Encountering Rare Porsches

[TXAG]

We've seen more Porsches than most folks, so seeing one on the road is not as much of a surprise for us as it is for others. But every now and then we come across a Porsche so rare and/or classic that it grabs our attention. This thread is for those types of encounters. Feel free to post your pictures of encounters with rare and/or classic Porsches here.

I took my 2022 RWD in for 20,000 mile service yesterday at the Porsche dealership in Chandler, Arizona USA (a suburb southeast of Phoenix). This beauty was parked in the service center's garage. It had just been serviced and was ready for its owner to pick it up.

A quick check on cars.com shows nine Carrera GTs for sale with prices ranging from US$1.5 million to US$2 million.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

I don’t mean to be a nuisance, but I’d need more info on the rules:
- is it “pics or didn’t happen”?
- do gatherings/events count? Or just casual, on-the-street encounters? (How about museums?)
- replicas ok? (I assume not)

The downside of my obsession with this brand is that I’ve become quite jaded with seeing, encountering, watching or reading about its products. I probably wouldn’t bat an eye if a, say, 968 turbo RS would park next to me at work/Home Depot.

From that perspective, the most unexpected encounter was a 908 tribute/replica, being built in the back room of a small showroom in a small village nearby (Carnation, WA, middle of farmland). I was browsing their collection of old Panoramas, and the owner said I should go check out their project, since I seemed to be interested in Porsches.

(this is what the backyard looked like)

The car was then presented at a PNWR picnic.

I have other stories, waiting for the rules of posting.. ?
(Edit: I assumed replicas are not ok, but posted one anyway, since I figured the window was closing)

 

[DCYL725]

Saw a Dakar in for service:

991 gt2rs

 

[TXAG]

I don’t mean to be a nuisance, but I’d need more info on the rules:
- is it “pics or didn’t happen”?
- do gatherings/events count? Or just casual, on-the-street encounters? (How about museums?)
- replicas ok? (I assume not)

The downside of my obsession with this brand is that I’ve become quite jaded with seeing, encountering, watching or reading about its products. I probably wouldn’t bat an eye if a, say, 968 turbo RS would park next to me at work/Home Depot.

From that perspective, the most unexpected encounter was a 908 tribute/replica, being built in the back room of a small showroom in a small village nearby (Carnation, WA, middle of farmland). I was browsing their collection of old Panoramas, and the owner said I should go check out their project, since I seemed to be interested in Porsches.

I have other stories, waiting for the rules of posting.. ?
(Edit: I assumed replicas are not ok, but posted one anyway, since I figured the window was closing)

No prob at all, @WasserGKuehlt . I didn't want to be too prescriptive in the rules. That being said, I think my thoughts are very similar to yours:
-- Casual encounters, e.g. when you're not expecting to see it (so no gatherings or museums);
-- Pictures preferred if snapped safely, e.g. no taking a photo while driving;
-- Originals only ... unless even a replica is rare.
Thanks for the great pics! Looking forward to more...

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

Here’s another one - and please excuse the background story, I think it helps explain why this was an extraordinary encounter.

In early 2017 I picked up my 996 from Santa Cruz, and drove down to LA for a consulate appointment. My first time in California, in a 911, and a few other firsts. The car had been sitting on the lot for a while, and I ran long stints, refueling only when the orange lamp turned on. Next morning, after my appointment, I started North, driving my dream car (finally mine) back to Washington. Not far out of LA, what I thought was a misfire turned into a complete lack of acceleration. I spot an exit with a car dealership, and leave I5, only mildly worried.

Once turned off, the car fails to start again (turning, not firing); the dealership’s guy runs some diagnostics, but ultimately suggests it needs to go to a specialist. I’m in the middle of nowhere, but he recommends this shop in Santa Clarita, who “work on imports”. A long wait and a shortish flatbed ride later, I’m dropped off at this place in the middle of the hills, with chainlink fence and a coupled of fierce German Shepherds.

It’s midday Friday, they run some quick diagnostics, and figure out my fuel pump is fried. They found one locally (in LA), but it’ll be a while. With their permission, I start walking about the property, packed full with “imports” under tarps.

It’s a father-and-son shop, Czech, and they specialize in Mercedes. There are a couple of flawless pagoda SLs, a first gen E Klasse (the 1963 one), a few older S, as well as a Corvette Mk I in a stunning powder blue.

And then I spot something unusual - looks like a Porsche but too sleek and too narrow. I lift the uh.. cover, and expose some polished Fuchs.. a fenderless slant nose, a black body with extremely wide rear fenders with 512TR-style slatted fake vents, a golden targa badge, and (badge-)matching golden BBS 2-piece rear rims. In the middle of nowhere, this is a 70s Gemballa targa, quite possibly the only one in the US. (Quite possibly this?)

Enjoy the photos.

(apologies for the MB-heavy ratio, it’s all Stuttgart all the time)

 

[BigBob]

Saw a Dakar in for service:

After they’ve serviced it, do they throw a bucket of mud and dust on to it?

 

[DCYL725]

After they’ve serviced it, do they throw a bucket of mud and dust on to it?

Not sure, but I think they fill the jerry can with Porsche certified mountain dew though.

 

[BigBob]

Not sure, but I think they fill the jerry can with Porsche certified mountain dew though.

Or spare nitrogen for the tyres?

 

[TXAG]

Picked up my 2022 RWD from the dealership's service department in Chandler, Arizona USA a couple of days ago. The Seal Grey Carrera GT that I saw a week ago was still there, and it was joined by a GT Silver metallic one that has only 780 miles and is for sale for US$2 million.

 

[Genau]

Picked up my 2022 RWD from the dealership's service department in Chandler, Arizona USA a couple of days ago. The Seal Grey Carrera GT that I saw a week ago was still there, and it was joined by a GT Silver metallic one that has only 780 miles and is for sale for US$2 million.

GAAAHHHH!!! The dealer-spec grayscale plague even applies to exotics?!?

 

[Watchesandburgers]

A few years ago, at the Houston Barrett Jackson auto auction, they auctioned the Porsche 928 from the movie Risky Business. it was pretty cool to see, though my bid of $500 was not the winner.

 

[Watchesandburgers]

And seeing this in October at Coffee & Cars was pretty cool too.

 

[TXAG]

GAAAHHHH!!! The dealer-spec grayscale plague even applies to exotics?!?

Yep. From Wikipedia: "The Carrera GT was initially offered with five basic colors: Guards Red, Fayence Yellow, Basalt Black, GT Silver metallic and Seal Grey. Custom colors were later available from the factory."

 

[TXAG]

A few years ago, at the Houston Barrett Jackson auto auction, they auctioned the Porsche 928 from the movie Risky Business. it was pretty cool to see, though my bid of $500 was not the winner.

Yeah, it sold for $1.98 million in 2021. It was definitely not on Cruise control for the movie.

 

[tigerbalm]

Norwegian 911 Dakar at our hotel in Andermatt, Switzerland with nearly €40,000 worth of stickers on it!