Never too old

[MVZ944T]

If you were at the auto-x on the 4th, you might have noticed the announcement about the 89 year old retired Navy Admiral running his "first" autocross. We had the pleasure of meeting him earlier in the day. Pretty interesting guy. As I am an ex swab jocky, we had to trade a few sea stories. He was not sure where the announcer got all the information on his background, and seemed rather surprised about all the fuss. I thought it was pretty neat that a guy that old had the fortitude to go out and give it a go. He was driving a 67 or 69 911E, 400,000+ miles, bought it new, completely original. Pretty neat!

Also, great job by the auto cross team on putting on a very well run show!!

[Mike]

Hey Mike good talking to you guys at the AX.
Actually when I was announcing someone gave me a note with the information, might of been John Ricard from Black Forest.

Yes I met with the Admiral too. He joined the Navy in 1936 and was in for 38 years or so. 3 wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

You are right this guy has the Can Do drive.
I was talking with John Ricard and Mark Kinninger last night about the Admiral.
Once long ago he sent his 911S back to the factory for a tune up.
Later he wanted some factory pop out rear windows. He called the factory and was able to get Mr Porsche on the phone. They talked for 90 minutes about it. He wanted the pop out side windows cause his wife smokes, Porsche said they were not intended for his car and would not be correct.
The Pop outs are on the car now.

A couple of months ago the Admiral brought his 1967 911S into Black Forest for a tune up. At 89 he was planning to drive it to Texas in the summer, with no AC. As it was the car need a new trans seal and the Admiral could not wait so he took his other car that happens to have AC.

I'd like to hear more of his sea stories.
BTY I was an ATC on the USS Ranger, Fly Navy.

[Tim Comeau]

Cool stuff on the Admiral.
BTW, I was a ship's company AT on the USS Ranger!
....and a hardy shellback, too!
Arrrr!

[harnishclan]

Springs forth a new social idea, old navy guy sea story night. We could all get together and swap yarns. Who could have known there were so many navy Porsche-ophiles. BTW Tim, mere shellback? Hurrumph says I the Golden Shellback! Navy 83-05, three battleships, three carriers, one cruiser, one frigate, one and a half shore tours.

[4est]

Go Navy!


Forrest Walker
BMC(SEAL) USN, Ret.
20 years a West Coast Frogman...

1990 C4 Cabriolet
1996 Carerra 4 S (MI)

[MVZ944T]

I spent 2 years on the USS Prairie, AD-15. Oldest commisioned ship inthe Navy when I got off. Keel was laid in 1937! Not exactly a glory station but it was a lot better than getting my butt shot at in Vietnam. I was in a group of 4 that supposedly were the first sailors to take a surfboard on a Navy vessel during a cruise, so they said anyway. Chief PO's had great fun telling us we could not store them any longer in their space, had to go be another Chief PO and beg them. About halfway to Hawaii we all snuck out on deck one night and hid them in one of the life boats. That's my story. Oh yeah, one other. We had a ships party at Balboa Park one night, everyone was drunk as a skunk. I was lying on the grass waiting for the bus to pick me up and noticed some sailor staggering down the street. He got into the Exec's car an barfed all over the front seat, got out and kept on staggering down the street. When the bus came I got in it and my seat was right next to the Exec's car. Naturally I had to barf out the window by the door to his car, and as luck would have it my hat fell off just as the bus left. About halfway back to the ship I remembered that my service number was on the hat. Oh crap! Luckily for me a friend was on shore patrol and found it anc chucked it in the bushes. If not, I no doubt would have spent my remaining time in the brig!