Pastiche by Brod

All Cape to Cape Tour information now on www.maccapers.co.uk - its own website

1966 Porsche 912 SWB Coupe :

Some highlights!

• A 1966, Left Hand Drive Guards Red Porsche 912 that was originally built for the USA market, but after a few years arrived in Ireland, via the UK. Then emigration to France from whence it returned in 2005. In pretty good condition, she has already won one concourse award!
• The 912 was also awarded the prize for the Best Racing (!) Porsche at the 2007 TIPEC National event.  And I've now been presented with the award...a framed photograph of the 912 with Carolyn and me standing beside it in the format of the cover of '911 and PorscheWorld'. 
• And as well as that appearance in the national media, the 912 was featured in the August 2009 edition of 'Classics Monthly' as one of the 'My Car' features.  

History

We are all told to listen to one’s head, rather than one’s heart, when buying a classic…or any car for that matter. But I will readily admit that it was my head that dictated the purchase of my first Porsche…a 1966 912 SWB Coupe that had just been imported from France. (I believe the previous owner was seduced by a BMW…)  In July 2005 I read an advert for a 1966 Porsche 912 and Carolyn and I decided to have a look at it as we had been after a 912 since we parked beside one on the 2000 Classic Marathon. After some indecision (and an agreement to sell the Imp) we bought the Porsche and drove it back from High Wycombe to Brookenby.  Since that inauspicious day, our 912 has managed a number of displays at the 2006, 2007 and 2009 HRCR Open Days at Gaydon as well as an appearance at the 2006 RAF Coningsby Open Day. We also displayed the 912 at the TIPEC Annual Open day - and won the award for the Best Competition car.  In 2006 we also  participated in the Mablethorpe and District Motor Club’s ‘Mermaid Classic Run’ around the Lincolnshire lanes.  We also managed to display the 912 at the RAF Waddington Air Show in 2008 - but all eyes that day were on the first public display of the AVRO Vulcan.

The 912 completed the 2007 Cape to Cape Tour to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, starting from Cape Wrath in NW Scotland to Cape Clear in SE Ireland, about 1400 miles in total.  Later that year, in October 2007, we took the 912 out on the Norwich Union Classic, starting from York and finishing at the Silverstone circuit.  Then we went off to France for a couple of day's break.

With a new pair of headlights and rebuilt carburettors, all seemed well for the 5th Cape to Cape.  We'd raised £4500 for Macmillan and were looking forward to driving the Porsche in France from whence it had come just before we bought it.  But it was not to be...fuel problems on the M1 at Forest East Service Station side-lined us and we had to complete the Tour in our 2002 KIA Rio SE and leave the 912 in the garage.  Four months later, at the beginning of October, we suddenly realized that we had to get the engine sorted (and an MOT) as we had an entry on the 2008 Norwich Union Classic.  With much sending and receiving of e-mails with Andy Prill we managed to fit a new fuel pump...and all was well.  So Norwich Union Classic was on...and we started from Cheltenham this year in glorious weather. 

The 2009 Cape to Cape Tour started where the 2008 had left off- a snag on the 912 that side-lined it - again.  Just as Carolyn and I had finished packing and were about to depart for Gloucester and ultimately Porlock Hill where we were to marshal, the passenger door latch decided to break.  So, back into the garage went the 912, all the luggage went into the Kia...and off we set.  Yet again Kia mounted and not 912 mounted.  Disappointment all round. 

And then to the Heritage Centre at Gaydon for the 2009 TIPEC Annual Event - a longish run to give her a good run out after her tribulations over the last couple of months or so. We made it, there and back.  And what a day - very many Porsches of all ages and versions parked outside the heritage Centre on a glorious summer's day.  Lots of blue sky and sun, but not too hot.  Perfect.

Another very successful drive around the Cotswolds on this year's Aviva Classic Tour, again from a Cheltenham start.  The 912 behaved immaculately, which could not be said about its run from Taunton to Slimbridge in exceedingly heavy, and thus very slow, traffic along the M5.  This caused problems with slow running and sudden stalling, but all recovered in time for the Aviva run.  And we seem at long last to have identified the frequent strong smell of petrol in the car, usually just after refueling.  A couple of petrol pipe clips has sorted that out.  (Fingers crossed.)  The two laps of the GP circuit at Silverstone showed just how well the suspension and engine work had changed the 'attitude' of the 912.  It hugged the circuit well and had just the right amount of acceleration (and braking) when required, but unfortunately Carolyn was less than comfortable at speed....  That was the culmination of a great day.

Silverstone lap: Aviva Classic 2009 (© www.petebrown.com )

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Last modified: 17 Mar 2010 14:37