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ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Thursday 17 March 2011

Making Room. Saint Patty's day 2011 started with me making room in the garage for the new arrival. The Club Sport project was moved into the "work" garage next to the UWB where my body man was to work on final prep and priming so it will be ready for paint soon.

Initial Odometer Reading. This photo was made three weeks early during my PPI of the car, prior to a 6 mile test drive. The actual starting mileage for the trip was 41236.

Nort Northam was the independent dealer through which the previous owner sold the car to me. Nort was at the 12 Hours of Sebring, but made arrangements for his daughter to meet us at his shop late on Thursday evening to take delivery of the car.

She starts right up!

Teaser pix for friends back home, who had no idea what I was up to. We stayed that evening in Altamonte Springs FL, just up the road from Nort's place. CrashTest made the drive over from Daytona to check out the ride...and to sell me some parts

So the trip was business AND pleasure!
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Friday 18 March 2011

First fill-up. On Friday morning, we got an early start and headed straight up to Jacksonville for a rendezvous with JoeJax.

We met Joe at a shopping plaza up on the north end of Jacksonville, where I took Joe for a quick spin around the lot.

Did I mention, the car came with a Blond

After the brief photo session, we headed out for some back country driving with Joe, who made a half-hearted attempt to keep up

FL-GA state line.

We started feeling hungry, so when I saw this joint, I knew we had to stop for sustenance. We were treated to excellent service by Crystal, a kool-aid haired, cigaratte smoking southern gal whose husband was drummer in the house band, Crystal Rose. The Blond, Jay and I all had catfish sandwiches. Joe wimped out and had a burger.

Shortly after lunch, Joe and Jay returned back to FL, and we continued north into SC.

We stayed in Florence with The Blond's best friends, the Suchy's. Jim is a master brewer, and provided ample supplies of grit beer, ribeyes, and laughs. He also supplied the razor blade to peel off those annoying decals on the windscreen!

The Blond.

Jim, Elizabeth, Wendy, Chris, and The Blond.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Saturday 19 March 2011

We stayed up too late and drank a little too much on Friday evening, so we got a really late start on Friday. We did our best to make up time heading up into North Carolina, but the traffic in Charlotte slowed us down even further. We finally broke free of it and met up with edredas on the north end of town.

From there, Brent followed us up to Wilkesboro, where we met up with prooutlaw at his screen printing business.

Herb had a nice surprise for us out back.

Check out Herb's simulator.

I like this rear spoiler on one of Herb's 951 track cars.

We ordered up some pizza, and while we were waiting, Herb dragged out an 8 foot ladder for us to have a photo shoot out back.

After downing the pizza, Brent followed us through Wilkesboro and up highway 18, where we were hoping to connect with the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Hallelujah, here come the twisties!

25 MPH my ass!!! w0000000000000000000000000000t!!!!!

It was not to be...here's a video clip of the approach to the Parkway...detour sign at 1:25..."oooh FUDGE!!!" at 1:26. I didn't know the Blond was filming...but it all ended up OK...highway 18 was a marvelous stretch of very twisty, mostly smooth road, and minimal fear of patrols as on the Parkway. Brent's 924S did a great job through the corners, and it was definitely some of the best driving on the trip.

When we finally did intersect with the Parkway, Brent headed back to Charlotte, and we continued north.

I'm still trying decide if the grin is because of the view, because of me, or because I asked her to drive for a stretch.

The scenery was great, even though we were probably 2-3 weeks early for the peak of spring color.

Shortly after crossing into Virginia, we made the obligatory pilgramage to Meadows of Dan. Because we all know it's all about Dan.

Despite being behind schedule all day, we actually arrived right on time at the Rose Hill B&B in Roanoke, a 5-star rated establishment that lived up to its billing.

We called Landen (from Rennlist) and made arrangements to meet for dinner at the Blue 5 Restaurant. The ribs were FAN-tastic.

It was dark and late by the time we finished dinner, but never too late to talk cars!
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Sunday 20 March 2011

Sunday morning we got another late start, but that was because the breakfast was just too good to hurry through at Rose Hill B&B! We bypassed the parkway because we wanted to do some hiking later in the day in Shenandoah.

We learned the hard way that you should never pass up the chance to take a leak...all of the "comfort stations" in the park were closed except for a one-holer at the Big Meadow visitor center, where there was a waiting line

After averting that disaster, we grabbed some picnic supplies and went for a nice 4 mile hike along some cascades and waterfalls.

We were still running a little behind at the end of the hike, so we jumped off of Skyline Drive at Highway 221, where I enthusiastically charged down the switchbacks and had three really nice opportunities to enjoy the overtaking prowess of the 210 horses fed by that muscular scoop. What a thrill! Pedal to the floor at 3000 RPM propels the car instantly to illegal speeds...made the Blond squeal and whimper a couple of times. Keep your mind out of the gutter, boys.

At precisely 6PM Sunday evening, we arrived at Chuck's place in Derwood MD where a whole crew of Rennlisters was awaiting our arrival.

It was surprising to me how much interest the car garnered all along the way...but these '44 enthusiasts knew the history and legacy of the CGT, and what it meant for the development of their favorite rides. No toofah haters here!

And in one of the best back-stories of the whole trip, the car was reunited with Dave Derecola, whose dad was the original owner that had imported it into the US back in 1983! Dave (National Director for the 44 Cup series) and his son Chris were thrilled to see the car again, and in such great condition!

It started getting cold, so we all headed in to the warm, friendly confines of Chuck's laboratory. Er. I mean, garage. After the RL crew departed, The Blond and I accompanied Chuck and his wife to a great little Italian restaurant for dinner...what a great way to end the day!
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Monday 21 March 2011

Monday started with a deluge, but it had eased to a mist by the time we hit the PA state line.

Of course, when we saw signs for Dan's Mountain State Park, we knew we had to stop. Because, as we all know, it's all about Dan.

After that little detour, we continued on our route to visit Fallingwater, a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece in the back country of Pennsylvania.

The twisty road to Fallingwater takes you right through Ohiopyle State Park, and right along side its main attraction, the Ohiopyle Falls.

After lunch by the falls, we continued the trek back west, passing through a narrow sliver of West Virginia...

...before crossing into Ohio. Yes, that's the Welcome to Ohio sign, complete with massive pothole at the opportune moment.

That evening we met a good friend of mine for dinner at the Old Bag of Nails in Deleware OH, just north of Columbus, and spent the night at his place.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Tuesday 22 March 2011

We were in no hurry to get home on Tuesday, so my friend recommended a back country route to get over to Kidron OH, which is in the heart of Ohio Amish country. We visited the world-famous Lehman's Hardware store, and had Pork Tenderloin sandwiches in the basement of the local grocery. Along with homemade Cherry Pie (for the Blond) and Coconut Cream Pie (for me).

The trek back to Michigan was uneventful and unimpeded by state troopers (thankfully!).

We made one last pit stop to fill up the tank for final mileage readings...

...and then garaged that beautiful beast next to its new sibling at Ideola's Garage

I was pleased to see the Club Sport in primer!
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

By the Numbers

Starting odometer: 41,236
Final odometer: 43,016
Total Miles: 1,780
Total fill-ups: 6
Total gallons: 59.637
MPG, low: 26.00 (22 March)
MPG, high: 33.45 (20 March)
MPG, average: 29.85
Number of states: 10 (FL, GA, SC, NC, VA, MD, PA, WV, OH, MI)
Number of tickets: 0

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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

gerben1986 · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 232 Location: The Netherlands

Nice trip en post!

Jakkq · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 810 Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Dah! That looks like it was an amazing trip. I wish one of my Porsches were capable of distances such as that. Maybe one day.

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1979 Porsche 924- Snailshell
http://porsche924workblog.blogspot.com/

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

Legend, friggin legend.

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Dan:

You're going to hurt yourself in that.

Please send it to me via flat bed.

And yes, I'll pay freight.

It's for your own good.

Do it for the children.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

joejax · Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:22 pm Post subject:

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Swirly plate! Swirly plate! You didn't swirly plate! I am gonna take that tag number and, um. . .um. . .do something! Yes, I will do. . .something, and it will be insidious!

MUAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
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Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

Jakkq · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 810 Location: Omaha, Nebraska

When your ready to sell... The blonde comes with... Right?

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1979 Porsche 924- Snailshell
http://porsche924workblog.blogspot.com/

El Chato · Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 205 Location: El Paso, TX

great trip dan , I wish I could take nine out as well one future plan is to go south of mexico trough the golf of mexico coast side... but wont happend at least for a while. keep on going
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1979 924 N/A, Snail Shell
1980 924 N/A
1976 924 N/A

It may be that your whole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

Today's weirdness is tomorrow's reason why.