Jeepin'

Last week I experienced a different aspect of automotive enthusiasm: off-road driving.  We had tons of fun exploring the trails around Ouray, CO with family and friends.



Click on to see some shots from our excursions near Ouray, CO.

993 Engine Photos

Having some fun with the camera...

Porsche Photography Class

Our local PCA chapter hosted a fun and educational photography class last month.  A big thanks to Charlie for running the class and to Park Place Porsche for hosting the event.

For me, the highlight of the class was the live photo contest.  Here were the contest constraints:

• 45 min to shoot in the Park Place Porsche parking garage
• Photos must the interaction of people and cars (in keeping with PCA goals)
• 15 min to choose your single favorite photo

The contest presented a number of challenges.  We were shooting mid-day on a Texas summer day -- harsh sunlight!  Inside the parking deck, this meant very bright light at the periphery with low light on the cars.  It was also a bit challenging trying to figure out how to work people into the photos as we were all busy trying to shoot.  The photos entered in the "contest" can been seen on the Maverick PCA website here:  http://mavpca.org/photos/MRPhotoGallery/Technical%20Events/Tech%20Seminars/2014/index.html

Thanks to a generous interpretation of "people", my photo won second place!  Click past the break for the prize winning photo.

Cars of CES

Last week work sent me to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).  While I worked most of the time, I escaped for a bit and found a few special automobiles.  I guess I'm not the only geek that loves cars :-)B-).

Ken Block's Ford "Fiesta ST"  - He was on hand too...

DFW 993 Meet - January 2014

A simple request to hear some modified 993 exhausts led to quite a 993 meet in Dallas this January...and I missed it.  Fortunately my sister and brother-in-law drove Ella over took some photos for me.

The whole story can be found in this Rennlist post:  http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum/785079-looking-for-fister-users-in-dallas-north-dallas-area.html, but here's the short summary:

1. Dallas rennlist forum member rsabeebe wants to hear some exhaust setups
2. Area 993 enthusiasts get excited and join-in...nearly 30 of us
3. A raffle gets started
4. An ice storm covers North Texas, event gets postponed
5. New date selected when I'm out of town :-(, but at least now Darin from FD Motorsports can fly in.
6. More that 30 993's show up at RAC in Addison

Click past the break for some photos.

Photoshoot, July 2013

It took an ice storm in December for me to get time to process photos taken in July, but that's what happens when a future Porsche driver is added to the family...

One of My Favorite Ella Pictures

Click past the jump for additional shots.

Porsche 993 Online Media Catalog

A simple list of links to my favorite online Porsche 993 media.  I will add to it as I go. Enjoy!

Articles

A sentimental story from Road&Track:  http://www.roadandtrack.com/features/magazine/features-magazine-features-breaking-promises-jack-baruth-porsche-911

Buyer's Guide from Car&Driver:  http://blog.caranddriver.com/1995-98-porsche-911-carrera-buyers-guide-econo-exotics/

Videos

Patrick Stewart narrating a Porsche Production

Porsche 993 - An Owners Perspective

Chris Harris's Review of the Singer 911

If you aren't familiar with the Singer 911, do NOT watch this video...you are better off ignorant ;-).

Blogs and Personal Websites

Jackal's Forge

Photos

Porsche's 50 Years of 911 Photo Stream:  http://50years.porsche.com/

Photo Scout Trip

We have been thinking of holding a car photo shoot at the Eisemann Center, so we swung by one evening to check it out (before dragging friends and family along).

Access to the fountain is limited to parallel parking on the street, and evening light is tough as it back lights the car.  With proper flashes, however, we might get some very nice shots.

There are also several walls with simple geometric patterns that might serve well, and a couple of nearby fields with beautiful spring grass.  We should go back soon!

Here's one shot we took on the scouting trip.

Side note:  my first "professional" employment was in the building on the left about 15 years ago...

All in the Stable

Ever since we moved into the house, we have wondered if our oversize two car garage would actually fit our three (relatively small) cars.  Tonight we quit wondering and found out.

The Stable

The threat of hail storms might have helped our motivation a bit...

Road Trip: Dallas to Arkansas Scenic Highway 7

The Goal

Simply put -- experience our Porsche 993 on winding roads, take some photos and enjoy a long weekend (and, as my wife said, not get a ticket!).

A friend had strongly recommend Arkansas's Scenic Highway 7, so we headed that way.

Porsche Photoshoot, March 2013: Ella Makes a Friend

Ella made a friend for this photoshoot.

Whereas the February shoot turned out more good photos than I expected, I struggled with this one.  The light was a bit harsh, I was using a wide angle lens for the first time and the disparity in the cars' colors all contributed.  Fortunately, I happened across a professional photographer and he offered some pointers.  Hopefully the next shoot will be better!

Bug Infestation!

I arrived home tonight to find my driveway infested with green beetles!  I guess I should be kinder to Porsche family relatives ;-).

New Mats!

My parents got me two new floor mats custom fit for my 993 -- a much needed replacement!  Thank you :-).  I love the red "Porsche" logo.  Here is a side-by-side comparison of new and old (the photo is a very good representation of the real appearance).

I was initially concerned about the shape difference, but Lloyd's included a note saying the shape had purposely been improved.  They fit great, and I was very happy that Lloyds included the plastic nut for attaching the floor mats to post on the floor.

Photoshoot: Feb. 2013

During the last week of Feb, we had a little impromptu photo shoot.  I took advantage of some terrific evening light and the hill behind our house, and had a little fun with my camera.

Leave a vote for your favorite and/or any constructive criticism in the comments.

Photo #1

Photo #2

Photo #3

Photo #4

Photo #5

Bilstein HD + H&R Spring Install

More than a year after completing the install, I have revisited the result.  Suffice it to say, I'm not very happy with my first attempt at suspension modifications and will try again.  Read more about it here.  (13-April-2014).
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As usual, I'm behind on the blog.  My "Porsche" time has been entirely consumed in my next project -- replacing the stock springs with a set of H&R Sport Springs.  Ella's been up on jack stands the last three weeks.  I think she looks kind of funny "floating" in the garage.  With just a bit of Photoshop magic to remove the jack stands...

There is a lot of information already available on the web for this install (search rennlist.com and visit http://p-car.com/diy/sus/), so I won't repeat it here.  I do have a few additional thoughts though:

7/8" Oxygen Sensor Socket as a 22mm Strut Nut Socket

1. The nut on top of the front struts was 22mm, not 21mm, for me.  I've read a few other places where people encountered this.  A very helpful employee at Pep Boys suggested that a 7/8" oxygen sensor socket should work just like the spark plug socket, and she was right. 
2. Rear lower control arm boots were cracked. I have dedicated a separate post to the specific topic. Visit it here:  http://twofourthsfull.blogspot.com/2013/03/rear-control-arm-rubber-bootgasket.html

Ella's First Outing

A couple of weeks ago, we took Ella out for her first public appearance at the January Cars & Coffee.  Here are a few photos of Ella and her brethren. 

For her next appearance, Ella will be showing off her new shoes and a new stance :-).

The Beginning

After several months of searching, we purchased our new "toy" -- a polar silver 1996 Porsche 911 (993).  It has been a dream of mine for years to have a car just for fun, and now the journey begins!