EASY 3rd weekend-of-the-month 356 meeting

[John Z Goriup]

I've mentioned this before, but just to set the scene for today's post, please allow me to recap that on the 1st Saturday of each month Jim Braezeale hosts R Gruppe monthly meetings, and two weeks hence, on the 3rd Saturday of each month, EASY becomes the place for the local 356 enthusiasts to find common ground with like-minded fanatics. These reports will not ever become a regular feature, nor are they intended to be free advertisements for Jim's Porsche-only enterprise, rather, I offer these posts to inform and entertain with what I hope will be of some interest and to brighten up a long, gray and cold winter and to relieve the hopelessness of January.

When I left my home in Walnut Creek at about 9:30 AM about 12 miles East of EASY it was 37 degrees - a mere 20 minutes later in Emeryville @ Easy it was a delightful 55. You just knew then it was going to turn out to be a good day.

Even though today was 356 Day only 2 showed up. The wonderfully unfinished and patinaed '64 C Coupe in primer and a Cabriolet I had not seen before with its fender-mounted mirrors in an unorthodox location. Of note was also a highly original, well-done & clean '69 beige 911T, all work done by the owner.

JZG

[John Z Goriup]

......but pride of place today belonged to a very clean, ultra rare '64 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Karmann built, pillar-less two-door Coupe, that had been treated about 20 years to a 6.3 engine conversion. The basic car originally housed a 2.2 liter motor, but when that Series was discontinued and M-B slowly began migrating to the dark side and producing ever larger, heavier and electronically encumbered slick "poseur" models, several German-based "Tuners" began specializing in converting the earlyW 111, W 112 S and SE Coupes and Sedans to 6.3, 6.9 and current AMG V-8 motors / powertrains. These are generally offered with a huge range of options, can range from basic mechanical conversions to full Singer-style "Re-imaginations" and have reached 500,00 Euros for the most over-the-top luxury versions.

This particular model was converted in Martinez, CA by a local shop using a 300 SEL 6.3 as a donor for the entire drivetrain, since the increase in horsepower / torque would have destroyed the original transmission and differential in short order. The result is quite stunning. Starting it produces a subtle bass rumble, it pulls with real authority and the original 170 kph top speed has now moved well into V-rated tire territory. The conversion also entailed bigger brakes and beautiful later-model Fuchs 14" forged wheels. What a grand GT for weekends such as this one.

[John Z Goriup]

and a few more to finish the M-B coverage.

Also in attendance a visiting member who was there for the first time in his relatively rare '93 Porsche 993 RS ( yes, the good desirable year with OBD I ), in the striking Midnight Metallic Blue shade with modified suspension, exhaust, and interior made more suitable for DE and track driving.

[Peanut]

and a few more to finish the M-B coverage.

Also in attendance a visiting member who was there for the first time in his relatively rare '93 Porsche 993 RS ( yes, the good desirable year with OBD I ), in the striking Midnight Metallic Blue shade with modified suspension, exhaust, and interior made more suitable for DE and track driving.

Is that a 993 or a 964 in your picture?

[John Z Goriup]

Of course it's a 964...........sorry, my mind was elsewhere.

JZG

[Peanut]

I've really started to like the looks of the 964s. I know many like the bright colors, but this one is a beautiful color in my opinion.