Issue link: http://digital.nexsitepublishing.com/i/118656
Tell Me 'BouT The Good ol' days Jim Bell 25 Years Ago President Jack Keyes stressed that the Club will provide as much solid technical information as possible to new and old members alike. It is hoped that through these seminars and schools, members will feel more comfortable in participating in club activities, as well as becoming more knowledgeable in the operation and upkeep of their own vehicle. In that vein, an engine rebuild clinic will be held at Meaney West on February 8th and National Tech Chairman, Bruce Anderson will present a seminar covering 911/914 modification and turbocharging on February 22nd. A novice weekend will be held on March 14th and 15th and will cover the finer points of concours, rally, autocross and driver training and is open to any new members as well as those who have been inactive for the last couple of years. Al's tech notes covered corrosion control with the problem areas being noted and clean-up methods being outlined. An article penned by a State Farm insurance agent warned about making sure that your coverage includes theft or damage of after-market equipment as well as comprehensive and collision coverage that reflect the actual value of your car rather that some arbitrary "blue book" figure. A couple of interesting upcoming dinner meeting venues include Salty's on Alki and the Manfred Viethaler Winery on Highway 410 above Sumner and it was also noted that the Region will submit a bid to host the 1988 Parade. Parade Chairman, Dick Blinn has introduced a contest to design a logo for the event with the winner receiving a dinner for two at a first-class restaurant or $100 cash as an alternative. (Today, $100 might cover cocktails and wine). More on this submittal in a later issue. Pano covered the development of the 936, which in order to hedge against the vicissitudes of FISA's rule book, required 34 February 2011 little more than the design of a new frame along with a shopping basket trip through Weissach's motorsport warehouse (uprights, wheels and steering rack from the 908/03 with brakes, hubs, springs, shocks, anti-roll bars and the five speed transaxle from the 917). Three of these cars were built with 002 winning LeMans in 1976 with Jackie Ickx and Gijs van Lennep driving. 001 finished first in '77 after being as low as 41st at one point. "78 and '79 were somewhat disappointing and the three cars were relegated to the Porsche Museum, only to be brought out by the order of Porsche's new President, Peter Schutz. 003 won going away, driven by Ickx and Derek Bell and being powered by the 2.65 litre, fourvalve, Indy turbo six engine utilizing watercooled heads. These cars were basically an afterthought but laid the foundation for another generation of on-track contenders, the 956 and 962. It was also noted that Drake Olson won first place in the newly designated Porsche Cup North America standings and collected $20,000 for his efforts. One interesting note was Vic Skirmants taking 5th place in his venerable 356B. It was also noted at the Fall PCA Executive Council Meeting that Roger Ellingson has been appointed to the Parade Competition Rules Committee, representing Zones 6 and 7. 20 Years Ago A crisis of sorts developed when the newly volunteered Spiel editor, Steve Kotz, was transferred back East while putting together the January issue. Yeoman efforts by the Board managed to get both the January and February issues out, but the Club was still looking for a new Spiel editor. Seven tours were on tap per Tour Director, Howard Aoyama, visiting such venues as the Point Defiance Zoo, a wine tour to the TriCities, Harrison Hot Springs and the Minter Gardens Concour, Diablo Dam, the Issaquah Antique Auto Museum and salmon bake, a kite flying tour at Kayak Point and finally, Mt. Rainier to see the fall leaves. Al's tech notes covered critical upgrades for early air-cooled Porsches. We all assume that Porsche has all the answers (don't we?) but many upgrades make the cars more reliable as well as more fun to drive. A few examples are: converting 356s to a 12 volt electrical system and disc brakes for the pre-1964 models, 911 chain tensioner and CIS air boxes, rubber clutch disc replacement and clutch cables, 912 motor mounts and air pumps on the '68 models, and 914 trigger points, throttle and clutch cables and replacement of high pressure fuel lines. Pano covered the development of the 935 which was described in the article as "Weissach's execution of international regulations created an invincible motorsports weapon shaped like a 911". Other news covered Porsche's competition year which saw the discontinuation of the Indy Car project as well as the nearly decades old 956/962 being overwhelmed by its Jaguar and Mercedes rivals in Group C prototype racing. In looking forward to 1991, the article stated "Among the other things the company will have to decide is whether or not to build a successor to the 956/962, as well as how it will deal-if it will deal at all-with its longtime customers". Another article described the restoration of a 1959 356A Carrera GT which was found in Casablanca in 1981 by the owner, Richard Roth of New York and showed 40,000 kilometers and had never been wrecked. Many hands helped in parts collection, cosmetic restoration and final assembly over an eight year period. The car was shown at the Monterey Parade where it won both People's Choice and Judge's Choice awards. 10 Years Ago It was noted in the February Spiel that member Gary Hoskins had volunteered to re-establish the Goodie Store which had