MIkeyv60 Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 Congrats it does look absolutely stunning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin G Posted February 26, 2017 Report Share Posted February 26, 2017 2 hours ago, Davidbf1.com said: Did everyone else' face hurt so much from grinning so much in the first few days of ownership ? Congratulations and yes, the grin never goes away. Not even after 3 Boxsters and 16 years in my case. Agate is def the colour to go for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidbf1.com Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Well at last here is the write-up to the photos already posted. I tarted looking at 981S' just before Xmas, having test-driven the 718 after launch, and being potentially ready to buy a Porsche. Couple of weeks later, major health-event with my son put everything on hold. Things progressing well on that front during 2nd half of year, so started looking again, but the intervening time had helped me decide my Porsche should be a flat-six n/a, and I had my heart set-on a 981 - definitely an "S". Holding values well, difficult to find the desired options, and vehicles going very fast! I "saw" two that I had my eye on over christmas, move from "for sale" to "reserved/sold". A few weeks back, Swindon OPC had 2 GTS' for sale, both with red roofs, one Rhodium, manual, and "mine" - Agate, PDK and more options. Had the video presentation sent through, decided I was going to go take a look and very likely, buy if the numbers worked-out. Phoned and put the holding deposit on the credit card, and then went down just over a week ago to see it in person, and potentially, complete some paperwork. Only my wife knew at this point, my son Adam (at 24 a die-hard petrol-head!), brother or best friends were none the wiser. Arranged collection for Saturday just gone, and sorted a one-way hire car and stayed at the HI Express next-door to Porsche Swindon. Asked my son if he'd come with me for company for the journey, and told him I was travelling down to collect a pool car to bring back up! Finally approaching the hotel on the M4 just around midnight (nightmare drive down after work!), he spotted that Porsche and Ferrari/Maserati were right next door to the hotel, "will we have time to have a look in their tomorrow morning before getting the pool car dad?" - will we indeed! I spoke with the guys at Swindon OPC so that they were in on the surprise, they even made sure that the receptionist DIDNT "welcome" us with a "good morning, are you looking forward to collecting your Porsche"! which would have given it away. So we walked in on the saturday morning, thankfully a gorgeous Rivera Blue (?) 911 cabriolet was right at the entrance door - perfect distraction, and took attention away from my GTS under it's cover, and Adam and me had a wander around the centre, I had a coffee whilst he was busy taking pictures of the white 918 they have in - which was right beside my covered GTS! After around 30 mins of wandering and some "innocent" chat with my sales contact, he announced "right then, I think it's time we got you into a Porsche" - at which point Adam thought he was joking, and also just at that moment Adam had turned and spotted the "Congratulations Mr Bradford on the Collection...." notice on the stand beside my [covered] car - the car was unveiled and Adam was gobsmacked! Needless to say he realised we were NOT bringing a pool-car back to Newcastle, but the surprise had worked brilliantly. The guys at Swindon Porsche were fantastic throughout, a long way to go but something I was prepared to do for the right car/spec. The guys I've dealt with at Swindon OPC just made the distance an inconsequence, totally worth it. I am SO pleased Adam was able to share in the experience of the day, made it even more special. Handover done, we walked across the road to take a look at the Ferrari's, Maseratis and other exotica. So the drive back was fun! Astonishingly, 340 miles on less than the full tank (still had a quarter left), 35mpg average. Yes I know, you lot will be shouting that I wasn't trying (driving) hard enough! OK, so we were merely sitting at 70 (ish!) on the M5, M42, M1, A1(M) etc, with the occasionally sudden leaden-foot moment. Simply confirmed the flat-six was the only choice for me. With "Sport" mode (not sport plus) and the exhaust on, there's a lovely deep bellow when the engine is under very mild load - if going up a slight long incline, or very gentle acceleration - of course all holy-hell breaks loose if harder acceleration is called for, and 3 or 4 cogs are dropped and the rev needle does 3 laps of the gauge! My son now wants a flat-six in his life! So, I took my 10y.o. step-son out in it yesterday - about 30 mins and the exhaust had warmed-through nicely, so the burbling/popping/cracking on overrun was doing its thing in "sport" mode. I then went through the Tyne Tunnel, but selected sport plus mode. INSANE!!! I'm going to be banned from using the tunnel I'm sure! It's 40mph southbound, and the howls, cacophony through it, with some bursts of acceleration up-to 40 from about 20, we're incredible! 30mph northbound not quite the same, but still fun. Hmm, I wonder if they do a "season-pass", unrestricted crossings !! As I've made mention before, the road trip return to Germany in Sept for the Motor show in Frankfurt, Nurburgring visit and Porsche factory tour & museum visit, was already going to be great and something I was looking forward to doing with Adam (he's been to the motorshow before but not the other venues), but now doing the trip in my GTS is going to be incredible! OK, off to buy some shares in Shell, BP & Texaco etc!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason986S Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 You will want the fuel shares for spirited driving, haha! Great collection story and fantastic effort on keeping the reveal a secret from your son. Praise to OPC Swindon for holding their part on it too. I'm sure your Germany trip which was already going to be amazing, will now be forever memorable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 You are a good Dad Nice work, nice story and lovely car Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart21UK Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 great story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 great story love it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin G Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Great story, only trouble with the Tyne Tunnel is its a pain with the top down when its smoggy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIkeyv60 Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 What an excellent story and i bet its made your son's day? I hope he is ok by the way? Obviously distance holds no boundaries for you?Swindon is a really nice dealership, i actually went too look at that car. I was getting very despondent with the continuing delays with my 718. The pictures don't do it justice, the red roof sets the car off so well and the deep grey is the business. A cracking car im sure you will love it? Ohh sounds like you already do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonttt Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Congratulations ...... sport and PSE is addictive isn't it. I've had chance to drive mine last weekend for the first time locally and what really surprised me is how much attention it gets. I'm lucky enough to drive a lot of exotica and was not expecting similar attention in the BGTS .......... the sound gets people looking back to see what coming and the looks hold that attention. Not many cars achieve that in one package ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidbf1.com Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 MIkeyv60 - with 981 S' in short supply, and right-colour/good spec in even shorter supply, I was prepared to travel wherever needed for the right car. I watched 2 slip by over Xmas & New Year - although through specialist dealers and not OPC's (not that there'd be anything wrong with that). A director at work is due to retire [early] in March and has his fair share of exotic, he's owned a few Ferarris and he's got a new 911 Targa and an older 911 - 993 i think, but has had Cayenne - older turbo and newer diesel, as well as a 981 S. He has dealt with Dick Lovett for quite a long time (although buys his porsches from Glasgow), and thoroughly recommended them, although that was AFTER i'd put the holding-deposit down on my car. I have nothing but praise for the guys at Swindon OPC - they know they're unlikely to be servicing my car or doing any warranty work (hopefully not needed) due to the distance, but future purchases are a definite possibility. If you saw that very car you know, it is simply stunning. My lad is getting better thank-you, he's halfway through 6 courses of chemo, following 30 (yep!) radiotherapy sessions in the autumn, after an op to remove a brain tumour in May. Discovered as the result of him having 3 seizures one morning before work, and never suffering from them before. His fight through this and positive mental attitude has simply blown us all away. He's booked up on the Grand Canyon cycle challenge with me in October later this year, to raise money for Brain Tumour Research - which was already booked way back in Nov 2015, and that charity was chosen as my mum died from a brain tumour. So really ironic, given that it's not genetic/hereditary. Hoping to raise a ton of loot with the challenge, for a charity even more close to our hearts now. Adam's sudden health-change last May was the reason I knocked the 718 S on the head, having just test-driven it 2-3 weeks earlier. Changed priorities and all that. Given Adam's fight and determination, along with his tremendously supportive girlfriend who is fighting this with him, it was very fitting indeed that he would come with me to collect my Boxster GTS - although he didn't know why the hell we were travelling down to Swindon of course!! I'm still giggling at it all now, how the subterfuge all unfolded! Brilliant! Jonttt - oh it sure is! I've yet to surprise my brother with my new purchase as well, so tomorrow evening could be another blast through the Tyne Tunnel !! I did get quite a few thumbs-up when we were on the motorways on Saturday heading back North. We called into Solihull just off the M42 so Adam could pop into a particular shop, and lots of people walking about were looking back to see what the sound was - even with the car on "stealth" mode - or the closest these get to it, with no Sport/Sport-Plus or exhaust activated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowbos Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Wow! Hats off to you and your son. You are so very positive about everything which is a fantastic and inspirational approach to life. The best of luck to you and your family. And enjoy that gorgeous car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIkeyv60 Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 OMG i dont really know what to say apart from be strong and keep fighting. I think it was the same car as the red roof is quite rare, 2014 around 12k miles nice red stitching on the seats etc with red GTS on the headrests? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Joseph Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 2 minutes ago, rowbos said: Wow! Hats off to you and your son. You are so very positive about everything which is a fantastic and inspirational approach to life. The best of luck to you and your family. And enjoy that gorgeous car! +1 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxtaboy Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 That's an amazing color combo. Love that the wheels match the paintwork, and the calipers go well with the roof. Congrats! Oh, and well wishes to your son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyUK Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 On 2/23/2017 at 5:20 PM, Menoporsche said: Hell yeah Just Stunning. That will be timeless! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidbf1.com Posted February 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 MIkeyv60 - yes, that's the very same vehicle! thanks for all your kind wishes everyone. david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1 Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 Spectacular, congrats on the new car and very very good luck with your son's recovery and your upcoming trips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sazzy Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 What a fantastic story and keeping the surprise! Good going! Stunning car, plenty of good times ahead, and best wishes to your son x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ringer250 Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 Fantastic story and best wishes for the future to your son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nath Posted March 5, 2017 Report Share Posted March 5, 2017 All the best wishes for Adam's recovery. If you haven't already (I may have missed it) perhaps post up details of the charity challenge? Some on here might like to donate, I know I would. Very nice GTS too BTW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidbf1.com Posted March 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2017 Nath, thank you very much for your good-wishes for Adam's recovery. I hadn't put any details up previously as I didn't want to be too presumptuous, and sometimes someone posting details of fundraising they're doing isn't always well-received, especially more people these days are doing more and more whether it's sitting in a bath of beans, to running half-marathons and jumping out of perfectly good aircraft! However, encouraged by your suggestion, my links are as follows: www.justgiving.com/david-bradford17 and blogs of previous events on my website if you're interested/get change to take a look - www.davidbf1.com Back in 2012, my kid brother was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's Disease, a month after his 40th Birthday. Feeling helpless, I decided in Nov 2012 to sign up for a London to Paris cycle challenge - 4 days and 320 miles - the following September. I also decided during that winter, that I'd better buy a bike and some kit - might be useful!! Yes, I'd cycled as a kid - it's how you got around - but hadn't done much as the years went by. So, training out and about around the hills of my native Northumberland countryside, and by the time September came around, I headed to London somewhat anxious but as ready as I as going to be, to head-off into the unknown! I absolutely loved-it! There were 120 other people on the event, all with their own stories to tell. A few new friends met too. My son Adam, 20 at the time, asked me if I'd do it again, as he really wanted to do it. It was on day 2 of the event, really getting into the challenge, meeting new people and knowing that with the worst behind me (day 1 london to Dover!), if Adam was serious about wanting to do it in Sept 2014, I'd definitely do it again. So we did! Massive sense of pride as Adam and I, along with 118 other cyclists rode up the Champs Elysees, around the Arch de Triomphe, and then finished under the Eiffel Tower. We both rode the event for Parkinson's UK. So proud of him riding with others and making so good friends, I suggested we do it again in 2015 "for fun" on the earlier event in July, finishing in Paris the da before the Tour de France finished, so were there to see it. My main challenge for 2015 though, was cycling Death Valley in the US, which was simply incredible. Small tight-knit group of 12 strangers, who each left with 11 new friends! And then having agreed in two years earlier, in July last year I cycled London to Paris for a fourth time, only this time it was the 24 hour event. Adam was signed-up on this with me, along with a friend met on the 2014 L2P event, but due to his medical condition at the time, couldn't participate - understandably. We're both signed-up for the Grand Canyon challenge though and Adam will soon be out starting training in preparation. It is somewhat ironic, that I was always going to fundraise for Brain Tumour Research, in memory of my mum who died 15 years ago from a B/T: this form of cancer isn't predominantly genetic/hereditary (just damn bad-luck), so it's even more a cause closer to my heart now... I have been absolutely blown-away by the huge support and ongoing encouragement I've received on all these previous events, and it has been a privilege to get out there and do the doing. I hope that some of that appreciation and enthusiasm comes-across on the blogs on my website. I'm a bit of a social-media wallflower so I'm not on Facebook (but conversely I am on Twitter!), but I'd be extremely grateful to all who might wish to share my links and story with their own networks. The more the better! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul O Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 Great write up, enjoyed the read. The car looks fantastic! Best wishes to your son, and a speedy recovery. Enjoy the car!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onedesi Posted March 8, 2017 Report Share Posted March 8, 2017 Congrats on the beautiful car and I'm so glad your son is better - your subterfuge really cheered me up I'm hoping to cycle London to Brighton for cancer research this or next year - its great to know theres a proper cyclistaon the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davidbf1.com Posted March 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2017 onedesi - go for it! you'll enjoy it so much, the sense of achievement - both personal and for a great cause will be both immense, and addictive! All of the events I've done so far have been organised - i.e. Don't have to worry about food, accommodation, just wake up, get on the bike and pedal! It really does take a lot of the logistical stress/worry out of the equation, so you can just train for and enjoy the cycling bit. However I've commenced the massive logistical planning for my big challenge next year - Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco to Brooklyn Bridge, New York aka Coast to Coast USA! - c. 4,250 miles (the route I intend). So be warned, you might just get hooked! #forestgumponabike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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