1973 2.4E Restoration

[964RS]

Good work Darren but you'll have to try harder! Looking forward to the PoB tour!

Good work Feroz but you'll have to try harder!!!




Car looks great Darren - hope you have many happy years together!!

[Darren65]

So the story goes something like this….

In 1983 a seed is sown in my head and an early 911 becomes my dream 'one day' car…..

In 1983 a young Soldier stationed in Germany buys a 911 to get him back home to England.….once home, young Soldier gives a lift home to an 18 year old school friend and meets her father….father falls in love with his 1973 911 2.4E Sporto and buys it from this young Soldier called Graham….new owner is a chap from Lancashire called Ian….

….fast forward to 2010…...I realise my dream and buy my 'one day' Porsche 911 and embark on a 3 year restoration…..during the restoration I write to all the previous owners and receive an email from Ian who provides a wonderful story of his past ownership and some great photos (on this page http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 6&start=30 )….

….during my restoration I realise that despite having driven nearly every model of Porsche 911 from a 3.2 to a 991, I've never actually driven an early 911…..I then decide I want to recreate the 'first drive' experience of someone collecting their 'new' 911 back in 1973….I abstain from driving any early 911 until my restoration is completely finished, shaken-down, tested (by others) and ready…...…that was today!

…I also decided that for my 'first drive' I needed to suitable journey and destination (I love a touch of the dramatic and a sense of occasion! ) …….so why not a visit to the first UK owner of the car (Ian) so that he also gets to drive a car he once owned 30 years ago! …..

…as it turns out Ian happens to be one of the coolest guys on the planet….an Engineer Company Director who's worked around the world, an adventurer who's trekked just about everywhere, a motorcycle club (gang!) member and regular of the Isle of Mann TT who's ridden there numerous times and has collected a number of broken bones as souvenirs, he's also an avid sailor who owns a 1963 Tuna trawler which he restored to perfection….plus he bought me dinner, super cool….and he once owned my car!

…and today he got to drive a Porsche 911 he owned decades ago and loved every minute of it!

As for my first experience of an early 911?…..I'll 'spill' and post a few photos over the weekend!

Cheers,

[yoda]

What a great story Darren - looking forward to the write up!

Good work Feroz but you'll have to try harder!!!

That is cheating!! Those aren't bugs, it looks like he has driven through a cow pat

[squirdan]

truly magnificent Darren... bravo sir

now give it a spanking (or maybe the hotrod is for that)

[johnM]

As for my first experience of an early 911?…..I'll 'spill' and post a few photos over the weekend!

Cheers,

I'm no expert but, I make it the weekend. Come on Darren brighten up my Saturday.

[Darren65]

I didn't get much sleep Thursday night in anticipation of the next day. The following morning I discussed my plans with my wife who commented that I was completely nuts taking a car that had barely been driven after a total nut and bolt restoration on a journey of over 350 miles! ……it made me think and I guess she had a point so I packed a few tools along with my shades and camera….

We then headed to Porsche Centre Swindon where the E had spent the previous couple of days to collect my 'new' car.

In the showroom the Porsche 2.4E held it's own with all the other shiny new metal…..





….although dwarfed by its bigger brothers…



…a few final photos outside the dealership…



…and it was time to drive my car for the first time.

[Darren65]

I was full of nerves as I headed out of Swindon and onto the A417 heading North……I wasn't really taking a lot in, I had been driven in the car so nothing came as a complete surprise, many thoughts were racing through my head….the embarrassment if the car broke down….what if I don't like it after all this effort….the guilt of putting so much of life into this project over the last 3 years just for this moment…..I was grinning although ill at ease, my only comfort being the many admiring glances of people as they passed….

….and then a huge bug hit the windscreen hard directly in my sight line, it brought me to my senses and I laughed out loud!…..….I was in heaven!

[Gary71]

Keep it coming....

[Darren65]

I was on sensory overload as I headed on my journey North sucking in the smell, the noise and feel of the car.

The car felt light and nimble and so, so solid….within half an hour I felt confident that I could instantly take this car across Europe without any fear of issues.

My route was along the M5 and M6, a gentle running in for the engine and brakes although I was careful to vary my speeds and accelerate up and down the rev range, work the gears and bed in the brakes…not an issue on a busy midday Friday M6!

The three and half hour journey went quickly, I was lost in my own heavenly environment grinning all the way…..texts and calls from eager well wishers were a welcome and much appreciated distraction…these were from people who had travelled this path before and understood my excitement….thank you guys, you're a big and valued part of this whole experience.

When I reached my destination the welcoming party was waiting in eager anticipation….

[964RS]

That is cheating!! Those aren't bugs, it looks like he has driven through a cow pat

I was driving it and they certainly are bugs! I was driving it quite hard though.....bugs didn't stand a chance


Great story Darren on your first drive, nice write up...thanks for sharing the last 3 years

[Darren65]

Thanks Jason….I'll finish off when Photobucket starts playing ball!

[MarkIII]

your car looks superb Darren, next installment please...

[johnM]

I am drinking this in, keep it coming.

[Drmark]

What a great story Darren.
So it's a keeper then

[Darren65]

It was great to meet Ian and Angie who owned this car 30 years ago…….



A few snaps for the photo album….Ian was as excited as I was...



…..and after a few shared stories of when their daughter first came home in the car, a 13 year old Andrew Mearns knocking on their door and asking to take photos of their 911 and their exploits of being chased for speeding by Spanish Police when they took the car to Santander…..it was time for Ian to take the car for a drive….



You won't be surprised to hear that I was a little nervous handing the keys to my freshly restored pride and joy to a guy I'd only just met for the first time …. however I needn't have worried, Ian was very enthusiastic but respectful! …



You can't imagine how mad the whole experience felt…..I couldn't stop laughing and grinning from ear to ear!