Classic Car Mart

Gordon Attar · Apr 30, 2004

The following is a quote from this months Classic Car Mart. I sincerely hope its a misquote and perhaps Mr Ives would like to obtain an apology and a retraction

'This particular model was the last and probably the best of the real 911s.
One reason was because of the G50 gearbox, introduced for 1987, as the
previous box felt 'wiry', less precise and direct. And at the same time they
fitted a hydraulic clutch, giving a whole new gearchanging package.They're
sought after - a lot of Porsche buffs rate them as the last and best of the real ones.
I checked this out with Geoff Ives, Register Director for the 16,000 strong
Porsche Club GB. Geoff confirmed that 'it was the last one that the factory,
as opposed to the dealers, designated 911. The 964 that followed in 1989 not
only looked different, it was a pure pig, probably the worst ever made -
they embraced new (4-wheel drive) technology, which I believe wasn't fully
understood, and which meant loss of interior room. The last air-cool ones,
the 1993-on 993s, were fine, but they took the body styling away from the
classic 911 looks; and then in 2001 came the water-cooled 996. Some people's
all-time favourite is the 3.2 Supersport, which was the same engine, with
the body and running gear of the Turbo. But the late 3.2 Carrera was the
most sensible, and arguably the best.'

Guest · Apr 30, 2004

That is just unbelievable!

Guest · Apr 30, 2004

Yes, well...

Put an ignorant journalist in a 3.2 at the start of a wet, windey B-road, give him/her a head start, and see how far thet get before they are overtaken by one of the "pure pigs".

The 3.2 *was* last of a line - a long line that saw many inexperienced drivers (and some fairly experienced ones) making expensive trips into the scenery backwards, creating topiary by making 911-shaped holes in hedges. I liked my 3.2, but on a wet Welsh road, and with a driver who liked life, intact limbs, and a no-claims bonus, it was not much of a match for a larger-engined Ford Focus.

I had never thought of my car as a "pure pig", and I don't suppose that I will much in the future. The main thing is take no notice of what journalists write - under any circumstances. Not just with cars, but whever you look at a newspaper too. They are professional writers and therefore write to make themselves money above all other reasons.

A

Melv · May 2, 2004

ORIGINAL: Doug Campbell

Alistair

The point is it is not the journalist that is saying this, it is a journalist quoting Geoff Ives, erstwhile Register Director at PCGB.

Doug

Wrong -now erstwhile ex-Register Director at PCGB.

Mel

Guest · May 5, 2004

The 3.2 *was* last of a line - a long line that saw many inexperienced drivers (and some fairly experienced ones) making expensive trips into the scenery backwards, creating topiary by making 911-shaped holes in hedges.

I wonder how much of an urban myth this was - I don't know anybody who has done this, and I have never got even close in my SC, or my 3.2.

I have found that you generally have to be pretty 'up for it' (stupid ?) to lose the back end, and I drive slower when it is wet. Mind you, I don't care if I can't keep up with a Focus, as long as I am comfortable in what I am doing.

Jeff Forsyth · May 9, 2004

Yes, misquoted or not..we will have to see. Regardless of this, a person in this position has a responsibility to respond. I have recently sent Porsche Post an e-mail regarding this matter and the lack 964 registry article last month. I will keep you all posted. If I don't recieve a reply by Monday I will up the ante considerably. Silence is not acceptable.

Jeff

kevin · May 9, 2004

Jeff,

I think the lack of register article is down to it being a tad late deliverd to PCGB, no conspiracy theory, but I think its either on this site where its mentioned, or by email, can't remember which.

kevin.

Guest · May 18, 2004

Geoff is entitled to have an opinion. If he is still a Director of the PCGB then perhaps he could have been a little more diplomatic! Personally I think all 911's are brilliant. However if I was pushed into declaring my least favourite, then I have to agree with Geoff, the 964 was not terribly good. Sorry!!!

steve lyden brown · May 19, 2004

If it can be established that it was Ives who made the quote printed, and not the journalist, then one to seriously question quite what the Club is doing in having an idiot like that in such a responsible position. If it was him then he has done a great disservice to 964 owners in particular and Porsche owners generally
SGLB

Melv · May 19, 2004

"If he is still a Director of the PCGB then perhaps he could have been a little more diplomatic! "

He's not, he was until April and he never has been!! (Diplomatic, that is....) [

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Mel

Melv · May 19, 2004

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

A 'Pickled Pig' ..... ? a Pig's aRSe ..... ?

Cheers, Maurice [][][]

More like a 'Twenty Four Hour Marinaded Highly Spiced Pig'.[

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Remember this?

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame.mv?file=car.mv&num=421

Now THAT was a pig....in good company then.....

Mel

bones · May 19, 2004

ORIGINAL: Madcaplaughs

Geoff is entitled to have an opinion. If he is still a Director of the PCGB then perhaps he could have been a little more diplomatic! Personally I think all 911's are brilliant. However if I was pushed into declaring my least favourite, then I have to agree with Geoff, the 964 was not terribly good. Sorry!!!

I've had no keyboard for a few weeks to join in the forum fun but now I have this one has me beat , since when has the 964 become such a bad car?...beats me, it has had problems, very few 911s haven't I'll grant you. MCL whilst you shouldn't apologise for your dislike of the 964 could you elaborate a little and say why they are so bad and are you including the C2?

Melv · May 19, 2004

What are you worried about anyway, Peter -your C2 is a clone!!![

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Mel

bones · May 19, 2004

lol.....well you are lucky I'm not twenty years younger or my clone might be frightening the ***** out of you at track days!
I may need a friendly trailer man next week as things are progressing , have a look at the pics in my sig' gallery over the next few days.

Melv · May 19, 2004

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Nurries -gis a call, quiet at the mo.

Mel

Guest · May 20, 2004

Maybe it was a mis-quote and should have read Porker and not Pig!

mwadams · May 20, 2004

I've owned a 964 C4, two 993's and currently a 996 C4.

My 964 C4 was a great car, and I still my favorite 911 that I have owned

Mark

Guest · May 20, 2004

Testimonials abound from current and past owners of the 964 in every form, think Uncle Gaff might have had a bit too much of the Dogbolter 6.8og![

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Guest · May 26, 2004

Bones, I did not say the 964 was " such a bad car " I merely stated that it was my least favourite 911. The 964 is a great car! However I feel the bumbers look awkward and spoil the lines of the 911. It was a disappointment that the interior was basically left untouched from the 3.2 when it was clearly the 911s weakest point. I believe also ( but this may be a myth! ) that the 964 had more than its fair share of faults in the mechanical department. It is also generally more costly to service than other " older " models. So there you have it!