When did the world wake up to Early 911's?

[911hillclimber]

My mind tends to wander while washing the cars, and while doing the old 911 ready for the run to Silverstone next week I wondered about the Early 911 movement that is so strong today.

I became taken by them watching Josh Saddler take the Midland Hillclimb Championship and being knocked-over by him blasting to Prescott one morning chased by Garland and Bancroft I think in their 911's. Speed, smell, noise, and truly impressive.

I sold my hot rod then and bought my 911 1973T just at the same time there was a magazine article and competition to win a 73 911T, burnt orange and immaculate.

This was about 1987/88.

Having finished my 911 in early 1990 I found myself going all the way to Brooklands for a meeting organised by Mark Waring. There were about 20 early 911's then, and Mark was 'trading' them at the time.

Stickers were issued that time and the year after too I think, and these are still on my car today which prompted the thought; when did the interest in these car explode?

Was anyone else on here at Brooklands in 1990 for that first meeting?

[chris hak]

For me, it was about 1965. Too young to drive one then (or anything else except a pedal car) and too poor now. Still, the Carrera 3.2 is a pretty good substitute (in fact, prefer it, but please don't tell a soul).

[greeny27rs]

yep I went to Brooklands for that meeting. Got a load of pictures somewhere. Will try and dig them out.

Nick

[early2.2S]

I was also at that meeting and infact it was a friend of mine James who designed those Early PCGB stickers. It was the year that i bought my current 2.2S and i would drive it at every opportunity - i was "in love" and it just made me want to find out more about these early cars and hook up with like-minded people.............

Stuart

[Lightweight_911]

I'm fairly sure I was there too ...

Stuart - was your friend James Felsham ?

[jb]

Always loved them but did not get a 911 until February 1981 - they were never cheap, just cheap in comparison to now - before that I had a couple of 356.
It is a shame they have got so expensive as they have become investment opportunities rather than just great cars

[Nick Moss]

I think the only explosion in recognition in the early 911s has been this year with the 50 year celebrations. Car, Octane and presumably other mags that I don't get to see have had multiple page spreads on the various cars, the FoS recognised the 50 years with an "interesting" display, and the prices have gone crazy, just as they did with E Types 2 years ago, with all sorts of dealers finding cars to sell at statosperic prices. Before that 911s were the domain of muppets like us

[alfacat]

Hi All
Bit of a late comer me. It was 2008 after driving a (then) new 911, but as I don't do modern cars I went for a 2.4T, the rest as they say...

All the best
Ian F

[911hillclimber]

Nick:
Does that mean my cut and shut rebuilt in my garage Bitza is worth more than £18K?(this year)

Bought my basket case (deliberately rough as I was bored) for £3K delivered to me on the garage's trailer in 1988. That seems a bit expensive for that time?!

Brooklands meeting in 1990:



My 911 in 1988 for £3K: It got a lot worse as I dug into the inner shell!