This article is not really written for the Porsche owners. It's for those people who have dreamed of owning one, or who just ask the question, "What's it really like to drive a Porsche?"
Our test car was a nearly new, low mileage '82 911 SC. It was white in color, and had a T…
Giving myself some perspective, at the time of the test, 911s had been around for only about 20 years, long wheelbase 911s for about 15, and Porsches before that were pushrod fours that started out as VW based engines 35 years earlier than this test before the engineering diverged.
The oldest Boxsters today are, what, nearing 30? So at the time of the test, the 356 had been around in totality only a little longer than the Boxster today.
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
Wow, yeah. That really puts it into perspective. 
Wow, totally forgot about this article–from deep, deep in the back catalog.
I am really enjoying the postings of old articles.
I also enjoy seeing the original print images of them, along with the ads that ran along side of them. Looks like 'Quickor' is no longer in business. And the ad for the civic/CRX parts is interesting as well.
In reply to BA5 :
The ads are almost my favorite part. I always enjoy putting the prices through an inflation calculator.
In reply to BA5 :
Yeah, "Renault Performance Specialist" ... when's the last time anyone saw that phrase used in the States? I know I'm old, but damn I'm old.
I love the ads as well.
I remember sending checks or even actual cash through the mail to order catalogs. Those days are loooong gone.
Coniglio Rampante said:In reply to BA5 :
Yeah, "Renault Performance Specialist" ... when's the last time anyone saw that phrase used in the States? I know I'm old, but damn I'm old.
Yeah that one caught my eye as well!
"Le Car Headers"!!!!
Chuck made Hondas go FAST!
BA5 said:Coniglio Rampante said:In reply to BA5 :
Yeah, "Renault Performance Specialist" ... when's the last time anyone saw that phrase used in the States? I know I'm old, but damn I'm old.
Yeah that one caught my eye as well!
"Le Car Headers"!!!!
They seemed to find another suitable vehicle after Renault pulled out of the US.
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
As I recall, Chuck, may he rest in peace, had account number 1 in our subscription database. He wasn’t the first subscriber, but during a conversion he landed the top spot.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Chuck built a racecar out of an 84-87 Civic hatchback that had been a Domino's Pizza delivery car. He kept the Domino's livery.
He told me that he bought the car because it still smelled like pizza inside.
Chuck may have enjoyed a pizza or three over the years.
A 1971 911T was the first 911 I drove; even though it's the poverty spec 911 I still like it the most.
I really don't enjoy late model 911s; they are better in every way than the old cars but for me they've become big and bloated.
I'll take the 1000lb lighter car every time.
In reply to Tom1200 :
The part that amused me even more than the dig about 911s getting their own autocross class so they don't get beat up on by RX-7s and GTIs (which made 100hp and 90hp at the time) was the comments on the steering.
Oh my the 911 steering.
It's some confluence of rack design, driving position, chassis weight balance, tire sizing, and front end geometry. It's absolutely magical. It's light but reasonably quick, communicative without being punishing. The first time I drove one, I understood what people meant when they'd say it writhes.
I like these older ones way more than the newer ones dulled by steamroller tires and power assist. As Ferris Bueller said, it is so choice.
It also reminds me of a time when cars had more character, instead of everything being focus-grouped and overperfected to the same bland sameness. You were choosing a car for its character, not for how well the radio interfaced with your phone and what color package looked best.
Just a thought, have you at GRM thought about scanning all the old issues of AUTO-X for the website...? Sure seems like alot of readers are enjoying a look back to the old days...
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
Chuck did the top end of my CRX after I bought it from a friend for $400 with a seized cam and a snapped timing belt, but man, Barre, MA was kind of in the middle of nowhere...
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