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Posted by: naro914 May 20 2008, 12:01 PM

Hi everyone,
I'm not really sure where to post this, so if it's wrong, can someone move this post? I put it on the calendar, but I thought I would put it in a forum (being that I never knew there WAS a calendar)

For Porsche Parade 2008 held here in Charlotte, on SUNDAY JUNE 29TH, we are having a special 914 gathering section in the Paddock that is adjacent to the Concours on the Charlotte City Streets! We have approximately 70 slots open in the middle of all the action reserved just for 914's. And I do mean in the middle. If we get enough, we'll have our own street that runs right up to the judging area on the corner of Trade and Tryon streets (for those of you that know downtown Charlotte)

Look, the times to get out and have a show of force for the 914 community on such a big stage come few and far between. This is our chance to show the world what these great little cars are all about. I am also hoping to have the revival of Huey unveiled there!!

You do not have to be registered for Parade to participate, just send an email to the Paddock chair Bill Dunster (also a 914 owner) at [email]bdunster914@yahoo.com [/email] and he will get you on the list. We have an early staging time (don't ask!) in order to accomodate the over 500 total cars being displayed.

We look forward to seeing all the 914 running around Charlotte this year!!

Please respond to Bill by June 1 so we can make sure we can get everything organized.

-Bob Saville
President
Carolinas Region PCA

Posted by: Rusty May 20 2008, 12:37 PM

dates?

Posted by: naro914 May 20 2008, 12:54 PM

Oops, sorry. Corrected now. June 29th, the first Sunday of Parade.

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty May 20 2008, 02:50 PM

That's 'cause they don't want 914s hanging around the "Real Porsches"...........

The Cap'n

Posted by: Rusty May 20 2008, 02:55 PM

They might be worried we'll bring boxed wine and cheeze whiz.

Posted by: naro914 May 20 2008, 02:56 PM

??? Not sure what you mean...

Posted by: SGB May 20 2008, 04:34 PM

He's just pokin at you. SOME of us still have a bit of a NARP complex.
Email is on the way.

Posted by: Rusty May 20 2008, 05:10 PM

Well... mostly pokin fun, I'd guess.

Some of us still remember the snubs 914 owners got from PCA. I'm glad that's slowly turning around.

Posted by: naro914 May 20 2008, 05:24 PM

OK, let me rephrase the question...not sure who you mean by "they".

"They" are Bill Dunster who is organizing the Paddock, and me, the Carolinas Region PCA President. Both long time 914 owners (I own 3 running, and I think 2 more parts cars)

We have over 500 cars entered for the Paddock, and a paltry 15 from the 914 community. Come on guys, that's pathetic. Get over the past, move on, and lets show up in force!

I guess I never felt "snubbed" in PCA. Our 914 is the first Porsche we owned (and still own) and we were welcomed into NNJR immediately. At the time, NNJR President Ken Geiger was a 914 guy, and so were all the local shop owners (EPC, Powertech). Plus, we all kicked everyone's a**'s in AX, and some were really fast on the track.

Think about it...every group feels "snubbed" at something or another. Everyone in the Porsche world recognizes that the 356 is the true, "classic" Porsche right? Well, those guys felt slighted at San Diego Parade because of a poor judgement in Paddock location. Nothing on purpose, but hey, sh*t happens.

In the end, we want everyone to have a good time. I would love to see all the 914's around come out of the woodwork. Values are going up, and more of us are restoring them to make some very cool rides. SHOW THEM OFF!!

OK, I'm off my soap box now. Just email Bill and get out here!

Posted by: Rusty May 20 2008, 05:28 PM

That's great... thank you for posting this.

Sending ya a PM.

Posted by: Thomas J Bliznik May 21 2008, 08:19 AM

Hi Bob

I would like my turn on the soap box.
It's great Charlotte has welcomed 914's to display their cars with our blood brothers. It's a first step by PCA leaders to show support for long forgotten, snubbed 914 members who have waited patiently for this long overdue recognition. Now that it's starting to happen the 914 crowd will not throw our arms around PCA with all's forgiven untill time heals everyones feelings. PCA's new 914 changing attitude is appreciated. Thanks Now we need the Porsche factory to warm up their feelings to the best mid-engine Porsche they ever made. They need us more than we need them.

Off my soap box & thanks for the invite. I can't make it this year, but I know some of our best 914's will be there, Pat, Steve, George, Bill, Mark, Paul, etc. etc.

Tom

Posted by: naro914 May 21 2008, 08:26 AM

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the honest response. As I said, I - as well as Bill - have never felt snubbed at all from PCA so I guess we have been a little caught off guard here.

Just so you know too.... I just got a preview copy this morning of the Parade Charlotte Poster. Pictured are the angles and such of the obvious itterations of 911's (come on, it IS the most successful car model Porsche ever built) , Carrera GT, 356 Speedster, 962, 935 ( I think) and..... a 914.

So, let the 928/944 whining begin.... guess they are the next group that's going to feel left out!

Posted by: Rusty May 21 2008, 08:29 AM

Actually... isn't it the 924 guys who feel the most punked?

Posted by: naro914 May 21 2008, 08:32 AM

thought I would throw out a snippet from the poster....


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Posted by: SGB May 21 2008, 08:35 AM

I really want a 924S. Whats WRONG with me?

Posted by: SGB May 21 2008, 08:37 AM

Woah!
Nice poster.
914 Front and center (I guess this is not the whole poster though) And its a 4 cyl too!

Posted by: Rusty May 21 2008, 08:38 AM

Do you want a list?

Dude... PM me your desk number. We gotta chat.

Posted by: Thomas J Bliznik May 21 2008, 08:42 AM

Thanks for the warm & welcome reply. Charlotte is going to be a Porsche happening like Woodstock!! I date myself.

Tom
BTW: Personal story: When I purchased my 914 a number of years ago I went to the local PCA across town regional group meeting. The president came up to me and started chit chat about Porsches. He asked me what I had, I told him "914" .
He cut me short & said have some of the cheeze & crackers & the (cheap) Two Buck Charlie wine is really good. It takes a long time to get over some of these put downs.

Posted by: naro914 May 21 2008, 08:44 AM

Nope, just a portion of it. Has the Charlotte City skyline, CGT rear wing, 962 (all of it) a bunch of 911's, etc. It's actually VERY cool, the guy did an amazing job with it. I've been getting copies of the sketches for months now, but it's great in color.

Posted by: 'Cause May 21 2008, 08:44 AM

What about the 968's??? Where's the

Posted by: naro914 May 21 2008, 08:49 AM

I know, I know.... but, and I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this comment but I have owned both myself, a 968 is really a new and improved (at the time) 944, just like the 924 is (IMHO) a precursor to the 944. So I guess when i say "944 crowd" I mean all the iterations of the basic model.

I guess if we're REALLY honest with ourselves, it's the 912 guys that get screwed, huh?

Posted by: naro914 May 21 2008, 09:08 AM

Yeah, I can understand then, I'd feel the same.

My personal story: we bought the 914 from my father in law in Colorado and drove it to NJ. Had issues all along the way, and most people across the country had no idea what it was! When we got home and joined PCA, we went to our first New Members meeting at New Membership Chairs home. Keep in mind, we could barely afford $$ for gas in the 914, and we pull up to a $1 million mansion that had a great room bigger than our whole house!! We felt "oh sh*t, we are in the wrong place". We introduced ourselves, and people asked what kind of car we had. I remember meeting Ken, the President, saying we had a 914, and he said "yeah, me too....kicks butt on the track and in autocrosses", neither of which I had ever thought of. Then the homeowners said "hey, let me show you our 914's" one was a 6, one a 4, both were immaculate (the 6 was a track car). We befriended Bob K. at EPC who races a 914, and a bunch of other owners, learned how to do things ourselves and had a blast with the whole group - 911 and 944 owners alike. We even won 2nd place in a Concours that did not differentiate by model!!

We've owned 944's and 911's, and now 3-5 914's (depends on what you consider a car, we have titles to 5, 2 run, 1 is in rehab, and 2 are parts cars with very little left), but most people see us as 914 people. AND THEY STILL ELECTED ME REGION PRESIDENT!!! - what were they thinking???

Posted by: TeenerTim May 21 2008, 12:22 PM

I have to say that I have never had a negative experience at a PCA meeting or event because I was a teener. I first joined the Golden Gate region in the late '80s and really expected to get snubbed. What I found was a bunch of people that owned street 911s but had 914s as their track car of choice. I found more prejudice at the Mustang club because I didn't own a trailer queen. The PCA people actually drove their cars and used them as they were intended. Over the years I've also spent time in the Peachstate Region and now the First Settlers Region. I've always found the people to be friendly, and helpful.

Posted by: stepuptotheMike May 21 2008, 07:27 PM

Thanks for the reminder... I need to send my email to Bill.

-Mike

Posted by: watsonrx13 May 21 2008, 07:55 PM

Bob, I guess I'm one of the 'registered' 914 owners. I've already selected the events I'm going to attend and the street display was one of them....

Now, the car that I've been driving, and was planning to take to Parade, has just left for it's new owner in NY, so I'm trying real hard to finish it's twin brother in time to drive it to NC....



So my question is, do I still need to send Bill an e-mail?

BTW, Bob I'd definately like to meet you and talk about your adventures....

See everyone in Charlotte...

-- Rob

Posted by: SGB May 21 2008, 08:36 PM

What I want for my next air cooled car is a 912E. It's like some kinda fever has me. I'm drawn to the underdog.

Posted by: gasman May 21 2008, 08:41 PM

I'm registered and will be there in the paddock. Looking foward to seeing all the 914's...I have a feeling we will fill up the street..... Should be alot of fun to compare notes with everyone. The parade goes on for days, but that Sunday will be the best

Posted by: Al Meredith May 21 2008, 10:01 PM

Scott, I'm attempting to finish a 914 to bring to Charlotte. If it is not done in time I'll bring my 912E. Cosmeticly challanged as it is , it runs great. Al

Posted by: naro914 May 22 2008, 08:00 AM

Rob,
Nope, if you signed up for Parade and the Paddock, you are already on his list. May not hurt to send him an email just to make sure, but I'm pretty sure you'd be there.

I HOPE Huey is done by then. May still be a bit of a work in progress. He's repainted, wired, gauges are connected (as best as we can guess). Now comes the hard part of the "everything else". Huey had a lot of custom fab stuff in it and most of it was lost with the replacement body parts, but nothing a lot of 14 hour days can't fix!

Bill will be over at my shop today doing a bunch of things, so we'll see how we are by the end of the day....

Posted by: stepuptotheMike May 23 2008, 05:51 PM

Bumpity Bump Bump.

Just sent my email to Bill. Have you sent yours yet?

-Mike

Posted by: watsonrx13 May 23 2008, 09:21 PM

Bob, good luck on getting the car ready for Parade...

So, should we start a new post with the list of owners and what's left for them to finish to be able to get to NC or do you want to add to this post?

-- Rob

Posted by: naro914 May 27 2008, 01:27 PM

Good question. Maybe a new post, not to clutter up this one.

Posted by: naro914 Jun 5 2008, 08:42 PM

bringing this up to keep the interest going. Looks like we are going to have a lot of 914's out there!!

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 5 2008, 08:45 PM

the silver 916 will be there

Posted by: watsonrx13 Jun 6 2008, 05:55 AM

I've had to withdraw from Parade, some personal issues have come up and I won't be able to make it....

Good luck to everyone and take plenty of pictures....

-- Rob

Posted by: SGB Jun 6 2008, 07:27 AM

Hope it all works out OK Rob.

NaroBob-
do you have any guidance on arrival time, route to take, etc.?

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 6 2008, 07:43 PM

I'm not Bob, but I can tell you how to get to Charlotte. Google maps points you to head to Atlanta and then catch 85 to Charlotte. When you get to Charlotte, the uptown area where the parade and such will be held is off of I77. So you just go 85 to I77 south, and then it's only a couple of exits down 77 to the uptown (Trade Street) area. That's going to be the easiest way to come into town.

Depending on where you are staying, there are a number of choices for that.

-Mike

Posted by: naro914 Jun 7 2008, 07:43 AM

I should know better soon. Bill will (hopefully) be getting out info soon on paddock times and stuff. I do know, however it's EARLY AM, like before most 914's are awake!

I'll post more as I know it.

Posted by: naro914 Jun 9 2008, 07:57 PM

VERY nice.
Thanks George.

Posted by: SGB Jun 9 2008, 08:11 PM

I'm psyched. My car is ready, except an oil change this weekend. Thanks for the specifics Mike. I-77 to Trade st. I'll be at the Westin.

Posted by: naro914 Jun 12 2008, 10:32 PM

I was at Bill's last night and he said only 5 people that are NOT registered for Parade have emailed him and are coming! COME ON!! WE NEED MORE 914's out there.

I will hopefully post details of the logistics for the day trippers soon (as soon as I know), but suffice it to say, you need to be in downtown Charlotte by about 7:30 am on Sunday June 29. Staging for all of the paddock cars will be at a parking lot down from the Westin and we will file onto the streets in some semblance of order (yeah right)

Things are looking shaky about getting Huey done in time. - no interior or engine in yet...

SEND YOUR EMAIL TO BILL!!!

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 22 2008, 08:37 PM

Bob, what's the latest on this? We're a week out and I haven't seen any emails yet. I'm sure everyone is going crazy trying to get ready.

Thanks,

Mike

Posted by: rwjames Jun 22 2008, 08:53 PM

I have a room at the Courtyard by Marriott in downtown Charlotte for Saturday and Sunday night.

I'm not reistered as I'll only be there for the concours and won't be driving a Porsche. My wife and I are making a stop on our way to Charleston and Hilton Head, SC. We'll be driving here little SUV with bikes and such in it.

Hopefully, we will run into a few other 914 folks.

Posted by: gasman Jun 22 2008, 09:26 PM

Well...I'll be there........I'm registered so I guess i'm on the list.... I think alot of cars are coming up from Georgia....some coming south from Virginia.....anyway, I hope to see alot more than 15....There are 914's still left on the East coast............

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Jun 22 2008, 10:10 PM

'

WE are leading a caravan leaving auto atlanta at 9:00 saturday sharp

Posted by: naro914 Jun 22 2008, 10:29 PM

OK, Nadine and I were just at Bill's this evening sorting things out. Bill just got a new job (sold off his body shop) and started last week, so obviously he's been a bit swamped lately....

Anyway, an email should be coming out in the next day or so TO ALL THAT HAVE SENT HIM AN EMAIL as to what to do. If you did not email him, and are not a Parade registrant, you will not get the details. He's still only heard from 5 people outside of Parade registrants!!!

Anyway, the basics are that all the Paddock cars are gathering in a parking lot down the street from the Westin between 5:30 and 6:45 Sunday morning where you will be getting your street assignment. Cars head out to be parked on the streets at 7 am and all cars MUST be parked by 8:45. We have to park over 500 cars, so it's going to be tight. At 8:45, the police will be closing the streets completely. You must either show your Parade registration badge, or have the sticker that all non-registrants will get in the parking lot. If you do not have a badge or sticker, the police will not allow you to enter the streets, so please be on time.

Yes, this is early, but remember...we are going onto the streets AFTER the Concours people, so they are getting up REALLY early. Bill and all of the rest of us will be out marking and sorting out the streets at about 5am, so please be somewhat ontime so we don't have to dump coffee all over you beautiful car

Huey Update: He lives!! We ran the engine this weekend. Just about everything is back to normal except some gauges, a few body trim pieces that I can't find, and some misc small stuff. Getting aligned and balanced on Wednesday hopefully.

Those of you that sent Bill an email will get more detailed directions hopefully in the next day or so.

Posted by: akellym Jun 23 2008, 12:36 PM

I have to tickets for the awards dinner on Monday if anyone is interested. I just got an email saying that coat and tie will be required. I refuse to wear a suit to eat!

Posted by: naro914 Jun 23 2008, 02:55 PM

Kelly,
What's funny is that we originally wanted just "business casual" for everything, like maybe a sport jacket at most, but somewhere along the line we got overruled....not sure when or how!

Posted by: Rusty Jun 23 2008, 02:58 PM

I promise the RCR will have no such restriction at the final banquet.

-Rusty

Posted by: naro914 Jun 23 2008, 03:12 PM

Yeah, it's kind of a tradition or something, used to be black tie so I'm told.

Posted by: akellym Jun 23 2008, 04:57 PM

I’m fine with tradition, my gripe is they didn't tell me until after it was to late to cancel the dinner. My response to my email came today. I just hate pissing away $120.00!

Posted by: SGB Jun 24 2008, 03:52 PM

There will be a message board there where you could probably post 'em.

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 24 2008, 06:16 PM

Informal dinner on Saturday evening?

-Mike

Posted by: naro914 Jun 24 2008, 07:59 PM

I know a great place that serves Cheez Whiz and boxed wine...



Actually, I think that's a great idea. Let me look at the schedule and see if I can make it. I have some meetings to be at for the National staff, and Bob Chapman from Excellence Magazine is writing an article about Huey and coming in around dinner time., so I don't know what my time commitment is with him.

BTW, drove Huey just a few minutes ago for the first time!!! Needs some tweaking, gets aligned and balanced tomorrow, but he lives!!!

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 24 2008, 09:04 PM

too bad there isn't a red robin or something that is close. I work uptown, but I don't hang out there. I'm flexible and can meet pretty much anywhere on Saturday evening.

Also for those that are staying in the uptown area, large events like this tend to draw in the vermin of the earth, so watch out for your stuff.

An employee of mine came down with his family and had their van broken into right in the hotel drive up. 15 secs and the perp made off with a bunch of their stuff. They were about 30 feet away, checking into the hotel.

While this is true of almost any major city, just a friendly reminder to keep your eyeballs open so you don't get

-Mike

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 27 2008, 07:25 AM

I still haven't seen an email from Bill. I emailed him again just to check in.

Did anybody else (that's not a parade registrant) get the details email? Maybe I'm the only one in the dark

-Mike

Posted by: naro914 Jun 27 2008, 09:02 AM

just in case you don't for some reason, show up at the parking lot on Stonewall Street just down from the new Nascar Hall of Fame building (heading away from downtown) on the corner of Stonewall and McDowell at about 6 - 6:15 am.

Posted by: watsonrx13 Jun 27 2008, 10:53 AM

Good luck to everyone..... I wish I was going, but I'll be there in spirit.... Oh, and post lots of pictures, DAILY....

-- Rob

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 27 2008, 12:36 PM

Oh I've got the camera all charged up and ready to go.

Which reminds me, Bob, I owe you a DVD full of pictures that I took of your cars last year at CMP. I'll burn those to disk and look for you this weekend.

-Mike

Posted by: TeenerTim Jun 28 2008, 07:10 AM

Looks my mom is going to make a full recovery from her stroke so I'm headed to Charlotte. Probably get there around 5:00PM. Looking forward to meeting you hard core teeners!

Posted by: stepuptotheMike Jun 28 2008, 08:17 AM

That's awesome news!! Look forward to seeing you in town.

-Mike

Posted by: ConeDodger Jun 28 2008, 10:47 AM

I never liked the 924. I don't think they should be considered real Porsches either.

Posted by: naro914 Jul 6 2008, 02:34 PM

Well, today is the first day I've had a chance to get on my computer after a wonderful Parade week, the Drivers Ed on Friday and Saturday. Whew. it's over!!

Bill, Nadine and I would like to thank all those 914 owners that made the trek out early on Sunday. While we didn't get nearly as many cars as we wanted, the ones that showed were wonderful, and the 914 community was well represented.

I will be posting some pictures somewhere as soon as I can, but for now you can go to www.paradecharlotte.org for all the week's pics. It was amazing. Nearly 1000 entrants, many more cars, and everything from early 356's, to a 959, race cars, Carrera GT, a new GT2, and street/race/concours quality 914's.

Oh, and Huey made it !!

I had dinner with Peter Porsche one evening and had some great disucssions about Porsche, his family, and interesting milestones in Porsche's history. Norbet Singer was a great guy to talk to, and when I asked him what he thought, his exact words were "this is FANTASTIC".

If you missed it, you missed out on one of the greatest gatherings of Porsche's ever - and that was said by Peter, Norbet, and the entire PCNA, and PAG staffs.

We hope to see everyone at the Rocket City Ramble. Huey will be there!!

Posted by: naro914 Jul 7 2008, 08:22 AM

here are a couple pictures of the 914 group (we had to work in the early 911's due to lack of enough 914's to fill the street) and Huey on the street.
Oh, and George's 916 on the right....




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Posted by: naro914 Jul 7 2008, 08:23 AM

Huey, obviously still need front grills (anyone got any??? I need just a passengers side, no fog light)


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Posted by: smg914 Jul 10 2008, 11:36 PM

Sorry I wasn't able to get my 914 in the paddock with the rest of the 914's. I got there after the barricades were in place and the authorities would not let me in. In fact, the lady cop told my wife and George that if I would have said one more word to her she was going to impound my car and take me to jail. Dam I must of really pissed her off.

Anyway, I hope all you in attendence got to see the Heritage of Porsche Display in the Convention Center.


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Posted by: naro914 Jul 11 2008, 06:41 AM

Really? wow, I didn't think they turned anyone away. What time did you get there? I wish you would have gotten someone to find me and I would have had them let you in. Then again, once all the cars were parked, there really wasn't much room left. The city took away a lot of the space on the streets that we thought we had, so it became a bit tight....