Monday, April 23, 2012

32-20

So I have been picking up pieces lately..  mostly rally inspired bits.  I share most of them on the forums, but these are only going to be posted here.  kind of the prototype of sorts.  Many are familiar with the rear parcel tool partician box used in rally cars.  Well, I am under a tight budget so I am improvising.   Since back in the 60s a privateer wouldn't necessarily buy all the factory goodies, they would usually improvise too and make their own. 

with that in mind, I have started collecting some supplies:  emergency triangle, first aid kit, small shovel (for snow, ice, mud etc).   Tools will go in the trunk, so will spares and spare tire air bottle...  but these are more along the lines for quick access things. 



So, I have to ask:  Cool or Not Cool?  This is just a very rough mock up, and a first iteration of my madness.  But it does give you an idea of what I am doing.   The shovel is being passed on for another (on its way), and the first aid kit is being passed on for another kit thats a bit cooler.  The warning triangle is a period german piece.  all bits will be strapped in using black leather straps (belts).    I am debating mounting the shovel to the roll bar down arms... 

or perhaps to a roof rack when i get one again.   Oh yeah.. and about that, i have a gerry can ready to go, as well as a vintage studded tire lined up.  now i just need a roof rack too..

Monday, April 16, 2012

All graceful instruments are known


This past weekend I completed another project, upgrading some gauges.  A 912 does not have any dual gauges, and does not have a proper oil pressure gauge, just a dummy light that comes on when the oil pressure is too low.  Someone had installed an aftermarket VDO oil pressure gauge right next to the headlight switch -which is pretty much obscured by your hand when driving.   








With this in mind I wanted to upgrade the gauges to be a bit more useful.  I wanted the oil pressure directly in front of me where i would see it, and i wanted something else useful to cover the hole vacated by the old oil pressure gauge.  The 911 came with dual gauges for oil pressure and temperature.  This was the best choice for the 1st problem, and so I sourced a 68 date stamped 911 twin gauge on ebay a few months back. 


Next I needed a solution for the hole next to the headlight switch where the old oil pressure gauge was.  I noticed there was a 68 911 with sports purpose rally options on the Early 911S registry a month or so ago, and in the exact spot where i had my old gauge this car had an outside temperature gauge.  This was used especially in cold weather conditions to gauge whether there could be ice on the roads they were rallying on.  


image courtesy of Porsport


After doing a bit of searching, i quickly found that VDO, the original manufacture of our factory porsche gauges, made an aftermarket outside temperature gauge that was the exact size i needed, in black, with white lettering, and an orange dial.  the only big tell was that the center of the dial on this gauge had a black cap instead of a brushed stainless steel one.  Still, close enough and perfect for my needs.

With a bit of rewiring, and hooking up the temperature sensor to the inside of the front bumper, I was in business.  Fits like a glove and looks the part.  A true period rally option.  I wish it had the patina my old oil pressure gauge had, but I can't be too picky.



Next i had to install and rewire my new dual gauge.  After some rerouting of the wire from the pressure sender, installing some new light bulbs and wiring up a new positive line, I am in business.  I even managed to get the dummy light to work!  I had thought it was disabled all these years because i had the oil pressure gauge, however the bulb holder was just bad.  





Sunday, April 15, 2012

Sitting On Top Of The World

About a month ago I received my new seats (new to me) for Fritz.  The seats, Nurburgrings from GTS Classics, came to me second hand on one of the forums.  This set was never installed before either, so it was a deal i couldn't pass up.

My old stock seats were not the most comfortable available; they were too springy, they didnt hold you in to the seat in the twisties, and what ever comfort had ever been there at one point had left a while back. 

Here are some before and after shots:




I also added a NOS rear window demister panel.  These were used in the 40s-60s before electric rear window defoggers became widely available.  These panels were essentially clear plastic with a thick rubber boarder with adhesive on it.  They essentially kept the atmosphere the same inside the panel, and thus would keep it from fogging over.





Here is a pic of Vic Elfords 1968 Monte Carlo Rallye winning 911 with one



And my friend Casey Putch's rally set up Mini with one



Lastly I removed my radio and installed custom made a radio delete plate, courtesy of my friend Mike DiLeo





These plates were used on vehicles purchased with out a radio, either because they did not want to purchase the radio option, or because it was a sports purpose vehicle and did not need the radio (or want the extra weight).

Mine of course is a home made replica.  I do have a real original one (see below with orange background), but decided to sell it in order to help fund the upcoming suspension project.  Mike did a pretty good job on his replica, didn't he?




Well thats it for now.  In the next post we will cover some other updates I have been working on -Gauges and instruments.



catching up...

Well, a month has gone by since my last post.  I am very sorry for the delay and the time away.  I have been really busy with work lately, including a business trip to Dallas, working on projects around the house and trying to get stuff in order for Hershey Swap meet and the Mountain Melee Rallye in New Hampshire in a month.

Quite a bit has happened in the last month.  First, the greatest holiday of all took place -opening day.  I am hopeful my Tribe will do well.  They are 4-4 right now, but its early and the baseball season is long.  We lost a legend this month too -Ferdinand Alexander 'Butzi' Porsche, who designed the 911 (and 912), and the 904 and headed up the design department in the early-mid 60s for Porsche, overseeing development in many great classic racing Porsches passed away.  Click Here to read more about his life and passing.



I have also purchased two more 912s, a sold shell and a rusted out rolling chassis.  I was planning on taking them and making one good car or parting them out all together, but I have been so busy lately that i have barely even touched them, or acknowledged their existence, except for seeing one in the garage, and the other when i take Fritz out of the storage facility.


I will post more pics and details on them in a later post.


Wednesday, March 14, 2012

3.14159265

When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, hmmm, boy. -Jacky Handey

So, I have been working non stop for the last two months on client reviews.  I finally saw an opening in the schedule to take a much needed personal day today, 3-14.  Great timing too, because there isn't a could in the sky and it should be 75 degrees out.  So, I am going to celebrate "Pi day" by taking care of some much needed things.  First i need to ship off some items people have purchased from me.  I am also hoping to receive some items I have purchased today too.  Then after that it's garage time, as well as a trip to the park for Dos Dingos de la Muerte (aka: my bulldog Blue, and my fiance's weinerspaz Pepper).   I really need to spend some QT with them. 
 I also have a feeling a dram of Glenlivet will be in order at the end of the day.   

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Sailin' 'Cross the Devils Sea

Last week I made a post discussing some changes coming up.  I wanted to give a little more insight into the madness -lets call it project Group 2.  Back in the day there were two classes in rallying, under FIA rules.  The first is called Group 1.  This, as discussed in my previous post about 912s in Motorsports History is pretty much a bone stock class (down to the interior), with the exception of lighting and tires.  That is pretty much where Fritz currently sits.  My plan is to take it to the next level, loosely based on Group 2 rules. Many have done the RS, R, TR, RSR clones, and I have wanted to buck the trend with my rally car approach for a while now.  Many of these are ideas I have had for about 10 years now, and have grown and developed over that time. 

New period buckets have arrived this week, and i picked up a replica roll bar for a 911 R/TR/ST/RS/RSR a few years ago at the Stoddard Swap Meet from Dave Conklin.  An overhaul of the entire suspension will be carried out this spring.  A brake overhaul is planned in the nearish future, as well as a redo of the interior.   Included in this venture will be all kind of cool period correct rally items.. equipment, period tools, accessories and items picked up along the way as satanic details to finish out the car. 

There are a lot of great ideas.. some will be implemented, and others will not.  Inspiration is coming from period 911 and 912 rally cars as well as other cars on the early 911S forum, specifically those of Chris Nielsen, Mike DiLeo, and Bob Tilton. Many will be new takes on old ideas, some will be new ideas, and some will be old details not seen since back in the day. 

Some things will be factory based ideas, but most will be taken form the point of view that Fritz would have been driven by a privateer rallying a 912 in smaller, less famous rallies than say Monte Carlo (after all.. it's a 912... the budget rally Porsche!).  Needless to say, if it was period correct, it could be fair game. 

It will be interesting to see how everything turns out, which ideas I keep and which ones I disregard.  Needless to say, everyone will find out the specifics and devilish details of the build in the coming months. 


image courtesy of Dave Conklin http://renn-spot.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Factory Delivery

On June 16, 1967, George Vaccaro picked up his 67 Slate Grey 912 coupe.  He still owns it today and winning concourse and driving it all over northern California. 

He recently posted 8mm video of that day.  Enjoy a little slice of early 9 series history.


Stay Tuned..

Some changes coming to Fritz soon...  a lot of great ideas in the works.  I am really excited about them and want to share them, but i really have to keep it a secret for now.   Only time will tell what madness I have in store..


Sunday, March 4, 2012

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Missy Draws



Well, my better half has finally found an outlet for her creative side -her own blog!  Missy graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design with a degree in Time Based Media Studies (Animation).  For many reasons, she later decided not to go into her field of study, however; that has never stopped her creative streak.  She now finally has a place to display her talent and her humor, in her blog: Missy Draws Cartoons and Conclusions.   Much of it is based on stuff that happens or discussions we have in real life..  her drawings are fantastic and her stories hilarious.  I highly recommend checking it out.

http://missydraws.wordpress.com/




Thursday, March 1, 2012

Back Where It All Begins

Well, work is still kicking my butt.. after this week I will hopefully have one more review to do, and then I can breath a bit. 

I have been working crazy hours, and had to put parting out the 67 on hiatus because i had no energy after work to work on it.  I am still shipping out stuff i have already sold on weekends, just haven't posted anything new for sale in a while. It's been just about impossible to do anything with it during the week due to sheer exhaustion.  Hopefully once i wrap these reviews up I can have a life again after work, and sell the last of it.  In the mean time, I have been plotting some crazy ideas for Fritz.  The new suspension is a no brainer and obvious.  I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, which everyone will either find really interesting, or hate.  I am very excited though and cannot wait to dive into these projects and to do write ups about them. 

In the mean time, with little to really discuss or get into, I present, for your enjoyment:  Made By Hand.. a walk through the Porsche factory as they create a 356 from start to finish!







Saturday, February 25, 2012

the one eye love


Maybe it should be  the two eye love instead?



who are you calling four eyes?



ok... do i hear six?



Thursday, February 23, 2012

8mm

Here is some cool 8mm footage i found of the Gulf London Rallye in 1967 and 1968.  There is no sound, but its a cool peer into the past to see what Rallying was like back in the 60s.

Enjoy!





Thats it for the other one: 912s in motorsports history

Most porschephiles know the legend and prowess of Vic Elford, Bjorn Waldegard and many others behind the wheel of a 911 rally car.  It is where the series got its first major wins and made a name for itself in racing.  Fewer know about Slobislaw Zasada and his victories rallying a 912, and that he won the European Rallye Championship for Group 1 touring cars in his 912.  There really isn't a whole lot of info out there past that on the history of 912s in motorsports.  But don't ever let anyone fool you that the 912 doesn't have a motorsports pedigree. It may be overshadowed by its 6 cylinder brother, but its there, and it runs through the veins of our cars.

Over the last several weeks, because I am a history geek, and in effort to get some inspiration for upcoming changes to my 912, I have been digging a little to find more info and even pictures of some of these 912 rally cars.  Until recently I had only known of the one picture of Zasada's 912.  With the internet and the help of Rick Becker (founder of the 912 Registry), Hugh Hodges of Australia, and Thomas Lundeval of Sweden (both 911 rally experts), I have started to find what I hope can be the first of many 912 rally cars.  This write up is not a definitive history, and nor is it complete. It also should not be taken as the final word. But what i do present is at least more information than the average 912er may find.

The most famous of all, as previously mentioned is Slobislaw Zasada.  There were many others though, and most of them were from Sweden.

Some of the known entries were:

28th Swedish Rally 9th-13th February 1967:

#116, Albin Griberg/Bo Altermark license plate: B1150
#117 John Kvarnström/Bertil Kanebo license plate: T59123
#60 Leif Nilsson, Porsche 912, License plate: B1080 (8th place finish!!!)
http://www.rallysweden.com/wp-content/uploads/Rally-Sweden-Rally-Guide-2-2011-Appendix-6-History-Statistics.pdf
http://www.teamdan.com/archive/www2/miscral/67miscra.html

27th Polish Rally 1967
#47 Slobislaw Zasada/Ewe Zasada License plate; 6177KR (1st Place finish!!!)
http://www.teamdan.com/archive/www2/miscral/67miscra.html

1967 Gulf London Rally
#67 Bo Johansson/Per Olof Gällsing (1st place finish!!!)
Kjell Gudim/Monty Karlan

http://www.teamdan.com/archive/www2/miscral/67miscra.html
http://sites.google.com/site/bilsporthistorie/1967

Vltava (Moldau) RALLY: 67
Sobieslaw Zazada/Jerzy Dobranski (2nd Place!!!)
http://sites.google.com/site/bilsporthistorie/1967

also in 1967

Kjell Gudim

drivers who rallied 912s in 1968:

Albin Griberg/Jan Olov Carlsson
Lars Carlsson
Jan Fisk/Sten Åke Andersson
Sven Erik Svensson -
Leif Peterson
Åke Nilsson
http://sites.google.com/site/bilsporthistorie/1968

 The 912 competed in Group 1 (touring cars) rallies, where as the 911 competed in group 2.  Some other famous 912s, actually raced as 911s, like Tony Adamowicz (aka Tony A to Z) famously won the 1968 TransAm Series in his 911.. which was actually born a 912!

To my knowledge, and from speaking with other sources, none of the 912s were factory Werks Cars.  Not even the famous Zasada Car.  It can be stated though that the factory was well aware of his, and other privateer 912 Rally cars, and that some most likely had factory support.  Zasada was no stranger to Porsche after all, and was a factory driver, and piloted werks 911 cars in several rallies in 1968, including London to Sydney, Monte Carlo (S-C 9167), Tour De France, Argentina to name a few.

So, lets start with the most famous one of all. 

Zasada: 

the car was a 912 with the license plate 6177 KR.  Some say it was loaned by the factory, but i have not found any proof of that to date.  It was a privateer entry, not a factory werks car as mentioned above (none of the 912s were), but we do show evidence of factory support.

we can see this is evident in the announcement from Porsche congratulating Elford and stone on their season, as well as for Zasada for capturing the European group1 rallye championship for touring cars in 1967.




Translation from above:
"1967 Year-End Report.

Second part, Motorsport

Sobieslav Zasada, Polish Ralley Champion, 912.

Porsche wins the European Championship for Gran-Tourismo- and "Close-to-Road-Spec" cars.

Since the last Ralley Monte Carlo with the Porsche-Team, top driving-team Vic Elford/David Stone overarchieved all expectations and won with their Porsche 911S not only the Rally European Championship. They won the Lyon Charbonnieres Solitude, the Tulpenrally and the Rally Geneva in their class, too.

In the "Close-to Series" cars class, the Pole Sobieslaw Zasada the European Master Title in a Porsche 912.

Elford/Stone = 57 points, Zasada = 64 points"


We show Zasada had the following history of rallying this 912

1967 European Rally Championship for Drivers Group 1 Porsche 911 S / Porsche 912/ Porsche 911 S/ Porsche 912
1967 Polish Rally Championship for Drivers Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Coupé HF / Porsche 912/ Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Coupé HF/ Porsche 912
source: [url]http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=profile&driverid=2521[/url]

We also show that his wife Ewe Zasada was usually his co driver. 






 Here is a picture I found a few years ago of the Zasada car in the Polish Rallye.


Below are a few others...  including the trophy ceremony.



Below is an image of Zasada and Nowickiduring their 5th place run in the Danube rallye


Lastly it is important to note that Zasada also second in Czechoslovakian Rally in 1967.


Next we look at Leif Nilsson.


Here he is at the KAK Rallye Sweeden in 1967, where he finished 8th.





Here he is in another rallye, though not sure which one (you can tell its the same car by the license plate).


Although not as widely known today, probably the most famous 912 rallye driver back in the day was Albin Griberg.  He consistently raced 912s in 67 as well as 68, and was quite successful.


Albin Griberg/Lennart Svensk  in 1967 (not sure which rallye)


Albin Griberg/Lennart Svensk  in the 1968 KAK  Sweden Rallye


Albin Griberg/Lennart Svensk  1968  not sure which rallye.. since no decals, livery or sponsorship, could be practice stages.


Next is Åke Nilsson.  I am not sure where this rallye was.



These next two are also 912 rallye cars in 1967, but it is not clear which rallye or who the drivers were.

This next one, is really an honorable mention.

Tony Adamowicz (aka A2Z)

In 1968 Tony was racing in TransAM.  His 911 was totaled in a race at Daytona, and they needed to act quick to get a new car, however all of there money was in the wadded up 911.  The result was the junkyard dog.  With lucky they heard about a 912 from an impound lot in New York, and picked it up and then set about modifying it for racing, including removing the 912 engine and installing a 911 engine.  There was not much in the way of Road Racing parts for Porsches in Transam at the time, so they rolled their own, especially suspension. 

While it did not race as a 912, it should be noted how its life once started. You can read all about this car on Tony's website.  http://www.a2zracer.com/page12.html

Below are some pics.  pics are taken from site listed above..



The most interesting thing to me was the equipment.  After seeing so many images of 911 group 2 rally cars, I imagined the 912s would have the same set up.  But then i noticed something.  No roll bars.. little in the way of any safety equipment really, and not even racing suits.  I also noticed other interesting details.  Look at one of the images of Albin Griberg/Lennart Svensk in the 1968 KAK  Sweden Rallye -the rear seats are present and in the upright position!  Look at the same set of pictures in the one that shows the car from behind.  It has a full dash minus the radio.  It appears that everything was left bone stock.

Then I looked up the FIA regulations for group 1 touring cars.  http://www.fia.com/sport/regulations/histappjregs.html  Feel free to read through them but the basic definition is bone freaking stock.  It must contain the same number of seats from the factory.  There are rules on seat measurements.  It literally says 'No changes may be made as it is supplied by the manufacture'.  It does allow some room with lighting, saying the number of lights you can use is 'free'.  Very interesting to see and a little depressing for me in my hopes to make a period correct 912 rallye hotrod.  I guess my excuse will be that Fritz will be a group 2 car.  :)


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Special Announcement

Special Announcement:  5 days until Pitchers and Catchers report.. 






http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20090813&topic_id=8878836&c_id=cle


That is all.  Go Tribe!!

Thank you!

I have received a lot of compliments in the last few weeks on my blog.  I cannot thank each and everyone of you enough for the kind words and motivation.  Many of you have blogs that I admire and enjoy reading myself, and have been a great inspiration to me to start 'Bound to Cover Just a Little More Ground'.  I just hope that I can captivate, entertain, and inspire my audience as much as many of you have done so for me.  More than anything, I am just happy to share things that mean a lot to me.

The last few weeks and for the next few coming weeks, postings will be fewer than the first month or so.  Right now is an extremely busy time with work, and I am busy putting together quarterly and yearly client reviews. It is one of those things I have to do uninterrupted, so I find myself working early or later than my normal work day on them.  It can be a lot of work, and a lot of intensive data analysis and quite a bit of powerpoint and excel wizardry, but I love what I do, and I love hitting a home run when it comes time for my Account Managers and VPs to present.  

In the mean time, with not a whole lot to write about these days, I would like share with you a little blast from the past that I rally... i mean really enjoyed.

the 1968 1000 Lakes Rally highlights!



Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mountian Legend: 1965 Targa Florio

A trip through the way back machine, when racing was racing, and the legendary Targa was still being ran. Posted are several videos for your viewing (and listening) pleasure.  Some great vintage footage with some excellent exhaust notes emanating through the Sicilian mountain side.   Enjoy!









Thursday, February 2, 2012

Motorsports MacGyver

I had mentioned the other day that I had picked up a really nice original radio for my car.  When I picked up Fritz, he had an AM/FM/Cassette player installed.  Thankfully it was the old school kind with two knobs and the previous owner did not mangle the dash, like so many other cars. I really wasn't in the market for a radio, but it was one of those deals that i couldn't pass up for an original part that i would probably have paid dearly for down the road.  It will go in a box for safe keeping.

What I originally had in mind was a radio delete plate.  These are sought after because cars that were light weight and sports purpose (or that had an owner who didn't order a radio for one reason or another), had these plates to block off the hole where the radio normally sat.  These plates are often times very pricy.  A friend of mine had the same thought many do.  Why are we paying so much for a piece of plastic with the word 'Porsche' written on it.  So instead of buying one, he rolled his own.  It looked so good, and since i really didn't want to pay a few hundred for something so simple, I asked to buy one from him. It just arrived today, and I cannot wait to install it.  Mike did a hell of a job.  It is amazing what many of us come up with as alternatives to rare, or expensive parts.





About 6 years ago I came up with my own through the grill fog lights using Carello's and cutting up an old pair of horn grills.  My friend Kenny and I couldn't find any originals to go by so we cut them in a way we thought looked best. 


One day I will figure out how to make recaro sports seats using nothing but a paper clip, shoe string and a roll of duct tape.  I wonder if they make duct tape in a houndstooth pattern?