Jacques,
Yeah. You pretty much nailed it, Jacques. I applaud your ability to resist
the purchase of one, after you've been exposed to them (especially 356s).
However, a good, well maintained 356 is a pretty practical, reliable car and
very easy to maintain. Since the 356 was a direct descendent of the VW
beetle, there are many similarities, even though almost no parts
interchangeability from 356A thru C. The trouble is, as with LBCs, they've
been around long enough to have suffered a lot of indignities at the hands
of incompetent mechanics and inept drivers. The thing is, the Porsches cost
a lot more to put right, again and parts are much more expensive, with many
no longer available in original form/spec. If I didn't do all of my own
work (with much learned from friends who were Porsche and BMC/British
Leyland dealer mechanics), I wouldn't be able to afford to own either
Porsche or LBC and maintain them to the standard I want.
What's really scary is that I still have a craving for an early ('65-'73)
911! Some day....
Bud
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Jacques Le Clainche
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2003 7:40 PM
To: spridget list
Subject: RE: Porsche and LBCs- little LBC content
Bud wrote: " compared to a Spridget, [356s] are rather expensive to
maintain/restore/rebuild and there are MANY subtleties about them that only
years and years of hands-on experience will teach you. You can get
(financially) upside down in a 356 in a heartbeat, if you miss a fault or
two."
Isn't this true of nearly all Porsches? That's why I will not buy another
Porsche, new or used. They can be real money pits- not as bad as, let's say,
Ferrari, but bad enough. The Boxster IS a nice car, but overpriced I think,
just as service charges and parts from Porsche dealers. By the way, my
introduction to Porsche was riding in a 356 my friend owned- we were both
working at a Porsche/Alfa Romeo dealer in Brittany.
Long live LBCs, especially AH/MG/Lotus and.... wait for it.... Triumphs!
OK. Flame away 8-)
PS: Hey, WST- Good show at Grattan! Wish I could drive like you!
Jacques LC http://www.leclainche.com/
1959 "Bugeye" Sprite- vintage racing car- fun fun fun.
1970 Lotus 7 Twin Cam- Officer, I swear, my throttle's stuck open!
2001 Porsche Boxster S- no, I am not a poser, really!
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