I wrote this on Oppo years in the past, however since my dad is at present in ICU preventing for all times, I believe it’s okay to repost once more in his honor. Cling in there Pops….
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My dad and mom divorced once I was about 4. Put up-divorce, dad went by means of vehicles lots sooner than mother, and his have been arguably extra fascinating and supplied an array of “first” automobile experiences.
Most unique of this period have been a few Porsche 914s: an orange 4cyl and a ultimate yr (1976) brown 914-6. My reminiscences of the vehicles are restricted and I don’t actually bear in mind the orange in any respect. I can image the Brown, primarily by its coloration (Brown was “the” automobile coloration of the 70’s). First experiences within the 914: A 2 seater (vehicles got here with out again seats?), mid-engine (why did they put it there?), and a automobile that was uncommon and unique for the time, however sort of ugly too? I imagine it could have had a wood steering wheel (Nardi?) which appeared novel. First expertise for “spirited” passenger rides: I bear in mind dad letting free flying down Ward Parkway in Kansas Metropolis towards Meyer Circle (a roundabout that invitations checks of lateral g’s and grip; notorious sufficient that one home-owner on the circle, bored with having vehicles spin out into their entrance yard at 1 a.m., erected a stacked stone retaining wall a few toes excessive. I assume some folks go to city corridor conferences and others simply take issues into their very own arms).
The 914 appeared to haven’t any bother negotiating the curves, tires screaming on the asphalt, two younger brothers round 5 and eight years previous within the entrance seat thrown sideways towards the door like a Hoffmeister Rotor, whooping and hollering, “sooner, sooner!” (Okay, possibly not me a lot. I imply, it was somewhat scary, unsure…and unbuckled). Often the 914 was good for a pair circumnavigations across the circle earlier than dad determined to not press his luck too far. (what traversing the circle felt like within the 914 to a 5 yr previous)
Although the physics demo was enjoyable, for a very long time I harbored a secret grudge that the one Porsche that has ever been in our household (to this point) was the ugliest, lowest energy one (with a VW engine, no much less). “Why couldn’t you might have had an actual Porsche?” I silently lamented through the years. In recent times, I’ve been noticing 914s are crossing on-line public sale websites for large cash. This 914-6, specifically, nearly hit six figures.
I used to be astounded and needed to ship the post-auction hyperlink to my dad, placing within the physique of the message, “Too dangerous yours wasn’t a six! (not remembering the small print of his automobile). He replied, “It was a 6.” The subsequent time we have been speaking on the cellphone, I requested him to regale me once more with the story of his 914 possession (together with the forgotten orange one) and the way he bought it. He informed me that after having fun with the 914-6 for just a few years he was prepared to maneuver on. He put a categorized advert within the KC paper and two folks (who he really already knew) instantly referred to as him to say they have been hotly . This stunned me the primary time I heard the story, pondering used 914’s weren’t that beloved or fascinating. How incorrect I used to be. As dad tells it, “I bought it for what I paid for it and will have had a bidding warfare, however the 2 patrons responding first (from the KC Star categorized advert) have been each associates and I stated first one right here with a verify will get it. It bought that afternoon.”
Dad continued to have fairly respectable autos over the subsequent a number of years. He actually preferred his yellow 1980 (or ’81) Buick Electra Park Avenue. Sadly, pics don’t symbolize how luxurious that automobile felt. I bear in mind the butterscotch leather-based inside, energy home windows and locks (up, down, up, down – this was our leisure youngsters), dad in his enterprise fits, a carton of Carlton cigarettes a close to everlasting fixture on the entrance bench seat (fortunately he stop smoking within the 80’s), and the tasteful wanting (however in all probability pretend) wooden grain all through.
The Park Ave had a giant sunroof (first sunroof) and pop allow us to arise within the entrance seat, poking our heads and arms into the sky whereas he drove by means of the neighborhood. On some events, I’d sit on his lap or scoot over to the motive force’s aspect whereas he drove round Kansas Metropolis, holding the steering wheel for early driving lesson observe. “Can I steer?” was a frequent plea from my brother and I, and he typically obliged us. I’m amazed then and now how a lot latitude he allow us to have with the wheel. Unsafe? In fact, but it surely was good early instruction in lane upkeep, staying away from curbs and vehicles, and he was at all times there to take the wheel if our goal was errant.
Initially, goskate, I’m actually gutted to listen to that your dad is within the ICU. We’re all sending you, your loved ones, and particularly your father a lot of good vibes and therapeutic vitality, so inform dad that Jalopnik is rooting for him. Thanks for sharing this well-written recollection of your particular reminiscences.
My dad nearly obtained a 914-6 as an alternative of his 1986 Mustang SVO however his mother wouldn’t co-sign on a Porsche mortgage, only a Ford one. I’m extremely envious of your early introduction to mid-engine teutonic G-forces.
