Salt Lake City Porsche Parade...

[50/50]

Now the, Bad and Ugly"... there seemed to be a rather cold vibe coming from some of the PCA National higher ups and National Show types. Not all, but it was noticeable. If fact one National many year Parade goer was down right rude about seeing the car there

I like your iconoclastic car alot. But what did you expect? You were the proverbial skunk at the high holy, tight arse lawn party.
Next year bring #1111.

[Bullethead]

Good on ya John, love that car in all it's scruffy glory. AKC shows need to have more junkyard dogs.
How the majority of show attendees feels when seeing a car like yours is what matters.

[John Straub]

50/50

You were the proverbial skunk at the high holy, tight arse lawn party.
Next year bring #1111.

I like that analogy, makes me smile...

One last photo of the Honey Badger.



#1111 will be going to Monterey in two years, just too far to take it next year.

John

[achisholm]

@John Straub - I really enjoyed seeing your 911 and speaking with you in the concours prep area at SLC. The paint may be the "story", but the rest of the Porsche (interior, headliner, engine compartment and wheels) are just what a 45 year old Porsche 911 should be.

Regardless of the reaction of those who saw your 911, I could tell from the crowds around it that it sure generated some interest. (Maybe more than those Cayennes displayed on the lawn.) Thanks for having the courage to show the world this now- famous 911. It is just part of educating the current group of owners that a vintage 911 is not a 996.

An answer to the question above: Yes, there was a People's Choice voting. I am not sure how many votes you got, but one of them was mine.

I can only hope that the Panorama issue that records the Parade has your 911 on the cover. Thanks again for your efforts.

Andrew

[John Straub]

Thanks for the kind words Andrew! Cool getting to talk with you! And thanks for the vote! I think the car gave the Glocker a run for its money. Once in a while, I just like to stick a callused finger in the eye of the establishment, but the real reason I did this was to say, as in the old days, the concour should be for everyone, not just the restorer shops. They do put "barn find" cars out at the 356 Register events and people love to check them out, so why not the Parade? So, now maybe more will show up. As far as Pano, it would be nice to see a photo of it, but I'm not holding my breath.

The PCA National VP and friend, Ruben Ledesma, came up to me in the concour prep area with a funny look on his face when he saw the car. After we talked and he was walking on, he looked back at me and said, "John, you know, it kinda grows on you." I just smiled.

Thanks again Andrew,

John

[Z356]

Once in a while, I just like to stick a callused finger in the eye of the establishment, but the real reason I did this was to say, as in the old days, the concour should be for everyone, not just the restorer shops. They do put "barn find" cars out at the 356 Register events and people love to check them out, so why not the Parade? John

I totally agree with this statement. The Concours should be for anyone willing to show up and present his/her car to their fellow PCA members! The incredible low turnout of entrants for the last few Parades I have attended is positively shocking. My first Parade was at Asheville, North Carolina in 1981. And what we saw in that magnificent Parade Concours, on the grounds of the grand Biltmore Estate, was the perfect 'Field of Dreams' of Porschedom. I don't know if the numbers have ever been matched (perhaps but I doubt it), but I am certain the quality and depth of that field has never been surpassed!

http://wwq.twitpic.com/5i29pr/full

PCA has to think long and hard as to why it's no longer attracting that kind of field to their current Parade Concours. And it should make every effort to court owners of significant Porsches (original/preserved types, barn finds, race modified, etc) to come to Parades and bring their cars INTO the Concours field to compete. We know the 'restorers' will be there for obvious reasons. And there will always be a surplus of recent vintage cars - e.g. 991, 997, Boxsters, Panameras, even Cayennes! - that show up. No doubt that this last group of entrants pleases the current 'exclusive' PCA Parade Concours' sponsor - which is none other than PCNA! But these two categories of entrants must not be allowed to overwhelm the concours field! What the majority of spectators and Porsche enthusiasts come there to see are outstanding examples of original & well preserved Porsche cars that evoke memories of a long ago era which cemented Porsche's reputation for sport, style and an exemplary & unmatched driving experience! And those are exactly the ones that were in short supply in Salt Lake City, Keystone and at other recent Parades!

I, for one, have expressed my objections to the manner PCA currently organizes & runs the Concours at Parades! And also the insensitive way it sometime treats the entrants & their cars! I have done so in writing to the current leadership of PCA. But that is only one point of view. I hope others raise their voices & make suggestions to PCA that lead to improve the event & the turnout of interesting cars. Only this type of concerted effort by you (concerned members) will insure that this show, which was at one time the premier Concours of Porsche cars in the country & the world, is restored to its former glory...or even take it to a higher level!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Vail Valley, Colorado

[Flieger]

That's why I go to car shows and not concours.

[serie1926]

Our daughter and son-in-law are young Porsche owners, acquired their Cayman S a few years ago. They drove down to the Porsche parade in charollette and said the folks they met from PCA were unbelievably rude. Sad to hear...

[achisholm]

But wait, there is more!

I had the privilege of driving this 1967 912 from it's home in Denver to the Parade in SLC. PCA has a Concours Corral where owners can park their Porsches next to the judged cars. I entered this 912, just to show it off to the crowd. As you can see, I left the hubcaps off and showed the 912 in "full Steelie mode" in honor of the Longhood world. Also, I opened all 7 windows for display, how many Porsches can do that?

This is just a wonderful Porsche. No radio, a/c or other conforts, but it drove like it was brand new. The 901 gearbox was as smooth as any I have ever driven and the little engine scooted across Colorado and Utah keeping up with all of those new cars on the road. (except for that one Bentley at warp speed.)

The other pic shows an unexpected award from the Honorary Judges Group (local famous tv & radio and political types). See, in a sea of new watercooled cars with 20" wheels, a group of non-car guys/girls just loved this plain old 45 year old 912.

[John Straub]

Very Cool Andrew! Congrats man!

John