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Posted by: patssle Mar 11 2010, 05:38 PM

Well I got my first insult today. Was driving down a 4 lane road...guy passing me on the right yells out his window from his big SUV...

"Your car sounds like a lawnmower".

So I have the most expensive 2.0L /4 lawnmower in Houston. Idiots are always amusing.

Has anybody else been insulted on the open road about your "fake" Porsche or small engine?

Posted by: ConeDodger Mar 11 2010, 05:39 PM

So... How much to mow my lawn every week???

Posted by: Rand Mar 11 2010, 05:47 PM

I figure the "lawnmower" comment was just all he could think of. The real reason for the insult was because he had to pass you on the right!

Seriously, when I'm wanting to pass on a multi-lane freeway and can't because all the left lanes are clogged with people who just drive there out of habit without being conscious they should be the the right lanes unless passing... And I have to pass to the right where the lanes are more free... That irritates the hell out of me.
(Not saying you were doing any of this, just reminds me of a point.)

Posted by: patssle Mar 11 2010, 05:57 PM

Hah, yeah I'm with you 100%. This wasn't a highway though - a stoplight filled suburban road. Plus I was about to turn left

Posted by: ericread Mar 11 2010, 06:08 PM

When I first got my 914, I was driving home from work and I realized, it did sound like a lawnmower...

Eric

Posted by: underthetire Mar 11 2010, 06:09 PM

I get the that thing smells like crap. People are so used to cat converters now.

Posted by: bembry Mar 11 2010, 06:11 PM

I find that giving them "the bird" makes me feel so much better when responding to assholes like that, as in: "Lawnmower this!"

The only insult I've ever recieved on the open road in my 914 was from all things, a fellow air-cooled guy. Now, my 914 was needing some work at the time, but I pulled alongside a beautifully restored oval window bug, and was gonna compliment the guy driving on his ride, but he wouldn't even respond. Just kind of snobbed me and drove off.

Posted by: Dr. Roger Mar 11 2010, 06:15 PM

I never!

But I have received tons of compliments on looks, sound, and quickness.

Also I've seen confused looks from guys who wonder why the little 914 sounds like their Corvette... LOL

Posted by: RobW Mar 11 2010, 06:16 PM

I've never been insulted to drive a 914, although a few people in my PCA years identified themselves as idiots..

When asked what I drove, I'd say a 914.. if they were cool about it, I'd talk about my Dad's car, and my passion for racing, ask them about theirs, and then share a little about the 993 in the parking lot.

If they gave the classic NARP symptoms, I turn my back and talk with someone else.

Life is too short.

Posted by: Rand Mar 11 2010, 06:22 PM

What you need is one of those electronic setups that runs different engine exhaust sounds through stereo speakers.
Where's that old thread?..... They have a setup that monitors engine rpm and matches the pitch... You choose what engine you want to sound like with a knob... V8, V10, etc.

Posted by: gandalf_025 Mar 11 2010, 06:29 PM

In the early 70'sthe worst Insults came from the 911 owners.
They never considered the 914 or the 914-6 a REAL Porsche.
I went to 1 PCA Event back then and their arrogance was
amazing I never went back.

Posted by: bfrymire Mar 11 2010, 06:34 PM

I had an old lady hold her nose when I drove past her. She looked a little irritated.

-- brett

Posted by: '73-914kid Mar 11 2010, 06:57 PM

I've never gotten the lawnmower comment, but I have been told my car is too loud, most likely because it is too loud for most people.

I have been to a little cafe/coffee shop by the beach, and a snob with a Austin Healey was badmouthing my car talking to whoever he had brought with him saying it was not a Porsche, and ony a low power VW.. blah blah.. oh well.

Just take it with a grain of salt. We like our cars, and that's all that matters really.

Posted by: kg6dxn Mar 11 2010, 07:04 PM

"You know that thing's a Volkswagen, don't you?"

That's the worst I've got...

Posted by: richardmosselman Mar 11 2010, 07:10 PM

Stoplight. Roof off. Airedale in passenger seat sitting up proper like a human. 2 Guys in jacked-up pickup pull up in lane beside. Look over (and down) at me and say: "Who's your girlfriend?" I had to laugh! Usually only get complaints about the smell and the noise though. Cheers, R

Posted by: ClayPerrine Mar 11 2010, 07:51 PM

You should have introduced her, and asked him about his boyfriend in the passenger seat of his truck...

Posted by: ConeDodger Mar 11 2010, 07:57 PM

I got the "nice VW" comment from a Redwood Region PCA guy at a Charles Schultz Airport Autocross once. Later when he was handing out time slips and I had been beating him by a few seconds all day I said "kind of seems like a real Porsche now doesn't it?" as he handed me my last time slip...

Posted by: Vacca Rabite Mar 11 2010, 07:58 PM

Just the usual "Nice VW" crap.

I respond with "Thanks!" Then I drive away smiling.

I have no problems driving a nice VW.

Zach

Posted by: drive-ability Mar 11 2010, 08:09 PM

I don't get comments like those

Posted by: Tom_T Mar 11 2010, 08:15 PM

Not that one in particular, but all of the NARP, VW & other BS the others have stated - more so back in the 70's!

As with Rob's AX comment, most of the high & mighty tail-dragger crowd couldn't keep up on the curves! ... even a buddy with a new 930 Turbo lagged back (but he was a lousy driver) - of course I'm talking curvy roads - not formal racing & AXing in my case!

Next time you see that A-hole, ask him how much fuel his PIG burns a week - then laugh!

Hey Brent - I find that giving them the "Un-finger" utterly befuddles them (i.e.: "that finger" down & leaving the space, with other fingers up). After all - F-ing is pretty fun stuff, & certainly too good for most of those a-holes!

Posted by: Vacca Rabite Mar 11 2010, 08:17 PM

Reverse shocker? Nasty...

Zach

Posted by: hot_shoe914 Mar 11 2010, 08:35 PM

You should have simply smiled and said " Nice truck, sorry about your dick!".


Shoe

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 11 2010, 08:42 PM

I've never gotten anything but thumbs up only "complaint" was ever about the noise... and that was my old apartment complex... because I would leave for work at 6am, and was in the back of the complex, I had to basically go by most of the apartments in the complex...

Posted by: Ferg Mar 11 2010, 08:43 PM

When I had my 3.2 six conversion I had a guy pull up next to me in a new Boxster S. We were both waiting at a onramp light to get on the freeway, 2 lanes merge to one. Anyhow I look over and say nice Boxster, he looks over with his blue tooth in his ear and kinda smirks and chuckles. Needless to say when the light went green, my 3.2 ate his 3.2 for lunch. After that he would not even look over at me when he repassed me on the highway.

Ferg

Posted by: whatabout1 Mar 11 2010, 08:47 PM

Augh. Never knew Porsche made a 914

Posted by: black73 Mar 11 2010, 08:51 PM

"What is that, a Fiat?"

Posted by: Mark Henry Mar 11 2010, 09:21 PM

Best one was a complement from a teenage girl gas attendant, local Sunoco, just miles from Mosport raceway. Doing a fill she was looking at my car saying "I hate Porsche's because their so ugly...but this one is really cute!
The guy in the pimped out C4 beside me was not impressed.

Posted by: Pat Garvey Mar 11 2010, 09:26 PM

Yeah, most don't remember the smells that eminated from pre-cat cars.

In a town 5 miles from me (Lansdale, PA) they have any all day cruise-in every Saturday during the summer. Some of the sweatest muscle rods from the 60's & 70's just drive all day up & down Broad. The aromas from these high octane beasts are unbelievable! But, that's how it was back then. Lotsa unburned hydrocarbons! I love it!
Pat

Posted by: 1968Cayman Mar 11 2010, 09:29 PM

On the brightside-

My UPS guy- who usually only has time to throw a package at me before sprinting back to the truck- actually ducked his head in the garage today and said, "Wow! Two Porsches!" And here I've been calling it a 411.

Posted by: Pat Garvey Mar 11 2010, 09:35 PM

When I got me 72 one of the first "options" I put into it was a foglight flasher, so I could give the "Porsche flash" to others.

My first flashes back (at least a year later) were from 911's. I have never gotten a flashback from a 356. Remember, it was the 356 contingent that wanted 914's banned from PCA. Hell, they still had a burr up the ass for 911's back then!

Yet, some of my best buds from that era turned out to be 356 people. Go figure!
But, I've never had an insult from a "civilan".
Pat

Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Mar 11 2010, 10:32 PM

The following story happened after a co-worker decided to insult my "Lola"!

Well I got into a heated discussion with one of the directors of engineering about my "VW". He kept saying "It's not a porsche, you need to take those porsche letters off that VW". I told him, "Who do you think designed the VW bug" and "why do you think the 356 looks just like a VW inside and out"? He then kept up with praising his brand new 500HP Shelby Mustang (I have a bad habit of not backing down when challenged) I then made the comment about how his so called mustang was just a ford falcon on steroids. Then I decided to ask him if he wanted to race for pink slips? Of course he laughed and asked "what do you have in there"? Told him it was stock 2.0. By this point there were several engineers and project managers listening, laughing and making wise ass remarks about our "loud" conversation and he was visibly upset at me cause I had the nerve to challenge his wonderful car in front of our peers. Now, after about 2 days of people (office gossip) talking about how I was going to lose my car and some people even saying "what if I win". the director came to my desk a little pissed and said to me he would race me anytime and anywhere! I laughed, and said "if just in the slightest chance I win , are you prepared to sign that 60k car over to me"? To make a long story short , he ended the conversation with "you have to have a turbo or something in there and I did some checking on-line. If you have a 250HP turbo'd motor, your half the HP but half the weight so it would be a good race". He then asked me (which was funny) if we can call it a draw? Since then (about 2 years ago) He hasn't made any remarks about my "fake" porsche.

Posted by: orange914 Mar 11 2010, 11:21 PM

she's probably the type that forgets anyone else is stopped at a light next to her as she digs out a booger

how about the brain deads that get mad at you for filling your gas cans in the front trunck... oops

Posted by: 914junkie Mar 11 2010, 11:46 PM

Yah, I've got plenty of insults over the past 17 years or so of 914 ownership. All the usual NARP, "over glorified Volkswagen" and "Poor mans Porsche" crap.
But just last weekend I was out for a drive with the roof off on a nice sunny day, sitting at a stoplight and some jackass yells across two lanes of traffic "UGLY PORSH!" I wasn't even insulted, all I could think was, what an asshole.
Typically anytime someone talks shit about a 914 (or anything else for that matter) I simply ask them, "Oh ya, what can you tell me about them?" Usually they don't have the slightest clue. It shut's them up real quick
I love my Ugly Porsh Teeners Rock!

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 12 2010, 12:24 AM

I've heard many times that it LOOKS like a lawnmower, but not sounds like a lawnmower...

Posted by: turnaround89 Mar 12 2010, 01:34 AM

I had the top off one night and someone spit on my car...oh well, they're just pissed off that a kid that is 10 years younger then they are has a WAY nicer car then they'll ever have.


Ive gotten nice vw all the time...its not worth explaining to people that you won't find a 914 in the vw museum in wolfsburg but would find one in porsches in stuttgart.

Posted by: JRust Mar 12 2010, 01:42 AM

The worst I got was from another 914 owner at 2008 WCR. He drove by me slowed & said. Dude your 914 is leaking radiator fluid . Damned if he wasn't right . Then he laughed as he drove on by. Okay I wasn't offended. If I wasn't pissed that my car was breaking down. I would have laughed my ass off

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 12 2010, 06:44 AM

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 12 2010, 06:46 AM

BTW

Posted by: veltror Mar 12 2010, 07:26 AM

Someone once said

"Oi, mate is that a real pawsh"


"no, it's a fucking hologram"

Posted by: jt914-6 Mar 12 2010, 07:49 AM

Was at a gas station last Sept. at the MUSR in Hot Springs filling up. Some teenagers leaving the station yells out "that car is shit". Now it is hard to keep up with the younger slang. My girlfriend said that was a compliment.... I thought they were insulting the car and was ready to fight....

Posted by: qa1142 Mar 12 2010, 07:58 AM

Insults?

How about when the 911 waved me by at blackhawk farms on novic track day?

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 12 2010, 08:04 AM

Did they say "that car is shit" or "that car is THE shit"?

Posted by: iamchappy Mar 12 2010, 08:19 AM

Back in 75 i had an older guy in the parking ramp who got out of a 911 walk past me and my 73 914 tell me that after i grow more hair on my ass maybe i could afford a 911.

At the time i was working for my Dad in his Art Studio and i could of bought a 911 if i had wanted one.

Posted by: jt914-6 Mar 12 2010, 08:23 AM

It must have been "THE" shit.....Kids these days.....

Posted by: GeorgeRud Mar 12 2010, 08:33 AM

I never had any insults (that may be due to my size in part), but there seem to be more and more thumbs up and admiration for the car these days.

The closest story I was told was when my car was in a local Porsche shop. The owner had my conversion car up on the rack when one of his 911 Turbo customers came by the shop and joked that he must now be working on VWs. He simply replied to him that he wouldn't want to try to race against the 914-6, as it would easily beat him in a straight line, and be all over him at a track day. The owner had a beautiful 914-6 hot rod many years ago, so he knows of what he speaks.

The best advice is enjoy your car and don't worry what anyone else thinks. That must explain all the rusted out Honda Civics with coffee can exhaust tips!

Posted by: tradisrad Mar 12 2010, 08:37 AM

Big SUV = little weenie
little 914 = big weenie -kinda like Enzyte Bob "swelling with pride"
Pure jealousy

Posted by: pcar916 Mar 12 2010, 10:42 AM

I can remember only two insults across the years. One on the 914 and one on my Norton Commando. Both great machines.

There was a Potomac Region DE at Mid Ohio where the lead instructor, a 911 pilot, during our first class was teaching us the lines around the course.

I held up my hand after a bit and asked him if those lines were the same for mid-engined cars like my 2.7L 914-6. He said that for all practical purposes they were the identical. Then he had one more thing to add.

He said the 914-6 was a wonderful car to start with, and that he had done just that. But that I would want to upgrade whenever possible to a 911. I had only driven Sears Point and Memphis at that time so I was a rank newbee and kept my mouth shut. Then we hit the track. With the Commando...

Crotch-rocket folks used to tell me my beyond-restored Norton sounded like a washing machine. Then we would leave Alice's Restaurant for Half Moon Bay (and thereabouts) where they could never leave me in the dust and some got passed regularly. I used very sticky tires, and having the shifter on the right side was clearly an advantage. The point is...

In neither case did I have to say a thing. Our machines tell the story just fine without us.

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 12 2010, 11:00 AM

+1

if some one did insult my car I probably didn't notice, either from the gas fumes making me happy, or I didn't hear them over the 40 webers+ exhaust... I love my car, but maybe love IS blind, deaf and dumb

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 12 2010, 11:04 AM

Yup, "The shit" is a big compliment, as if your car is "IT", the end all of cool cars.

However if they said its "Shit" then.. Take it literally..


Ya, I hate slang...

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 12 2010, 11:06 AM

yep, big difference between being "SICK" and "making me sick"

Posted by: monkeyboy Mar 12 2010, 11:15 AM

My only insults revolve around the fact that I haven't gotten it done yet...

"Is that thing ever going to run?"

Maybe one day I'll prove em wrong.

Posted by: vsg914 Mar 12 2010, 11:34 AM

Only one insult in 37 years. 10 year old kid said to his dad, " wow dad look, its a porsche". Dad said "no son, thats not a real Porsche". As the kid helped his dad up off the ground, He asked his dad, " was that a real punch dad?"

Posted by: BKLA Mar 12 2010, 11:45 AM

My son, a high school junior, was working with two other students on a physics catapult project early this week. They needed some tools out of my shop and saw the "zonk" sitting there on jackstands. The two students, both girls, knew exactly what it was and complemented my son on his dad's cool car.

Made my whole week!

Posted by: pbanders Mar 12 2010, 11:52 AM

It isn't just 914's. I had one of the first 944's in the SF Bay Area when they came out, and I got plenty of NARP comments. I'm sure 924 owners did, too.

I only seem to get compliments these days. And I noticed I never got any insults from the many BMW drivers at the BMWCCA DE events I drove my 914 at (I had an M3, too). Especially the ones who had to pull over and let the 95 HP "VW" pass them.

Posted by: Shade Tree Mar 12 2010, 12:37 PM

The only insults I get are from the Porsche shop. The guy likes to say rude things about my car and my love for 914's in front of other customers. They all have 911's and 356's. His real problem is the fact that I can make my car run without paying him to do the work and it's killing him. I think it's pretty funny. You ought to hear him when he sees me working on my car. He visits my shop just to insult me. My car will never run right. Am I aware that the holes in the jets are going to get bigger if I use a reamer on them? Your co levels are way too low....they're actually a bit high at idle...2.9. There's no way I could possibly do anything right....Then he heard it run. "That sounds real good". Then he left.

Posted by: DBCooper Mar 12 2010, 12:53 PM

You guys are way too serious about "insults". Every one described is from someone who's simply clueless, so why do you care? And did you ever consider that those morons were doing you a favor by identifying themselves as idiots right off the bat? Worst thing in the world is to waste a lot of time before you discover the guy's a fool, and by then it's already hard to get rid of them.

Posted by: jeffdon Mar 12 2010, 01:40 PM

Closest thing lately was from my buddy who's past two toy cars have been Late model Nissan Z-cars.

"Why don't you just get something you can drive?"

Of course, in the 5 years I have known him, the car has been queen of the jackstands. But thats changing this spring. Or summer. For sure. Really.

Posted by: zambezi Mar 12 2010, 03:32 PM

Andrew,
be careful with that statement because VW does have a 914 at the wolfsburg museum. If i remember correctly from when I was there they claim it is the first production one or maybe the prototype (can't quite remember). The book is out in my shop now so I don't recall exactly though. This is a scan from the museum book I have and they list it as a 1969.

JIM

Posted by: Zardozz Mar 12 2010, 04:33 PM

This reminds me of the stories thread a while back with the parking lot attendant bitching about the electric teener in the electric car only space and the mustang going off the road after trying to keep ahead. Wish I could find that thread, classic stories.

Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 12 2010, 05:46 PM

Hey Ferg! Was that the guy who you where playing with on the way to RCC 4 years ago? The guy that you would blow by on the straights, slow down to let him pass and then pass him on the next curve? I was sitting back behind you laughing my butt off. He was no happy and pulled over at the next town. I was driving out to Washington on that trip from Denver.

Posted by: nsr-jamie Mar 13 2010, 02:40 AM

I joined the PCA club in West Canada for one year and didn't feel very welcome there so I never renewed but that was probably over 10 years ago or so and things may have changed.

I remember one time when I was stopped at a light and this beater old pick up truck pulled up next to me and the passenger leaned out the way and yelled down at me "How many rubbers bands does it take to move that?" I wasn't really sure what he meant but when the light turned green he tried to race me and his piece of garbage truck was smoking and I just left him back there so far that is was just so funny.

I use to also get the occassional and sarcastic "NICE VW!!" too but mostly by people driving worse cars than myself like one in a lowered Hyundai pony with tinted windows

After moving to Japan I get lots of nice comments now and sometimes even feel like a celebrity over here, people also stop to ask what is my car and take pictures and newer Porsche owners like it too. I have met many jealous Boxster owners here who loved my car and its not even close to being completed or done.

Posted by: tornik550 Mar 13 2010, 08:13 AM

I occasionally hear crap about my 914 not being a real Porsche. My response is that I would give up my other "REAL" Porsches any day for my 914 and also- don't knock it til you drive it.

My other "REAL" real Porsche are ok for daily driving, kid transportation and getting groceries but for real fun, I take the 914. My 914 would blow my 911 out of the water on the track.

Say what you want- I love 914's

Posted by: foofighter Mar 13 2010, 08:26 AM

I just got mine about a week ago and have been taking it apart in the garage and my wife decided to nickname the car "rusty". My own wife!

After I expressed my displeasure she assured me that it is after a good friend of hers that she really respected.

I don't believe her

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 13 2010, 09:01 AM

mine calls my car "the red-headed bitch" and when it was backfiring, it was "farty" but guess which one I'm spending my saturday with the is not judgemental

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 13 2010, 09:07 AM

Posted by: tod914 Mar 13 2010, 09:21 AM

I found the best way to keep the "how's the VW" comments to a minimum, is by leaving the car on jackstands where it belongs. I wonder if they will correct me and say it's a Porsche, if i put a big VW bus emblem on the hood. 99% of the time always got compliments on the 914s. Never a bad remark from the guys and gals in the PCA>

Posted by: brp986s Mar 13 2010, 12:11 PM

Back in the day when most knew what a 914 was, I would get implied insults in the way of challenges from some even unlikely cars. Little did they know I had the 6 card to play. Summarizing their collective reactions would be something like "Oops!". Now that I don't that fast anymore I miss my 914-4 for the fun, simple, and carefree ride that it was. Still have the 6 though.

Posted by: codices Mar 13 2010, 12:12 PM

A national past time in this country is to "pull down", by any means, those who are successful and seem to be happy. Jealousy of those who seem to be doing well is manifested by those who are often insecure.

The solution to the problem, if it is a problem, is to wipe the smile off your face when driving your 914. People just don't (at least those who have to say something insulting) like other folks being happy.

"Envy is the art of counting the other fellows blessings instead of your own."
(Harold Coffin)

Dave

Posted by: effutuo101 Mar 15 2010, 09:53 AM

when ever I think about "insults" from other Porsche owners, I usually get the cross eyed look from Boxter owners.
I think Jeremy from Top Gear said it best
"If you drive a Boxter, your life didn't turn out exactly as you thought it should"

Posted by: tat2dphreak Mar 15 2010, 10:16 AM

LOL

Posted by: J P Stein Mar 15 2010, 10:24 AM

If you drive a Boxster yo mama will wonder if you like girls.

Posted by: Phoenix 914-6GT Mar 15 2010, 10:33 AM

A local GT3 owner who I beat on regular occation calls my car a glorified Miata

I think he's just jealous

Posted by: Randal Mar 15 2010, 10:50 AM

You know, I've heard the same thing.

As to insults, offensive ones are more fun!





bye bye girls

Posted by: naro914 Mar 15 2010, 04:08 PM

Never have gotten an insult about any of my 914's, only thumbs up, pictures, and lots of 'nice car' comments. But then again, none of mine look stock, so they are not exactly subtle....

No wait, I take that back. I used to get 'comments' from my race buddies that I always seemed to be working on my car at the track while they just sat around waiting for the next run group. I always fixed any issue, and they kept saying 'why not step up to a newer car, like my ______________ ' (fill in the blank 911 variant). But, all my work was either free or cheap and pretty quickly fixed.

Each of them, however have spent MANY THOUSANDS of $$$$$ fixing big broken things, and sit out for months getting them done.

Oh, and I like to remind them that all of my parts cost soooo much less then theirs: I go through a set of brake pads every 18 months, them every other weekend...stuff like that...

Posted by: naro914 Mar 15 2010, 04:11 PM

Oh, and all those 911 drivers love to go for rides with me on the track.... I wonder why???

Posted by: underthetire Mar 15 2010, 05:15 PM

I did have another one recently. Pulled up to my girlfriends office to take her to lunch. A young male, probably about 16, said I like that car yo, dat a corvette? I gotta gets me one o dem.
A Corvette

Anyways, had to explain what it was.

Posted by: ghuff Mar 15 2010, 08:44 PM

90% of folks in my age group have no clue what it is.

One time i brought it to a meet while it was running and an autox nerd I know blew his led DUDE YOU HAVE A 914 OMG TAKE ME FOR A RIDE!

He hopped out of his built turbo MR2 for this

Never had an insult, you'd have to be listening or care to be insulted.

Posted by: patssle Mar 15 2010, 09:00 PM

90% of people in our age group (20s) don't know jack about cars aside from HID headlights and Best Buy installs sound systems with subwoofers that go boom boom.

Stick shift? Whaaaaat is that?

Posted by: jd74914 Mar 15 2010, 09:16 PM

hahahahaha...

It's funny, I have a few friends (early 20s) who don't have any cars newer than 1970. Even funner, my car has no badging, but I have met a number of girls who have correctly identified it.

I've never been insulted or even heard a negative comment. The car is so distinctive (and bright yellow and relatively loud too) so at school I do get a lot of "you're that guy" when people first meet me.

Posted by: Rand Mar 15 2010, 11:10 PM

Must have been some good drugs.

Posted by: carr914 Mar 16 2010, 05:05 AM

Just one that has stuck with me. From the former owner of my 914-6 - "You ruined it"

Some of these stories, make me think if my PCA membership is going to go in the mail. I made out the check, but have over a month. I've been a member for over 20 years, but I don't seem to get much out of it lately. Most PCA folks don't even know what a 914 is.

T.C.

Posted by: naro914 Mar 16 2010, 06:41 AM

T.C.
Here's the funny thing about your comments, which you are not alone about, but....

Many of the old timer Porsche owners feel the same about the direction of PCA - only new cars, people who are not passionate about the brand, can't even find where their battery is/how to put oil in it, etc.

However, if you ask most of the Porsche dealers, many don't do much with their local PCA Region because " The Porsche Club is a bunch of shade tree mechanics with older Porsches that we don't service or know much about. We really wouldn't get much business out of those guys anyway, so why do things with them??"

Interesting Irony, huh??

Here's the other problem: by long time Porsche owners like you considering dropping your membership, it just perpetuates the problem. If you drop, and others like you drop, then yes, PCA is made up ONLY of new car buyers.

PCA statistics show that about 50% of PCA have been members for more than 6 years. Yes, that also means 50% are relatively new, but there is a fairly large number of us "old timers" (I've been a member for only 16 years now which I consider fairly low).

I guess my point is that if those of us that have older cars abandon PCA, it's only going to make it worse.

If you look at our EC, Kurt is the only one that has ONLY a newer Porsche with his GT3 (though he is a true gearhead having raced IMSA, SCCA, motorcycles, etc back in the day). Manny our VP has a 914, an early 911 and a 964 race car. Caren Cooper does drive a Boxster daily, but they have a 944 race car. Prescott Kelly is the collector of all things early with a really nice early race car collection. And Vu our Exec Director has a 914 and late 80 something 911 cab.

PCA is not always what you get out of it, it's sometimes what you put into it. My wife and I joined with a very young (and stock) Papa Smurf - prior to being called Papa Smurf. We joined in Northern NJ, one of the toughest, most 'clickish' regions in PCA. We jumped right in and participated, and really got to enjoy everything - especially since we started racking up autocross trophies!! We moved to NC, where I eventually became Region President (the old 'if you don't like something, jump in and make a change' scenario) and now I am Zone 3 Rep. Most of our good friends are PCA people and this club has allowed us to do so much in the world of Porsches and cars that we would never have been able to do without it.

Most people know us as only 914 owners, most have never seen our DD 993 cab or especially the '69 911 we have. Like I mentioned above, we've never been insulted by anyone regarding our 914's....chidded for being light and annoyingly fast from all the newer Porsche owners, but never insulted.

Look, in every club with so many people and 'A' type personalities, you're going to find a few a*&holes. Heck, I've found a few 914 owners that are a bit full of themselves too (I was shocked, honestly). But as I said in another post once, nobody is imune to criticism: the 911 guys think they get no respect from the 356 guys, the 928 and 924 guys think they get no respect from anyone, etc....it doesn't end, so why bother being concerned about it?

Anyway, off my soapbox...gotta get some work done.

Posted by: SirAndy Mar 16 2010, 11:03 AM

Posted by: ClayPerrine Mar 16 2010, 12:03 PM

Then you are hanging with the wrong PCA group. We have a STRONG 914 contingent in our region, and the surrounding regions also have a bunch of them.

Come to the MUSR in October.. it will be close enough to you. You will get a really good 914 fix, sponsored by PCA.

Posted by: BKLA Mar 16 2010, 12:53 PM

In support of our PCA region I have to say that no one from ORPCA has ever disparaged my 914. Granted, it only sees track days and autocrosses as it is a track only car, but even then, the other porsche owners always are very cordial, even complementary.

I am lucky that our local PCA group has a number of very involved 914 owners.

Posted by: black73 Mar 16 2010, 04:29 PM

Had a kid, about 18-20 ask me "What's that run on?"
I said "What?"
He said "Is it a diesel?
I said " No, regular gas."
He said "Sounds like a diesel."