To drive or not to drive

[Stephen T]

Hello early 911ers,

This is my first post as a new owner of a 1973 911S. This is my first early 911but I have owned a 1959 SRC and a 1998 993 and wish I still had both. I purchased the car from an eBay auction which is a little unnerving as I have not set eyes on the car yet. To those of you who follow the eBay auctions this was the red car that was restored in Europe during the 1980s. The 911 is in Huntington Station (Long Island), New York and I live in southern California. I am considering flying into New York and driving the car cross country to California. What better way to get to know the car. This may be insane and could be a disaster or maybe the trip of a lifetime. Is there a 911 support group that spans our great nation in case I run into a little trouble, or at least a list of trusted repair shops? What would be an appropriate list of spares to carry? If I make the trip I will try to find a laptop computer to take along and I could give trip updates along the way. Or maybe I’ll just have it shipped.

Later,
Steve

[911quest]

They put tires on them for a reason Just remember your only a tow truck ride away from home I WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT Arange to have the car checked out before you leave New York

[pu911rsr]

Steve,
I have done this at least 6 times in the last couple of years, worst thing that happened was buying a car with couple of dead batteries, It is always a good adventure. I would suggest a good inspection by a competent Porsche mechanic.
Enjoy,
Phil

[HarryD]

Steven,

About a year ago, a poster here and at Pelican Parts (http://forums.pelicanparts.com), hads a '73 E restored and then took it on a road trip (http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ad.php?t=4635). Look up his story. His handle is larry47us.

Also, Harry Hoffman (hoffman912) has quite the adventure in his cross couintry trip in his 912. I am not sure where the story is tho'.

I would say, get the car checked out by a good mechanic and go for it!

[Gburner]

Maybe the AAA extra towing miles coverage would be helpful?

[boxster03]

yes upgrade to the top AAA membership for a few $ more and I think they will tow you once a yr. upto 300 miles. you can not beat that.

[kenikh]

I bought mine and drove it 1400 miles home. What a great trip. If the PPI is solid and the car is tuned up, do it. That said, folloe everyones advice: spring for a robust towing service. If you choose a route, I am sure a few members would offer up their contact info.

[boxster03]

america has become so timid that a trip like this scares us, use to be we loaded up the family and hit the road in those 50-60's beasts and survived. Hard to believe. We have cell phones, the internet and parts that can get any where in 24hrs, be adventerous and do it, some day gas will be gone and it won't be an option.

[fryardds]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your early 911 purchase. Yes a cross-country trip sounds like a great adventure as a matter of fact if you hurry you can join up with a group of 6 other cars that is making a cross-country trip from the Midwest to Southern CA and then up to Sonoma. We leave from IL next Saturday (Apr. 29). Probably not enough time for you to work it out but check it out anyway.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...ead.php?t=8320

What is the condition of the car you purchased? If you post your proposed route ahead of time I am sure the guys in the area would offer assistance if needed.

[RickS]

Yes, welcome to the BB and great resources (human capital) you will find.

As a cautionary tale, I purchased a 73 S in Hollywierd 3 years ago. The owner picked me up at LAX and we drove it about two hours on a round about way to his home to complete the paper work. I asked him if he considered the car roadworthy for a trip to Seattle. He said 'absolutely' without hesitation. I was very tempted, but wasn't looking forward to a two day road trip of that distance since I had commitments on Monday.

I had the car shipped and took delivery a week later. After my wife and I took the car out to dinner and back home - the car didn't start the following day. The CD unit gave up the ghost. I had the car flatbedded to my local specialist who had a spare and replaced it the next day. But he had other news as well.

After he plugged in the new CD, and fired it up, one of the original fuel lines started spraying the engine with gas. He shut it down immediately and grabbed the fire extinguisher. Luckily nothing was hot and there were no funky wires.

Morale to the story - have the car thoroughly checked out by a knowledgeable Porsche wrench before embarking on an epic journey or it could end before you get going.

I am happy to read the successful stories of the other board members, they were lucky, and I was damned lucky on two counts.

Enjoy the car, enjoy the drive, and welcome.