AUTHOR     Schrager

    ENGLISH

ISBN 10     NO ISBN 10

ISBN 13    9780963172693

PRICE       $50.00

OUT OF PRINT -- ONE AVAILABLE @ BLOCKS BOOKS

FROM MY REVIEWS IN THE 356 REGISTRY:

Jim Schrager’s companion to his similar 356 book, Buying, Driving & Enjoying the Porsche 911 and 912 1965-1973 is finally out.  In the interests of full disclosure, I need to reveal that I am acknowledged as a reviewer of the book.  I am impressed by the opening of the first chapter, “All of the old 356 stories – abandoned cars, finding lovely Coupes or cheap money, decent one needing work for a few thousand dollars – it’s all happening right now.  I’m not talking about a 1999 Carrera Cabriolet.  These are still big money.  But plenty of early 911s are available at prices we’ll all be dreaming about in 25 years.”  Production values have improved since Jim’s 356 book; with extremely crisp charts and lots of attractive color photographs.  Having been listed as a reviewer, I am disappointed with the errors that are found in the section on the initial (through 1966) model.  The Solex carburetors are if anything even easier that the Webers to tune.  With the large venturies, they perform about as well as a 2.2 911E.  Not mentioned is that all of the carburetors need re-jetting to work with current fuels.  The Nadella axels of the early cars typically failed at the out Hooke joint (which did not have a grease fitting) – easily fixable by replacing with a greasable fitting.  While it is true that the very early 911s did not have valve and tire information foils on the rear panel, it should be noted that there was one on the horn of the air filter.  Finally, the 6 stud aluminum valve covers (through 1967) did not leak; the later 12 stud magnesium did.  Quibbles?  Yes but that’s what the book is about. 

Once we reach the low wheel base cars, Jim really hits his stride.  Not unexpected – if I read Jim correctly, he owns the full set of ’69, ’70, ’71 Porsche 911S!  Not to mention his ’67 911S soft window targa.  Ask the man who owns one (or several).  Horsepower curves for each engine type are presented – along with the ’66 911.  The 2.2 & 2.4 litre charts have garbage numbers instead of RPM.  As with his 356 book Jim provides a buyer’s guide “Finding a 911 to Buy” & “Test Driving a 911” and an expanded owner’s manual “Keeping Your 911 on the Road” along with an overview of  accessories “Options, Upgrades Accessories and Wheels” ending with “Selling Your 911.” stories – buying and running.  Finally we get the stories -- :  “The “Good, the Bad and the Awful”  -- the thrill of the chase, how many crooks are out there, and how sometimes it all works out (remember “Chasing the Wild Goose” in his 356 book).  “Garage Stories,” mechanical problems which worked out well, or not; ”Expensive & Cheap”  which parts are and which aren’t, and “Keeping Your Porsche on the Road” in which Jim states a quality rebuild should last at least 100,000 miles – I’d like to mention the Bob Overby rebuild of my ’66 911 motor is now over 100,000 miles and the 911 is within 80 miles of a quarter million.  Buying, Driving, Enjoying Your Porsche 911 is a bargain @$29.95 list, and absolutely necessary for anyone considering buying an early 911.