Benefits of regular Oil Changes for your Porsche Volvo or BMW

Mechanics put little stickers as a reminder on our windshield. Over and over we're nagged to get our oil changed. But why does everyone insist it's so important?

One of the simplest forms of regular service for your car is the oil change, yet many drivers neglect this standard of auto maintenance, postponing the change long beyond the recommended time. Most sources recommend changing conventional oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles and synthetic oil every 5,000. Personalized Autohaus mechanics also suggest changing the oil filter with every oil change.

Despite these recommendations, many car owners wait to get their oil changed, in effort to save time or money or both. However, oil changes are actually very affordable, and the many benefits they provide make them an essential part of regular maintenance and you will be saving your engine from enormously costly repair down the line. Think of it as preventative medicine for your car.

- Reduced Friction - Clean oil lubricates all parts of the engine, keeping them from rubbing against each other and potentially causing serious damage.
- Stable Temperature - By reducing friction, clean oil also reduces heat. If your car is running on dirty or low oil, it runs the risk of overheating.
- Cleaner Engine - Dirty oil allows gunk and debris to build up in the engine, hindering movement and interfering with performance.
- Better Mileage - A well-lubricated engine will run more smoothly, allowing you to get more miles per gallon of gas, ultimately saving you money at the tank.
- Lower Emissions - Clean oil will cause decreased emissions, reducing air pollution.

Don't let your car run on dirty oil; this is harmful to both your car and the environment. Take care of your car call Personalized Autohaus (858) 586-7771 specialist and schedule a routine oil change at our shop that will include a multipoint inspection and free oil filter. www.personalizedautohaus.com

What it takes to wear out a Porsche

Enjoy the article by Tony Callas and Tom Prine from the upcoming February Circuit of Porsche Club of America Grand Prix Region

A 24 hour race. The 24 Hours of Le Mans or the U.S. equivalent, the 24 hours of Daytona, are both incredible endurance races, where just finishing is a cause for celebration.

An intense race like the Daytona 500 takes roughly 3-1/2 hours to complete. This is a “Walk in the Park” when compared to running a car flat out for 24 hours. Consider this — operating a street car under these same conditions would be the equivalent of a lifetime of wear and tear, every mechanical system in the car would be completely used up.

Like the wear and tear on the racecar, the people involved are also pushed to the limits. The rules allow for a minimum of 3 drivers per car (some teams will have 4 to 5 drivers per car to complete the 24 hour race). The drivers all take turns at the wheel rotating in one hour driving stints and even double stinting on rare occasion for the drivers that are in incredible physical condition. When they are not in the car, they are trying to sleep as much as possible. In the case of teams with three drivers doing 1 hour stints, this only leaves each driver with a little less than 2 hours until the next driving stint, that isn’t much sleep.

The mechanics usually get even less sleep than the drivers. Typically, the mechanics stay up for about 40 hours, from early Saturday morning until the race festivities have concluded on Sunday night and the transporters have been fully loaded. If the car is doing really well, the mechanic may be able to catch a 10 to 20 minute nap here and there, but if a problem arises, they must be awake and with a sharp mind at a moment’s notice, literally.   

The racecar basically starts out with all new components for a 24 hour race. The engine, gearbox, suspension, brakes and wheel bearings — nearly every mechanical part on the car is new and/or has been inspected for flaws. During a 24 hour race the racecar will be completely refueled every hour with approximately 100 liters (26.4 gallons) of fuel. The racecar will usually require a new set of tires every hour (that’s roughly 24 sets of tires), sometimes more (usually due to driver error).

The racecar will sometimes require one set of front and rear brake pads and occasionally the brake rotors. Changing out the brakes on a racecar that has just come off the track is not an easy procedure in the pit lane.  All the brake components are basically red hot. Sometimes the windshield will need replacement(also not as easy as it sounds). The engine and chassis cannot be replaced, but most other components can be. The engine will need oil added during the race (there is no stopping for an oil change). As the engine wears internally, its oil consumption will progressively increase and thus will need more and more engine oil added as the race transpires. After the completion of the 24 hour race, the engine, gearbox, suspension, drive shafts, wheel bearings and turbochargers (if equipped) are basically worn out.

The overall budget for competing in the Daytona 24 with a GT class car will usually be in the $150k neighborhood. This does not include the price of the car, tools and spare parts. The 24 hours of Le Mans with the same car will run in the $850k range (or more). The reason for the difference is the European air travel for the crew, the car and everything else that is brought along, plus the ground transportation of everything once in Europe. Add to this team accommodations, food and hospitality for sponsors, tires, fuel, etc., etc., plus the entry fees. Keep in mind that an entry in the 24 hours of Le Mans in by invitation only. These budgets are actually very basic and do not allow for anything extra (that could be considered extravagant).

Porsche keeps in close communication with every team racing their cars. They provide incredible support and access to anything that might be needed. For Porsche, every race represents a learning experience. Porsche racing management and engineers are always in close contact with the teams, both from the standpoint of helping, but also observing.

This is one of the reasons that Porsche racecars and road cars are so amazingly great. The knowledge gained from motorsport goes into every car they manufacture.

Enjoy Your Porsche

Restoration of '64 Sunroof Coupe

Friends: Follow the Restoration of the 1964 356 Coupe that we have turned into a Sunroof Coupe. We are currently working on the transmission and engine assembly.
Let's see how the car looked like before the body and paint job:

 Original paint was silver but has been painted several times - at one point it was a light blue shade

As you  see the '64 coupe with still intact roof

 Original interior black leather seats and white headliner

 The sunroof top came from another '64 coupe, which was rusted out but had a good roof and welded onto car as customer's request  

Glenn Roberts and Eric Benner working on the new sunroof piece

Fast forward several months in the body shop and after sandblasting, rust repair and fresh coat of paint the car is back at Personalized Autohaus. The new color is race silver and interior upholstering will be red. 

 Car is back at the Personalized Autohaus after the paint process

Restoration under progress. Check out front suspension! A-arms are original; they've been reconditioned and painted.

 Wiring under way.

 Rebuilt Transmission including Tall 4th Gear

  We will be posting more pictures after the final assembly of the '64 sunroof coupe. So stay tuned!

If you have an inquiry about a restoration project and would like to have a free consultation contact Wayne Baker at Personalized Autohaus at (858) 586-7771 or e-mail waynebaker@earthlink.net www.personalizedautohaus.com

In memoriam Tony Kopacz

Today we have lost our true and loyal friend Tony Kopacz, after he put up a brave fight battling cancer for the past 3 years.

 

He was a fierce friend and competitor in life and on the race track. He has been our Porsche customer at Personalized Autohaus since 1975 and been professionally racing with Wayne Baker Racing since 2000.

He got "the racing bug" when he saw Wayne racing at Coronado race at the base in 1999; he got into vintage racing in 2000 and his last race was at Coronado as well in September 2012.

In these years he had raced on some of the best tracks including: Sebring, Road America, Road Atlanta, Willow Springs, Daytona, Las Vegas, Phoenix, California Raceway, Laguna Seca, Sears Point, Miller Motorsports, Barber Motorsports, Mid Ohio, Watkins Glen and at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.

He will always be in our memories and his spirit will always be with us. Tony, you will be dearly missed.

Wayne and Tony at Road America in 2012

Tony thumbs up, excited to race a 914/6 for the first time. At Road America in 2012...

Tony finishing with the white 914/6 at Road America in September, 2012

Tony racing his beloved bordeaux 1970 911 at Coronado 2012 - Photo credit to John Straub 

 Suiting up for race at Coronado Speed Fest 2012 (after Wayne test drove car)

Getting ready for the race at Sebring in 2006

Tony at Road Atlanta  in 2006

Tony at HSR West PIR in 2007 (getting ready for race with the help of Glenn Roberts)

At HSR Sears Point  (right to left)  Tony and Ann Kopacz, Wayne Baker and Mike Eisele

 Tony with the crew at Buttonwillow

Tony with the crew at California Speedway 2009

Tony and his great smile at Willow Springs

Tony at Road Atlanta in 2006

Tony at Rennsport Daytona in 2007

Good-bye Tony

Footnote: We have selected a few of the countless photos of Tony at all the races we did together. Anyone of interest should contact Personalized Autohaus for photos of specific events to celebrate Tony's life. Call (858) 586-7771 or email waynebaker@earthlink.net

SOLD!!! 1969 Porsche 911E Race/Street car

1969 PORSCHE 911E 2.0 LTR ENGINE VIN 119220854 101233 ORIG. MILES $35,000
ORIGINAL/PERIOD CORRECT ENGINE # 6291673 901/09 INDICATES 911E. TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL 600 MILES AGO 
GEARS: A 1^ST – GA 2^ND – N 3^RD – V 4^TH – Z/D 5^TH  TURBO TIE RODS 23MM FRONT SWAY BAR SPA 4 LTR FIRE SYSTEM FRONT OIL COOLER
COMPETITION SEAT BELTS SPARCO EV01 COMPETITION SEATS 
17 GAL FUEL CELL VALVE JOB, ROD BEARINGS AND CLUTCH 2600 MILES AGO
WEBER CARBURETORS AUTOMETER TACHOMETER WITH SHIFT LIGHT
HOLLEY FUEL PUMP ROLL CAGE  K & N AIR CLEANERS 
GREAT CAR FOR THE PRICE!!! ORIGINAL 911E!!!
RACE READY Porsche is located in San Diego, CA and has been serviced by Personalized Autohaus. Call Wayne Baker for more information Cell (619) 743-1356
 

Weekend Tours in San Diego county

It's a fun way to discover the neighborhood if you take your 356 or other Porsche out to exercise to one of the many enjoyable rides outside of San Diego. Wayne took a couple road trips with his friend and felllow 356 Club member Tom. One of these trips they went up to Ramona and took out the Carreras for a drive. Wayne took the 1974 Carrera nicknamed "Old Blue" who ran beautifully.

The other trip they took out to Campo east county. Over 100 miles going on back roads in mountains through Alpine. Again, it's another great trip to get out and exercise the cars! Wayne drove the black '59 356 "Wally" and Tom the red '63 356. Both needed the heater to be on, because it was a chilly out there.

 For repairs and servicing your vintage Porsches come to the shop at 8645 Commerce Ave, San Diego, CA 92121 or call (858) 586-7771 to make an appointment  www.personalizedautohaus.com

Volvo S70 - best Quality Volvo year 1998

Safe and sturdy describes the Volvo image. To be sure, Volvos are both safe and sturdy, boasting many standard safety features and feeling as though they've been cast from a single block of granite. But, are there any other reasons to buy a Volvo?
Yes. Turbo power, for one. The engine bogs a bit until the turbocharger gets spooled up, but once on boil, a Volvo will rocket forward quickly enough to force your body back in the seat. Brakes are outstanding, and steering is firm and linear. All mechanical systems communicate clearly, allowing the driver to understand what the car is doing at all times.
Comfort is another big Volvo advantage.
Stylists cleaned up the sheetmetal front and back, giving the sedan and wagon body-colored trim to make the car look smaller, more modern look.
Nice job, Volvo.

The Volvo S70 seems to be the remaining survivor of Volvo's line up of traditional box types. S stands for sedan. The number 70, meanwhile, is the midsize front wheel drive platform that is used in the Volvo S70's crafting and manufacturing.
The Volvo S70 is still another Volvo. Just by taking a look at its safety features, one would never think that this vehicle is done by any other vehicle manufacturer but Volvo. It has the capacity to take in a maximum of five passengers in its very comfortable cabin. Most people who have been able to come in contact with this vehicle know that it is indeed a bargain to get ahold of a Volvo S70.

 Volvos at Personalized Autohaus - middle one is a '98 S70

According to our Certified Volvo Master Technician, Eric Benner, year 1998 was the best of  S70.

For a repair or service call (858) 586-7771 or visit www.personalizedautohaus.com

First time customers get 15% OFF and a Free oil filter with oil change!

New Porsche Restoration projects at Personalized Autohaus

We have a few ongoing restoration projects at the moment at Personalized Autohaus.
Here is a '64 Sunroof Coupe originally blue with black being restored to race silver exterior with red interior. Already painted - now engine and transmission is in rebuild and restore process.

This '57 Speedster originally yellow with black will be restored potentially to silver with red. It's been taken apart now in the process of being primed and painted.

We have completed an engine rebuild and restore for a '64 C Coupe. Car is being assembled at the moment.

If you have a Porsche restoration project we would like you to talk to us and have an expert opinion from the specialists at Personalized Autohaus; we've been specializing in early Porsche Restorations since 1974. Call our shop at (858) 586-7771 or Wayne Baker's  Cell (619) 743-1356. Come by our shop for a visit  to see the restoration process at 8645 Commerce Avenue, San Diego, CA 92121 www.personalizedautohaus.com