993 - first drive
Discussion
993 – First drive
Walk purposefully towards her, admiring the classic understated lines and elegant stance. Quick once over, checking for blemishes, signs of neglect, or damage. Everything is in order, including the tyres. Butterflies in stomach, open the driver’s door, slide into the seat and shut the door, feel that hewn-from-granite thud, then look around slowly, breathing in the unique old Porsche aroma, I instantly relax.
Alarm fob in, wait for the beep, key in ignition, turn, hear the flat six burst instantly into life and feel the distinctive throb and vibration through the seat of my pants. Check warning lights and readings, listen for any untoward sounds. Everything is as it should be. Wait with feet off the pedals for perhaps another 30 seconds, while engine revs rise and fall rhythmically, then settle to a smooth burble.
Buckle seat belt, flex feet on the pedals, checking for correct position. Perfect. Check mirrors, making minor adjustments, look behind, into reverse, handbrake off, ease the clutch out gently, feeling the slight grab as the discs let go of the pads, I manoeuvre her slowly out of the driveway, listening to the low growl of the exhaust.
Road ahead clear, snick lever into 1st and move forward, then second, then third, then fourth, then fifth, each time marvelling at how 40 years of engineering development have contributed to the shear ‘meatiness’ of each gear change. Within 1,000 yards we are at the first junction, merging smoothly into light traffic, all the while keeping revs low, burbling along at less than 30mph, negotiating mini roundabouts and junctions through the small market town, feeling our joint impatience and desire to be let off the leash.
Within a mile we move into open countryside, and de-restricted zone, but still we hold back, keeping revs under 4,000, and speed well below the limit, for at least another 2 miles, all the while resisting the need to let go. Next junction, turn left onto empty open road we move up through the gears and build up the revs a little higher, until we are cruising in 6th gear, all the while feeling the engine warming through, and responding like a familiar lover.
Roundabout ahead, down through the gears to third, indicating right, road ahead clear, power through the bend and allow ourselves to drift out through the apex, exiting the roundabout at near full throttle, then fast up the hill, changing up each time at around 6,000 revs – poetry in motion!
Settle down to a brisk, purposeful pace, on beautiful winding roads, with breathtaking long distance views, which allow us to enjoy the press back in the seat when we accelerate hard, feel the centrifugal forces being cancelled out as we slingshot through bends, and the kinetic power of hard braking when required. Passing through small villages and more open countryside, almost without conscious effort, the miles fly by, marvelling at how good it feels to be alive, and how a 20-year old machine can add to that feeling by giving so much pleasure, so much delight, and so much satisfaction.
All too soon over an hour has passed by, today’s journey is ending, as we ease back into the driveway. Into neutral, hand brake on, ignition off, breathe in again those now thoroughly warmed through and driven Porsche smells, sitting back quietly, satisfied, listening to the hot engine ticking, heart beating in tune, and adrenalin rush subsiding. Feel the reluctance to leave, but get out anyway, lock up, and glance back once more with admiration as I walk back to the house.
First ever drive in a 993?
Nope.
Just the first pleasure drive this week after the rain had washed the snow and salt off the roads.
And after 15-years of joyful ownership, it always feels this good to take her out!
Walk purposefully towards her, admiring the classic understated lines and elegant stance. Quick once over, checking for blemishes, signs of neglect, or damage. Everything is in order, including the tyres. Butterflies in stomach, open the driver’s door, slide into the seat and shut the door, feel that hewn-from-granite thud, then look around slowly, breathing in the unique old Porsche aroma, I instantly relax.
Alarm fob in, wait for the beep, key in ignition, turn, hear the flat six burst instantly into life and feel the distinctive throb and vibration through the seat of my pants. Check warning lights and readings, listen for any untoward sounds. Everything is as it should be. Wait with feet off the pedals for perhaps another 30 seconds, while engine revs rise and fall rhythmically, then settle to a smooth burble.
Buckle seat belt, flex feet on the pedals, checking for correct position. Perfect. Check mirrors, making minor adjustments, look behind, into reverse, handbrake off, ease the clutch out gently, feeling the slight grab as the discs let go of the pads, I manoeuvre her slowly out of the driveway, listening to the low growl of the exhaust.
Road ahead clear, snick lever into 1st and move forward, then second, then third, then fourth, then fifth, each time marvelling at how 40 years of engineering development have contributed to the shear ‘meatiness’ of each gear change. Within 1,000 yards we are at the first junction, merging smoothly into light traffic, all the while keeping revs low, burbling along at less than 30mph, negotiating mini roundabouts and junctions through the small market town, feeling our joint impatience and desire to be let off the leash.
Within a mile we move into open countryside, and de-restricted zone, but still we hold back, keeping revs under 4,000, and speed well below the limit, for at least another 2 miles, all the while resisting the need to let go. Next junction, turn left onto empty open road we move up through the gears and build up the revs a little higher, until we are cruising in 6th gear, all the while feeling the engine warming through, and responding like a familiar lover.
Roundabout ahead, down through the gears to third, indicating right, road ahead clear, power through the bend and allow ourselves to drift out through the apex, exiting the roundabout at near full throttle, then fast up the hill, changing up each time at around 6,000 revs – poetry in motion!
Settle down to a brisk, purposeful pace, on beautiful winding roads, with breathtaking long distance views, which allow us to enjoy the press back in the seat when we accelerate hard, feel the centrifugal forces being cancelled out as we slingshot through bends, and the kinetic power of hard braking when required. Passing through small villages and more open countryside, almost without conscious effort, the miles fly by, marvelling at how good it feels to be alive, and how a 20-year old machine can add to that feeling by giving so much pleasure, so much delight, and so much satisfaction.
All too soon over an hour has passed by, today’s journey is ending, as we ease back into the driveway. Into neutral, hand brake on, ignition off, breathe in again those now thoroughly warmed through and driven Porsche smells, sitting back quietly, satisfied, listening to the hot engine ticking, heart beating in tune, and adrenalin rush subsiding. Feel the reluctance to leave, but get out anyway, lock up, and glance back once more with admiration as I walk back to the house.
First ever drive in a 993?
Nope.
Just the first pleasure drive this week after the rain had washed the snow and salt off the roads.
And after 15-years of joyful ownership, it always feels this good to take her out!
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