GCR REV’S INSTITUTE TOUR

On Friday, April 28th, fifty-two lucky GCR members were treated to a private tour of this epic car museum in Naples, Fl. The museum was closed to the public on this day, so our group could enjoy a private two-hour docent guided tour from 10:30 to 12:30. Our group was divided up into five subgroups and each started in a different part of the museum. Rev’s Institute, formally called the Collier Collection, is like an automotive history lesson. Our subgroup was led by “Roc”(real name is Eric, however Rev’s has 2 other guides named Eric so something had to change), who seemed to have a photographic memory about everything automotive, especially the older stuff. Luckily Roc started us with the oldest and progressed up through the newer cars. Many of the cars were race cars, and the collection had its share of race car winners. All told, there are roughly112 cars in the museum at all times. Some cars are lent out to other facilities/shows and at times, other cars are on loan to Rev’s.

Okay, I know you want to hear about Porsches. Just as with the rest of the collection, most of the Porsches were race cars...I mean older race cars...like really historic and famous racers from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. In fact, the newest Porsche was a 1971 917. The oldest Porsche was a 1951 Gmund coupe. Nine was the most predominate number with the likes of 911, 904, 906, 908, 910, 914 and 917. In all, I counted 22 Porsches, more than any other marque. I only saw one totally street Porsche, which was Miles Collier’s 1965 356 SC, his high school graduation present. Some might ask if I had a favorite, and the answer is no...I simply love all Porsches. However, if someone asked which car, I would like to do a few autoX runs in it would probably be the 1967 911R (only 20 of these hot rods were made) or the 914/6 GT (a Le Mans class winner in 1970, but still very street able).

As the event came to a conclusion, many in the group headed over to the SpeakEasy in Marco Island for good food and great conversation. Some of the closing remarks we heard from members were:

“

Best museum ever”

“Awesome, but didn’t get a chance to drive any of the cars”

“To die for”

“Great Event”

“Wealth of Information”

“One of a kind in the world”

And lots more. In fact, we are planning to do it again in the fall on a Saturday. The up side is more people can go on a weekend, however the downside is we won’t have the museum all to ourselves.

I forgot to mention in the beginning that most of the participants met in Davie, and caravaned over as a group. Thanks to John and Holli for helping Dottie with check-in, waivers and wristbands and the Lead/Sweep teams of Steve/Dottie with Bianka /Frank and Edwin/Lori with Hans/Donna.

Until our next event.......... Steve & Dottie