10 Years of American Motoring – Audi/Morris/Porsche
Discussion
Really interesting read as someone who moved out to NY just over a year ago.
Whatty said:
Hmmm, not much feedback but I’ll push on.
Started to drive the Mini a bit at weekends and found a Saturday morning car’s and coffee event a few towns away.
Being so close to the wealth of Wall Street meant that there was always a big turnout with a variety of cars present.
More pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/daytrip...76216996339...
Is that the Cars and Croissants in Chatham? Been meaning to take a drive down there sometime, from pictures I've seen always seems to be a nice turnout of interesting cars.Started to drive the Mini a bit at weekends and found a Saturday morning car’s and coffee event a few towns away.
Being so close to the wealth of Wall Street meant that there was always a big turnout with a variety of cars present.
More pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/daytrip...76216996339...
Whatty said:
The van driver who hit Ms. Whatty’s ML320 saw his Ford written off.
In fairness to the badly-built-in-Alabama Benz its sheer bulk probably saved her from serious injury.
I absolutely hate driving in NJ, always so many crazy drivers about and as you mention driving seems to always been second or third on the list of priorities when people are behind the wheel.
In fairness to the badly-built-in-Alabama Benz its sheer bulk probably saved her from serious injury.
Thanks Bluedge
Yep, Hickory Knoll, opposite Shoprite. I heard it had moved to Parsippany due to space issues but do check before heading out in either direction. The F-chat Tri-State forum would be a good place to find out.
Always a mouthwatering selection and in the main a friendly bunch. Look out for the Tax Dr and one of his many Fezza's.
Ashamed to say but I've been on both ends of road rage in NJ, I really won't miss that aspect of the place.
You over here on a Green Card or L1A Visa?
As Winter 2009/10 turned to Spring 2010 the snow thawed and garage queens emerge to enjoy some recreational usage.
Being a tactful sort of bloke I opted not to take the 964 to work. While mindful of the economic hardship being experienced by some colleagues the real reason was the fact that I lived a mere 5 miles / 10 minutes from my office.
Wiser heads than mine know that short journeys and cold oil are a great recipe for accelerated engine wear. With 11.5 litres of oil on board the 964 typically needed a good 20 minutes to get up to temperature* and while I would have been happy to go around the block a few times 90 degree corners aren’t that much fun.
So time to do something radical.
Dispatching my check (sic) I joined the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the …….
Big Club, Big Badge.
Brand line back then 'IT'S NOT THE CARS IT'S THE PEOPLE'
Lots of people. Over 100,000 in 139 regional chapters.
Lots of things to do:
Social activities
Concours
Racing & Rallying
Autocross
Technical Insight
Crap Magazine
(Apparently it’s now a lot better with, I believe, some bloke called C.Harris an occasional contributor)
Free digital edition here:http://pca.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vpca14/i7/p1
Now my experience with single marque car clubs is limited to accompanying my brother on a couple of MGOC events back in the late 80’s in his ’66 BGT.
On arrival at one destination, B-Series lump gasping and steaming, we were met with the comment “ Please do try and keep up in future”
So I was a bit sceptical.
And I don’t do cheese & wine.
Or polishing.
But I could see me and my little car doing this.
Behold and wonder at Walter
http://youtu.be/U0u_sWeqDwc
Cheers, Whatty
Yep, Hickory Knoll, opposite Shoprite. I heard it had moved to Parsippany due to space issues but do check before heading out in either direction. The F-chat Tri-State forum would be a good place to find out.
Always a mouthwatering selection and in the main a friendly bunch. Look out for the Tax Dr and one of his many Fezza's.
Ashamed to say but I've been on both ends of road rage in NJ, I really won't miss that aspect of the place.
You over here on a Green Card or L1A Visa?
As Winter 2009/10 turned to Spring 2010 the snow thawed and garage queens emerge to enjoy some recreational usage.
Being a tactful sort of bloke I opted not to take the 964 to work. While mindful of the economic hardship being experienced by some colleagues the real reason was the fact that I lived a mere 5 miles / 10 minutes from my office.
Wiser heads than mine know that short journeys and cold oil are a great recipe for accelerated engine wear. With 11.5 litres of oil on board the 964 typically needed a good 20 minutes to get up to temperature* and while I would have been happy to go around the block a few times 90 degree corners aren’t that much fun.
- Depending on ambient temperature, your own results may vary.
So time to do something radical.
Dispatching my check (sic) I joined the Northern New Jersey Chapter of the …….
Big Club, Big Badge.
Brand line back then 'IT'S NOT THE CARS IT'S THE PEOPLE'
Lots of people. Over 100,000 in 139 regional chapters.
Lots of things to do:
Social activities
Concours
Racing & Rallying
Autocross
Technical Insight
Crap Magazine
(Apparently it’s now a lot better with, I believe, some bloke called C.Harris an occasional contributor)
Free digital edition here:http://pca.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vpca14/i7/p1
Now my experience with single marque car clubs is limited to accompanying my brother on a couple of MGOC events back in the late 80’s in his ’66 BGT.
On arrival at one destination, B-Series lump gasping and steaming, we were met with the comment “ Please do try and keep up in future”
So I was a bit sceptical.
And I don’t do cheese & wine.
Or polishing.
But I could see me and my little car doing this.
Behold and wonder at Walter
http://youtu.be/U0u_sWeqDwc
Cheers, Whatty
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 16th August 06:31
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 17th August 10:53
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 7th February 06:02
Whatty said:
Thanks Bluedge
Yep, Hickory Knoll, opposite Shoprite. I heard it had moved to Parsippany due to space issues but do check before heading out in either direction. The F-chat Tri-State forum would be a good place to find out.
Always a mouthwatering selection and in the main a friendly bunch. Look out for the Tax Dr and one of his many Fezza's.
Ashamed to say but I've been on both ends of road rage in NJ, I really won't miss that aspect of the place.
You over here on a Green Card or L1A Visa?
I heard about the Tax Dr, quite a collection he seems to have.Yep, Hickory Knoll, opposite Shoprite. I heard it had moved to Parsippany due to space issues but do check before heading out in either direction. The F-chat Tri-State forum would be a good place to find out.
Always a mouthwatering selection and in the main a friendly bunch. Look out for the Tax Dr and one of his many Fezza's.
Ashamed to say but I've been on both ends of road rage in NJ, I really won't miss that aspect of the place.
You over here on a Green Card or L1A Visa?
Fortunately I've not been on the receiving end of any road in NJ, I have witnessed a few crazy incidents though, including one guy actually almost ramming someone who wouldn't let him queue jump at one of the tollbooths on the Parkway!
I'm here on a Green Card. My wife's American, she was stationed in the UK with the USAF and after she separated from the AF we decided to move to NY where she was from.
blueedge said:
I heard about the Tax Dr, quite a collection he seems to have.
Fortunately I've not been on the receiving end of any road in NJ, I have witnessed a few crazy incidents though, including one guy actually almost ramming someone who wouldn't let him queue jump at one of the tollbooths on the Parkway!
I'm here on a Green Card. My wife's American, she was stationed in the UK with the USAF and after she separated from the AF we decided to move to NY where she was from.
The GSP / NJTP toll booth Grand Prix never ceases to amuse. 10 lanes into 3 = chaos. EZ Pass helps.Fortunately I've not been on the receiving end of any road in NJ, I have witnessed a few crazy incidents though, including one guy actually almost ramming someone who wouldn't let him queue jump at one of the tollbooths on the Parkway!
I'm here on a Green Card. My wife's American, she was stationed in the UK with the USAF and after she separated from the AF we decided to move to NY where she was from.
I think this is one of the good Dr's Fiats. Not sure what model it is. My humble Nine64 in background.
His Enzo is pretty cool. Tax avoidance advice obviously pays!
Signing up for a couple of TSD distance events I roped in Mike-the-neighbour as navigator only to discover that my rally expectations were a bit more Walter Mitty than Walter Rohrl, with most routes set in the Jersey ‘burbs.
For old times sake Mike and I took a quick trip out last week in his 911.
Quick video of the typical NJ rally stage setting. Dull is not the word.
Pace notes by Rage Against The Machine.
Edited due to Video being buggered.
While on the subject of Mike-The-Neighbour.
Meet his daily drive. 2000 Nissan Altima. 3.0 litre.
Appropriately finished in JRY.
Note ride height, perfect for NJ potholes.
Mike uses it to commute from NJ to his job on Staten Island.
One owner from new. Note mileage.
Original clutch. He obviously has a light touch.
It’s a Q car, a Sleeper, a Stealth Fighter, insert your own cliché here.
227 bhp, 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.
V6 block used in later 350/360Z’s.
Cheers, Whatty.
For old times sake Mike and I took a quick trip out last week in his 911.
Quick video of the typical NJ rally stage setting. Dull is not the word.
Pace notes by Rage Against The Machine.
Edited due to Video being buggered.
While on the subject of Mike-The-Neighbour.
Meet his daily drive. 2000 Nissan Altima. 3.0 litre.
Appropriately finished in JRY.
Note ride height, perfect for NJ potholes.
Mike uses it to commute from NJ to his job on Staten Island.
One owner from new. Note mileage.
Original clutch. He obviously has a light touch.
It’s a Q car, a Sleeper, a Stealth Fighter, insert your own cliché here.
227 bhp, 0-60 in 6.6 seconds.
V6 block used in later 350/360Z’s.
Cheers, Whatty.
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 17th August 03:24
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 17th August 03:26
Edited by Whatty on Tuesday 19th August 13:45
Anyone who has done a T.S.D event knows the ability to calculate average speeds, distances etc requires more rather mathematic ability than driving skill. On that point Mike-the-Neighbour proved himself a navigator par excellence. He should with a day job as a teacher of calculus and geometry (that’ll be math’s to English readers) he gave us a bit of an unfair advantage. Subsequently we chalked up a couple of wins and a second place.
We decided to quit while ahead when we were actually the subject of a protest – WTF!
Deciding that the 964 was worthy of a bit more than glorified treasure hunts. I set off in search of something a bit more dynamic.
Welcome to Autocross. Or Autosolo as I think its called in the UK.
Part autotest, part sprint. This nicely produced video about the sport in California gives you the basic idea.
http://youtu.be/bkdyrd3QXT0
Signed up I duly arrived at Englishtown Raceway in central NJ. Best known for its drag strip it also has a 1.35 mile road/kart circuit.
Not very good picture.
Car preparation.
Apply assigned numbers (badly) in 3M decorators tape. Lose front mats. Job done.
Cheers, Whatty
We decided to quit while ahead when we were actually the subject of a protest – WTF!
Deciding that the 964 was worthy of a bit more than glorified treasure hunts. I set off in search of something a bit more dynamic.
Welcome to Autocross. Or Autosolo as I think its called in the UK.
Part autotest, part sprint. This nicely produced video about the sport in California gives you the basic idea.
http://youtu.be/bkdyrd3QXT0
Signed up I duly arrived at Englishtown Raceway in central NJ. Best known for its drag strip it also has a 1.35 mile road/kart circuit.
Not very good picture.
Car preparation.
Apply assigned numbers (badly) in 3M decorators tape. Lose front mats. Job done.
Cheers, Whatty
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 7th February 06:18
Locally organised by the PCA or the Sports Car Club of America events are run at locations like Englishtown or the giant parking lots at the New York Giants stadium in the Meadowlands NJ.
If you watched the video you’ll see that.
A. The parking lot event courses are marked out using cones.
B. You get to see a wide variety of car’s, from single seater’s through prepared street cars to daily drivers (well weekends in my case).
C. The fast guy’s make it look easy. And fast.
Driver preparation.
Deciding that the road course at Englishtown might be easier to navigate in comparison to the ‘Sea of Cones’ I tagged along with a PCA instructor to walk the course.
Typically a course comprises a number of slaloms, Chicago Boxes ( Looked like chicanes to me) and in the case of Englishtown a tight hairpin followed by a faux hump back bridge type thing.
Take a ride with another 964 driver on the day I attended.
Second gear only, 60mph tops. It’s not me.
http://youtu.be/XhBWdHpt6Zk
Cheers, Whatty
If you watched the video you’ll see that.
A. The parking lot event courses are marked out using cones.
B. You get to see a wide variety of car’s, from single seater’s through prepared street cars to daily drivers (well weekends in my case).
C. The fast guy’s make it look easy. And fast.
Driver preparation.
Deciding that the road course at Englishtown might be easier to navigate in comparison to the ‘Sea of Cones’ I tagged along with a PCA instructor to walk the course.
Typically a course comprises a number of slaloms, Chicago Boxes ( Looked like chicanes to me) and in the case of Englishtown a tight hairpin followed by a faux hump back bridge type thing.
Take a ride with another 964 driver on the day I attended.
Second gear only, 60mph tops. It’s not me.
http://youtu.be/XhBWdHpt6Zk
Cheers, Whatty
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 7th February 06:55
Probably the safest driving environment in NJ.
Newbies advised that leaving with your car as it arrived makes everyone a winner.
Noted. Not sliding on damp grass will help avoid concrete barriers. Doubly noted.
My turn. Take car to staging area. Bit nervous.
Hot day. Club helmet rather sweaty from previous occupant.
Discover 6’2” me + helmet = head at 45 degree angle regardless of seat position.
Bugger. Too late…..3…2…1..Go!
Newbies advised that leaving with your car as it arrived makes everyone a winner.
Noted. Not sliding on damp grass will help avoid concrete barriers. Doubly noted.
My turn. Take car to staging area. Bit nervous.
Hot day. Club helmet rather sweaty from previous occupant.
Discover 6’2” me + helmet = head at 45 degree angle regardless of seat position.
Bugger. Too late…..3…2…1..Go!
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 7th February 06:56
Crossing the line I forgot to look at the BIG digital clock trackside.
Hooked? Yes. Driving God? No.
Line up for next run. Still can’t get decent driving position with sweaty helmet on.
Rare 911E in green, nice bloke, super quick driver, my kind of humour.
‘Team Privet Hedge Fund’
MGB GT also in green.
Not entirely stock.
Final results.
Car 113 – dead last but intact.
Driver – dead sweaty.
Learning curve = vertical line.
Cheers, Whatty
Hooked? Yes. Driving God? No.
Line up for next run. Still can’t get decent driving position with sweaty helmet on.
Rare 911E in green, nice bloke, super quick driver, my kind of humour.
‘Team Privet Hedge Fund’
MGB GT also in green.
Not entirely stock.
Final results.
Car 113 – dead last but intact.
Driver – dead sweaty.
Learning curve = vertical line.
Cheers, Whatty
Edited by Whatty on Saturday 7th February 08:51
mwstewart said:
Nice to follow your progress; thanks for sharing.
The MG looks superb!
MWStewart Thanks for commenting on my humble thread The MG looks superb!
Your Fiesta and M3 threads are inspiring and demoralizing at the same time
The MG was indeed superb, probably not up to your standards though
Not surprisingly it was very tail happy.
So it’s August 18th 2014 and we’ve got 22 days left before departure.
While I’ve got to June 2010 in the story, I need to back track to April ’10 as looking at old pictures has reminded me of a couple of omissions.
Firstly I gatecrashed a drive with some of the guys from the Early S Registry forum out to the Hershey Porsche Swapmeet in Pennsylvania.
Suffice to say they don’t hang about.
Also they are very friendly.
Embracing the ‘modern’ 911
Driving up the Hershey Highway. I kid you not.
Too busy laughing to take a picture.
Revealed a lot of Porsche.
964 and v. desirable 911S
I’d sell a kidney for one.
Secondly.
A drive out somewhere in the New York State Boonies.
In hot pursuit of the previously pictured 911S.
Downhill we entered a bend covered in freshly resurfaced asphalt. Going a bit too fast.
Loose chippings plus stupidly braking resulted in an ‘Oh-s
t-I’m-having-my-first-911-lift-off oversteer-moment’.
In reality the coil sprung 964 is a more forgiving car than the earlier torsion bar 911’s. But my brain fade ‘don’t lift’ experience probably hadn’t been helped by these.
OEM engine mounts fail over time, hydraulic fluid leaks.
Engine/gearbox now a separate unit of mass to the chassis.
Car turns in,engine and gearbox follow milliseconds later.
Cheers, Whatty
While I’ve got to June 2010 in the story, I need to back track to April ’10 as looking at old pictures has reminded me of a couple of omissions.
Firstly I gatecrashed a drive with some of the guys from the Early S Registry forum out to the Hershey Porsche Swapmeet in Pennsylvania.
Suffice to say they don’t hang about.
Also they are very friendly.
Embracing the ‘modern’ 911
Driving up the Hershey Highway. I kid you not.
Too busy laughing to take a picture.
Revealed a lot of Porsche.
964 and v. desirable 911S
I’d sell a kidney for one.
Secondly.
A drive out somewhere in the New York State Boonies.
In hot pursuit of the previously pictured 911S.
Downhill we entered a bend covered in freshly resurfaced asphalt. Going a bit too fast.
Loose chippings plus stupidly braking resulted in an ‘Oh-s
t-I’m-having-my-first-911-lift-off oversteer-moment’. In reality the coil sprung 964 is a more forgiving car than the earlier torsion bar 911’s. But my brain fade ‘don’t lift’ experience probably hadn’t been helped by these.
OEM engine mounts fail over time, hydraulic fluid leaks.
Engine/gearbox now a separate unit of mass to the chassis.
Car turns in,engine and gearbox follow milliseconds later.
Cheers, Whatty
Edited by Whatty on Friday 13th February 06:02
The slippery slope. Again.
Solution to floppy engine mounts. Multiple options.
964 mounts expensive. 993 mounts cheaper.
Solid mounts cheaper still but increased NVH.
Heck it’s a sports car. Rennline solid mounts it is.
964 engine carrier a known weak point. Prone to deformation/cracking with spirited use.
Solution? Reinforced Rennline engine carrier.
Just to be on the safe side. Additional seam welding by Euromotors.
Actually it might just be an over-engineered chastity belt.
And while we’re about it, lets tighten up things at the front with a strut brace.
Copyright on pics attributed to Rennline.
Rather nicely manufactured kit from Vermont.
Cheers, Whatty
Solution to floppy engine mounts. Multiple options.
964 mounts expensive. 993 mounts cheaper.
Solid mounts cheaper still but increased NVH.
Heck it’s a sports car. Rennline solid mounts it is.
964 engine carrier a known weak point. Prone to deformation/cracking with spirited use.
Solution? Reinforced Rennline engine carrier.
Just to be on the safe side. Additional seam welding by Euromotors.
Actually it might just be an over-engineered chastity belt.
And while we’re about it, lets tighten up things at the front with a strut brace.
Copyright on pics attributed to Rennline.
Rather nicely manufactured kit from Vermont.
Cheers, Whatty
Your comment is appreciated. Just killing time here.
While Euromotors duly spannered away, a change of gearbox oil seemed a good idea.
Redline MT90.
9 out of 10 Rennlist forumista’s said their 964’s preferred it.
Good choice. Between the fluid change and the new engine mounts the gear change was transformed. Cold it had always been a bit reluctant in the 1-2nd shift.
From the new mounts a definite increase in NVH was a worthwhile trade for chassis control. No more vagueness at the back now.
Troy Queef moment “Foot down mid-apex, back end squats and away”
It’s calling my name.
B1108 Watton to B1065 junction via Bodney Camp.
Topograhpically it ain't the Stelvio Pass but it has some nice curvy bits.
A welcome sight after 10 years of the NJ ‘burbs and tediously straight highways.
Also patiently waiting our arrival. Also quite curvy.
Thanks to some dedicated searching & haggling by a similarly car afflicted brother. Cheers G.
Ms. Whatty’s new ride. 2005 Citroen C4 1.6i 16v SX
Left field choice but I rather like the looks. Remind me of my old GSA.
One owner + 30K + FSH + slushbox.
B1108 Watton to B1065 junction via Bodney Camp.
Topograhpically it ain't the Stelvio Pass but it has some nice curvy bits.
A welcome sight after 10 years of the NJ ‘burbs and tediously straight highways.
Also patiently waiting our arrival. Also quite curvy.
Thanks to some dedicated searching & haggling by a similarly car afflicted brother. Cheers G.
Ms. Whatty’s new ride. 2005 Citroen C4 1.6i 16v SX
Left field choice but I rather like the looks. Remind me of my old GSA.
One owner + 30K + FSH + slushbox.
Edited by Whatty on Tuesday 18th November 08:29
Any fool can be uncomfortable.
You may recall my passing reference to the 964’s first owner?
Bruce Springsteen’s dentist.
Oh the irony.
While The Boss warbled about blue collar guys and factory girls unzipping…..
He was also gargling enough for his dentist to order a $69,000 car. With this interior.
All I can say is that the dentist must have been:
A. Partially colour blind.
B. Shorter than me ‘cos that airbag wheel was way too big.
As my shrinking budget wouldn’t run to low mounting Recaro Pole Positions.
(Don’t feel too sorry for me, back then my arse was too big to fit them)
An alternative ergonomic solution was found.
Much better and a salute to Pork of Olde.
Momo Prototipo with 2” extended hub spacer.
Airbag light bypassed with OEM factory part.
You may recall my passing reference to the 964’s first owner?
Bruce Springsteen’s dentist.
Oh the irony.
While The Boss warbled about blue collar guys and factory girls unzipping…..
He was also gargling enough for his dentist to order a $69,000 car. With this interior.
All I can say is that the dentist must have been:
A. Partially colour blind.
B. Shorter than me ‘cos that airbag wheel was way too big.
As my shrinking budget wouldn’t run to low mounting Recaro Pole Positions.
(Don’t feel too sorry for me, back then my arse was too big to fit them)
An alternative ergonomic solution was found.
Much better and a salute to Pork of Olde.
Momo Prototipo with 2” extended hub spacer.
Airbag light bypassed with OEM factory part.
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 15th February 07:41
© Hat Council. 1934.
In addition to a suitably sporting wheel it seemed only right to buy my own hat.
While my heart said get a Bell open face, my head shape said otherwise.
HJC XXL Full face.
No more swapping sweaty dandruff with strangers.
Normally I don’t take pictures of my helmet but shipping insurance demands it.
While some might think it odd to don a helmet for a quick lap of a car park….
Accidents are rare at Autocross but they do happen.
Looks rather slow right up to the point of impact – ouch!
Example: http://youtu.be/BB-KBaevPqM
I should add this was NOT a NJ PCA or SCCA event.
Their courses were always much quicker.
Edited by Whatty on Sunday 15th February 08:11
Now more comfortably seated I spent the remaining Summer and Fall weekends trying to get my head round this addictive sport.
Mixed turnouts. Old and new.
Giants Football Stadium in the background.
Not always hot and humid.
A rare wet and humid one.
As every course changes from event to event you have to walk the course – typically 8.30am. As your heats might not be until 11.30am a good memory is essential with respect to the right lines.
For a 911 newbie this was a great environment to learn about the car. Pax laps showed that to be competitive you needed to be always either full throttle or hard on the brakes, no coasting.
Me, 2nd gear, full throttle, in a public car park, probably off line and coasting.
Empire State Building out of shot to the right, slightly surreal.
Mixed turnouts. Old and new.
Giants Football Stadium in the background.
Not always hot and humid.
A rare wet and humid one.
As every course changes from event to event you have to walk the course – typically 8.30am. As your heats might not be until 11.30am a good memory is essential with respect to the right lines.
For a 911 newbie this was a great environment to learn about the car. Pax laps showed that to be competitive you needed to be always either full throttle or hard on the brakes, no coasting.
Me, 2nd gear, full throttle, in a public car park, probably off line and coasting.
Empire State Building out of shot to the right, slightly surreal.
Edited by Whatty on Thursday 19th February 06:04
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