Progress

The Speedster is not a virgin. I could tell during disassembly that someone had been here before. You can tell by missing washers and mis-sized hardware. Anyhow, the Speedster is off to the blast shop when the C Coupe is blasted. Then I hope to get Jim’s metalwork done and off to the painter while we are in Monterey.

Then I’ll help Jim with his reassembly, do the metal work on the Speedster and hopefully finish Norm’s ’54 Race car. Jim’s C Coupe is my last customer commitment; so after it I can work on my own 356’s. I may take a few small jobs if they fit my schedule. Don’t forget-I have to rebuild an engine for “The Company Car”.

RMVR

Speaking of racing, I just got back from the Vintage Race at Second Creek. This was a charity event and again we raised over $40,000. (Had hoped to see more of you there. Do it next year.) We were trying to get Norm’s ’52 steel bodied factory race car sorted out for the Monterey Historics. However, we are having problems with oil pressure and need to adapt a deep sump to the 2-piece case engine.

SALES ACTIVITY

At present, there is a lot of sales activity for 356’s. I get a lot of calls. Must be folks are happy with their 401K’s and want to invest in a little fun. Anyhow, a newsletter recipient wants to sell a ’64 C Coupe, Black/Black, engine/trans rebuilt, minor rust, needs carb work, $11,500. Contact the owner at (303) 773-2376 evenings. I believe there were only 50 or so Black/Black C Coupes produced.

WOW!

What a great summer for Porsche enthusiasts. I’m sitting here on the deck at a Steamboat condo composing this newsletter in my mind. It’s evening, a gentle rain is falling and I just drove the last lap at Steamboat. The Steamboat Vintage Race is no more. I’m looking at the new condos that mean we no longer get to race on the streets. I’m remembering all the great times this summer.

Steamboat Classic

The RM356PC put on a great event in July. It preceeded the Porsche Club National event at Steamboat. The town was full of Porsches. We had close to a hundred 356’s for the Classic. Barb drove her Twin Grille Roadster while I had the Blazer full of parts for the Swap Meet. On Friday there were driving tours or white water rafting. Barb and I did the rafting which was a kick and something we wouldn’t have done on our own. But with the 356 friends, it was great. Rich borrowed Barb’s Roadster to lead the driving tour so even the 356 got a workout while we were on the Colorado River. Food at the Classic was first class and Friday we had a pig roast.

Saturday was a fun Gymkhana and Swap Meet. While I was busy selling parts I could hear the laughter of folks doing silly things in their 356’s. This was also Rainbow Weekend at Steamboat so the sky was filled with hot air ballons. What a sight. The color and beauty of both ballons and Porsches. The banquet Saturday was at the top of Mr. Werner. Beautiful sunset and then the glow of the balloon show.

Sunday was the Concours at the Torian Plum Plaza. The 356’s were staged all around the plaza-you would turn a corner and see another great 356. I helped judge and there were some great cars, some at a National level. (The judging team that I was in judged Brett Johnson’s 356 and found a few originality errors. Brett wrote the book on originality so score one for 356RESTORE). We stayed over Monday for the PCA Concours. While there were hundreds of great Porsches, they were all staged in rows. Very Teatonic but not much fun.

There is a great video of the Steamboat Classic. It is the best I’ve seen of a 356 event. It is available for $60 from N.W.F.T. Video Productions, PO Box 156, Indian Hills, CO 80454. A great Christmas gift.