Horizontally Opposed (HO) is the official publication of First Settlers Region (FSR), Porsche Club of America (PCA). All opinions, views and information appearing in HO are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the PCA, FSR, its Officers or the Editor.
The HO Editor reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. Permission is granted to reprint any material provided that full credit is given to the author and to Horizontally Opposed.
This publication, and previous publications of Horizontally Opposed, are available to view on-line at www.fsrpca.org.
Advertising rates, schedules and commercial partner marketing support is available to all parties interested in engaging the members of the First Settlers Region of the Porsche Club of America. Please contact HO Editor, Brad Jublou, at editor@fsrpca.org or call 757.971.7849 for more information.
Presidential Musings, Erik Apotheker
When my Musings for the previous issue of HO was being drafted, FSR had completed the annual election for the 2023 Executive Committee and planning for the January Board Meeting was well underway. Having installed most of our chairpersons, another update seems in order. These fellow members have graciously agreed to join our leadership helping to guide us forward.
Please join me in welcoming them all and offering a sincere thank you for their willingness to contribute their time and immeasurable talents. I believe I speak for us all when I say that we are excited to see what our future holds. While they will no doubt chart our path forward, those that have brought us this far should not be overlooked.
After many years of support, Scott Hoffman, our HPDE Registrar, has transitioned his function to Kira Mellups. Having retired from his second career last fall, we hope Scott will now have more time available to get on track instead of being behind the scenes.
As previously announced, Josie Grandfield has completed her transition as well. I hope you will enjoy her article in this issue about her experiences over more than a decade of dedicated service to FSR.
One member who continues to expand his service to the club is Marco Estrada. Collaborating on the desire to put FSR “in your pocket,” Marco was able to bring a vision to life in the form of a robust app that has received acclaim and fast member adoption. If you have not already downloaded the app on your Android or iOS device, I highly suggest doing this now so you can stay aware of all our upcoming events and current news.
In the spirit of recognition, we recently learned that members completing 5, 10, 15 and 20-year increments of membership can upon request receive a special decal indicating membership length and nice certificates of recognition. All members, family members and affiliate members are eligible. Order (free) your anniversary materials at https://www.pca.org/ anniversary.
In other news, it is my sincere pleasure to share that 2023 is off to an exciting start, beginning with our announcement that FSR is now a car club member of the Car Club Council of Hampton Roads.
Established in 1991, the Car Club Council of Hampton Roads is a nonprofit association of car clubs from all over southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. The CCCHR serves as a central point of communication for organizations looking to deconflict the scheduling of automotive events such as car shows, rallies, and charity events during the year. With the goal to help support the established local car clubs and their members, the Council is active in perpetuating the car culture of Hampton Roads and provides a central point for advertising of automotive related activities.
These two independently operating organizations have already begun brainstorming ways to afford FSR opportunities to host Autocross and other events which require significant executional resources beyond our current reach. FSR remains steadfastly focused on perpetuating all things Porsche and to enhancing member comradery, while doing good in our communities.
2023 is shaping up to be one of our most active years yet, so get your car over to one of our sponsors for its spring maintenance, then get on our app and sign up for one of the events that sounds most interesting to you. I look forward to seeing you on the road.
Keep the Porsche Spirit!
This quarter’s HO contains a summary of last quarter’s annual Open Board of Director’s (BOD) meeting in November, and the first BOD meeting of 2023, which we held at the beginning of January. As a reminder to all, the BOD will meet bi-monthly in 2023, and anyone may attend a BOD meeting anytime. They’re all held on ZOOM, however, so if you’d like to sit in, just let any BOD member know and you can get the ZOOM link in advance.
Regarding both the Open BOD and January meetings, as noted above, they were held via ZOOM and highlights follow:
• In a quick recap of the fall elections, Erik Apotheker returns as FSR President; Keith Stone is our new Eastern VP; Mike Ball will remain Western VP, and Jerry Kent will return for another “tour” as Treasurer. Along with Melinda Cagle, Past President, and yours truly, we constitute your EXCOM. The Activities Officer position is now vacant and we all thank Greg Kahles for his service as such, and Jim Hamel for having served as Eastern VP.
• The following will continue in their BOD roles: Dave Wallace, Asst. VP/West and Driving Tourmeister; Brad Jublou, HO editor; Marco Estrada, HPDE Chair; Mark Hugel, Safety; Ken Thomas, Membership; George Michaels, Registrar; and Jacob Kay, Goodies Store. New Board members assuming their roles are Ruth Apotheker, Charity Chair; Jim Hamel, Tech Chair; and Carlton Harris, AVP/East. And lastly, other Board member Greg Kahles joins Roops Ramdon as co-chair of Social Media; and Jason Horner remains our Webmaster.
• FSR’s checkbook balance continues to be healthy, with a balance of about $130,000 in the bank, and all bills paid. For those who don’t know, FSR receives a variety of “stipends” throughout the year for events we host. We also receive a quarterly stipend for membership from PCA National that represents a sizeable portion of our income annually.
• Membership figures for the year reflected a growth rate of 3.5%. Including affiliate members, total membership is now just shy of 1300. One monthly event that has lagged - primarily due to COVID constraints and concerns - has been the monthly membership breakfast raffles at Pop’s Diner in Chesapeake. They’re now BACK and, with a healthy attendance, $300+ was raised at the January one for charity.
• FSR Driver’s Education dates for 2023, subject to contract receipt and signing, will be April 28-30 2023 and October 13-14 2023. Be prepared for an increase in costs, however, due to increased track costs. And if you’d like to volunteer to help, feel free to contact Marco Estrada, Scott Hoffman, or Kira Mellups; help is always needed and appreciated. Oh, and there are plenty of Fun Runs, monthly “Cars and Coffee,” and other events planned!
That’s it and, as always, thanks to all those who volunteer for your Board!
News from the Secretary, John Greene John
Membership Report, Ken Thomas
First Settlers Region continued to grow in 2022. We ended the year with 838 primary members for a growth rate of 3.5%. Co-members grew to 456 for a total year end membership of 1,294.
Other key activities included:
• 104 new members joined First Settlers
• 10 members transferred into FSR from other regions
• 29 Members transferred out of FSR primarily due to retirements and job-related relocations. This activity was higher that normal and impacted growth.
• 2022 also ended with 12 dual members, 34 PCA junior members, and 10 PCA Test Drive members
Membership growth is critical to our club’s success. As you may know, we receive funds from PCA for each primary member in our region. These funds allow us to plan and execute many low and no cost events, as well as to subsidize other events.
Thank you to all our members who recruited a new member, welcomed, and engaged a new member, or encouraged a member to renew. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Feel free to reach out to me or any board member if you have any questions regarding FSR membership.
Welcome to all our new First Settlers Region members! We are happy to have you join us. Please come out to an event and enjoy the fun, meet other members, and see a lot of beautiful Porsches.
December 2022
Joseph Grames Yorktown 2002 911 Carrera
Alan Freeman Hanover 2013 Boxster S
Amber Somma
Virginia Beach 2022 911 Carrera 4
Emanuel Jackson Fredericksburg 1988 924 S
Zachary Parker Norfolk 2007 911 S Cabriolet
Vernon Dorto Virginia Beach 2018 911 Carrera 4
Bob Steele Bon Air 2023 Taycan
Shelley Thomas Hampton 2011 Boxster
Deloane Newman Henrico 2006 Boxster S
Mike Schrag Doswell 2023 Taycan GTS
Paul Butler TI Metro NY Midlothian 1974 914 1.8
Dennis O’Connor Henrico 2008 911 Carrera
Daniel Cagwin Richmond 2007 911 S Cabriolet
January 2023
Waris Shahid Glen Allen 2013 Race Car
Kevin Hennelly North Chesterfield 2000 Boxster
Charlie Marcotte Williamsburg 2018 Panamera Turbo S
Kiran George
Midlothian PCA Test Drive
Charles Neumayer Richmond PCA Test Drive
Charles Woody Yorktown 2003 911 Carrera Cab
Scott Twiford Carrollton 2021 911 Carrera
Steven Nogy - TI Potomac
Jason Hunt
Kevin Sandlin
Brad Novack
Fredericksburg 1986 911 Carrera
Chesapeake 1986 944 Turbo
Chesapeake 1980 928
Midlothian 1981 924 Turbo
Stanley Pryor Reedville 2017 911 Carrera S - 4 -
Member Anniversary Milestones
First
Quarter 2023
Congratulations to all our members who will celebrate membership milestones in the first quarter of 2023. Thank you for your loyalty to the Porsche brand, Porsche Club of America, and First Settlers Region. We hope you are enjoying your membership and all the benefits that are available to you. If you haven’t come out to an event lately, consider joining us for an event this year. First Settlers offers many popular events throughout the year with a focus on driving, socializing, and charitable activities. And our monthly breakfasts are very popular. Hope to see you soon!
40 Years Robert Shrewsberry 10 Years David Sims Doug Fleming
35 Years Martin Teeuwen Scott Bough Greg Moyer
30 Years Jeff Curtis Larry Hayes Norman Haggie
25 Years Jeff Hutchinson Jack Siegel Doug Worrall
20 Years Vincent Passione Ted Ambrose 5 years Nick Kosut Kevin Vrbanac
Donald Arbona
15 Years Christopher Acker Dick Kammann
Haywood Davis Rob Vance
Robert Brown
Kemp Norman Robert Golden
Chuck McGee Roland Wallner
Roy Gavilan Ryan Zivith
Rob Doddman David Rolllins
On the cover:
Phil Grandfield went to the 2022 Porsche Club Boardwalk Reunion last October and took this picture featuring some of the 355 Porsches participating in that event. Phil tells us all about it in his article “Boardwalk Reunion 2022,” later in this issue of HO.
If you wish to submit a photo or original piece of art to be considered for a future cover, please email editor@fsrpca.org.
Editor’s Corner Brad Jublou
By the time you find this issue in your mailbox, it will be spring. And the first Fun Run of 2023 will be weeks or days away. And not a moment too soon! Although I’ve certainly taken advantage of some of the sunny, crystal-clear winter days to take my 996 east to the oceanfront or west to the “twistys” in Isle of Wight, I’ve missed doing it in company with a gaggle of other Porsche enthusiasts. But THAT itch is about to get SCRATCHED! Can’t wait.
In the meantime, in this issue of HO, Kira Mellups tells us about her passion for High Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE) in her article “HPDE Journeys.”
In the thirteen years she’s been our club’s Charity Chair, Josie Grandfield has had a tremendously positive impact on the various charities the club has supported. She has an impressive record of accomplishments, which she looks back on in her pictorial retrospective, “Charity Over the Years.”
Jim Hamel, FSR’s Tech Chair, gives us Part 2 of his two-part series revealing how he makes his Porsches HIS.
Erik Apotheker has paint issues.
Add to all that some Pets That Love Porsches and updates from some of our Board of Directors, and I think we have an issue that will please any Porsche fan. Of course, feedback is always appreciated: send it to me at editor@fsrpca.org.
HPDE Journeys - AKA “Hot Track!”
By Kira Mellups, FSR Driver’s Education Co-Registrar
If there was ever a person who seemed destined to own a Porsche and drive it fast, it might have been me. My dad, IV, bought his first Porsche, a 1961 356S, in Germany while serving in the Army in 1964. In 1969 my mom, Susan, bought one of the first 914-4’s to come into the United States. My dad hydroplaned and crashed it on the way home from the dealership, but that is another story. My parents were hooked.
Almost immediately my parents joined the PCA Potomac region and started autocrossing. My mom likes to point out that she was better than my dad and even won a “stop on a dime” contest. They pretty much ate, slept, and breathed Porsche. My mom and dad and their friends, Peter and Beverly Schroeder, were the editors of the Potomac magazine, Der Vorganger, for several years and Beverly even custom designed my birth announcement, featuring the 914.
Soon autocross wasn’t enough and the Mellups family felt the need for speed. A few necessary safety additions were made to the 914, IV and Susan went to some racing schools, and they entered the SCCA race scene in the early 70’s. By 1975 the street-legal car wasn’t enough, and they purchased a race-prepared 914-4 E production race car, taking turns in the driver’s seat. My mother raced into her pregnancy with my younger sister and hung up her helmet in 1976 while my father continued to race.
Most of my favorite childhood memories are from summers spent at tracks from Florida to Ohio, but our “home track” was Summit Point in West Virginia. My parents bought a big van to tow the car, put a bed in the back, and off we went! By the age of 7 I could close my eyes and identify what model Porsche was driving by. Most of my summer friends were other “track kids;” we spent entire weekends in the paddocks of various racetracks, getting dirty and popping up to cheer our parents on when it was their turn to race.
Over time racing took a back seat and we moved to New Jersey, my dad sold his race car and picked up a 911SC; his daily driver for years. We were still involved with the PCA and my dad jumped at the chance to get back on the track with the advent of High Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE). For decades IV would head off to the track several times a year to drive his beloved Porsches the way they were meant to be driven. Eventually he became an instructor and cycled through a Boxster and his final Porsche, a 944.
Looking back, I am so sad that I did not have the opportunity to participate in HPDEs alongside my father; he stopped driving and instructing a little over a decade ago and I was off doing my own thing. I always figured I would own a Porsche one day, but it seemed out of reach for a long time. I bought my lightly used 2007 Cayman S while
living in Germany to celebrate my 40th birthday; for years I lived 2 kilometers from the autobahn and took every opportunity to drive as fast as I dared.
I finally got on the track at a Women’s HPDE run by Porsche in Baden-Baden. I was terrified and excited, because in my mind I had a lot to live up to, but being surrounded by other women who were also learning was just the environment I needed to really learn how to drive. A year later I went to a Porsche event in Leipzig and was so pleased that they allowed my father to be my “ride-along” instructor for the weekend. I will never forget my dad yelling “both feet in” at me as I slid off the skid pad and ultimately stalled my car. I will admit that I yelled back “I don’t know what both feet in means!” We had a good laugh at that.
I returned to the US shortly before COVID hit. I didn’t drive my Porsche as often and even briefly considered selling it. I had been a PCA member for a few years but because of COVID isolation and being unfamiliar with the area I didn’t know how to make contact. I don’t recall how it happened, but I finally reached out in 2021 and was encouraged to volunteer at the Zone 2 Club Race in July. That weekend was pretty much the beginning of the end. I met a fantastic and welcoming group of folks from FSR and beyond, and spent the weekend asking questions, driving charity laps on the track, and learning everything I could. When I got back to Hampton, exhausted after the weekend, I signed up for my first HPDE with Potomac at Summit Point.
I knew virtually nothing about HPDEs with PCA. I read and re-read all the information I could find, certain I would miss something and would be turned around and told to go home. My first instructor, Mitch, called me a few days before the event and asked lots of questions and put me at ease; he told me where to find him and his friends and promised to save me a parking spot with them. I arrived early on Friday morning after a long drive, found Mitch, and started unloading. Everyone welcomed me so warmly and I looked around and realized that Summit Point essentially looked like it had in the 70’s and that I was home.
Since that first HPDE at Summit Point I registered for as many HPDEs as I reasonably could. I attended a Potomac Women’s HPDC (single day clinic) as a volunteer ambassador after my third event with the goal of encouraging other women to come out to HPDEs. So many women appreciated the event and said that they were intrigued but very intimidated by the fact that most of the drivers seem to be men. They worry that they don’t know the mechanics of their cars, that they will be “bullied” on track, or that they will be ridiculed. Nothing could be further from the truth (although admittedly not every moment, not every person, is wonderful). I have found that almost everyone is so open with feedback, car questions, instruction, time, and friendship.
As we all do, I started driving in the Green group with an ever-present instructor and classroom instruction every day. My car started as bone-stock; I knew nothing about the mechanics, and although I have made a few essential changes, it still is very stock. It took me several events to get signed off to move up a class and graduate to Blue. I was so excited to have progress acknowledged, but it was hard-fought. Maybe this year I will make it to the White group… maybe not.
Since I began my journey I have learned: that I need a second job to afford HPDEs and the upkeep of my car; that track insurance is important; and that I can change my brake pads, discs, and wheels on my own in my driveway. I have learned that time on the track is more important than having the fastest or newest car out there. I have learned that “smooth is fast,” and that my car can do a lot more than I thought. I have learned that the people I have met through the PCA are the *best* and I cannot thank them enough for everything. I have learned that I am incredibly thankful to my parents, Susan and IV, for encouraging me on this journey and being there every step of the way. I am hooked!
Have you wondered what it feels like to drive your Porsche the way it was built to be driven without worrying about getting a speeding ticket? Maybe HPDE is for you! First Settlers Region offers these exciting events twice a year at Virginia International Raceway (VIR), one of the country’s best road racing venues!
Please reach out to me at DEregistrar@fsrpca.org if you have any questions about how to get involved. I have a special place in my heart for getting more women out for HPDEs and I want to hear from you!
Zone 2 Advanced HPDE March 24-26 Spring HPDE at VIR April 28-30 Fall HPDE at VIR October 13-14
Registration opened 1 February and can be found on www.motorsportreg.com.
Charity over the Years
by Josie Grandfield
It has been my pleasure to have been the First Settlers Region’s Charity Chairperson for the past 13 years. I’ve had lots of fun setting up the events, planning the fun runs and dinners, and working with the venues and sponsors, but the best part of the job has been seeing the enthusiasm and generosity of our members. I have made lifelong friends because of charity, and am not going anywhere; but it’s time for a driver change and new ideas. Let’s keep going!
The charity program started with an idea for a “weekend away” for FSR’s 50th anniversary in 2009. The Tides Inn in Irvington VA was a great choice, and it set the bar for the venues that followed. The first weekend included a historic display, a concours, a fun run, a golf tournament, a banquet dinner with a Porsche 911 ice sculpture, and a silent auction that started the First Settlers Region’s tradition of charitable giving. The only downside of the weekend in October was the miserable weather, but it didn’t dampen our spirits!
The venue moved around over the years, but the theme was always the same: to combine Porsches, driving, camaraderie, charity, and fun. We visited the Homestead Resort, Greenbrier Resort, Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton, the Hilton at the Virginia Beach oceanfront, Graves Mountain Lodge, Wintergreen Resort, Williamsburg Winery, Smith Mountain Lake, the Boys Home of Virginia, and the Berry Hill Resort in South Boston. I may have forgotten one or two.
Raffles held during our monthly breakfasts became part of the fun. Many of the raffle items came from our members, though the raffles could not have happened without the great support from Checkered Flag Porsche in Virginia Beach.
We built a house for Habitat for Humanity! Our members opened their wallets, our sponsors pitched in, and our members swung hammers to make it happen. Because of the generosity of our members, a young family is living in their own home today.
Other hands-on events included working at the foodbank and reading books to children. We collected building materials and drove them via U-Haul truck to help flood victims in Richlands West Virginia. We even raised money for charity by learning how to cook!
Turkeys-in-the-Trunk has become one of the major gatherings of the year. It couldn’t happen without the support of the Checkered Flag and Euroclassics dealerships, hundreds of generous members, and the folks who opened their homes and garages for the club-sponsored dinners that always followed. We have donated thousands of dollars and countless frozen turkeys, providing tens of thousands of meals to the needy in our communities.
The Air & Auto Classic Charity Car Show is another popular part of the charity program. The brainchild of Sam Gassel and George Michaels, this show combines great cars, historic airplanes, music, food, a silent auction, and lots of fun. It’s a great way to have fun with cars while making money for charity.
Over the years, PCA has recognized the First Settlers Region’s charity program for excellence. We have been awarded two first place trophies along with numerous other awards. We have raised well over $500,000 and built a house for Habitat for Humanity. I have always been in awe of the generosity of our members and sponsors. Thank you for all the support over the years. Most importantly, the First Settlers’ charity program is ongoing and FSR isn’t done yet. See you at the next charity event!
Making My Porsche “Mine” (Part 2)
by Jim Hamel, FSR Tech Chair
In my last article (Fall 2022 edition of HO) I discussed my return to Porsche ownership after a several year gap and detailed the path I took to make the 968 I purchased closer to the configuration I wanted in my Porsche. It was a fun journey for me and I really enjoyed the trip, but ultimately there were a couple of things that would keep me from achieving my “ideal” Porsche in the 968.
In 2017 I decided to look for a newer Porsche cabriolet. I focused on the 996 series 911, particularly the 996.2. After searching multiple sites, I found a promising 2002 car in an unlikely place - a small used car lot in Collingswood, NJ, near Philadelphia. When the car passed a Pre-Purchase Inspection with no significant concerns, I came to a price agreement with the dealer pending my final inspection upon arrival. When my daughter Abby and I got to the lot, the car looked just as in the pictures: good condition and quite vibrant (even flashy?) in its Speed Yellow. We took it for a test drive and everything was as expected, so after completing the paperwork and payment Abby and I were underway for our return home. Abby had practiced driving a manual transmission on my 968 before we left so she could drive on the way home.
Basic repairs & initial mainnance
Audio system
Because I liked the Pioneer Apple CarPlay head unit I installed in my 968 so much, I bought the same unit and installed it in my 996, this time also adding a backup camera. The rest of the audio system was the Bose package to start with, so the system sounds pretty good overall with the new head unit added.
Interior
The interior of this car started much closer to what I wanted than my 968. It already had the sport seats with the color matched backs that I put into the 968, but now the color was
As always, I start my relationships with used cars by changing all of the fluids and filters and performing the rest of the scheduled maintenance and any miscellaneous repairs to establish a good, known baseline. For this car I also needed to change the front brakes, replace the clutch pedal switch so the cruise control would work, and get the seat heater pad for the driver seat bottom replaced. I also needed to replace the catalytic converters and, after hearing the price for new Porsche OEM cats, I opted to purchase MagnaFlow aftermarket bolt-in cats for dramatically less money.
One unusual thing I did for this specific car was to have a Post Purchase Inspection at the Porsche of the Main Line (POTML) dealer in Newtown Square, PA. Through the Carfax I discovered that this car had been sold by, serviced, and eventually traded-in to POTML so I wanted to get it back there and find out as much history as I could about the 996. This visit was really worthwhile and quite enlightening. Clearly this car had been well maintained throughout its lifetime.
Speed Yellow! I also love the color matched center console and seat belts. One thing my 911 didn’t have is the full leather interior. The 996 plastic interiors look much less polished in my opinion, and the full leather is a significant upgrade. I decided to go down the upgrade path (surprise, surprise!) and so far, have replaced the door panels and the rear seat trim panels. I’ve acquired the full leather instrument binnacle cover but not the full dashboard yet. Once I buy a dash I will have a large (and somewhat intimidating) job changing it out.
One area of weakness with my car, and 996s in general, was the shift linkage feel. I think the high miles in my specific car contributed to substantial looseness in the motion. After some research I decided to find a 997 shifter, with shorter throws than the 996, and upgrade it with the Function First Shift-Right solution. The Shift-Right replaces the plastic bushings with ball bearings for significant looseness reduction. The change really improved my driving experience.
The old and the new: My old 1994 968 and my new 2002 996
Exterior
Like the interior, the exterior of my new 911 was pretty darn close to what I wanted. The original owner had POTML install the Carrera Rear Spoiler and the Aerokit II Side Skirts, so all that was missing was a front spoiler. Again, I found one that I liked on eBay, had it painted and then installed. I think it balances the overall aero look of the car nicely.
One item that I wasn’t really looking for but thought would be nice was a removable hardtop. Then one day while perusing the PCA Mart I saw a Speed Yellow hardtop for sale at a great price. The seller lived in Pennsylvania, so we met in the middle at Gettysburg for the exchange. While the soft top is remarkably well insulated and leak-free, the hardtop makes the car much quieter and greatly reduces squeaks. For a while, installing the hardtop provided sufficient protection for participating in FSR HPDE events. Alas, this benefit was short lived.
Previously VIR accepted the factory removable hardtop, along with the retractable rollover bars of the 996 cabriolets, as acceptable protection for HPDE events. I went to sign up for the spring 2022 HPDE session and while reading the registration rules discovered that VIR changed their rules to require fixed roll bars for 996 cabs. Accepting that this would likely be the situation for all future events, I decided to try and find a Porsche Tequipment roll bar, which is now out of production. I quickly found a used one in the Charleston, SC area. It’s a cool looking addition but makes access to the rear seats really difficult.
Performance
Two issues known to affect some 996 and 997.1 engines are failure of the Intermediate Shaft (IMS) bearing and scoring of
the cylinder bores of the Lokasil engine blocks. My car already had upgraded IMS bearings, so my primary concern focused on steps I could take to minimize the bore scoring risk. Ensuring maximum engine cooling and good oil flow are accepted steps to minimize bore scoring so those are the areas where I took action. 996s with the Tiptronic automatic transmissions came with a third, center radiator that manual transmission cars didn’t have. I purchased all of the parts to add the center radiator, and jumped right in. While installing this upgrade I also installed a low temperature thermostat as another step in the temperature management project.
To help maintain good oil flow and pressure I installed an X-51 style oil pan baffle. Along with using the best oil recommended by several 996/997 engine experts, there wasn’t much left to improve for the oiling system.
eBay front spoiler painted & installed
996 out touring with new hardtop
Porsche Tequipment roll bar
The next upgrade I’ll cover I included in this Performance section, but it really only improved my car’s aural performance. I have always loved the sound of Porsches with the Porsche Sport Exhaust (PSE) option. Since Porsche offered PSE as a dealer installed option, I figured I could install it too. I found the parts needed for the backfit and, with a copy of Porsche’s installation instructions in hand, off I went. I installed the system in two separate increments. First, the mufflers. Then, after several months, the installation of the vacuum and electrical system changes to add the dashboard selection switch so I could opt for the closed, quieter setting for the times I wanted to be a bit more discreet.
A decision point
About two years ago I was nearing my retirement and one of my important decisions was what car I would be driving through my retirement. I loved my 996 cabriolet and had made many changes to bring it closer to my ideal car. Unfortunately, continuing advances in electronic controls and other technologies supported horsepower levels beyond what mainstream cars of 2002 could reasonably attain. While my 320 horsepower was still nothing to be sneezed at, the fact that a stock Ford Focus could now achieve 350 caused me some agita. I had two choices for my long-term Porsche – buy a newer 911 cab close to my ideal configuration, or upgrade my engine for far more performance. I ultimately decided to keep my 996, so a drastic change was in order. I got in the queue at Flat Six Innovations (F6I) to have my
engine remanufactured into a 4.0 liter street/track configuration. Was it worth the considerable investment? Oooooooh yeah. After the 1,000 mile break-in period was complete, with the control map unlocked and the RPM restriction lifted, I could finally experience the true nature of the changes. They were, and still are, pretty dramatic. I’m looking forward to my next HPDE session so I can really explore the new performance envelope.
Summary
So now that I’ve committed to my “retirement” car, what’s next? Well, as you’ve probably figured out by now, I’ll probably never be finished bringing my car to my mind’s “ideal” configuration. But I do have a couple of projects to accomplish in the next months. First, I’ve got a full set of Öhlins coilovers, plus all new suspension control arms, waiting for installation to refresh my 125,000-mile suspension. I might also look into some minor brake system upgrades to balance my increased horsepower and upgraded suspension system. And I’m still looking for that used leather dashboard so that I can finish upgrading to the full leather interior.
By the way – we also bought a 37’ motorhome for retirement. Performance-wise I’ve already upgraded the suspension, and added a performance tune for the V10 engine.
Can someone please help me with my affliction?
Author with his favorite steed
G DIE STORE
https://www.pcawebstore.org/regions/FST
Painted in a Corner
by Erik Apotheker
For months I have been looking for a 997/991, but I have found it increasingly challenging to find a car with a color I desire. I’ve been barraged with white, black, gray, and red cars which, while beautiful, are just not what I’m looking for. It can take days of electronic research and dozens of calls across the country to find even a handful of cars to consider, let alone ones with a reasonable spec, service history and mileage count! I was perplexed as to why this was. After all, I’m not looking for a unicorn! Armed with some aging information regarding automotive paint formulations from a bygone era of my career, I began to try and get this sorted. Here is that journey into understanding why my garage bay remains empty.
Just the facts, please
Like clothing, many car owners prefer basic colors given they rarely go out of style, and they go well with various shapes and sizes. They also serve as a strong base from which to accessorize, so it is not a shock that these cars have been in demand for years. This is well documented through paint manufacturers like BASF, PPG, Akzo-Nobel and others. Overall demand feeds a vicious circle with manufacturers generally avoiding the risk of coating their cars with eccentric colors without being presold. After all, the buyers’ base is really narrow, and colors can be polarizing. Lastly, these more neutral colors are an easy selection for those concerned with making future resale easier.
• In 2022 Chromatic colors (one dominant wavelength aka pure colors) gained market share around the globe and violet gained US popularity.
• Achromatic colors dominate the automotive market, as they have for several years. Otherwise, blue or red were the most common choices.
• In Europe, white and black increased while gray and silver demand declined. Orange, yellow, brown and green saw smaller but positive demand increases.
• In South America, white, silver and beige continue to dominate.
Color, Insurance Costs, and Depreciation
Confusion set in after reading a recent Hot Cars study on car color and its link to depreciation. Researchers found that yellow holds its value the best, followed by orange, purple, and a large amount of red, green and blue hued vehicles. Conversely, gold and brown often depreciate faster with more neutral white, black, gray and silver cars all depreciating at a more average rate.
For years I heard that color impacts insurance premiums. It made sense to me when you view this all through a lens of risk. For example, doesn’t it make sense that white, silver, and gray cars would have higher insurance costs in areas that experience significant fog? Colors hard to discern in those conditions would suggest a higher risk, so I was surprised when Insurance Business Magazine debunked my perspective. It seems that unless you have a custom paint job, paint color is not a factor in establishing most premiums. I must admit, I felt semi-vindicated when I stumbled across another statistic: 46% of 2,000 survey respondents believed that red colored cars have a higher insurance premium associated with them. But then the other shoe dropped when the explanation of the perception surfaced, fully predicated on a connection between car color and being ticketed for speeding. Anecdotally, in 25+ years of owning a Guards Red 944, I was never pulled over for speeding. But what about body damage repair costs; do rarer colors drive up costs? I could not find much on this topic, but it seems odd to me that a limited production color wouldn’t be more expensive to repair due to more limited access. And, how would insurance premiums be affected by a Paint to Sample (PTS) car? Something I never considered is that blue and red cars are in more demand, and as such are often sold at higher prices. Along with lesser depreciation, insurance premiums (replacement price) could be higher. All made me wonder why I am unable to find the next addition to the automotive family.
Rennbow or Renn-no?
Enter Porsche. Well aware of color trends and their relationship to pricing, they began grassroots efforts to get us all believing that the number of Rennbow paint cans (www.rennbow. org) that our cars’ paint correlate to, would somehow magically elevate our social status, reduce our bodyfat index, and otherwise improve our quality of life. But only if we purchased such a Porsche produced in smaller color quantities. For those not familiar, the system reserves 1 paint can for the most common colors, 2-4 cans for mid-range on the rarity scale, and five cans for the rarest of all colors.
As COVID-affected supply chains created excessive delays in car production, Porsche was at an advantage having been exposing us all to Experience Centers, Car Configurators, and even more genius-level marketing - Exclusive Manufaktur.
“Individualization is at the core of Porsche. Customers have been making special requests to personalize their cars since
our earliest model, the 356,” said Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America.
“Freedom of expression and individuality have remained hallmarks of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur program since its inception. In an effort to meet increased demand and improve access for customers, Porsche has recently expanded the popular Paint to Sample (PTS) program. Featuring a selection of over 160 pre-approved colors, customers can add a bespoke touch to their Porsche vehicle with the Paint to Sample program.”
Expansion was enabled by a sophisticated new color mixing bench (where paint specialists blend several dozen ingredients in milligram increments in order to achieve the desired shade) integration within the Zuffenhausen plant. 911, 718, and Taycan model lines are assembled there. The technology also provided additional benefits in the form of increased capacity, increasing 911 throughput to ~20 cars per day without increasing the lead times required for regular production.
When a unique color request is received by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur (where the customer provides a color sample),
Photo Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America
Photo Courtesy of Porsche Cars North America
Porsche undertakes a rigorous quality and feasibility study. A customer car cannot be produced with this bespoke color until testing is compete, often 11 or so months after the initial request. Porsche is so strict on this process that if the color fails feasibility testing for any reason, Porsche will cover the cost of the study. No wonder PTS can cost $22,000 or more for most models and around $26,000 for Turbo and GT models. Cayenne models are currently excluded from this program.
Leipzig developments enable a broader array of colors, as long as you choose “Green”
Traditionally, OEM coating, drying, and color techniques rely on one of two QA systems. One is a static system without a robot; it’s just cameras in a tunnel that take pictures of the paint surface. But to ensure the highest of quality across the production, Porsche implemented a new state of the art system where two robots on a seven-axis sled with 360 degree rotation at multiple joints are able to move alongside the body shell. As the shell progresses, four cameras and a light source images a series of light patterns on the surface. The body shell is photographed every 2mm, or 100,000 pictures in just over a minute, with analysis completed in an additional 30 seconds. Each defect is identified and classified as to what sort of defect it is and how it should be attended to.
It’s probably no shock (pun intended) that EVs have certain requirements for operational temperature levels for battery and voltage systems. Hennig Steinborn, Porsche’s paint shop Lead since 2020, recently pointed out that new EV platforms required some different approaches in the paint shop as well.
The introduction of this new error detection system is a key component of these new methodologies which have far more impact. To reduce overspray, “eco-drive scrubbers” funnel air and collect excess paint, removing overspray from the paint shop and improving overall air quality in the plant. The collection of excess paint can be re-used, reducing waste and energy consumption.
So, why is my garage bay empty?
The market is still priced at a premium and the Rennbow mentality incents investors, driving up market prices beyond my comfort level. Exclusive is beyond my current budget and besides, I would go insane trying to make my color selection. I also know I would rethink the decision, at least twice daily until delivery. I don’t need that stress. Color trends impact preowned supply, limiting the potential pool of vehicles I am willing to consider. I do not wish to buy a car and have it wrapped. Sometimes, chasing after the car you want is half the fun.
Maybe I am looking for a unicorn, after all.
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Pets That Love Porsches
Pet: Hermann, Dachshund Mix
Owners: Walt Pristou and Shu Hsia Huang
Car: 1972 911 T
We rescued Hermann back in 2013 when he was about 6 months old. He has always liked going on road trips and has traveled with us as far as Bar Harbor, Maine and Tampa, Florida. Our drives ramped up a notch last summer since I finally got our Porsche back on the road after a very long down time. So far our trips together have been close to home as I’m still breaking in the engine and sorting the car out, but we are really looking forward to this coming year and doing FSR events and some longer range exploring.
The ’72 is nice since it has the “pop-out” rear windows and Hermann owns the rear deck, roaming side to side to see what is outside.
Pet: Bo, Mini-Goldendoodle Owners: Steve and Terri Anderson Car: 1972 914, Irish green
Our dog Bo enjoys our old Porsche at least as much as we do. While he loves the open-air rides, he’s also perfectly content to sit and watch (supervise?) when I’m
working on our 914. He even waits for me at the door to the garage, hoping I’ll let him sit in the car. We rescued him two years ago, but HE says that he rescued us…
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as an autumn drive in an open-air Porsche! Bo always wears his goggles and harness when he’s out in the 914 - safety first!
Why can’t we take the Porsche?!?
The Porsche Pet Picture Challenge!
Do you have a pet that likes to accompany you on your Porsche adventures? If so, we’d like to hear about it! Send us a picture or two of your pet on, in, or near you car and a short description (no more tha 200 words or so) of how you include your pet in the enjoyment of your Porsche, and we’ll feature it in an upcoming issue of HO! Format of the submission should be a Word document with full-size JPEG pictures sent along with it. Send your submissions to editor@fsrpca.org.
Boardwalk Reunion 2022
by Phil Grandfield, Zone 2 Representative photos by the author and Mike Ball
Ocean City, New Jersey is the definition of an iconic east coast beach town. The wooden boardwalk is 2.5 miles long and lined with ice cream shops, souvenir stores, pizza shops, and restaurants. But you won’t find a pub to enjoy a cold glass of beer in because Ocean City has been a dry town for centuries. Atlantic City is 20 miles north along the beach with plenty of beers and gambling if that is what you’re looking for. Ocean City is about two hours from New York and only an hour from Philadelphia, making it a perfect spot for city dwellers to escape to the shore. It is easy to picture the town filled with Packards and Fords from the ‘30’s filled with happy, smiling families.
make choices.
The Reunion started as a 356 Registry gathering a few years ago. It was a huge success, so the organizers decided to open it up to all PCA members. And they came. Last year the concern was running out of space on the boards to park all the cars two-by-two. I was near the end of the line and estimated that there was enough room for maybe another 10 happy drivers. I parked and then started walking north. It took me two hours of strolling, looking at great cars, chatting, taking pictures, and eating pizza and ice cream before I got to the front of the line. Then it took me another two hours to make it back to my car in time to make the group drive off the boards. It was a great day!
Fast forward to the 2020’s. For the past three years, in October, the Ocean City boardwalk has been the site of the Porsche Club Boardwalk Reunion. Those Packards and Fords have been replaced by Porsches of every model and many colors. What hasn’t changed is that they are still filled with happy, smiling people.
The Boardwalk Reunion is co-sponsored by PCA Zone 1 and Zone 2 and supported by volunteers from far and wide. The cars come from far and wide, too. On October 15th, 2022, 355 Porsches drove onto the boards and everyone enjoyed a great day of sunshine, comradery, and lots of car talk. The registration numbers were even higher, but there was a competing event: the Philadelphia Eagle’s playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field, about an hour away. Everyone has to
Check-in at registration starts early on Saturday morning at the Ocean City municipal airport. Then the drive to the boardwalk cuts across town with a police escort to the ramp onto the boards. The locals arrive in big numbers to watch our cars drive through their town. I met a gent who heard about the event and drove for over an hour just to see Porsches on the boardwalk. All the cars drive off the boardwalk at the same time (about 4PM) with many folks heading home while a smaller, enthusiastic crowd stays for the Saturday night party.
The party continues with a dinner and dancing at the Flanders Hotel. The Flanders is another part of the Ocean City atmosphere that makes the Reunion so enjoyable. Built in 1923, walking into the lobby feels like stepping back 100 years. The dinner is causal with great food (and because it’s a group event, alcohol is included), and there are no lengthy banquet speeches. Then the dancing starts!
The concept of the Boardwalk Reunion is simple: get as many Porsches as possible onto the boardwalk then hang out for the rest of the day. It’s not a concours with judges and clipboards, but it could be. The cars range from 356 A to GT3 RS and everything in between. There are also Porsche technical and historic presentations throughout the day at the Ocean City Music Pier. This is the most casual, laid-back Porsche event with anywhere near this number of cars that I’ve been to.
The 2023 event is scheduled for Saturday, October 14th. The drive from the First Settlers Region takes 5 or 6 hours, depending upon your location. Taking the Cape May/Lewes ferry is part of the fun and while it saves some miles through traffic, it doesn’t save any time. Cape May is another iconic, historic vacation location that is worth including in the weekend plans. I hope to see you on the boardwalk! Just remember to bring your own beer and wine.
