Pictured – Brady Erickson, lead singer of LA-based The Ross Sea Party, in his 1969 Porsche 912.

When people see older cars in LA, it’s usually on a Sunday. Some old guy taking his prized possession out for a quick run to get the dust bunnies off of it. Once the ride is over, he puts it back, shuts the garage and drives his Lexus for the rest of the week. Older cars are just harder to deal with. After all, the last thing you want to worry about on the 110 is a hot engine or squealing transmission. Well, someone once told that to Brady Erickson, the singer of Los Angeles based The Ross Sea Party, but I don’t think he listened, or cared. His daily driver is a 1969 Porsche 912 and he drives it all over town… EVERYDAY. It’s his only car.

Sure, it might not be the most practical car when trying to maneuver an amp and guitar into the backseat, but it’s a small price to pay to pull up to a show in this. The car fits Brady more than he knows. The exterior is a bit rough, but original. The car is understated, but classic, and the sound is unique. The whole package is too good it’s almost annoying — a singer, guitar-playing, song-writer of an LA rock band with great style, pushing one of the most beautifully understated classic cars on the streets. If it breaks, he fixes it, and we’re glad he does, because now there is one more car on the streets of LA we can all stare at.

IS THIS YOUR DREAM CAR? IF NOT, WHAT IS?
Right here and now, it really is the dream car for me. The 912 has the right balance of everything- an understated classic look, easy to repair, good gas mileage, a rich history, and fun as hell to drive. If we’re talking down the road, win the lotto dream car, I’d go ’62 T-Bird Sports Roadster.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE.
East Los Angeles Rock n Roll Timeless

WHERE AND HOW DID YOU GET THE CAR?
I knew exactly what I wanted and watched ebay/craigslist/forums like a hawk. This car showed up wasn’t getting much love from buyers, but for all the right reasons. For a long time, someone had loved this car – a very clean engine rebuild, pans replaced with care, etc. A collector in Pasadena bought it a few years back, parked it in the garage, and just let it sit. The guy showing the car was actually his personal mechanic, who was 100% concerned with keeping the engine tuned and 0% concerned with how much dust it collected. The paint is a bit rough around the edges and would probably cost 8k+ to have done right. That scared off other buyers but i like it that way.

IS IT A PROJECT, OR IS IT EXACTLY HOW YOU WANT IT?
There are always a few projects in the works. Right now I’m rebuilding the dash and heating system. All things considered though, I’m planning on keeping it pretty much how it is – just carrying the torch. Keep it running, keep it tuned, put it to use.

WHAT TYPE OF GENERAL ATTITUDE DO YOU GET TOWARD YOUR CAR FROM STRANGERS IN LA?
The people who stop and show some love at the gas station or random parking lot tend to be those who are stuck in a Toyota sedan, but genuinely appreciate and long for a little style. The folks who never turn their heads are those in brand new sports cars, and particularly those driving new Porsches. There have been a few times I’ve wanted to honk at the guy in a 2009 Cayman and remind him that this car is your car’s daddy. As it happens though, I think LA’s biggest douche bags are drawn to new Porsches; they’re generally too busy twittering to notice.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?
A ’93 ford pickup. I’ll always remember that truck like a first love. American. I put 200k miles on it and it still kicked ass. I ended up selling it to a guy who planned on driving it to Mexico and really putting it to work. I’d like to think that truck’s life had only just begun and that it’ll be hauling machine parts across some desert highway in Baja long after I’m gone.

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