Targa California 2011, First trip in my 914....1224 miles! Options

[73Euro911S]

I'm still fairly new to this forum having only purchased my black 73 914 a few months ago. It's my first 914 and I signed up for the Targa California thinking it would be a great way to really learn the car and see how it could handle a long trip covering all sorts of roads in a very "spirited" manner along with several of my early 911 friends.

Prior to leaving my car spent 10 days with my mechanic making sure it was as well sorted and mechanically sound as it could be. I replaced the clutch and flywheel, changed all the vacuum lines, gave it a tune up and dealt with a few other minor items. I also swapped the 15mm front sway bar (that thing is a coat hanger!) for an 18mm bar that I had in my garage off a 76 turbo. The PO (Levon) had installed new rear shocks and 140lb springs (no rear sway).

I am so delighted to report that my little 914 2 liter car was a hoot to drive and performed flawlessly for the entire 1224 miles from San Diego to Carmel and back zig zagging across the state on mostly windey back roads carrying two full sized men. This little car rips; tit loved the tighter and twistier roads and I learned that momentum is the key to keeping up with torque and horsepower.

Enough from me, as the saying goes "a picture (or several) tells a thousand words." I would encourage all of you to do this event in the future, it was a fantastic three days of great driving, cameraderie, and scenery.

Nick