Turtle Garage: 20 Cars to Consider for Your Garage

[RicardoD]

@gerryvz

My kid wants to go to college for "business" and become an entrepreneur. I am a STEM guy as is my wife and so this freaks us out. He has worked a few jobs for min wage, learned how much that sucks, especially in the 'clean the toilets sweep the floor' job he had, but now makes more money hustling by re-selling popular streetwear online. I just hope he gets to leave for college this fall and is not taking classes online. I think my mid-May most colleges will have made the decision.

 

[skikrazey]

Great thread!!! My goal in life was to fly jets for the Navy. However, a shattered lower leg an 14 ended that dream. In my youthful mind, the next best thing was an F1 pilot or WRC driver! My Mom shot that down quickly! You are going to college! If I knew about McPherson, I would have gone there, I love cars and learned to wrench with my best friend at 16 when we got our 1st set of wheels! Would have liked to get into auto repair, Mom did not like that either! Personally, I never wanted to go to college, but went to a local private college BA in History and then to a higher ranked university close by for my Masters in History. In the end, I am glad I did go, because it has opened many doors for me. I majored in history as it was the only subject I ever did well in. I like stories! All my current professions have resulted from going to college. I am professional in the ski and scuba industry, a result of 2 PE classes my best friend talked me into taking with him! I am also an Adjunct Professor at a local because of my Masters. I love teaching! The ski class lead to me joining the National Ski Patrol which led me to get my EMT certification and now I am running Ambulance. Plus, I do consulting on the side and fleet maintenance for a local company as well! The jet mechanic is a great example of how being a skilled tradesman can be very rewarding financially. We need more people in the trades! I am certified by most of the major scuba manufacturers to service their gear. This satisfies my need to work with my hands. I also teach scuba, 1st Aid, & CPR/AED, as well.

I totally agree with GVZ, a 4 year degree is not for everyone. If a kid is not sure let them join the work force and they will figure it out. In the 18 years I have taught, there have been many kids that did not belong there or did not want to be there, but were because they were made to go! At the end of the day when you graduate with a degree and are looking for your 1st job, your grades or where you went (unless networking) does not matter. It is that you have the degree and how well you impress the person doing the interview!

 

[oaklandw124]

I agree. 928 interiors were beautiful, but the problem with 928 interiors is that everything was leather and it was applied all over the place -- the dashboard, the door panels, the center console, etc etc .... with multiple compound curves. Add in the fact that the 928 was a greenhouse w/ all that rear glass and park 'em in the sun, and the leather shrinkage over time look terrible

There was a guy in TX (Paul Champagne) who specialized in ONLY 928 interior leatherwork. Paul has since retired, but I found that to be astounding ---- can you imagine what a small market that must be to have a customer base that (a) owns a 928, (b) wants to re-do the interior and (c) is willing to pay for it?

Anyways he retired and the world is a poorer place because of it. I'm still waiting for @Klink to talk about his 928.

Paul Champagne Art Work (pics please, but not required) - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums

928 Forum - Paul Champagne Art Work (pics please, but not required) - Guys, We were hoping the stars would align and this would be installed in my Grand Prix White '94 GTS withe Classic Gray interior today. Maybe it will happen next week, but I had Paul send me the pics because I could not wait...

rennlist.com

I thought I'd share a couple of pics of my 928 with a Paul Champagne interior. The seat insert material is what Paul called laser-etched Pascha. The owner of the car before me gave Paul a blank check to work his magic. You can see that the stitching on seats, door cards and dash match the car color, which is Turquoise Metallic. The car also benefits from a 6.5L stroker motor built by Greg Brown at Precision Motorwerks in Orange, California. Motor looks like a stock 928 engine but with about 460hp at the crank. It's a fun car!

 

[Jlaa]

I thought I'd share a couple of pics of my 928 with a Paul Champagne interior. The seat insert material is what Paul called laser-etched Pascha. The owner of the car before me gave Paul a blank check to work his magic. You can see that the stitching on seats, door cards and dash match the car color, which is Turquoise Metallic. The car also benefits from a 6.5L stroker motor built by Greg Brown at Precision Motorwerks in Orange, California. Motor looks like a stock 928 engine but with about 460hp at the crank. It's a fun car!View attachment 101856View attachment 101857

I am insanely insanely jealous! Totally late 80s/early 90s Turquoise Metallic paint, Greg Brown engine, Champagne interior, 5 speed .... so jealous! BTW Is the Becker CDR-220 that you have modified by Jim Corenmann for LCD angle polarization as well?

 

[oaklandw124]

I am insanely insanely jealous! Green/Aqua paint, Greg Brown engine, Champagne interior, 5 speed .... so jealous! BTW Is the Becker CDR-220 that you have modified by Jim Corenmann for LCD angle polarization as well?

The only difference is that this car is an automatic. It's a little bit of a bummer but the torque makes up for it. And, yes, the CDR-220 is the modified one by Mr. Corenmann.

 

[Jlaa]

...my 928 with a Paul Champagne interior.... stitching on seats, door cards and dash match the car color, which is Turquoise Metallic...yes, the CDR-220 is the modified one by Mr. Corenmann.

I have basically the same car with the same Paul-C-Interior and the same-J-Corenmann-Becker-CDR220 except that that everything is actually very different, if not the same.

After Paul did the interior for the previous owner of your car, he had leftover turquoise leather, so he used the leftovers as accents for my seats.

 

[oaklandw124]

View attachment 101861

I have basically the same car with the same Paul-C-Interior and the same-J-Corenmann-Becker-CDR220 except that that everything is actually very different, if not the same.

After Paul did the interior for the previous owner of your car, he had leftover turquoise leather, so he used the leftovers as accents for my seats.

View attachment 101858

That's cool! What is the exterior color of your car? Year?

 

[Jlaa]

That's cool! What is the exterior color of your car? Year?

Hah, its a 1996 Sport Beetle, Aventura Grun.

 

[sheward]

Both of those interiors are beyond any improvement for me! I still recall attending some motorsports race and lusting for one of the 928 medical/chase cars.

drew

 

[Glen]

Paul Champagne's leather Pascha is amazing, way nicer than the original Porsche version, IMO.
Fun fact, md CDR-220 has also been modded by Jim

 

[msq]

The only difference is that this car is an automatic. It's a little bit of a bummer but the torque makes up for it. And, yes, the CDR-220 is the modified one by Mr. Corenmann.

@oaklandw124 What a great looking car. Question: In picture #2 of the Turquoise Metallic car - the shifter looks like a manual but it's really an automatic? Anyway - what an engine, color, interior - everything.

 

[oaklandw124]

@oaklandw124 What a great looking car. Question: In picture #2 of the Turquoise Metallic car - the shifter looks like a manual but it's really an automatic? Anyway - what an engine, color, interior - everything.

Yep, it's an automatic. Paul Champagne found the shifter and then did the custom leather boot for it. Alot of people think it's a manual when they first see it.

 

[gerryvz]

Hah, its a 1996 Sport Beetle, Aventura Grun.

Augments your SFOPrius nicely !!!

 

[RicardoD]

Motor looks like a stock 928 engine but with about 460hp at the crank. It's a fun car!

Wow is that a beautiful car. Love the 928 and you have one sweet ride. I don't think the automatic is such a negative on this car and it is inline with the GT aspect of the vehicle, especially since you have more sleeper power with that stock looking engine. I flirted with getting a 928 but here I am as I went the E500 route.

 

[Jlaa]

Paul Champagne's leather Pascha is amazing, way nicer than the original Porsche version, IMO.
Fun fact, md CDR-220 has also been modded by Jim

This must be the secret corner of the Interwebz - a ridiculously small slice of Venn Diagram where:

a) People who own and adore E500E
b) People who also own a Porsche
c) People who also revel in the aesthetics and inscrutable controls of Becker radios
d) So much so that they then go through the trouble to refit slightly-more-modern Beckers to their 90s Porsches
e) AND THEN they have gone through the trouble of seeking out a "Mr. C" recluse who lives in an island in the Pacific Northwest who has the ability and knowledge to modify the aforementioned Becker to change the LCD polarization angle of the display of the Becker such that it can be seen properly at different driving angles.

BTW @Glen -- I raise your hoarding tendencies --- I have hoarded several "J Corenmann modified Becker Displays" for my spares. Just in case.

PS - Mine is not a CDR-220. It is a CR-220. It has tape deck functionality. No built in CD-player for me. Dolby Lovers unite.

 

[alabbasi]

I need to find out more about this Paul Champagne fella. My 88 S4 has horrendous dash cracks

 

[Glen]

This must be the secret corner of the Interwebz - a ridiculously small slice of Venn Diagram where:

a) People who own and adore E500E
b) People who also own a Porsche
c) People who also revel in the aesthetics and inscrutable controls of Becker radios
d) So much so that they then go through the trouble to refit slightly-more-modern Beckers to their 90s Porsches
e) AND THEN they have gone through the trouble of seeking out a "Mr. C" recluse who lives in an island in the Pacific Northwest who has the ability and knowledge to modify the aforementioned Becker to change the LCD polarization angle of the display of the Becker such that it can be seen properly at different driving angles.

BTW @Glen -- I raise your hoarding tendencies --- I have hoarded several "J Corenmann modified Becker Displays" for my spares. Just in case.

PS - Mine is not a CDR-220. It is a CR-220. It has tape deck functionality. No built in CD-player for me. Dolby Lovers unite.

LOL...that's funny. Mine is also a CR-220, installed in my high miler E500 with BT via aux-in
My 744 E500 has a CDR-210 also with BT via a CD changer emulator.

 

[oaklandw124]

I need to find out more about this Paul Champagne fella. My 88 S4 has horrendous dash cracks

I belive Paul has retired but there is another interior shop in Michigan that does nice 928 work. Classic 9 Leathershop. here is their website: http://www.classic9leathershop.com/

They advertise in Excellence magazine.

 

[RicardoD]

@Jlaa, you forget the bread baking. That is another circle in your Venn diagram.

 

[Jlaa]

I belive Paul has retired but there is another interior shop in Michigan that does nice 928 work. Classic 9 Leathershop. here is their website: http://www.classic9leathershop.com/

They advertise in Excellence magazine.

Rob Budd, who was the proprietor of Classic Nine in Michigan, is no longer running things at Classic Nine (Development in the past 24 months...) Paul Champange did my seats and steering wheel / shifter. Rob did my door panels / dash. I don’t know the whole story....

 

[oaklandw124]

Rob Budd, who was the proprietor of Classic Nine in Michigan, is no longer running things at Classic Nine (Development in the past 24 months...) Paul Champange did my seats and steering wheel / shifter. Rob did my door panels / dash. I don’t know the whole story....

You are correct. Rob has retired and he sold the business to his employees so in essence they are the same people that are doing the work when Rob owned it.

 

[Jlaa]

You are correct. Rob has retired and he sold the business to his employees so in essence they are the same people that are doing the work when Rob owned it.

Oh that is a relief. The quality should still be there. So. many. people. retiring. Classic 9 is a Porsche specialist. Paul Champagne was a whole ‘nother level of dedication - he was a 928 specialist. Kinda like Jiro Dreams of Sushi. @Ricardo - bread bakers / McPherson auto restoration degree dreamers unite .... Jiro’s SON is finally branching out on his own at age 70..... 50s are spring chicken material....

 

[gerryvz]

Latest from Turtle Garage, on the transition of classic car auctions from "in person" to "virtual"

Movin’ Online: Classic Car Auctions in Transition—A Trend or a Fad? | Turtle Garage

turtlegarage.com

 

[gerryvz]

Latest from Turtle Garage - great story.

And Philip likes the 500Eboard !!

The Tale of the Dino | Turtle Garage

turtlegarage.com

 

[gerryvz]

There may be a pot of gold for the @gsxr's old VW Dasher Diesels, and @Jimbo's Mark II Scirocco yet....

Lucky Rabbit! $70,000 1985 Volkswagen Cabriolet | Turtle Garage

turtlegarage.com

 

[Jimbo]

Glad I held onto this one...

 

[sheward]

That's a cool little car!

drew

 

[Jimbo]

That's a cool little car!

drew

Little is correct !

I can't wear my Fez driving it tho....

 

[TerryA]

@Jimbo, Are you a Shriner?

 

[sheward]

You'd think after all those years of service the Shriners management could spring for some larger cars.

drew

 

[kegmankipp]

View attachment 129154

Glad I held onto this one...

My first car was a brand new 1986 silver 16v Scirocco that I bought with money I saved from many years doing a paper route. I wish I still had it. Lots of great memories!

 

[captruff]

Another article by Philip Richter

Collier Auto Media: The Best or Nothing | Turtle Garage

turtlegarage.com

Mercedes-Benz – An Appreciation - "The best or nothing"

Mercedes-Benz is the result of the successful 1926 pre-war merger between Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie.

www.collierautomedia.com

Jeff

 

[gerryvz]

@maw1124 -- this latest Turtle Garage column seems right down your alley:

Purple Porsches,Yellow Tulips, and Green Trillions | Turtle Garage

turtlegarage.com

 

[maw1124]

Here again, I need multiple emoji!!! Thanks @gerryvz. I could be crazy but at least I have company. Of course I doubt the Fed is looking at collector car and art markets for signs of rampant asset price appreciation. As if NFTs weren't evidence enough...

;-D

maw

 

[alabbasi]

It's all fun as long as you can keep it under 20. Anything over and you become a hamster on a wheel.

 

[maw1124]

... to be clear, my opinion is that an M20-straight-six powered E30 (mid 80s 3 series) is more satisfying to own than a S14-inline-4 (M power high strung 4 cylinder) E30 M3.

That opinion does not relate to E36 nor E46 chassis cars (I believe you have an e46).

Also to be clear --- my opinion is ... more satisfying to own ... meaning drive all the time, for many years. An E30M3 is more exciting to rev the nuts off of once in a great while, but not to own, day in and day out (IMHO).

Subtle reminder... YouTube... but this is the E46M... pretty much sounds like this any time you want it to (especially top down), but it doesn't ever have to sound like this if you don't want it to. And with paddle shifters you can keep both hands on the wheel at all times, which I find helpful during these maneuvers (which the car encourages more than one might think).

maw

EDIT... not my video, but highly representative

 

[gerryvz]

Interview with Philip Richter of Turtle Garage.

 

[maw1124]

Interview with Philip Richter of Turtle Garage.

I have to say I agree with (1) the 4.2L V8 in the R8 (same as my allroad -- pure monster of an engine); (2) hold, great buy and versatility on the E46M; and (3) flares... of course flares... always flares... all of mine have them. Those have been my thoughts for about 15 years.

I've told a couple of people here this... there is no greater buy in the German performance world right now than an E46M convertible with the SMG transmission. They're practically free for what they are. 6MT fanboys flame all the time but if you drive one it'll be the best car money you'll think about spending.

maw

 

[Jlaa]

Wow, that kid, young man, man has a reaaaaallllly nice toy room / toys. He's got a lot of enthusiasm! Not sure if I can relate to his equestrian hobby though.

 

[duuder]

i knew people that grew up riding horses in NY, they are in a totally different class than the rest of the world. as a teenager, my friend would go to Tavern on the Green all the time b/c the owners daughter had a huge crush on him. she was an avid horse rider (we were 16).

i will build myself a barndominium and my garage will be filled w/ classic bmw's, mercede's, ferrari's, and my trusty prius. oh and a lift or 2

and in 2008, ferrari 308s were 30k and very underwhelming

Wow, that kid, young man, man has a reaaaaallllly nice toy room / toys. Hes got a lot of enthusiasm! Not sure if I can relate to his equestrian hobby though.

View attachment 168919

View attachment 168918

 

[Jlaa]

i knew people that grew up riding horses in NY, they are in a totally different class than the rest of the world. as a teenager, my friend would go to Tavern on the Green all the time b/c the owners daughter had a huge crush on him. she was an avid horse rider (we were 16).

i will build myself a barndominium and my garage will be filled w/ classic bmws, mercedes, ferraris, and my trusty prius. oh and a lift or 2

and in 2008, ferrari 308s were 30k and very underwhelming

There’s regular-ass old money……. And then there’s MEDICI/ROTHSCHILD GRADE old money……. Being an equestrian since childhood is perhaps the latter?

 

[duuder]

There’s regular-ass old money……. And then there’s MEDICI/ROTHSCHILD GRADE old money……. Being an equestrian since childhood is perhaps the latter?

yea, i didnt get it until way later in life like my 30s. in hs, i knew a girl that lived in a highrise and she had her own elevator in her own apt. i think it went 3 floors