Even though it wasn’t really for sale, in the blink of an eye, Roxanne was gone. After working on the project for five years, it is bitter sweat. I hadn’t planned on selling the 1972 914 that I had worked on for so many years. The car was completely restored. New paint, new engine, new seat upholstery, new, new, new. Everything was new. But, she wasn’t finished. My interest in the project ebbed and flowed over the years. And so many years of not being able to drive the car, took its toll. I was ready to drive something. Now.

First came the ’65 912 I bought about a year ago. I had decided that a 912 would suit us better on trips with its back seat, softer natural ride than a 914, and no targa top to leak. Maybe, I would get my wife, Julie, to travel in a 912, when she wouldn’t hardly consider it in a 914. The ’65 914 turned out to be more project than I wanted. Much more project. I sold it for what I had in it, and thankfully, moved on.

I moved right into a ’67 912, that turned out to be a project too. Not as bad as the ’65, but, still a multi-year endeavor. It is not a car I can drive. Now.

And then it happened. Out of the blue someone wanted to buy Roxanne. I hadn’t intended to sell the car. But, I knew it would free up cash to buy a more complete car that maybe I could drive. Now. In a matter of days, she was gone. And I had a pocket full of cash to go hunting.

And even before the new owner picked Roxanne up, I got a lead on a new car. a 912. And tangerine, no less. You have to recognize that the color matters to me. Let me explain. I don’t like the idea of changing the color of a car. I don’t mind other people doing it. But, for me, it isn’t my style. So a few months ago, I spent some time thinking about what might be the ideal color Porsche. Tangerine was the conclusion. It is such a classic, air-cooled Porsche color. And it screams sporty. Yes, tangerine would be perfect.

Frustrated with the fact that the ’67 912 was clearly going to take a couple years to put back on the road, one day last summer, I decided to build a new work bench. It was cathartic. It is a beautiful workbench. Perfect size. On wheels. And in a fit of determination to solve my car issues, I decided it would be painted . . . . tangerine. When I had completed the workbench. I found a picture of a tangerine early 911 online, printed it out and went to Lowes. They perfectly matched the color in good old fashioned, brushable, paint. Back home I went.

When my wife came out to the garage and asked why I was painting the workbench orange. I replied that it was “for the new car.” With a panic on her face she retorted, “What new car, Steve? You didn’t buy another car, did you? Steve?”

“No, I said. Not yet. But, I am going to. And it is going to be tangerine. This is the new car’s workbench.”

In the months that followed, the workbench sat empty in the garage, waiting for oil, and spark plugs, and other things that the new car would need. Waiting to be used. Completely empty.

I pondered how to find the perfect 912. One that I could afford. One that I could convince my wife to let me buy. One I could drive. Now.

And then the sea parted. Someone out of the blue wanted to buy my 1972 914, Roxanne. I had completely restored the car. Well, almost. She just needed a little more assembly. But, I had lost interest. The new owner, Steve, made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, that included a healthy profit for me, and she was gone. And I had a pocket full of cash. For a new car. One I could drive. Now.

Getting back to the lead on a 912. Last week John Forbes, from Black Forest Racing, called. A while back I had offhandedly mentioned to him that I’d love to find a 1968 or 1969 912, in . . . tangerine.

Well, it is my lucky day. John came across one and I went and took a look at it today. The 1969 912 is owned by a lady whose husband died a few years ago. The car was in the middle of a restoration, when the owner passed away. She recently sent it to a shop for new paint and some mechanical work. But the project has become larger than she really wants to take on.

Overall the car is fairly clean. I wasn’t able to find any rust, which is a good sign. It runs well, but doesn’t have the original engine. A paint job, and a little work, and I think I can have it on the road by February. And the best part? It is tangerine. Well, it was originally.