YouTuber Takes Their Dream Porsche 996 911 on a California Dream Drive

Willem Verbeeck bought a high-mileage Porsche 996 after catching the Zuffenhausen bug

Belgian YouTuber Willem Verbeeck “caught the Porsche bug.” But rather than pouring over glossy print magazines like many tenured fanatics, Verbeeck caught the bug after a once-in-a-lifetime European road trip wherein Porsche sent the young driver on his way in a 992-generation Porsche 911. Six countries and over 1,000 miles later, Verbeeck had Porsches on the mind. That’s why Verbeeck started perusing Porsche 996 models. 

Belgian content creator and photographer made the decision to buy a Northern California Porsche 996 911. Fans know it well– the first generation of water-cooled flat-six and the controversial headlamps. Still, despite the high mileage and salvage title on Verbeeck’s Porsche of choice, the YouTuber seemed stoked. 

Understandably, Verbeeck’s anxiety grew as they neared the Sacramento area and the Porsche 996. However, it was clearly love at first sight for Verbeeck, as a moment later, he owned a bright-red manual 996 with a go-fast stripe and an aftermarket infotainment system. However, the drive from Los Angeles to the Sacramento area meant Verbeeck and Honda Civic Type R-bound Hector had to forge their path home.

What goes out, must come back

Fortunately, Verbeeck and Hector decided to take a leisurely, scenic return voyage over comparable mundane highway driving. “As a kid watching Top Gear growing up, this is the dream right here. Road tripping in cool cars in beautiful landscapes,” Verbeeck said of the choice to take the less trodden path.

The Porsche 996 and FL5 Honda Civic Type R convoy took the duo to the glassy waters of Lake Tahoe, dramatic ridgelines, roadside controlled burns, charming cafes, and the Sequoias. Fortunately, not one part of the trip was hampered by the 996’s well-documented, albeit infrequent, issues with faulty IMS bearings or bore scoring.

Check out the full video of the Porsche 996 and Honda Civic Type R cruising Northern California below!

Photos: Willem Verbeeck via YouTube

Join the 6SpeedOnline forums now!