1, we wandered off and found what we were looking for - a petrol station round the corner that sold cheap 5 litre cans of generic 15w40 (despite having an orange Mclaren on the forecourt..)
Duly oiled up, David set about trying to figure out the ramp, whilst I let the black gold out, which looked like it might well have spiders webs in it too. Nick was right, these old California cars get by with minimal maintenance it seems..
Very satisfying..and then it was time to make for the ferry. In a very unknown car, on a single rear california plate. Deep breaths..
First impressions were a desperate need for motion lotion. And actually putting air in the tyres made a big difference.
And then we were properly off, the two musketeers, in a car that was continuing to seem, well, happy..
Next stop Ichmuiden, with a stop at the carpark of a supermarket to buy the evening meal (strong Belgian Ale and peanuts of course)..
And, then to the ferry, where customs men told us to 'Schtop' and demanded 'where are your front plates?, and your registrations papers please'. Briefly, things appeared to be serious, but they looked in bafflement at the US title certificate, and waved us through. Another barrier had been passed, and we were in the queue for das boot. Hooray.
Time for the first ale of the evening..
And on to the ferry, for some aperatifs with homework, after waving goodbye to itchy-maiden..
And then, inside for the grand Valentine's dinner,
....before retiring to our valentine's suite, slightly fretful of what UK customs may think of this California car with a crack in the 'screen, that was growing in front of our eyes...
