Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlands
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Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlands
I had an enjoyable trip, picking up this car, so please excuse the self indulgent post.
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...
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...
Last edited by Burma-Shave on Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:26 pm, edited 2 times in total.
1990 964 C4, 1999 Boxster 2.5
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
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- Put a fork in me, I'm done!
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
But we neednt have fretted, the customs officers in Newcastle were almost disappointingly disinterested, and we headed out of toon, via breakfast at McDonalds,
and then Halfords for some wipers that could make some effort against rain, and a crash course in removing a Targa roof. We broke for the border and headed for the hills..
Cracking roads, and guess what, a very willing and strong motor, although we certainly would not have taken her up to 120 odd, on the lovely empty borders roads, where she would have felt steady and composed and ready to press on harder. That would have been irresponsible and, of course, illegal. Yes indeedy.
And then we were leaving England and over the border..
Stopping in Galashiels for tea and bacon sandwiches
and arriving at the long stay car park at Edinburgh airport where we began, to collect David's car..so far so good.
Onwards! On the Forth Road bridge, with David in his own car. Happy to confirm zero exhaust smoke, accelerating after stopping or on over-run.
And..home. Incredibly.
Now the work begins, restoration to original spec..over to the restoration threads. Happy days!!
and then Halfords for some wipers that could make some effort against rain, and a crash course in removing a Targa roof. We broke for the border and headed for the hills..
Cracking roads, and guess what, a very willing and strong motor, although we certainly would not have taken her up to 120 odd, on the lovely empty borders roads, where she would have felt steady and composed and ready to press on harder. That would have been irresponsible and, of course, illegal. Yes indeedy.
And then we were leaving England and over the border..
Stopping in Galashiels for tea and bacon sandwiches
and arriving at the long stay car park at Edinburgh airport where we began, to collect David's car..so far so good.
Onwards! On the Forth Road bridge, with David in his own car. Happy to confirm zero exhaust smoke, accelerating after stopping or on over-run.
And..home. Incredibly.
Now the work begins, restoration to original spec..over to the restoration threads. Happy days!!
Last edited by Burma-Shave on Fri Mar 06, 2015 7:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1990 964 C4, 1999 Boxster 2.5
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Great write up Johnny. Enjoy the rest of the journey!
Nice colour, oak green, usually ordered with tan interior, no?
All the best
Regards
Mike
Nice colour, oak green, usually ordered with tan interior, no?
All the best
Regards
Mike
_____________________________
73 RS (Sold)
67 S
Mint T (Sold)
996 Turbo (Sold)
73 2.4E (home after 25 years) and Sold again
73T targa (signal yellow project)
1953 Vauxhall Velox
914/6
1963 356B
https://www.mybespokeroom.com/
73 RS (Sold)
67 S
Mint T (Sold)
996 Turbo (Sold)
73 2.4E (home after 25 years) and Sold again
73T targa (signal yellow project)
1953 Vauxhall Velox
914/6
1963 356B
https://www.mybespokeroom.com/
Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Nice one Johnny
That 1st drive will stay embedded in your memories for ever .. It's the best way to start bonding
How's the reg coming on ?
That 1st drive will stay embedded in your memories for ever .. It's the best way to start bonding
How's the reg coming on ?
James
1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster
Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast
1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster
Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast
Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
We'll done.
Nice car and a great Road Trip.
I've just bought a 77 RHD Targa off Jim on this very forum.
Needs a little work to get up and running but I'm putting a 3.2 lump in it.
Hope all goes well on your one.
regards Martin
Nice car and a great Road Trip.
I've just bought a 77 RHD Targa off Jim on this very forum.
Needs a little work to get up and running but I'm putting a 3.2 lump in it.
Hope all goes well on your one.
regards Martin
Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Love that! Great story...terrific way to do it.
Best
Matt
________________________________________________
1973 911 S
2015 Bowler Defender #50
BMW M3 Touring
BMW X3
Matt
________________________________________________
1973 911 S
2015 Bowler Defender #50
BMW M3 Touring
BMW X3
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Nice story and great colour, would look good with the stainless roll hoop and chrome trim....
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Nice write up. Awesome trip. Still feeling the after effects of valentines beer...
1966 912 | 1996 993 C4 | 2002 996 Turbo
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
A most excellent adventure.. and pics! California Dreamin'
Looking forward to the resto' story unfolding
Looking forward to the resto' story unfolding
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
David it was a grand trip, thank you
Mike yes I have seen oak green over either tan (US market), Pascha (UK) or various combinations of black and dark green carpet for Euro cars - mine is the latter. With green tint glass, yeah baby.
James, still can't decide whether I am getting a CoA or a letter of origin to prove date of registration to the DVLA. Can anyone help? Swansea can't seem to tell me until they receive it. I'd prefer to join PCGB and get a CoA..
Dusty, it's all black trim, even the electric aerial!. I think I'll keep it, although silver roll hoop would be pretty groovy. Maybe someday..
Mike yes I have seen oak green over either tan (US market), Pascha (UK) or various combinations of black and dark green carpet for Euro cars - mine is the latter. With green tint glass, yeah baby.
James, still can't decide whether I am getting a CoA or a letter of origin to prove date of registration to the DVLA. Can anyone help? Swansea can't seem to tell me until they receive it. I'd prefer to join PCGB and get a CoA..
Dusty, it's all black trim, even the electric aerial!. I think I'll keep it, although silver roll hoop would be pretty groovy. Maybe someday..
1990 964 C4, 1999 Boxster 2.5
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
'89 BMW E30 325i Touring. '83 Mercedes 280E. '84 Citroen 2CV. '16 BMW i3 REx. '03 BMW R1100S. '99 Yamaha R1. '79 BMW R100 scrambler.
Member#0336
Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Enjoyed that! Always love a suck-it-and-see road trip. Looking forward to the resto thread...
C U B I S T - 1 1 1 5
'83 Triumph Acclaim - 3sp Auto (cat D)
Singer 3232 - Titanium bobbin, Autothread
'67 Gresham Flyer - Puncture, rear
Sherbet Lemons - 4oz, loose
Motorola - PG 2000, locked
'83 Triumph Acclaim - 3sp Auto (cat D)
Singer 3232 - Titanium bobbin, Autothread
'67 Gresham Flyer - Puncture, rear
Sherbet Lemons - 4oz, loose
Motorola - PG 2000, locked
Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Fantastic story Johnny love if pics u and David look like a couple of mearcats on them screen shots and that Dutchman was one big dude !!! Love dark green 911 enjoy and have fun sc is a great car love mine peter
73 911T coupe
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Great story -'thanks for sharing
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
I look pretty young but I'm just backdated yeah
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Re: Travelogue: Picking up my 911SC Targa from the Netherlan
Good to see you made it home with it. Great looking car, and of course I agree, Targas are great cars.
Tim Bennett
RHD Targa 2.2T EFI, Triumph ITB's, EDIS and Megasquirt.
"Old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it"
#1153
RHD Targa 2.2T EFI, Triumph ITB's, EDIS and Megasquirt.
"Old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it"
#1153