Porsche

Episode 21, Rags to riches: The restoration of a rare Porsche 356

Leigh Rutledge, a real estate executive in Sacramento, California, owns a rare Porsche — a 1956 Porsche 356 Cabriolet. The car was made in the year Rutledge was born, and the model also corresponds to the month and year she was born. In Episode 21 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Rutledge her 27-year ownership of the unique Porsche. The car has had a hard-to-believe legacy. Rutledge purchased the Porsche in 1990 after noticing it for sale on a 3×5 index card. But the Porsche wasn’t much more than a collection of parts. The restoration began as a series of catastrophes, from unscrupulous “experts” to financial missteps. But through the care and concern

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Lexus, Porsche top J.D. Power reliability survey

Lexus and Porsche are the most dependable car brands after three years of ownership, according to the 28th annual survey conducted J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. It is the sixth consecutive year that Lexus topped J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. The streak puts Lexus halfway to tying its record of 12 consecutive titles for most dependable brand between from 1997 to 2008. Toyota, Buick and Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top five brands overall. Mercedes, Hyundai (No. 6), BMW (No. 7) and Jaguar (No. 10) were newcomers to the Top 10 this year, while GMC, Acura, Ram and Lincoln dropped out. The industry averaged 156 problems per 100 vehicles in the latest dependability study, up by four

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VW pays more for pollution scandal (all cars listed here)

Another chapter in the long saga of Volkswagen and its scheme to hide emission levels in some of its vehicles has resulted in the manufacturer offering to buy back more tainted diesel cars and spend an additional $1 billion to settle the air pollution scandal. The German automaker agreed to buy back tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012. The company will fix newer 3.0-liter cars. Volkswagen will pay $225 million into a “national mitigation fund” to address air pollution effects from its tainted 3.0-liter engine vehicles. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said $66 million would go to California, according to a report in the Sacramento Bee and on several automotive websites. Volkswagen previous agreed to spend

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Jerry Seinfeld ready to unload three rare Porsche rarities

Three of Jerry Seinfeld’s vast collection of Porsches, including a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder that may be worth $6 million, will be offered at the Amelia Island Auction in Florida on March 11. Although more Porsches from Seinfeld’s collection may be sold, the other two confirmed vehicles for sale: * a 1958 Carrera Speedster, expected to fetch at least $2 million. It’s one of only 151 Carrera Speedsters ever built, and one of only 13 painted a unique green called Auratium. * a 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera. It was the first of 15 RSRs built specifically to compete in the International Race of Champions series in 1973 and 1974. Its estimated sale price is $1.2 million to $1.5 million. The

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Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche fetches $1.76 million

The 1964 Porsche 356 C1600 SC Cabriolet owned and used as a daily driver by rock and roll star Janis Joplin sold Dec. 10 in New York for $1.76 million at the RM Sotheby’s auction and far exceeded the expected selling price. The announced price in the auction title “Driven By Disruption” was prompted by aggressive bidding among seven collectors in the room in the New York auction house and via telephone. The sale of the wildly painted Porsche set a record amount for any Porsche 356 sold at public auction, according to Sotheby’s. Joplin’s car was expected to fetch around $400,000. Purchased from a used car lot in 1968, Joplin engaged Dave Richards, a friend and roadie with her

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More VW, Audi Porsche diesels affected by emissions issues

The continuing saga of the emissions scam affecting Audi, Porsche and Volkswagen has again expanded with the announcement of the problem affecting 85,000 vehicles with 3.0-liter diesel V6 engines dating to 2009. The engine software is allegedly designed to foil emissions tests, according to the EPA. The California Air Resources Board and the EPA “will continue to investigate and will take all appropriate action,” the federal agency said in its statement. Previously, the EPA said the software was found on 2014-16 models with the Audi-developed 3.0-liter diesel, including SUVs from all three brands and larger sedans from Audi. The EPA made its initial allegations on the 3.0-liter engines on Nov. 2. An EPA spokeswoman said the additional model years covered

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VW, Audi, Porsche diesels get ‘stop-sale’ as scandal widens

The ever-expanding Volkswagen scandal has gotten worse. The automaker has issued a “stop-sale” for more than 10,000 Audi, Porsche and VW SUVs and high-end cars with 3.0-liter diesel engines. Federal regulators have labeled the cars as having “defeat devices” dating to 2013. The stop-sale includes more vehicles than identified by EPA on Monday. It only labeled the specific model years of three vehicles it had tested as violating emissions rules by allowing the vehicles to emit up to nine times legally allowable levels. RELATED VW EMISSION SCANDAL CONTENT: More VW, Audi, Porsche models added to cheat list Volkswsgen can’t sell 2016 diesels in the United States Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn resigns in emissions scandal The new stop-sale covers the 2013 Audi

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Audi, Porsche, more Volkswagen models added to cheat list

Volkswagen is in further trouble. The scandal-plagued carmaker has received a second notice of violation of the Clean Air Act with emissions test violations expanding to additional VW vehicles as well Audi and Porsche models. The additional vehicles affected by the violation notice include the diesel versions of the 2014 VW Touareg, the 2015 Porsche Cayenne and the 2016 Audi A6 Quattro, A7 Quattro, A8, A8L and Q5. These vehicles are equipped with 3.0-liter engines that release emissions of nitrogen oxide up to nine times the EPA standard, the agency said. Additional Related Content: Volkswagen Can’t Sell 2016 Diesel in the United States Volkswagen CEO Winterkorn Quits in VW Emissions Scandal Volkswagen Emissions Scandal Hits 11 Million Cars Globally The

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Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche set for Sotheby’s auction

The 1965 Porsche 356C 1600 Cabriolet that Janis Joplin drove as a daily driver throughout California will be part of the RM Sotheby’s exclusive “Driven by Disruption” sale in New York City on December 10. The vintage sports car is described by an auction representative as, “without question one of the most important Porsches of all time.” Joplin purchased the Porsche in September 1968, but she decided the original Pearl White finish was slightly too conservative. She engaged Dave Richards, a friend and roadie with her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, to customize the car with a kaleidoscopic mural. Described by Richards to represent ‘The History of the Universe’, the dramatic artwork included such graphics as butterflies and

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Porsche goes electric to chase Tesla dominance

Porsche, the sports car manufacturer well-established in performance and craftsmanship, is now seeking to establish a market to counter the dominance of Tesla in the luxury electric car segment. Porsche recently unveiled its first electric concept, the Mission E, at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Observers commented it looked like a futuristic version of a Porsche 911. The German carmaker said the four-door Mission E will be able to drive approximately 310 miles on a single charge. Porsche said the model should take 15 minutes to charge to about 80 percent of its capacity. The Tesla currently requires about 30 minutes to reach the same level of charge. With an 80 percent capacity charge, the Porsche Mission E is predicted to

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2015 Porsche Panamera Hybrid: The perfect cycling car?

The fledging Airgas-Safeway cycling team is still seeking competitive clout. But the squad has attracted major attention at the Tour of Utah — if only in the caravan of race vehicles. The first-year team and its exuberant owner, Chris Johnson, secured the use of two 2015 Porsche Panamera S Hybrids as team cars for the biggest race of the team’s short tenure. Subaru is a race sponsor and there’s the usual assortment of manufacturers represented among team vehicles, Kia to Volvo. But it’s a safe bet to assume $110,000 high-performance, four-door hybrid sports cars with 380 horsepower are a first in the sport. “I think cycling is a perfect type of audience; a lot of cyclists drive Porsches,” said Johnson,

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Bridging the gap between other models, Porsche has unveiled the second generation of 911 Carrera GTS models in coupe and cabriolet versions and with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The new Porsche model features 430 horsepower from the Carrera S Powerkit which incorporates the Sport Chrono package and Sport Exhaust. The standard PASM active damper system lowers the ride height by 10 mm compared to the 911 Carrera. When equipped with PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung dual-clutch transmission), the 911 Carrera GTS sprints from zero to 60 miles per hour in 3.8 seconds (Cabriolet: 4.0 seconds). Top track speeds for the GTS models range from 187 to 190 miles per hour, depending on drivetrain and transmission. Despite quicker acceleration and higher top

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Concours on the Avenue: rare cars, rare owners

Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar and Woodys, the classic surf cars, were featured among the rare cars  and unheralded automobiles Tuesday during the Concours on the Avenue on the streets of downtown Carmel. The first major showcase in the weeklong celebration of automobiles on the Monterey Peninsula progressed August 12 as it has throughout its now eight-year tenure. The crowd of humans and dogs was well behaved . . . perhaps only outdone by the enthusiasm of car owners. They polished their cars, revved their machines’ engines and eagerly talked about their prized possessions. Plenty of pristine Porsche 911 and 356s lined Ocean Avenue and side streets. There were enough Ferrari offerings to comprise a well-stocked dealership. TheWeeklyDriver appreciates Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar

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REVIEW: 2014 Porsche Cayman S lighter, faster

The new Porsche Cayman S edges even closer to the venerable Porsche 911. The first Porsche Cayman model blew me away when I drove it during a media preview through twisting mountain roads in northern Italy in late 2005. Now the lighter, faster third-generation Cayman is here as a redesigned 2014 model with features including sleeker styling, a longer wheelbase, classier interior and power gains. The new mid-engine, rear-drive Cayman looks significantly different than the Boxster and the last-generation Cayman. Precise lines and sculpted edges complement the lowered, lengthened profile. There’s a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase (97.4 inches) for greater high-speed stability and a wider track at both axles for stability and cornering agility. There’s also larger diameter wheels and tires

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2014 Porsche Panamera: Smooth, quick, luxurious

The 2014 Porsche Panamera 4S sedan seems perfect for those who want a Porsche sports car, but need more passenger and cargo room. I almost felt as if in a jet’s cockpit after settling into the Agate Grey leather beautifully finished interior of my test vehicles. It appropriately had Yachting Blue Metallic paint, which is a $790 option. The Panamera 4S I drove seemed to accelerate like a big jet, although Panamera models weigh 3,902-4,586 pounds. The aircraft look was largely provided by a no-nonsense dashboard and button-dominated center console. The buttons are well-labeled, and their functions are easy to quickly figure out. As a Porsche spokesman put it, “The buttons sure beat drilling down through menus that force a

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Paul Walker: car crash death leaves Hollywood uncertain

The death of the actor Paul Walker two days ago (Nov. 30) in a single-car automobile accident in Santa Clarita, California, has reverberated throughout the film industry and among the popular star’s global fan community. Walker, 40, was the star of the “Fast & Furious” film franchise. He was preparing to resume production of the film’s seventh installment. Walker played the rogue ex-cop Brian O’Conner. Walker had already filmed scenes the movie, the pending edition of which features a vengeful rivalry between racing crews. James Wan, the director of the film, Neal Moritz, the lead producer and executives haven’t made decision to continue make the film, set for release July 11. According to a report via Associated Press, Walker hadn’t

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