These really were supercars in their day!
I went for a very spirited drive very early this morning through the Marin headlands in my '99 Cab. I've done this many times, but today was different because I was following a 2024 911 coupe.
Needless to say, I pushed my car almost as hard as I ever had on this drive, and she kept up beautifully with the newer 911.
I know they could have smoked me if they REALLY pushed it, but we were both going at it pretty good, and it just reminded me how the 911 has managed to keep its spirit of connected driving alive for so many years for one model.
My old girl took the bumps, hairpins and straights almost as well as the 2024. I lost traction a tiny bit in the rear only once as I let up a bit too much in the wrong part of a very sharp corner (no PSM or LSD in my car either), but I never felt scared by it, the car (I admit it was mostly the car, not my skills) took it in stride and I shot out of the curve like a cannonball.
I had the top down and the heat on, and it was glorious as we went from sun to coastal fog to sun and blue sky again. I know coupes have stiffer chassis but I will happily give that up every time to have such a beautiful, wide open view of the world as I move through it with the car.
My left shoulder is actually a little sore from holding the wheel whilst shifting with the right hand - it was a fairly physically intensive drive what with the analog nature of everything in this car.
I know Walter Röhrl has more driving ability in his left pinky than I do in my entire body, but that's the beauty of these automobiles - I felt the same exhilaration as I am sure he did on his legendary Yellowbird run on the Ring. To me, that is the sign of a near perfect vehicle.
The cherry on top - my 15 year old daughter was with me, and loved every second of it. I found an old cassette tape of Neil Diamond's greatest hits and confirmed my tape player in the old CDR-220 still worked, too!
Perfect morning. If you have a 996, I hope you can go out and enjoy it some today.