DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

Well, with very mixed emotions I said goodbye to my 914 yesterday. I thought it was all good, as it is not being used enough and doesn't really enjoy retirement, but when it left the drive on a trailer I did wonder what the heck I as doing and was reminded that;

- It has been in my life almost as long as my wife (she encouraged me to buy it when we were in the early days of stepping out together) what a champ! And my relationship with the car is twice that of my eldest daughter...
- It took near centre stage at my wedding 14 years ago and is in most of our wedding photos (along with a stretched Beetle limo!) - obviously centre stage was reserved for the present Mrs E.....
- I have owned it for not far off half my life, and through that there have been amazing highs (fantastic competition, access to some great experiences [Carfest for x2 years, on display at OPC Nottingham for the launch of the 987], a near Championship win in 2013 and some incredible videos, photos, magazine articles and book inclusions) and luckily they all offset the times when I just had to make everything stretch to keep going and pay the mortgage, feed the children etc. Many man-maths times have passed....!

Anyhow, the car has a great new owner who will hopefully enjoy the next chapter as much as I did the last.

I have met some great people along the way and I owe several a big thank you. The 914 community is small, and the competition side smaller still, so huge thanks to Ian (914-6) who frankly is totally to blame for everything, and Barrie (904GTS) who built me an awesome 2.4 4-pot and my gearbox, and provided loads of help and advice over the years. There are others too, like Angus at AMS Porsche that built my 6's, Rich (Turbo Thomas) and some US racers that I met at Rennsport that provided information that is just not available anywhere, Bob at Concept Racing who is the most talented fabricator you could meet - to all I am very grateful. And Ian Gunney for providing parts I could not find anywhere else on more than one occasion..thank you.

And on that, there are some amazing cars in build currently. Jonathan's (914 Chap), Stephen's, Andrew's, Chief's are all going to be outstanding, which I am really looking forward to seeing finished. If I can help you, or anyone else, with high performance mods then just let me know. The best thing about DDK is to pass on knowledge that just doesn't exist in books, and it keeps our cars going.

By the way, if this sounds like a departure, it's not. I have bought a 964 C2 project which is probably deserving of a build thread in itself. The right car for me today as the four of us will hopefully fit in it, and it keeps me within DDK without feeling like a fraud with just the Boxster.

And it's farewell for now because who knows, I might do an Uncle Keith and have a sabbatical and come back to a 914 once the kids have left home First loves and all that.....

Cheers
Wayne

Look forward to the new build thread

Onwards and upwards

I was always amazed that you managed to turn that rather dubious bodyshell and a pile of rusty bits that I sold you all those years ago into a full-on, highly competitive hill climber! Awesome effort!

I'm sure you'll do something equally as impressive with whatever car you turn your hand to.

Cheers both.

Funnily enough David was here to see it go, just as he was all those years ago in Cornwall!!!

964

Look forward to seeing the 964 build thread

I am very happy with my car, it is currently great on the school run. Enjoy !

Well done Wayne, I can imagine the mixed emotions...……
We sold our first 914 when the children arrived, and I was getting grief about owning 2 Porsches, it and our 69 2-litre S.
27 years later we bought our 914/6, and can re-live some of our youth. Every time we go out in it we realise we don't use it enough!
Have fun with the 964 - on the hills??
Is the new owner going to compete in the 914/6?

See you soon!
JW

All the best Wayne, thanks for your knowledge over the years that you've shared with the community and myself.

I hope to meet you sometime and show off my car once completed.

In the meantime though I look forward to the 964 build!

Wayne - if you really don't like the 964 - we can do a deal on my 914 (and it comes with a spare shell!)....

Cheers gents.

No JW, sticking with the Boxster for competition (albeit with more power for this year's regs ). The 964 is just for fun, and a bit of commuting to client meetings etc. A summer everyday car if you will.

Thanks Stephen, looking forward to seeing it in the flesh!

Will bear in mind Ian! I can't believe you really said that out loud though, you must have owned yours longer than me! And you haven't seen what I've bought yet We must catch up and have a dinner this summer at your local. I am in Cardiff next week but tight on time, so will be in touch.

Wayne - always good to catch up - let me know when you have chance to call in.

964 C2

Well done Wayne, must have been a wrench, but at least you've still got a couple of other toys to keep you busy!

That wasn't Dave Parkinson you were referring to was it?

Cheers

Cheers Nathan. No, it was Dave Hilton, but I did speak to Parky at the weekend.

Hope all good with you

Ah, thought it might have been a bit of a trek for him! All good thanks mate - not seen Parky in a while so pass on my regards next time you speak to him please.