Sunday, July 28, 2013

GSX-R panels back from the painter (again)

So this weekend the GSX-R1100 resto project took another step forward with the completion of the bodywork. We'd originally had it painted by the "guy who works mainly out of his garage but uses his boss's spray booth occasionally" (you know the sort) and while it turned out OK, he didn't clear over it. Normally this mightn't have been an issue but the decals we used were not uniformly glossy (some were kind of matte in fact) and it just didn't look quite right.

So I contacted the shop that painted the ducktail on my Porsche and they recommended Kevin at Urban Autobody, and I took the panels over a couple weeks ago. Kevin is a top chap and very handy with a spray gun, and so after a fashion I got a call to pick up the panels.





Can hardly wait to get them on the bike!!

Friday, July 12, 2013

The 911 at 50

On July 11, Porsche Centre Winnipeg hosted the unveiling of the special Porsche 911 Carrera "50 Years 911" for members of the Red River chapter and other interested Porsche fans. The Porsche Centre served up some tremendous hospitality along with soft drinks and delicious appetizers.

General Manager Michael Degroseilliers was a gregarious host and we enjoyed talking Porsche with him. But in the end the car was the star and it is a stunner!

The exterior features special Geyser Grey Metallic paint as a nod to the original 901; it's one of three exclusive 50th anniversary colours, the others being Graphite Grey and Black, both non-metallic. The feature car was also equipped with distinctive-looking LED headlights. Front air intakes are chrome and the turnsignals echo the shape of the first-generation "long-hood" 911 units.

Profile is standard 991, which means "classic 911"... anodized window trims also echo the ur-911.

Also exclusive to the 50th anniversary edition are the 20" Fuchs forged alloy wheels. Not sure I am personally smitten with the anodized "petals" but everyone else seemed to like them, and Michael assured me that they could be customized to my taste when I ordered the car. Sold! ;-)

Out back there is more chrome as well as a special "911-50" logo.

The option sheet on the special 50th 911. Some relevant numbers: 430 horsepower; 7 speed manual transmission; 4.2 sec 0-60mph; 303km/h top speed; $152,500.

The outside of the 911 Carrera "50 Years 911" is pretty special, no doubt. But where it gets really gorgeous is inside. The leather seats with houndstooth-check cloth inserts are simply spectacular. This is really as nice as a modern 911 interior gets, I reckon.

Does that not look classy and comfortable? Special 911-50 logo appears on headrests as well.

The dashboard is accented with tasteful brushed-aluminum trim. The 911-50 emblem appears above the glovebox along with the number of the particular car in the series, which is limited to 1,963 examples (get it?)

That beautiful interior deserves one more photo. Ausgezeichnet!

Unfortunately the "engine compartment" delivers all the visual excitement of a hairdryer. The good stuff (3.8 litre flat-six engine) is buried well beneath and produces 430 horsepower :-) (The Carrera S powerkit is standard)

Porsche Centre Winnipeg also treated attendees to some very nice swag: 911 posters reprinted from vintage originals, a fold-out brochure on the 901, a set of commemorative 50th-anniversary 911 postcards, and even a Porsche Centre Winnipeg license plate frame.

My thanks to Michael and the staff at Porsche Centre Winnipeg for their gracious hospitality and their generosity in hosting the event. The new Porsche Centre is a fantastic facility and I strongly encourage a visit if only to have a chat with Michael and ogle some gorgeous new Porsches!

Monday, July 8, 2013

Porsche Parade: Pony and Picnic in the Park

June 30, 2013 was "Porsche Club of America" night at the local Pony Corral cruise night. There was a good showing from the local chapter with about 20 cars coming out. I made sure to be there to get my free drink and giant hamburger - wow was it big.

Chapter president Geoff was there with his new-to-him '79 930. What a cool car, in wonderful preserved condition. The boxed rockers are sure unusual, Geoff says that they were added at the factory.

I brought out my '85 Carrera 3.2 of course.

Next to me was an '89 Carrera 3.2 in Slate Grey, this is a Euro model and a beauty. Cloth upholstery too which is rare to see.

Of course there is always "that guy" and in this case it was Bentley Man (at right, in tan shorts) who appeared to insist on parking right at the entrance. His travelling companion is the lovely lady just to the left of the car.
 
This uniquely customized vehicle is Pontiac Grand Am with the personalized plate "Hot SE". Dale said it reminded him of the Red River Ex on wheels. To me it had a certain Filipino Jeepney-like quality:

But hey, to each his own. That guy would probably think my mostly-stock Porsche is the height of lameness.

Then the following Sunday, the local PCA chapter organized a picnic in Assiniboine Park followed by a drive out to a local drive-in about 17km north of the city.
 
There was a pretty good turn-out of cars from the club.

I had mine there of course, freshly detailed. I think I will take some better pics and write up a post on that.


Anyway, after a fashion we all arrived at the Half-Moon Drive In in Lockport, and basically monopolized the lower parking lot for an impromptu car show.

PCA member Paz and Lisa brought his 2012 Turbo Cabrio. As I said to Pam afterwards, there was evrything out on the drive from $5K (mid-'80s 944s) to $170K (this Turbo). Pretty inclusive club I guess!

 Crowd around Geoff's Turbo.

Andy's '87 Carrera 3.2 with the inferior heavyweight G50 gearbox ;-)