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Posted by: Rsjg911 Jul 28 2016, 01:55 PM

In the 1970's whenever I passed another Porsche going in the opposite direction we always flashed our lights. I especially though this was cool since I had a 914.

I still flash my lights, here in Florida, but rarely get a response. I know Porsche has many more models now but think we should resurrect this once not-so-secret hand shake we all enjoyed.

Thoughts?

Posted by: Drums66 Jul 28 2016, 02:04 PM

...2nd,lights fist bump for sure!

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Jul 28 2016, 02:05 PM

In my town flashing your lights at on coming traffic means slow down you are coming up on a cop!

Posted by: era vulgaris Jul 28 2016, 02:08 PM

What happened? Porsche SUV's owned by soccer moms who've never seen or heard of a 914. They're wondering why that weird tiny car with a trail of smoke behind it is flashing it's lights at them

Seriously though, I usually give a wave. Rarely get one back from modern Porsches. I usually get one back from other classic cars.

Posted by: Rand Jul 28 2016, 02:12 PM

It's the disconnect between the real Porsche enthusiasts, and those who just buy them because they have the money to own a "Porsh."

Posted by: amfab Jul 28 2016, 02:15 PM

Seems like a practice that just sort of faded away after the air cooled cars ended. I think that the 996/997 boxer guys who do wave are those who used to be air-cooled

Posted by: johnhora Jul 28 2016, 03:08 PM

It's not the 70s anymore ....sorry to say these days you may get shot for such behavior

Posted by: 6freak Jul 28 2016, 03:25 PM

Microsoft

Posted by: wndsnd Jul 28 2016, 03:27 PM

I do not bother with the 914, thankful the doors open when I need them. However I do wave, rarely get an acknowledgement.

Posted by: Coondog Jul 28 2016, 04:01 PM

Damm whippersnappers haven't flashed there lights at me since 1978, those millennials
can kiss my........

Posted by: Andyrew Jul 28 2016, 04:12 PM

Its interesting. The motorcycle community gives a nod or hand signal to pretty much every other motorcycle, regardless of what their driving (Unless its a scooter).

When I ride mine regularly its a solid 50% of bikes I run across will wave or wave me back

Posted by: Rand Jul 28 2016, 04:21 PM

Same here. But you'll notice the different types of waves depending on the types of bikers. Some throw a couple fingers down low, some a wave up top or to the side. Interesting differences, but still in the family.

Posted by: Rsjg911 Jul 28 2016, 04:38 PM

EXACTLY, Andy. That was my point. I understand that moms in Cayennes or Macans might not get it when you flash your lights but 911s, Caymans, Boxters and even Panamaras could get on board.

Yes, I am older now but after 45 years in the "club" I miss that aspect of comraderie and recognition that acknowledges we are both part of the same special team. Like nodding to someone as you walk by. That was one of the cool things about owning a Porsche back in the day.

I hope those reading this will start to wink at other Porsches, regardless of model. It might just catch on again and wouldn't that be cool?

And, BTW, I have owned a number of Porsches up to and including a Turbo Cab but I still LOVE driving my 914 and the attention it receives and the conversations it sparks.

Keep 'em On The Road!!!

Ron

Posted by: Rand Jul 28 2016, 04:42 PM

Fellow teeners will always get it and share the wave. Solid camaraderie there. But don't expect the average Cayenne or Macan mom to ever get it. For those who do...

Posted by: Rsjg911 Jul 28 2016, 04:45 PM

Bump to Andy!

Posted by: Rsjg911 Jul 28 2016, 04:48 PM

Bump to Coondog!

Posted by: Guberif Jul 28 2016, 05:01 PM

Same here with a bit of a variance in my town; flashing lights twice is a cop! Single flash is friend / fellow teener. Continious flashing is your in trouble period and pull over immediately - either you have something horribly wrong with your rig that stipulates an emergency to pull over -OR - you dumb jerk pull over so we can 'discuss' it.

Whatever happened to the semi's colored lights, before green was 'go' no cops, red was 'cop' don't see that too much anymore.

Posted by: Amphicar770 Jul 28 2016, 05:33 PM

I had a BMW Bavaria back before the 3-series made them the preferred brand of yuppies. BMW owners also flashed their lights.

Back then brands like Porsche and BMW were enthusiasts cars and there was a bond between owners. Sorry to say that these days they are mostly self-indulgent status symbols and compensation for guys with small packages.

Posted by: green914 Jul 28 2016, 05:40 PM

I noticed many years ago that fellow Porsche drivers had stopped flashing their lights back; wouldn't mind if folks took up the practice again.

Posted by: Dion Jul 28 2016, 05:44 PM

You nailed it! 100% agree

Posted by: steuspeed Jul 28 2016, 07:14 PM

For all you flashers out there. This is a great plug and play upgrade. I flash my fogs at any classic car I see. You can flash your fogs with the pop-up down. Usually I get a flash, wave or thumbs up back.

http://www.jwesteng.com/shop/electrical-914/9-914-fog-light-module.html

Posted by: Larmo63 Jul 28 2016, 09:44 PM

Here in Orange County, there are so many Porsches that you'd be flashing every other car. (not quite)

That said, usually a cool air cooled Porsche guy here will thumbs up a 914 because they know what it is.

Posted by: 396 Jul 28 2016, 10:02 PM

+ 1 nailed it!

Posted by: Garland Jul 28 2016, 10:21 PM

Same thing that happen to "slug Bug" was to hit the arm of the person your closest to when spotting a Beetle.

Posted by: jeffdon Jul 28 2016, 10:35 PM

I try and give a wave to ANY interesting car that looks like its adored by and cared for its owner. Even of not quite my cup of tea. A lot of the time, the owner gets it, and you get a wave/nod/smile back.

I always appreciate the bike guys give me a thumbs up. The new Porsche guys almost never look twice at me. But I did get a surprise once when a newish looking 911/993/99whatever slid up along side of me on the bay bridge, tooted his horn, and gave a thumbs up. When he speed on past me, I noticed the car had a half cage. So you never know!

Posted by: sixnotfour Jul 29 2016, 08:12 AM

Ive only seen 2 914s where I live now, tried waving my arm out the window at 914 approaching head on and the woman was so old I don't think she saw me,,yes I was in a red 914 ....wait I'm old too..

Posted by: bretth Jul 29 2016, 08:46 AM

When i dd'ing my 68 camper it was always a beep of the horn. But sometimes they beep so much (and i am in NY) i thought they were just being impatient ass holes. I flipped one lady off for beeping like crazy but it turned out she was crazy about the car. Opps

Brett

Posted by: Unobtanium-inc Jul 29 2016, 09:47 AM

I normally get a wave back from the Porsche sports cars, even the new ones, but rarely do I get anything from the SUV folks, except for weird looks when I wave.

Posted by: NeunEinVier Jul 29 2016, 09:56 AM

The Jeep wave is also on its way out, sadly.

Posted by: mountainroads Jul 29 2016, 10:01 AM

VW owners would also flash lights, back in the day. Esp if they crossed paths with someone who had the same model.

- MR

Posted by: gandalf_025 Jul 29 2016, 10:24 AM

Around here, the Harley Heads won't even look at you unless you are riding a Harley.

A lot of wanna be bad boys... Usually size 55 chest and size 5 hat..

Posted by: KELTY360 Jul 29 2016, 12:01 PM

I've exchanged flashes, waves and thumbs up with other air-cooled Porsches frequently. Rarely will I get any acknowledgement from the water-cooled crowd.

I DD my Syncro Westy and it's customary to give the peace sign to other Westys and Vanagons. Sometimes I even get it back from bay window buses but almost never from splitties.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Jul 29 2016, 12:16 PM

SUVs don't count...Porsche or otherwise.

I'll wave to other classics; all makes. Usually they acknowledge and wave back. Porsche crowd is weird. The air cooled guys are split between "Hey nice car" or snooty "NARP".

What I do encounter, A LOT, are guys in new 911s with pretty women with them. They tend to try to get away from me and not acknowledge me. Always seems their passengers are paying more attention to me and my car instead of the old fart they're with.

Posted by: zambezi Jul 29 2016, 12:21 PM

Yah, I don't get why the flashes stopped. When I am driving my wifes Chrysler town and country van none of the other minivans ever flash back.

Posted by: Rand Jul 29 2016, 12:28 PM

Posted by: matthepcat Jul 29 2016, 12:30 PM

Surprisingly the Subaru Impreza (WRX & STI) community always waves in passing and rolls down Windows to chat. (Maybe a SF Bay Area thing).

I get lots of locals saying hello driving my WRX wagon.

Posted by: jeffdon Jul 29 2016, 12:32 PM

At first reading, my thought was, "Yeah, lots of women tend to try to get away from me and not acknowledge me".

On a second reading, I can only think, "Boy, I never want to be THAT guy!"

Posted by: Mark Henry Jul 29 2016, 12:34 PM

My experience is about the same as everyone else's, new owners are clueless to the heritage.
I get the most waves and comments from peeps who drive older euro cars, had a guy in an Alfa chase me down, waving like crazy.

I admit I am surprised how many people tell me that a relative had a 914 and they just loved that car.

Posted by: Rsjg911 Jul 29 2016, 12:42 PM

Hey Mark:
Was the guy in the Alfa chasing you down because you stabbed him with a squirrel? I LOVE that quote!
Ron

Posted by: SirAndy Jul 29 2016, 12:51 PM

Plenty ...

Posted by: My 914 Jul 29 2016, 07:38 PM

Here in Massachusetts, there are not a whole lot of Porsches around but I find that most drivers will nonetheless flash their lights, wave, or do both depending on how far away they are. 914's are a rare site and to be honest, I think that most younger Porsche owners don't even know what a 914 is, never mind what one looks like. I think that's the main reason that drivers of older Porsche models in general don't get any acknowledgment. The other reason is that most drivers are too distracted in their cars with modern technology and are not paying attention to other cars on the road. I always flash my lights when approaching or passing another Porsche and feel that its worthwhile to try to maintain this fading tradition.

Posted by: snakemain Jul 29 2016, 08:14 PM

I wave at Jeeps when I'm in my Jeep...some wave back and some don't. I wave at motorcycles when I'm on my bike (BMW). Some wave back, and some are riding Harleys or crotch rockets. I wave at classics regardless bc I think they're cool. I rarely see another cool car when I'm in my 914, but lots of people look or wave and I generally acknowledge them...I generally don't get flipped off in my 914, and that's a good thing.

Posted by: RickS Jul 29 2016, 08:49 PM

The local PCA monthly mag tells members to flash other P-cars. Either they are too busy playing with their nav, their Bose systems or trying to figure out what the $5000 Sport Chrono package does. Considering that many owners were born in the 90s and beyond, they don't have a clue what a flat little shoe box flashing their lights means, or what that flat little box is.

I find that older people in classic sports cars get it since they remember 914s back in the day.. They tend to wave or flash more than any new Porsche owner, which is about never. In my '82 911, at least I get about a 50% return rate from other 911 types, SUVs, not a chance in hell.

Posted by: PanelBilly Jul 29 2016, 10:40 PM

When ever I flash, the young girl blush and the older ones just smile

Posted by: 7TPorsh Jul 29 2016, 11:44 PM

Maybe these new owners think the 911s are smart enough on their own to flash each other.

They may be flashing us but it's after they have squirted the windshield and figured out how ...and we've past them.

Posted by: somd914 Jul 30 2016, 05:50 AM

I understand that many are not familiar with the 914, but even in my guards red '84 Carrera with its tail and rather loud Fabspeed exhaust, most other Porsche owner are oblivious, to them their Porsche is just car with some prestige.

However, many WRX, STI, and Legacy GT owners acknowledge my Suby...

This also reminds me of 20 something girl who pulled into C&C one day in her new Mercedes SLS AMG which drew a crowd. One person asked how she liked the car, and she said she loves driving it because of all the attention she gets. The guy clarified his question with how do you like driving it? She didn't know how to respond...

Posted by: arkitect Jul 30 2016, 07:14 AM

When I was riding motorcycle (bmw and crotchrocket) would get more than 50% waves from on coming riders. Miss riding bikes.

It would be cool to get that same acknowledgement from other p owners.

Dave

Posted by: Reverend Troublemaker Jul 30 2016, 07:36 AM

A bit off topic but I've always been AMAZED a how religious ALL motorcycle brands throw their arms down in "their" salute. The cycle brethren are tight...

PS: My lights are not hooked up as of yet but I won't bother - a wave is more effective nowadays.

T