1986 Porsche 911: Veteran's Special // CARISMA

Air-cooled Porsche 911s feel like trophies for collectors these days. But for US Navy vet Hector, his 1986 3.2 Carrera shows how far he's come from a kid ducking bullets in 1990s Brooklyn.
[CARISMA is The Drive's new series exploring the connection between enthusiasts and their cars. NEW EPISODE OUT TODAY! • Perfect: Toyota MR2 Bu... ]
"When you’re walking out in the streets of Brooklyn back when I was coming up, it was really dangerous. Graffiti, crack bottles, syringes, drive-bys... I’ve cooked crack. I’ve stolen cars. It was the people that I rolled with that didn't want that for me. [They] were like, this is not for you bro. Go to school."
So yeah, not your typical vintage Porsche guy. After falling in with the wrong crowd, Hector got his head on straight and got out of Brooklyn by joining the Navy. 22 years later, he finally saved enough to buy a car he'd wanted since seeing it in Car & Driver as a 7-year-old: a classic 1986 G-body 911, the last year of the classic 911 that still got the original 915 manual transmission.
Starting with a stock 3.2 Carrera, Hector caught up on a ton of maintenance, then took a page from Magnus Walker's book and made it his own. Performance mods include a Steve Wong chip tune, WEVO shifter and engine mounts, Fabspeed cat bypass and Supercup exhaust, Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors with Porterfield ceramic pads, Elephant Racing torsion bars, upgraded bushings and bearings, and more.
The result is a head turner, one hell of a backroad cruiser, and a ticket to bigger things. He even ended up connecting with Magnus who gave him tips for dialing in his suspension setup.
"I think a car allows us freedom. It’s a gateway. With a car you can get into circles you normally can’t get into. You can start conversations with the most random stranger. Y'know, we have our rivalries, BMW guys against the Porsches, stuff like that. At the end of the day, cars are one of those things that always brings people together."
Produced, shot, and edited by / tomgorelik
Previous episode: • Manual Volvo V70R: 5-C...
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[@drive]

Here's the full mod list. Single biggest piece of feedback we've gotten so far is we need more of these details in the videos themselves. Just want you to know we're working on it! These were all shot prior to our relaunch. Hector's build is sick. ***POWERTRAIN*** - Steve Wong chip tune - WEVO shifter - WEVO engine and trans mounts - Sierra Madre Lightweight starter - Refreshed 3.2 engine - Fabspeed 3.0/3.2 cat bypass and SuperCup exhaust with air box delete ***HANDLING*** - Elephant Racing front and rear torsion bars - Polybronze control arm and spring plate bearings - Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors, Porterfield Race ceramic pads, Goodridge stainless steel brake lines - Bridgestone Potenza 215/45/16 and 245/40/16 tires ***AESTHETIC*** - 9Eleven yellow headlight lenses and yellow Hella fogs - CarBone roof rack - Custom three-headed Pegasus decal - Full paint correction - Focal/JL sound system with marine-grade wiring - Momo Heritage wood steering wheel - Tag Heuer dual rally stop watch set - Rennline pedals - Reconditioned original M491 Turbo Look wheels

[@thomasxl200]

Been loving the videos so far, awesome to see you're responding to feedback already! Only gonna go up from here

[@rjung_ch]

really enjoying these videos once again. I am so happy you guys are back! 👍💪✌

[@lamboferruccio]

Thanks for that, glad to see you’re listening

[@drive]

@@thomasxl200 got to do it man! thanks for watching

[@drive]

@@lamboferruccio always wantin to do better

[@thedownshiftchannel]

It’s nice to see some honesty and not somewhere who either tries to glamorise the street life or deny it altogether. Real

[@drive]

Hector's a real one.

[@edwardestrella3872]

This is simply , "One bad-ass Porsche",respect!!!

[@dailydriven991]

I want to have a beer with this guy lol. That 911 looks perfectly sorted. Ride height, wheel fitment, tasteful mods, super clean, and actually driven instead of stored. Fantastic.

[@drive]

total package

[@acchaladka]

Last bit is the best bit, Porsches are made to be driven.

[@nateopotatoe8742]

Beautiful car, appreciate how active you are in the comments. It means a lot. Thanks for the heads up on details in the future.

[@drive]

you got it nateopotatoe. if someone takes the time to write something, they deserve a response. unless they're calling me skinny ron jeremy again. -- KC

[@johnzero8923]

Nice one , looks fast standing still, love to see classic cars being driven.. great channel.

[@drive]

thanks for watching! more to come! 🫡

[@movie_av_impulse]

Much respect beautiful clean daily driven 911! You've gotta respect a person that could have taken a totally different direction in life but had the right people to guide him in the right direction. My neighborhood dealer was also my inspiration to do better for my life. I did just that! ✊🏼

[@iamaybar]

Proud to say this my friend!!!

[@BrianMello]

Great stuff guys!

[@drive]

thanks man!

[@petersauer94]

Brilliant absolutely brilliant, love the yellow headlights ❤

[@ianscott1000]

Sounds so good!! Good job Squid!!

[@Beezy_Builds]

Love the energy

[@nickanthony1573]

Quite the story!! Very clean 911 🔥🔥

[@ghost21501]

What a cool car and story.

[@l.mendez204]

🔥🔥🔥 beautiful! Awesome story telling! Great way to put it, we’re just grown kids with bigger toys 💯💪

[@EngineeredMojo]

The car and story were great!

[@drive]

i just love that if i saw it on the street, i'd never guess the owner was as real as hector -- KC

[@StefGio428]

I’m a vendor at the shop that works on this… and in person this thing is just badass while parked or up on the lift. Can’t take my eyes off it

[@SaschaPallenberg]

What a stunning car and beautiful story. Thank you so much for this!

[@drive]

Thanks for watching!

[@Birmingham_racing]

Loved the story and love the car

[@paulbhager]

Beautiful car 😎🔥👏👍

[@element720]

Beautiful

[@AlexBeras]

Phenomenal video!! Awesome owner, awesome car!

[@drive]

🙌🙌

[@eldoradomanchuria]

Another great new video, loving the relaunch so far

[@drive]

thank you!!

[@bdlii]

6:20 says it all. Cool man.

[@nickbruni8041]

Badass Machine.. Sir .. knowing what You know growing up… Please use This car platform to help other kids coming up who are in some same situations that Thankfully You we’re able to overcome.. And Yes , serving Your country probably helped attain Your confidence in other aspects of Your life . Full Respect and Thanks ✊🏼 ( ReAL Nice Jacket too .)

[@hectorespinal1010]

I had to, not for clout but to show the world that you can turn a negative into a positive one! I try my best to lead by example as now I have the knowledge and the abilities to. Mashallah!!!

[@zedeg94]

I don't understand, how it got so few views and likes, this video is super interesting! Carrera is also pretty, love it, love the rack, it brings it all together!

[@drive]

thanks for watching!

[@AshtonCoolman]

The algorithm dropped off for the channel. We have to watch, comment, and like the videos or it won't show up in anyone's feed. We basically have to defeat our KZbin AI overlords.

[@YusufEbr]

They did upload till recently again that's why. It will get there if they stay this active.

[@Paul-in3jo]

Money! My story is very similar and always longed to have a Porsche (got a 997 Turbo) ! Love your story and your delivery of life expression !!!

[@ccaro0359]

My dream is to have one of those. Congrats partner you have a very nice ride.

[@TheZakk28]

Gorgeous car and stand up dude

[@tomgardner6294]

Wonderful car, great story

[@ScottRogers86]

This sealed the deal for me. Know I gotta have one.

[@jamesprince4991]

Dear God, that's one awesome 911...

[@thebullroams]

A few payasos in these comments. The unpleasant scent of privilege and stale corn permeates through my computer screen reading a few of them. Navy was my Dad's ticket out of Spanish Harlem. I've been a Toyota, BMW, and Porsche fan most of my life. When I had the itch to buy a dream sports car last year, I opted for MKV Supra instead of getting a 997.2 or 991.2. I love my Supra, its tech, the story behind it, and ripping backroads... but lord willing eventually I'll have a classic Porsche 911 parked alongside it in a nice garage. Maybe I'll be fortunate enough to get a G body too. Much respect to Hector's build and his story. Dope jacket too.

[@drive]

love your perspective on this

[@ronbelanger4113]

Sweet ride.

[@GabeGault]

From pushin' P to Pushin Porsche - dope

[@Trumpetmac]

🔥awesome stance, and look

[@CoolCarlos310]

WOW SUPERB ❤

[@GabeRamirez15]

I was in 8th grade in 1986 and not sure I like that year being considered vintage! Anyway, great piece on a rad 911.

[@michaelfriend3990]

That's a real eye catcher!

[@bizzmpp]

So fucking clean.

[@gauravmuley5386]

Love from India !!! KZbin's cc not justifying

[@187rocketman]

My favorite Porch 911

[@sprintermaximus]

Absolutely gorgeous 911. If I were to have an older 911, this would be it. The style is on point and I appreciate his service as well, thank you for that. Had to edit, this thing sounds great. Better than my 3.6. So nice.

[@drive]

For real. We're working to get better exhaust sounds in the vids too. Glad you noticed this one is a gem.

[@rowdyron4111]

That thing is fucking sick! Would love to see more of the interior. I bet the engine is immaculate as well. My first car was a 1970 MG Midget. Not quite a 911, but I thought I was cool.

[@user-qn6yt3zx3w]

Car looks awesome, but that suitcase rack is an odd juxtaposition…

[@flat6croc]

Gorgeous car. Makes me feel a bit sad about my 987.2 Cayman. 😂

[@drive]

don’t feel sad, that’s a great car!

[@ferrarikangaroo9271]

I love his Porsche. Fantastic video .This is great content guys, keep it up. More like this please

[@drive]

as you wish! thanks for watchin

[@OwhyeeVdub]

That was a cool story.

[@drive]

hector rules. thanks for watching

[@JoeAP-997.2]

Car is 🔥 🔥 🔥 💯

[@PEthePreacher]

So glad you are back with these videos

[@timisoutdoors]

My dude, considered the Wide Body Hellcat…. 😮 That was a close one!

[@drive]

fr tho

[@jareknowak8712]

True !! Cars bring people together !!

[@itspronouncedjello]

Fnck yeah Porsche

[@drive]

fnck ya

[@AFSil80]

In a world full of wannabe influencers...we need more content on real people with real stories that people can identify with or at least learn something from!

[@drive]

that’s exactly what we’re aiming for. thanks for watching!

[@kevinhenry6760]

These are the stories I like to hear - what sparked the interest in a particular car. These first three since the relaunch all seem like they are keepers for these guys...

[@drive]

so glad you’re digging it!

[@kevinhenry6760]

@@driveYes - these are great so far, I'd agree with others on a bit of detail about the mods would be a nice addition to the videos as the cars you're featuring have been personalized by their owners. Let me know if you get out our way!

[@AbandonedRaven]

Such a clean car, and the roof rack with all of the little details look so sick.

[@drive]

How do you not stop and stare seeing this thing coming down the street.

[@mpp9964]

Amazing car. Lose the roof rack

[@JBWGuitarChannel]

Like the look of those Carbone roof racks. Great story and video!

[@Will-wg3hj]

I like your story.. it should inspire the youth to excel. Good job.

[@joaopalazzo3087]

A mostly stock 911 on Fuchs with a pegasus stickers. Great car, but how is it not typical?

[@911engineguy]

I think the title of the video, is referring to the story itself, as not being typical...

[@jcat96]

thedrive pinned his mod list in a comment. Definitely not mostly stock

[@Macrike]

You didn’t read the pinned comment and it shows.

[@ronbelanger4113]

Yeah, rather stock set up. My old one is a wide body with BBS RS rims, proper whale tail.

[@Machoukas]

I'm so grateful The Drive is back. Great story

[@drive]

grateful to be back, and to have fans like you 🙏

[@johnmac609]

That Harriman?

[@KarpucMotoring]

Where do I get that jacket

[@nobodyshero200]

Interested to know how long you were in the military?

[@drive]

hector served for 22 years -- KC

[@ricklee3]

haha, those wealthy older white guys from Rhode Islands with there Purist Porsche Collections and pink cardigans over there shoulders are going to be totally fuming at this video thinking "yeah nice ride not sure about the guy driving it though" hahah....

[@donmynack]

Those yellow headlights have to go.

[@drive]

people are loving or hating them, no middle ground there

[@JuanLopez-oz9kh]

Love the set-up, thanks for hitting my hood Bear Mountain area!

[@notesonwheels]

The return of this content is interesting even from a media study point. Is it still relevant? The profile interviews from the days past, so commercialised from Drive and Petrolicious, in 2024 feel current or outdated? Are they cringe and irrelevant? Do people prefer long-form videos without people self-boasting? It is weird. It really is weird. I wonder if viewership answers these questions.

[@erictaylor5780]

The last true 911 because of the 915? To far.

[@hectorespinal1010]

Read up, the last code name 911 was 1986. And yes the 915 had something to do with it. When you own a 911, the analog feeling will never be the same on anything after 1986. Blessings.

[@erictaylor5780]

@@hectorespinal1010 so the g50 3.2, 964 and 993 are not real 911s? Come on. The 915 is regarded as fine but not outstanding. The g50 improved the 3.2 and does not make it some sort of modern trash. Arguing that the trans makes it the last one is to much

[@ronbelanger4113]

@@erictaylor5780Was ? when he said that as well. No G50?

[@Carlostheaggie]

Halfway through the video and no info about the car at all. No thanks, I’ll maybe check back on the channel later

[@hectorespinal1010]

Wikipedia has a great write up about Dr. Ferdinand and our obsession. Blessings!!

[@drive]

we’re working on that balance for future videos. hope you do check us out again ✌️

[@hughkirkham69]

Lies lies lies....

[@chrishorsfield9164]

Great....ruined with rack

[@noelstewart9321]

Roof racks are not cool.

[@Miggy2j]

I see what you're trying to do but I care more about a cars story than the person who owns it. I could be wrong but I'd assume most Drive subscribers are insane car nuts like me and think the same.

[@drive]

i feel you. we’re trying to do something a bit different but for sure we’re still finding the right balance. thanks for watching

[@swiftyswiss8300]

First!

[@drive]

grats! you win our eternal respect

[@thomasloper1205]

Not your typical Porsche story because it has nothing to do with the Porsche

[@MrSnoopyxxx12]

Dream!

[@philliphull50]

I really like the car and his story bad ride🫡