by John Glynn | Mar 31, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Race and Rally
Following its record-breaking 17-car entry on the 2013 East African Safari Classic Rally, renowned UK Porsche specialist, Tuthill Porsche, is amongst the first teams to commit to the inaugural Classic Rally of South Africa.
Tuthill Porsche South Africa
Held over five days from September 1, the 2014 Classic Rally of South Africa will cover more than 2,000 kms, including 800 kms of special stages through the incredible Mpumalanga Valley, close to the Kruger National Park, and South Africa’s borders with Mozambique and Swaziland.
The South African Classic is the brainchild of Surinder Thatthi, former head of the East African Safari Classic Rally and FIA World Council representative for Africa. Early rally entrants, John Lloyd and co-driver Adrian Cavenagh, have chosen a Tuthill Porsche ‘Safari’ 911 to attack this epic endurance event. Lloyd has previously tasted success with Tuthills, finishing fourth overall on the 2005 Safari Classic in a Porsche 911 prepared at the rally team’s base in Wardington, Oxfordshire.
“We’re excited to be heading for South Africa, racing to win in an all-new location,” says Richard Tuthill. “The team behind Classic South Africa is the same group that made Safari such a test of car and character. With a challenging route through a glorious landscape, no doubt this rally will be just as exciting.
“Thanks to discounted entry fees on this inaugural event, we’ve created some attractive arrive-and-drive packages with full car support. Enjoying a Tuthill Safari Porsche at speed through some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not to be missed. The opportunity to break new ground in rallying is rare, so we’re looking forward to a strong Team Tuthill presence in Nelspruit on September 1st.”
by John Glynn | Mar 30, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Market & Prices
Another year, another Essen Techno Classica. The 2014 show weather was gorgeous all the way through, prompting a half day sitting by the Rhine, watching the world go by rather than slogging around seventeen halls of old cars.
In three days, we ate enough pork to fill a 911 and drank enough beer to sink one. We ended up driving in Jezza’s Saab diesel estate, which did all the European miles on one tank of fuel: impressive. Even more impressive was the amount of Merlot he crammed into it on the way out of France.
There are always Porsches at Essen, but definitely felt like a lesser presence than in previous years. Some very lovely 356s, a handful of pre-68 911s and not as many impact bumper (IB) cars as two years ago. I spotted one or two 928s, but 924s and 944s were thin on the ground.
The 964 population was reasonable. This yellow 964 Speedster below was tucked in one hall: seemed like a sensible Essen price circa €120k but I didn’t study it too hard after finding a few details lacking. The Lemon Yellow 3.2 Speedster up top was a favourite car this trip: one for the lottery wish list.
You’ll need a lottery win if rising IB Speedster prices keep at it. One of my travelling companions owns a 3.2 Speedster in black with less than 20k miles and full Porsche history. As a low-mileage narrow-body 3.2 Speedster recently sold for £250k at auction, he’s overdue an updated insurance valuation.
Life doesn’t get much better than a road trip into Germany with beer-loving friends. I highly advise you to follow my lead.
by John Glynn | Mar 26, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Project Cars
Our mate Justin in Australia just shared some pictures of his 1968 Porsche 911 L approaching the final days of restoration.
Porsche 911 Restoration Australia
A body overhaul has been completed and the 911L has been repainted in Dark Green Metallic. Dark Green is a colour that’s hard to capture on camera, as light affects it tremendously. A dark green metallic 911 in UK light can look muddy, whereas Dark Green in California sparkles and shines.
JR’s car is looking hot in fresh paint. “I’m really pleased with how it’s going, and how it’s turned out,” says the owner. “The car is at Pro Stitch at present, then back to Zags, and then to Grants (Autohaus Hamilton) for reassembly. With luck I will have it back mid-April.”
by John Glynn | Mar 25, 2014 | Classic Porsche Blog, Road Trips
Tomorrow is the big day: off to Germany for the 2014 Essen Techno Classica. Thanks to one dirty dropout in our party of four, the M3 will be three up as it heads for Dover at silly o’clock, but not light on laughs. The craic should be mighty en route: this was the start of my 2010 drive in the orange Porsche 911.
Essen is one of those trips you put off for years and then wonder what took you so long. I often get to the end of a trip and think “I’ll have next year off”, as much of what’s there can feel samey for regular visitors. But, come January, we are booking hotels and planning transport. It’s not as expensive as you might think, and attending with a bunch of mates is great for the soul. It really is the ultimate way to start the Porsche season.
Never easy to predict what will be present, the Essen show honours attendees with the widest range of classic eye candy anywhere in Europe. Only bettered by the owner car parks at Classic Le Mans – and even then just because France is outside and sunny – Essen is a showcase for disposable income. Amongst the blatant dealer profiteering lie some really unique cars, competing for dealer bragging rights.
Last year, one dealer gathered Citroen DSs from the original Paris launch. All the cars were from private collections, with nothing for sale at the show, but that homework made him a megastar. The stand was thronged, causing traffic jams as the crowd stopped to take pictures: seriously good for business when the best network is all that matters.
What will be in this years ‘for sale’ car parks? What madness will have possessed the dealers’ pricing pens? What despicable characters await in the Dusseldorf bars? And the biggest question: why aren’t you coming to Essen?
by John Glynn | Mar 24, 2014 | Porsche Cayenne, Project Cars
Spent a very interesting lunch hour today with the gearbox technician currently rebuilding the Aisin Warner 09D transmission from my 2004 Porsche Cayenne S (V8 model with 6-speed Tiptronic/automatic).
I got the call at 11.30 that the transmission was out and coming apart. Ninety minutes later I was there with my camera. It was educational to say the least! Even had a demo of the valve body in action: quite fascinating.
The strip revealed no jammed clutch plates as was first suspected. One clutch pack has completely melted with some damage obvious on another. Other than that, it looks lovely in bits and I have every confidence that it will be mega to drive once repaired.
The technician reported that it would not change from first on his test drive. I didn’t have that problem when I drove it around the car park before the recovery truck arrived: it was flicking through 1,2 and 3 fine. My issue was all in the high gears: no drive in 4, 5 or 6.
No matter now as it is in pieces and will be fully rebuilt. The torque converter has gone off to be reconditioned and that is unlikely to be back until Friday. So it will be next week for a pickup. I don’t mind, as we are taking the M3 on our annual pilgrimage to Essen. Cayenne back next week – awesome.
