Grassroots Motorsports Page Filler

I was ecstatic that Grassroots Motorsports featured me as their NASA member profile. It was odd but fun to be written about, instead of being the one doing the writing.

Pick up an issue today to read about me, or better yet to read about their $2009/$2010 challenge. A much better way to spend money on a cheap car than LeMons racing.

Hunt for 901 Now on Kindle

Now, you can pick up a copy of my book for less than most euro car mags cost. No pictures, but on a words for dollars cost, it is a great deal.

Grand Wagoneer Plaid Headliner

Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are at a cocktail party right now bemoaning how their Hampton's or Nantucket beach vehicle lacks as much style as mine.

I could not be more pleased with how much this brightens up the interior of the Wagoneer. And when I pull into the pits this season, there will be some looks from the competition. They will think, 'if this guy has this much time and energy on hand to prep his tow vehicle, his race vehicle must be prepped beyond belief." That's right. Fabric can intimidate.

I want plaid headliners in all my vehicles now.

Headliner Restoration

The headliner of my Grand Wagoneer was as saggy as the cast of Cocoon. It was just a bit floppy in the back and I could abide by this. But when it started grazing against my head as I was perched on the delicious corduroy(the etymology for this word is cloth of kings) it got a bit bothersome. So, I decided to redo it.

First step was removing the two cardboardish panels. This was the work of five minutes and a phillips screwdriver to take down the visors and coat hooks.

Once out, before you put on any fabric, you need to clean off the old, deteriorating foam. This is an odd job. Some people suggest a wire wheel on a drill. I felt that was too aggressive. So, poking around the tool box I found the three-inch hand held floor scraper I last used when removing the old linoleum from my house. It did a peach of a job taking off the old foam but not damaging the fragile twenty year old cardboard.

The results? Well, I bought the fabric, the pattern will be a surprise, and was about to start the job when my wife stumbled upon me. She saw me throwing fabric and scissors around and suggested I pay a pro to do the job. I agreed. There was no way I was going to cover the 4 foot wide by 9 foot long roof without a wrinkle.

Ok. I pick up the pieces in a few days. All I can say is, yacht club on wheels.

My First Bring A Trailer Post.

So, after a two years of daily checking. And a least a dozen submissions, the first car I found and submitted to Bring a Trailer was featured.

This was quite a thrill. Despite the no pay, it brought as much joy as the first automotive writing article I ever placed with 911 & Porsche World. 

Good Fun. And I wish I had a spare $35k to pick up this racer.

Are Porsches Good Enough to Eat?

Don't ask me how I found this article, but I did. Anyway, it is a 997 covered in chocolate. Details of how at the jump to the UK Sun paper.

Go back to the chocolate biz card I featured a few months back and it seems there is a trend here. My neighbor owns a 78 SC in the color, 'Bitter Chocolate'. My SC has a 'chocolate brown' interior. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

The Things I Do So The Porsche Does Not Get Driven In Bad Weather

20 degrees. Dark. The heater blower motor went on the Jeep. It of course rolled over and went dead on a day in Denver when it was 8 below. No joke.

So, after waiting a couple of days for the part to get here I put it in. Of course, the wiring and squirrel cage alignment were not plug and play. But the end result of copious and silent heat was worth it. Frost bite on fingers is not permanent, right?

New Porsche and Explanation of Lack of New Posts

So, my latest purchase is a new Porsche 997 coupe in Guards Red C2 spec. The one option I did tick off was the plush option. I was at the Porsche dealer buying wiper blades for my 02 Audi(Which is a whole other story about corporate stupidity) when I saw this plush toy for sale. I had to pick it up. Although not as plush as the 924 above courtesy of j4u.ru but it is plush nonetheless.

Which brings me to my lack of posting. Six weeks ago I welcomed my first kid. Graham. He and mom are healthy and he already has a full race suit so he can join me in the paddock at 944 events next season. So, now that things are coming to somewhat a normal level I can again post and dedicate lots of time to all things Porsche.

Stolen Fuchs = New Watch

Thank you Mr. Thief. After collecting and then selling my long stolen Fuchs I had some change burning a whole in my pocket. And after having bought my wife a Hamilton Lady Jazzmaster, I had an itching for a nice watch. Or at least a decent one.

I always loved the Porsche Design watches. Some, the automatics are a bit over the top and dressy for me. Not to mention very expensive. And, not being a snob, I am open to a quartz movement. So, I tracked down this limited edition of 911 Porsche 911 To The Core Watch. Mine is number 83 out of the 911 pieces. I love it. Well sized for me. It comes with a rubber band and a fabric strap. The blue is a nice touch, but still subtle enough. 

Fantastic Paint Mint 996

The folks at Rayco have this fantastic 996 C4S for sale. Kudos to whoever ordered this car in mint green. Man, if I had the money to order a new Porsche I would get no options except paint to sample in a mint green like this or a light blue. Well done. And ouch, if this had maybe 40,000 more miles on it I might be able to afford it.