Hi everybody,
My name is Thomas Schmitz. I live in Hanover, Germany. My 968 is a '93 Tiptronic model, painted in "Polar silver". Although it was built for the Japanese market, it's a LWD.
I'm looking forward to share and to learn. :-)
Cheers, Thomas
Welcome.
Great color (I am not biased! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/clap.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ).
Was the car just "built" for the Japanese market and never shipped there, OR did it go there and return to Germany as a "used" unit? I have seen several Japanese 968's that have been brought over from Japan. All of them are LHD, which seems to have been a "statement" that the new owners wanted to make when they purchased them new. "Hey look at my new car! It's an import. See, it's LHD".
Welcome! Hannover, that's not too far from Wolfsburg. Any great roads over there? I want to visit the VW factory one day.
Thank you for the warm welcoming.
[quote name='Langley968' timestamp='1390331572' post='154489']Was the car just "built" for the Japanese market and never shipped there, OR did it go there and return to Germany as a "used" unit? I have seen several Japanese 968's that have been brought over from Japan. All of them are LHD, which seems to have been a "statement" that the new owners wanted to make when they purchased them new. "Hey look at my new car! It's an import. See, it's LHD".[/quote]
I think it's the latter. The maintenance records are in Japanese and, hence, suggest that this car was actually driven and maintained in Japan. And yes, I agree, this is what a proud owner would think. I have to admit, I'd rather think alike :-)
Cheers, Thomas
[quote name='Bulti' timestamp='1390332621' post='154490']Welcome! Hannover, that's not too far from Wolfsburg. Any great roads over there? I want to visit the VW factory one day.[/quote]
That's interesting - I bought my 968 from a VW employee, and he lives very close to Wolfsburg. The Volkswagen factory site is truly worth a visit, partly because of the VW showroom, partly because of the brand exibition halls (representing the self-understanding of the VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat brands), partly because of the Volkswagen museum, partly because of the nice scenery and luxurios yet affordable accomodations, but mostly because of the "Currywurst" James May quite recently wrote on the Top Gear homepage about. Plus, on the other side of the main road, you'll find nice shopping outlet facilities that keep your girlfriend happy.
Cheers, Thomas
Ah, currywursts, we have plenty of those here. Jummie.
Welcome and enjoy your ride!
Welcome aboard. If you have option 220 you won't have LWD. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/glare.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />
Welcome from the Mother land, ever been to the Porsche museum ?
Thomas - I just found this article online, which makes a direct connection between Brazil and Hannover. The LAST VW T2 produced in Brazil is now at the VW location in Hannover.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/...refer=news
I guess Ryker will have something to say, if he read this post! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />
Hello Thomas, A BIG Welcome to the forum. I have fond memories of the 3 years I lived in Germany while serving in the Air Force at Sembach outside of Kaiserslaughtern in the early 60's. I lived on the German economy away from all the other Americans and loved all the friendly people.
Cheers,
Larry
Welcome Thomas! Hannover sounds lovely. I've been to Germany but never Hannover. My love for VW vans are well documented on the site, and that is what Jake was referring to. My current stable includes 5 Vanagons, all in different states of reconditioning, motor transplants, etc. I'll have to post some pics when my 1991 Tornado Red Carat is complete. This is the most "sporty" (Flash will laugh at this) version of the Vanagon, and the most rare color combo.
[quote name='ryker' timestamp='1391197552' post='154772']
Welcome Thomas! Hannover sounds lovely. I've been to Germany but never Hannover. My love for VW vans are well documented on the site, and that is what Jake was referring to. My current stable includes 5 Vanagons, all in different states of reconditioning, motor transplants, etc. I'll have to post some pics when my 1991 Tornado Red Carat is complete. This is the most "sporty" (Flash will laugh at this) version of the Vanagon, and the most rare color combo.
[/quote]
Ummm.. exactly how may cars do you own currently? ; )
A Vanagon, I did not know they are called like that in the US. A collegue of mine and a bunch of his friends are into Beetles. Nice hobby. He has a van too, a green T1 with a white roof, very cool.
Oh yeah, in Europe they are T1, T3, etc. We do have a few "Hannover" Edition Vanagons that made it over here.
Tahoe968, I recondition Vanagons (mostly Westys), as a hobby. I actually rent a warehouse where I keep them. I have a guy who does all the mechanical work, and I do everything else. Right now I have 6 but one is turning into a donor/parts vehicle. Two of the vans I am "keeping", which will most likely mean for a year or two. I want to camp in one this summer, and the other (the Carat), I am going to install a Subaru SVX motor into it, making 230 hp. My Porsche is in LA, and I am missing it because I have not been to my LA house in a month. I drive my Mercedes over 25,000 miles/year, so that is the driver. To get to your question, I own a 2007 Mercedes Bluetech Diesel, my Porsche, a 1991 Vanagon Multivan (Westy pop top but no kitchen so it can seat 7, and sleep 4, and Tiico motor conversion), and the Carat (still under repair). That is four vehicles, that I drive, or more accurately, 3 that I currently drive, and one more that I will start driving in the Spring.
Sorry to get off topic, Thomas! At least it is related to your home country, since every vehicle I own is German...as am I, mostly, by descent.
Ryker, come camp at Nevada Beach this Summer and you guys can use our boat; it's buoyed next door at Round Hill Pines. Your German camper will fit in nicely.
Again, thank you so much for the overwhelmingly warm welcoming.
@ Ryker - I think we share the same passion for vintage Volkswagens. I have a '77 Beetle convertible and a '68 Karmann-Ghia coupé (the latter having been re-imported from California). My everyday car is an '05 Audi A4 Avant, so yes, it's safe to say that I'm corrupted...
@ Ryan - I will take a closer look to the options list. Unfortunately, all the documents are in Japanese, so this may take some time to double check. The most interesting thing I wanted to find out so far is whether the suspension is the genuine sports suspension or retrofitted, as the car is surprisingly low and surprisingly firm to ride, which to me somehow mixes up a bit with the comfort of an auto gearbox.
To those who know Germany but not Hannover - it's a nice town with about 500,000 citiziens, and about as much living in the suburbs. Quite easy to get there, and worth spending a weekend to see some of the tourist attractions. It takes a one hour ride to get to the Harz and Deister mountains, which deliver some nice roads your Porsche is keen to check out.
Right now, my 968 gets a hifi upgrade. I think I will open another thread for details for those who are interested.
Cheers, Thomas