[scirocco*joe]

Well, freshly back from Portland, Oregon. Call it what you will: PDX, Rose City, Stumptown, Bridgetown, Beervana, Brewtopia or Little Beirut, all I call it is HEAVEN!
Seriously, it has GOT to be one of the most breathtaking places I've been in years. No lie. Better than Ireland, even!
Where else can this:

be within 45 minutes of this:

Not to mention that it's pretty much 45-75 all year long. It's like California without the heat and the fake tans. Paradise in the Pacific Northwest!
Then, when I think I've hit the jackpot, I start to see things...

Wow, nice 300SD. Green vinyl interior, no rust, euro headlights. Clean.
Then more...

Wow. Haven't seen a fastback in years. Cool.

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Then it starts to happen all over the place. Beetles, Busses and Vans everywhere.

Old Volvos? Check.

Man. Lots of Volvos. I had to stop taking pictures.

Old Mercedes? Let me show you...

There weren't many muscle cars, though. I did find a nice LeMans.

A1s you say? I must've been saving the best for last...
Rabbits and Caddys out the wazoo.

Walking around the corner from a shop Erin was looking in, I spied a lonely Rabbit.

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Most impressive were the BMWs, though. They literally were e v e r y w h e r e. 2002s, 320s, 5ers, 6ers, 7ers...I mean, it was like litter. Take a look at the small sampling:

And these were the ones I caught! I literally saw about 6 or 7 2002s while I was there.
However, this little 320i, I saw twice.

Even had a nice Foha front and rear spoilers.

I saw a great vintage Mini, too. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Erin really wants one.
Saw some Porsches, too.

I missed photographing a yellow 914, though. Early one with chrome bumpers.
Got this one, though:

Yowzas.

This was my rental:

Not bad, 2.3l. Free upgrade.
I wish I had rented this:

Brand new 135i. Caught the guy at a light. First one I've seen in person. MUST. BUY. ONE. FROM. MIKEY. BEE.

But...
(and you knew this was coming...)
I did manage to see THREE SCIROCCOS while I was in Portland.

The two Mk2s (Mars Red and Pewter Grey, both 8Vs) I couldn't grab the camera fast enough for, but no matter...
I got the one than mattered.
Erin and I had taken a bus over to the SE side of Portland. I was sitting at the bus stop, chatting with her about the city, when I looked left.
I thought, out of the corner of my eye, that I saw a trademark 4-round front end.
It was, in fact...
...a 1976.5 SUPER SCIROCCO!
Behold:

So, can I tell you that it was a great trip? I think I might want to move to Portland.
Call the city what you will, but I plan on calling it CAR MECCA.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Modified by scirocco*joe at 8:16 PM 3-19-2008

 

[GoKraut]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Yeah Portland is OK.
Boise is a gorgeous town too

 

[53BGTX]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Great photos http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Portland is definitely a cool place

 

[Scirocko]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (53BGTX)

My sister used to have one of these in high school. Her's was like a Yam Bronze, awesome awesome car.

The reason you see all those nice cars is probably because of BMW ACA, OR PCA, PNW VCoA, and all the other sizable car clubs in the area. Portland International Raceway is right there too, so its bound to have some sporty cars nearby.

 

[polov8]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (Scirocko)

The whole PNW is full of cool old cars, it must have something going for it, maybe it's not hot enough to trash paint and interiors, and no salt means they don't rot?
Whatever it is, it's got more old cars being used than anywhere I've ever been

 

[85spraybomb]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Quote, originally posted by scirocco*joe »

(and you knew this was coming...) I did manage to see THREE SCIROCCOS while I was in Portland. The two Mk2s (Mars Red and Pewter Grey, both 8Vs) I couldn't grab the camera fast enough for, but no matter... I got the one than mattered. Erin and I had taken a bus over to the SE side of Portland. I was sitting at the bus stop, chatting with her about the city, when I looked left. I thought, out of the corner of my eye, that I saw a trademark 4-round front end. It was, in fact... ...a 1976.5 SUPER SCIROCCO! Behold: So, can I tell you that it was a great trip? I think I might want to move to Portland. Call the city what you will, but I plan on calling it CAR MECCA. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

seeing a super scirocco driving would make any trip for me.

 

[tommyleekowalski]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

wow.
you were scary close to my mk1.
if it was a weekday.
it was just inside to the right in that
arched doorway.

Modified by tommyleekowalski at 3:10 AM 3-19-2008

 

[LT1M21Stingray]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (tommyleekowalski)

Very nice Joe. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Portland is quite a nice city. Mild weather, not as much rain as say Seattle, People are friendly, etc... http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[scirocco*joe]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (tommyleekowalski)

Quote, originally posted by tommyleekowalski »

wow. you were scary close to my mk1. if it was a weekday. it was just inside to the right in that arched doorway.

Arrggghh!! So close!
Too bad I didn't know your car was so close! Next time I'll warn you in advance.
BTW, your city really is full of the nicest, most outgoing and friendly people I've met in years. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif to Portland!

 

[OneAbsolute277]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Quote, originally posted by scirocco*joe »

Then more... Wow. Haven't seen a notchback in years. Cool. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

That's a Fastback not a Notchback.
The US never received the Notch or the type 3 Ghia. Any of those you happen to see running around where imported from Cananda.
Good job on the pictures, tons of good ones.

 

[Michael Bee]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (85spraybomb)

Nice pics Joe! Looks like you went to Portland to take pics of cars

**sigh** the 135i is pretty hot. Hotter than my Z4 to boot! But not a 135i in Sedona red http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif like you photographed. When you are ready, I will help ya

I already have 2 clients in the Philly area

 

[[email protected]]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (OneAbsolute277)

Joe I hope that your relationship with Erin has progressed to the point where she understands why you are swiveling around all the time to "photograph old junky cars."

It has taken me about five years on my wife... and we still have a little ways to go.

 

[Chris16vRocco]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Quote, originally posted by scirocco*joe »

Arrggghh!! So close! Too bad I didn't know your car was so close! Next time I'll warn you in advance. BTW, your city really is full of the nicest, most outgoing and friendly people I've met in years. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif to Portland!

That's quite a compliment from a native of the "city of brotherly love"

Looks like quite a vacation Joe. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[scirocco*joe]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (Michael Bee)

Quote, originally posted by [email protected] »

Joe I hope that your relationship with Erin has progressed to the point where she understands why you are swiveling around all the time to "photograph old junky cars." It has taken me about five years on my wife... and we still have a little ways to go.

Thankfully, Paul, she's fantastically understanding. Granted, I gently eased the Scirocco world into the picture, which helped. However, she's already been through some major drivetrain work, transaxle rebuild, paint and bodywork, and so on.
Granted, I need to buy a new car before I get another vintage one, though.

Quote, originally posted by Michael Bee »

Nice pics Joe! Looks like you went to Portland to take pics of cars **sigh** the 135i is pretty hot. Hotter than my Z4 to boot! But not a 135i in Sedona red http://****************.com/smile/emthdown.gif like you photographed. When you are ready, I will help ya I already have 2 clients in the Philly area

"So, Erin, if I get a new 1er from Mr. Bee here, that means I can get a Mk1 or E30, right? Honey?"
Ok, so I might have to "step down" to a 128i with the sport package.

FYI, Mike:
128i
Alpine White
Coral Red Boston Leather
Sport Package
Grey ****ar Wood Trim
Xenon Headlights
iPod Adapter
$33,225
Sound like a plan?
The same for the 135i is $38,525.

Oh, and I almost forgot the most important acquisition while in Portland:

I mean, I know I don't have an air-cooled VW, but it was too cool for $1. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[scirocco*joe]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (Michael Bee)

Oh, and congrats on the new ride, Bee! Nothing like a BMW straight six howling at you through the twisties, eh?
I will need full specs on the car since I was out of town when the purchase went through.
http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Vamped]

Wow, nice pix and finds! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Nataku]

Wow! Looked like fun! Wish we still and cars like that driving around Minnesota. Oh well...makes them all the more cool to drive when nobody's seen one in more than 20 years!

 

[Mk1Racer]

Re: (Vamped)

Very nice pics Joe! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
My buddy had a fastback like that when we were in HS. It was his mom's car, and we called it "The Eloise", in honor of his mom. Had lots of fun in that car.
Very nice '02 tii http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
And unless they've given them out all over the country, the bumper sticker on the back of that blue Rabbit is from O&A's show when they were in NY.
And that Super Scirocco is absolutely beautiful (not to mention rust free). I really wish I had been able to keep mine and put the time, effort, and $$$ into it that it deserved. I wonder if the guy that bought it ever did anything w/ it?

 

[scirocco*joe]

Re: (Mk1Racer)

Quote, originally posted by Mk1Racer »

Very nice pics Joe! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Thanks, Bill!

Quote, originally posted by Mk1Racer »

Very nice '02 tii http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

I wish I could've grabbed a soundbite of the exhaust note. The owner was definitely an enthusiast, as it was worked. The minilites were a nice touch as well.

Quote, originally posted by Mk1Racer »

And that Super Scirocco is absolutely beautiful (not to mention rust free). I really wish I had been able to keep mine and put the time, effort, and $$$ into it that it deserved. I wonder if the guy that bought it ever did anything w/ it?

You know, the story you told Jim and I about that Super Scirocco popped right into my head when I saw that car. I can't believe I saw one in person!

 

[Michael Bee]

Re: A Philly area Scirocco nut invades Portland, OR (scirocco*joe)

Quote, originally posted by scirocco*joe »

Oh, and congrats on the new ride, Bee! Nothing like a BMW straight six howling at you through the twisties, eh? I will need full specs on the car since I was out of town when the purchase went through. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

Thanks Joe!! It was a long time coming but I'm soooo glad I did it.
2008 BMW Z4 3.0si in Black Sapphire Metallic with Black Leather
- Premium Pkg
- Sport Pkg
- Heated Seats
- Xenons
- 6 speed
- 255 HP
FUN!!
-Michael Bee (forum shlub and resident goofball)

Quote, originally posted by scirocco*joe »

Ok, so I might have to "step down" to a 128i with the sport package. FYI, Mike: 128i Alpine White Coral Red Boston Leather Sport Package Grey ****ar Wood Trim Xenon Headlights iPod Adapter $33,225

^^ 230 hp with 200 ft lbs of torque = YuMmY!!!
call me when you are ready sir 845.462.1030
-Michael A. Bueti (client advisor)