Die Porsche Kassette
Mirror the Best, Shield the Rest
Die Porsche
Zone 12
Gold Coast Region
Officers
President
Peter Olliviere 954 816-6005 polliviere@ gmail.com
Treasurer Carolynn Ditrichs 561 351-4916 GCRTreas@ gmail.com
Directors
Noemi Sanchez 786 210-2251
Noemis33024 @gmail.com
Ian Gerada ian.gerada@ pca.org
Social Comittee
Chair
Christy Spangler 954-821-6804 socialchair@ goldcoastregion.org
48 Hours Co-Chair
Vice President
Dottie Kidd 954 562-5919 dottiekidd@ bellsouth.net
Secretary
Cynthia Fluhart 305 299-6193 cynric@ bellsouth.net
Mark Johnson 954 422-2199 mjsailing@ hotmail.com
Steve Kidd Past President 954-946-3196
Steve_Kidd@ bellsouth.net
Mike Del Pozo 954 882-7571 info@ dpwindow
Ed Blair Alternate
Mike Del Pozo
Cynthia Fluhart
Ian Gerada
Dottie Kidd
Lissette Gonzalez
Noemi Sanchez Rick Veingrad
John Poor
Autocross Chair / Historian .............................
Steve Kidd
Autocross Registrar .........................................
DE Manager
Concours
2024 CALENDAR
March
1 PCA Werks Reunion, Amelia Island
24 Autocross #4 at Sebring Raceway
April
6 Porsche Rocks, Miami Brewing Co., Miami
7 Spring Fling, CB Smith Park - save the date
13 Ladies of Gold Coast Paint & Sip, Paint the Grain, Davie
21-25 PCA Treffen Wine Country in Sonoma, CA
May
5 F1 Watch Party , Hagerty Garage + Social, Delray Beach
11 Autocross #5 at Port St. Lucie Fairgrounds
June
9-15 PCA Porsche Parade in Birmingham, AL
22 Driver’s Education Homestead-Miami Speedway
Stay tuned to the eNews emails for event updates or check the GCR calendar on our website. If you have any ideas for a social event or would like to volunteer, please email us at: socials@goldcoastregion.org
Follow us on our social media:
Facebook.com/GoldCoastPCA Facebook.com/groups/gcrgroup Instagram.com/goldcoastpca
Kassette Editor
Roger Fabel 954-752-2501 rfabel@aol.com
Writers
Mark Johnson
Alicia Laya
Christy Spangler
AJ Moffitt
SUBMISSIONS
Dottie Kidd
Mark Johnson
Mike Del Pozo Webmaster / Membership
www.GoldCoastRegion.org
Ian Gerada
Copy Editor
Lisa Cohen
Graphic Artists
Christy Spangler
Melissa Hyland
Photographers
Andrew Moffitt
George Plucienkowski
David Castrillo
Die Porsche Kassette welcomes member submissions for articles and stories about your Porsche experiences. Generally, such submissions need to be made by the first of the month for consideration to be published in the following months’ issue. However, no guarantee is made for timing of any article submitted. Please send materials via email to the newsletter editor: rfabel@aol.com. Text should be presented in a word document (.doc), “Roboto” font at 10-point size. Use “Kassette Material” in the subject line of the email transmission. Both text and supporting photographs should be attached to the email. Photos should be high resolution files and not be embedded in the document.
Additionally, Die Porsche Kassette will accept photographic submissions for the photo of the month considerations. These should be sent to: gcr.photofinish@gmail.com.
FIRST TURN
Peter Olliviere , PresidentWhere have our concours events gone? I joined PCA back in 2000 as a first time Porsche owner. I was excited and full of that bubbling enthusiasm most often seen in newcomers to a field of endeavor. My Porsche was a 1993 968 Cab, Black with a tan interior. I loved that car and made it my business to bring that car as close to showroom condition as possible. This was my introduction to the world of PCA Concours events. I polished that car so often that I am amazed that I didn’t rub through the paint. I just knew that my car had a very good chance of winning some hardware wherever it was shown. As you can guess, that was not the case. I didn’t even place
in my class, but I met and was taken under the wing of Mike Joffee, who can be considered the Godfather of Concours in the Gold Coast Region. Mike took the time to teach me the tricks and techniques that needed to be understood to compete in a PCA Concours event. I will ever be grateful to him and the other senior PCA members that guided my start. Now the time has come for me to do the same for the next generation.
We are going to rebuild the concours program with the injection of new blood that reflects the enthusiasm that was the overwhelming driving force back in 2000. With that I want to
introduce Mike Del Pozo as the new Concours Chair for the Gold Coast Region. Mike has undertaken the task of breathing life back into the Gold Coast Concoursh program. We will start by holding an introductory event soon and that event will have the cars arranged by class and judged within the guidelines of its class. This will make the event more competitive and challenging for the entrants. Our research has shown that members want events that work on more than one level allowing them to not only show their car but to also enjoy rubbing shoulders with fellow members. Be prepared for the coming of the Concours Summer.
Peter
High-Performance Driving Education (DE) for 2024!
Mark Johnson, DE ManagerThe PCA Gold Coast Region will hold the first of our planned two DE events on June 22, 2024, at HomesteadMiami Speedway. The GCR Board of Directors approved the basic budget and authorized the contract with the track to be signed for this date.
Ms. Dottie Kidd, Registrar for GCR DE, has opened a “Save the Date” event for this DE at ClubRegistration.net. This allows the planning team to start working on the attendee numbers for novice, intermediate, solo and instructor participation. The DE Committee would ask that anyone planning to drive in this DE sign up at the ClubReg
site to express their intent. We highly recommend that those interested should state their intent as early as possible so that we may properly plan for a safe, high quality and fun event.
Gold Coast will secure the HMS Track rental for June 22nd. Then over the next couple of months we will work on the off-track items such as t-shirts, food, hotel needs and other ancillary items, as well as registration fees and DE sponsorship.
We know we will need instructors! If you can instruct on June 22nd, please let us know. Instructor availability is a major key to the success of this
program as so many GCR members are currently at the novice or intermediate DE driving level. (Note: To our knowledge, there are NO major conflicts with other DE’s within the State of Florida, or with any national or religious holidays. It’s a great date!)
Looking a bit further down the road, we expect to hold a second DE later in the year toward the end of September 2024. An official announcement for the second track day will follow soon.
WE’RE GETTING BACK ON TRACK.
GCR HPDE, a safe track event for you and your Porsche!
SHIFT INTO SOCIAL
Article by Christy Spangler, SocialLooking ahead, the next few months promise more excitement as we gear up for upcoming social events including our first Ladies of Gold Coast event and a Porsche Rocks concert featuring The Lufts. As the days grow longer and the weather becomes more inviting, there is no better time to embrace the thrill of the open road and the unparalleled performance of our beloved Porsches.
In the rear view mirror… February has been a month filled with camaraderie, adventure and passion for Porsche. Members enjoyed a Valentine’s Day dinner followed by the Stone Crab Run #2 and finally, the TriCounty Porsche Social at Uncommon Path Brewery. A big thank you to Dottie Kidd, Ian Gerada and Mike Del Pozo for organizing and to those who volunteered for these sweet and fun events.
On the horizon…
The social committee has some exciting events to announce:
April 6th - Porsche Rocks featuring The Lufts. This is a Tri-County Porsche Social event that will take place at Miami Brewing Company in Homestead, FL. RSVP on clubregistration.net.
April 7th - the return of Spring Fling at CB Smith Park. Stay tuned for more information and registration.
April 13th - Paint & Sip This will be our first Ladies of Gold Coast event, geared towards women in our membership.
May 5th - F1 Watch Party at Hagerty Garage + Social in Delray Beach.
For PCA National events, registration is open for both the Porsche Parade and Treffen at Sea. The Parade will take place June 9-15 in Birmingham, Alabama. Treffen at Sea will be cruising to Alaska July 28-August 4. You can register for these events on the pca.org website.
If you have signed up for one of these events, please let us know on clubregistration.net.
Stay tuned to our social channels, enews emails, the GCR calendar on our website, goldcoastregion.org/ calendar or go to clubregistration. net for updates on upcoming events and opportunities to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned Porsche aficionado or a newcomer to the world of sports cars, there is always a place for you in our vibrant community. Until next time, drive safe and keep the Porsche passion alive!
PCA and GCR are fueled by volunteers: we could not do all the things we do without our volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering or have an idea for something fun, please contact the members of the Social Committee at socials@goldcoastregion.org.
See you soon at an upcoming event!
Christy
KEY STROKES
Roger Fabel, EditorOur PCA year always has a great start, first with the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona followed by the 48 Hours at Sebring, a PCA club race. These two events start the race season for professional and PCA club racing drivers. Many of our GCR members attend the Rolex as spectators but a few are part of race teams providing support. The race at Sebring provides more opportunities for our members to be involved by volunteering for the many support positions. This year many GCR members attended for the first time and they will be sharing their experiences with you in our next issue.
This month we share an article about the Autocross Challenge at Sebring. Our club offers many levels of driving skill training between our Autocross program and our Drivers Education program. Don’t miss the DE update on page 5.
Another annual driving event that helps bring in the new year is our Drive and Dine road trip to Islamorada. Cynthia Fluhart organized another great event for more than 130 members to begin their Porsche year with a drive to the Keys with the Porsche community.
All of the activities we have talked about in this column require a key ingredient, a Porsche. Many new owners go through the process of deciding which model they want along with a list of options, then they make a trip to their local dealer to make the purchase. How many of you have thought about traveling to Europe for an overseas delivery? Alicia Laya interviews two new owners, Ken Czubay with his son Luke and Richard Akirmaian, both of which shared their
European delivery stories. For the month of March, we feature Elie Man, and he is a man on a mission. This Finding Gold member exhibits a driven lifestyle that takes him around the world with his creative talents. When closer to home, he applies the same creativity to Porsche. Our readers may want to take a walk in his shoes starting on page 18.
For many years our members have been attending an event in Miami called DRT. The event has grown over time and has become the largest automotive all-Porsche event in south Florida. This year was the 10th anniversary of DRT. If you were unable to attend, the article and photos will make sure it is on your 2025 list.
START YOUR ENGINES
Choosing the Right Paint Protection for Your Porsche
Ian Gerada , Membership ChairWhile chatting to various Gold Coast region members, the discussion often revolves around the merits of Paint Protection Film (PPF) and Ceramic Coatings for vehicle protection. Both options have distinct advantages and limitations, and here is my concise comparison to guide, based on my research for those considering these paint protective measures.
Ceramic Coatings: Pros and Cons
Ceramic coatings offer a durable layer that shields the car’s paint from environmental hazards like UV rays and bird droppings, significantly reducing oxidation and fading. Their hydrophobic nature makes the car easier to clean, as water and dirt are less likely to stick, keeping the vehicle looking cleaner with less effort. This protection also enhances the paint’s gloss, improving the car’s appearance and potentially its resale value. However, ceramic coatings are less effective against deeper scratches or dents.
They require regular maintenance with specific cleaning agents to maintain their effectiveness, and they can develop water spots from hard water or mineral deposits, which can be difficult to remove.
Paint Protection Film (PPF): Pros and Cons
PPF is renowned for its self-healing properties, where minor scratches and swirl marks can disappear with heat exposure, maintaining the car’s pristine appearance. It provides excellent impact protection against road debris and minor abrasions, preserving the car’s paintwork and, by extension, its value.
Yet, PPF can have visible edges and seams if not expertly applied, which can detract from the vehicle’s overall look. Over time, PPF may yellow, particularly on light colored cars, affecting aesthetic appeal and possibly necessitating replacement. Despite its durability, PPF is not immune to damage; it can be
NEW & TRANSFERRING MEMBERS
Jason Whalen 2017 Macan GTS
Stephen Kerry 2024 911 GT3
Mark Rios 2013 911 Carrera 4S
Eduardo Macias 2007 911 Carrera
Randy Dominguez 2017 911 Carrera 4S
Diego Febres-Cordero 2015 911 GT3
Jay Freedman 2022 911 GT3
Felix Figueira 2012 911 Carrera GTS
William Gunnell 1964 356 Cab
Juan Pipkin 2024 911 GT3 RS
Julio Barberi 2023 718 Boxster
Chris Calise 1984 928S
Albert Poza 2022 911 GT3
David Alexy 1976 911S
Heidi Fernandez 2015 911 Carrera S Cab
Eric Steinman 2017 911 Carrera GTS Cab
Christophe Petit 2020 911 Carrera S
Robert Rosenberg 1986 911 Carrera
Ryan Wilber 2013 Boxster S
Miguel Capriles 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Rolando Aleman 2015 911 Carrera
Carlos Da Silva 2005 911 Carrera
punctured or torn by high-impact forces and may peel or lift at the edges over time without proper care.
Choosing Between Ceramic Coatings and PPF
Both ceramic coatings and PPF enhance and protect a car’s appearance and resale value, each with specific strengths. Ceramic coatings are ideal for those seeking easier cleaning and enhanced gloss, while PPF is better suited for those looking for superior physical protection. The choice between them depends on the individual’s preference for maintenance and protection levels. When deciding on car protection, it’s essential to weigh the benefits of ceramic coatings ease of cleaning and aesthetic improvement against PPF’s superior impact protection and self-healing features. Both options require consideration of maintenance needs and personal lifestyle to make an informed choice that best suits the car owner’s priorities. Perhaps a combination of both may also be the right solution for you.
Ian
Rick Ruz 2015 911 Carrera
Lance Chase 2014 911 Carrera S
Enrique Gonzalez 2017 911 Turbo S
Marc Levine 2005 Boxster S
Zach Winkler 2017 911 Carrera
Luis Silva 2017 911 Carrera
Anthony Jacquette 2006 Cayenne S
Jordan Soblick 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7
Eoin O’Neill 2018 911 Carrera S
Manuel Gutierrez 2023 911 Carrera GTS
Charles Stanley 2024 911 Carrera GTS
Jorge Bahri 1987 911 Carrera Cab
Amir Arab 1997 911 Turbo
Anson Scoville 2005 911 Carrera
Anne Keegan 2017 911 Carrera 4S
Jose Monzon 2012 911 Carrera S Cab
Adrian Gonzalez 2021 911 Carrera S Cab
Peter Gillooly 2018 Panamera Turbo
Thomas Butler 2009 911 Carrera S
Toeger Toegersen 2015 Boxster
Manuel Escobio 2008 Cayenne GTS
Lennie Bailey 2013 911 Carrera
Daniel Ieraci 2016 Cayman
Thomas Mcdermott 2006 Cayman S
PCA Transfers
Uziel Blumenkranz
2009 Cayman
From Potomic
Hiroshi Harada 2014 911-50
From Gulfstream
Frank Messana
2020 911 Carrera Cab
From Everglades
Jay Freeman 1972 911E
From Santa Barbara
John Lukehart 1999 911 Cab
From Everglades
Brian Singer
2015 Cayenne Diesel
From Upper Canada
6th Annual Islamorada Drive & Dine
Article Fluhart,PCA Gold Coast Region’s sixth annual Dine & Drive to Islamorada Fish Company, located halfway to Key West, in the middle of the Florida Keys. It was a beautiful and mostly clear day, perfect for a drive. The morning temperature was in the 70’s and we had over 50 Porsches and 132 members attend. It is always wonderful to see new faces as well as those fabulous familiar faces. Excellent feedback from members and a huge thank you to all those
who were able to attend and make it another fun and successful event. I am sorry that this was the same weekend as 24 Hours of Daytona. We had two meeting points from south Miami and Davie locations. I want to give a big thank you to eight volunteers who registered members at the meeting points and lead the groups safely to Islamorada. Those volunteers were: Ian & Jane Gerada, Nestor & Noemi Sanchez, Christy Spangler, Peter Olliviere and Mark &
Jan Lachniet. Afterwards, members went to local breweries or Gilberts in Key Largo.
Many members that were on the waiting list, thank you for your patience and we will try to set up another drive and dine to the Keys within the next few months. It was great seeing everyone. Stay happy & safe!
Cynthia
EUROPEAN DELIVERY
Article by Alicia Laya, Staff WriterHave you ever fantasized about cruising through the panoramic rolling hills and countryside of Europe in a brand-new Porsche?
Imagine yourself in the driver’s seat, in one of the world’s most stunning sports cars, as you grip the speedway on the Autobahn, glide through the breathtaking Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria, sprint down the Furka Pass along glaciers and mountain peaks in Switzerland, and
wind down along lazy curves by castles, rivers and green fields in Belgium.
Meet Gold Coast members Ken Czubay and Richard Akirmaian, who not only dreamt about it, but they acted and made it a European Delivery experience.
Father & Son European Delivery
Ken Czubay and his son Luke ordered from Porsche West Broward on August 6, 2022, a Porsche 911 Carrera S, white metallic with red/black interior including premium and sports packages. Their sales consultant was top-notch all the way through and carefully watched over every detail of their order, ensuring a smooth firsttime European Delivery experience for father and son.
Then the big day came. The delivery birth of their Porsche 911. On February 28, 2023, Ken and Luke flew from Ft. Lauderdale to JFK and then onto Frankfurt, Germany. Once in Frankfurt, they rode the train to Stuttgart and settled in for their first night in the Porsche-provided accommodations.
Ken remembers fondly the following day, how they were greeted with such warm hospitality at the Porsche facilities, including feasting on a wonderful welcome lunch, before starting their VIP tour of the factory, museum and Porsche showroom.
“The facility was immaculate, and their delivery agent was outstanding,” Ken said. The Porsche delivery agent spent a lot of time with them, meticulously going over every detail of their factory fresh 911.
Ken shared that he has been to many automotive factories in either working or touring capacities, but this was the most marvelous experience.
Due to the time of the year and winter wonderland conditions, they could only drive on the Autobahn to Munich, which happens to be one of their favorite cities in the Old Country. However, their brand-new Porsche had summer tires, so winter driving was a bit risky.
Despite the weather, they continued and drove to Munich, a city that radiates energy in any season of the year. It is one of the most winsome cities in South Germany characterized by its beer halls, charming cafes and bakeries, art museums and remarkable neogothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture. Munich, with its landmarks and flavors, leaves quite an impression on all its visitors.
After their trip to Munich, Ken and Luke then dropped off their new 911 for its nine-week journey across the Great Pond and down to sunny South Florida.
Ken reflected positively on the overall European Delivery experience, expressing that it was fantastic. However, he noted that if given another opportunity, they would target the timing of the seasons a bit better and allow for more countryside touring.
15 Days European Delivery
Richard Akirmaian found himself pushing the limits at 175 mph on the Autobahn, covering many miles, and later, thrillingly the repeated rush on the Nürburgring track.
Richard started his journey with a pivotal first step, by placing his order of a 2023 Targa GTS in Shark Blue and manual from Champion Porsche. Richard had a long-time business relationship with Champion, so it just seemed right to continue his customer loyalty with them. The order was placed in June 2021, he received the allocation in September 2022 and the car was finished by December 2022.
With overwhelming anticipation and excitement, Richard eagerly boarded a plane and jetted off to Germany on March 30, 2023, where he took possession of his prized Targa.
Upon arrival at the Porsche plant, Richard and his family wasted no time and kicked off their stay with a visit to the Porsche Museum, followed by a savory welcome lunch at the Porsche restaurant, and then straight to the unveiling of his creation.
Guided by a member of their European Delivery Team, this was the moment of more than just receiving keys—it was the beginning of a riveting adventure. Every detail was explained with passion and precision. All his choices and all the unique preferences that he had ordered at Champion Porsche finally came to fruition, from the sleek exterior style and color to the refined interior finishes. It was truly a tailored personalized European Delivery experience.
But Richard’s European Delivery experience didn’t end there. Richard and his family continued their travels by extending their stay another 15 days, allowing them to tour the new Targa through several of Europe’s most dazzling cities. They toured cities like Vienna, renowned as a coffee capital famous for its Baristas and rich brew. Vienna is known as the “City of Music,” as this was the hometown of Beethoven and Mozart. It is also known for its majestic mountains and palaces and the incomparable Wiener Schnitzel. Next, they were off to Prague, a city steeped in history since the Middle Ages, captivating visitors with its timeless beauty. Prague is also known as the “Golden City of a Hundred Spires,” and the “Crown of the World.” A visit to Brussels, which is the heart of Europe, greeted
them with its delectable treats from chocolates to waffles to French fries. A fascinating city that expands from art deco taverns to gothic cathedrals. Amsterdam then followed, a city mixing ancient history with modern trends, overflowing with art collections and historical landmarks. Lastly, a visit to the city of Cologne, a cosmopolitan town bursting with diverse choices in music, arts, cultural events and sports venues.
Returning to the Stuggart facilities to bid farewell to an illustrious Porsche staff, the Targa started its two-month transatlantic journey from its factory of birth to its ultimate home in the Sunshine State.
Richard enthusiastically exclaimed that from start to finish, this European Delivery adventure was utterly unforgettable!
About six decades ago, Porsche’s journey began in a simple red-brick building in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, where their first series of cars were handmade. Since then, that building has changed into one of the world’s biggest production centers, where every Porsche is born.
Porsche expanded a decade ago with the Cayenne, creating a second plant in Leipzig. Since the opening ceremony in 2000, Porsche Leipzig has been the key in the Porsche legacy.
Beyond a manufacturing plant, Porsche Leipzig is a mecca for car fans, showcasing the Cayenne, Panamera and Macan models.
A visit to either Zuffenhausen or Leipzig offers more than just a
factory tour; it’s a trip into the heart of Porsche’s core beginnings.
The factory tours provide a deep dive at every point of assembly, starting from the engine to the chassis.
For those hungry for more Porsche history, the Porsche Museum also has a good collection of iconic models.
Many thanks to Ken, Luke and Richard for sharing the depth and breadth
of Porsche’s slogan, “Driven by their Dreams”.
As they say, Porsche isn’t an average ride, the delivery shouldn’t be either.
FINDING GOLD
Elie Man
He’s a man on a mission
Member Feature by Mark JohnsonIn high school, Elie Man aspired to become an automotive designer. Following the expected high school antics combined with dedicated learning, he took the next step toward a career in design by attending Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon is a highly rated university known for its academic excellence and innovation, and it ranks among the world’s most renowned educational institutions. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial design.
With a high quality and valued degree in hand, it was off to the races, in a sense. The next few years were spent designing luggage for Wenger Corporation and SwissGear. This was fun, but Elie was called in another direction. For the past 15 years he has designed footwear.
Elie Man is the Vice President of Product Development and Marketing for Pajar Canada, a company based in Montreal. Elie travels the world exercising his skills for the company. Pajar Canada designs, manufactures and distributes performance products with a legacy of adventure in the realm of footwear, outerwear and accessories.
Personally, Elie has designed footwear for multitudes of large and small brands including Kenneth Cole, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Guess, Reebok, Steve Madden, Kendall+Kylie and many others. Elie suggests, “As an industrial designer or product designer, my specialty has been in footwear. My automotive passion has only ever been rivaled by my passion for footwear design.”
Beyond his career with Pajar, Elie enjoys renovating properties with a flair for mid-century modern design. The biggest design aspirations come from Charles and Ray Eames, the creators of the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman set, a modern architecture style of furniture recognized as Eames Office.
Industrial Design and his Porsche passion took a substantial next step (not a pun) in the past year. Elie’s eldest brother Uri, is a successful real estate developer. Together, the Man brothers formed a limited liability company (LLC) named Modifica Classica LLC, which in Italian translates to “Classically Modified”. But here is the best part! They are not classically modifying or renovating homes, which would seem logical.
The goal of the company is to restore and modify Porsche 911’s in a tasteful way.
Elie and Uri Man will obtain a basic donor car, a 911 of air-cooled vintage and will bring to fruition, a perfect drive and stance for the particular chassis. At the same time, they will implement modern technology and comfort in the cabin for the driver and passenger. Their goal is to build at least five or more of these Modifica Classica Porsche vehicles before one is kept in the family. The renewal of each vehicle is undertaken to restore a Porsche driver that is affordable and desirable without being incredibly expensive as with a Gunther or Singer Porsche related marques. They are not building show pieces, but quality drivers that the next caretaker can enjoy driving as well as showing to their friends.
Although Elie previously owned aircooled 911s and modified a 993
C4S, his first major solo build was a 964 3.8L Carrera 4 Coupe in Slate Grey Metallic. This car had a host of upgraded components including aero mirrors, front euro detent bumper deletes, RS air ducts, an updated interior with Recaro Sportster CS seats in Napa leather with heat, Porsche Classic Radio, Griffiths AC components, entirely new suspension and Fabspeed RSR exhaust. It was his daily driver, but the time came to sell because his family was growing and his wife wouldn’t allow the boys to ride in the 964 to school, for lack of airbags.
Upon joining forces with his brother Uri, their first major Modifica Classica restoration was a backdated outlaw car, a 1979 3.2L short stroke 911 RSR Tribute in Stone Grey. This Porsche was given 930 style fenders and quarter panels. It was also dressed in a set of vintage BBS Motorsport E50 magnesium centered wheels. This 911 was taken on a run with the Air-Cooled
Breakfast Crew (ACBC) to Everglades
City for breakfast several months ago, prior to selling this build. The ACBC fellows were impressed. It was strong, powerful and very good looking.
Next up was a rest-of-world (ROW) 1990 911 Carrera 2, a 964, in Satin Black Metallic. This Porsche had been imported from Japan before acquired by Modifica Classica. Similar restorations and upgrades went into this vehicle prior to its sale to the new owner.
The current project is another 1990 911 964 Carrera 2 in black. This 964 will require a full “resurrection.” It was purchased locally in Boca Raton from a gentleman who owned it for years. Elie had been chasing the car for some time, and the fellow finally acquiesced and sold the Porsche to the company for the rebuild.
This vehicle is currently being modified at KMW Motorsports in
Pompano Beach under the watchful eye and skill of Kevin Wheeler. Elie selects the design cues and desired modifications. Mechanical upgrades include engine-out service or rebuild if required, and full glass out paint.
Once all modification and restoration efforts are finished, each vehicle is professionally photographed in one or several of the great locations around Miami and South Florida. The refreshed vehicle is sold through one of the major auction sites known for Porsche sales, such as Bring a Trailer or PCarmarket.
Modifica Classica LLC plans on building four to five vehicles a year, provided quality donor cars are available and rebuild time and materials are available. The builds are not customer commissions. Instead, the vehicles reflect Elie’s training and developed skills in industrial design which results in the perfect combination of parts and visual appeal for a particular 911. As a custodian of the Porsche, he is providing a valuable service in visual and mechanical restoration
of the specific 911. The next owner, upon delivery, has a vehicle ready to drive. Hopefully, that person will also appreciate all the effort and expense that went into the specific Porsche build for their ultimate enjoyment.
According to Elie, “The completion of a build is a special time because all your senses are honed by every element that has gone into the car. You get to see, feel, smell and hear all the mechanical and aesthetic work
that has been applied over the course of a build.”
With the help of friends in automotive journalism, Elie can bring out and highlight all the details of his builds. He loves editing his own videos and presenting what he feels is a final finished product to light through his Instagram reels and YouTube channel @ModificaClassica.
“It’s hard to put into words the textures you feel in a tumbled leather vintage Momo steering wheel, or a Napa leather Recaro Sportster CS seat. However, when it’s shot in video and the sunlight hits the leather just the right way, or the BBS E88 wheel barrel and overall stance is caught at just the right angle, it all comes together.” With a high-quality production effort, you can almost smell the vintage essence in the videos. All the engineering that goes into these beautiful vintage Porsche 911s really gets communicated through the final drive.
Elie daily drives a manual 991.1 2015 911 Carrera GTS 3.8L in white. This Porsche is equipped with H&R VTF adjustable springs, a 991.2 GT3 steering wheel, GT3 wheels, and a JoyeAuto wireless Apple CarPlay
retrofit. He wanted to daily his first 964, but his wife would not allow him to drive the kids around in it. The next choice was a GT3, but without back seats his kids might not get to school. The naturally aspirated 3.8L GTS was the next best thing. No doubt, it is driven exclusively in Sport Plus mode.
Elie is married to his wife Phyllis, a television producer. He and Phyllis “share” two boys, Lev (10) and Joss (7). Phyllis was quickly introduced to Elie’s obsession with cars when they first met 20 years ago. We will have to ask about that introduction sometime.
The family spends quite a bit of time on their boat anchored in Lake Wyman, the natural deep-water area just north of “the mouth of the rat”. Lake Wyman is a quieter spot adorned with mangroves in Boca. The family and many others in the South Palm Beach boating community find tranqulity in this part of the Intracoastal. They enjoy air & water (again, no pun), relaxing with friends they have made and the kids love collecting hermit crabs.
Born and raised in South Florida, Elie has two older brothers. He has fond memories of weekend car washes at home with Dad and his three sons. Elie’s responsibility as a five-year-old was washing the wheels. Danny Man, dad, owned a white 1987 Porsche 911 and later a silver 964 Carrera 2 before a slew of Turbos. Uri also previously
owned a Beck Spyder 550, and his middle brother Boaz also had a 991.1 Carrera S for some time.
The Porsche passion runs deep in the Man lineage. Both Lev and Joss have been seen perfecting their own car washing skills. Turn off the hose, use two buckets and lots of soap! Dads dig this, of course.
Elie’s most favorite thing to do with each 911 build is drive to breakfast in the Keys or Everglades City with ACBC. He will also attend local events such as Das Renn Treffen and Vintage Vices cars and coffee events. We saw Elie with Lev and Joss at DRTX, probably getting new build ideas. He’s been invited to the Targa Carolina, a small private Porsche event in the NC mountains; however, he has not yet been able to make the trip as his hectic work schedule hasn’t allowed for it. A long-term bucket list item is to participate in an air-cooled drive through Europe.
A favorite Porsche of all time? The supercar 918 Spyder is Elie’s selection. The 918 takes the best of classic Porsche styling and presents all new innovative technology. Elie has been a PCA Gold Coast member since 2016.
Putting his best foot forward, Elie has accomplished much in footwear, industrial design and Porsche build/ redesign. The recent formation of Modifica Classica LLC has brought new life into older and perhaps tired air-cooled Porsche vehicles. Yet, stepby-step, this passion kindled in his adolescent years is creating 911’s that will live into the future. Aspirations as an automotive designer have most certainly been achieved!
AROUND THE
Special Club Race Edition
by Steve KiddAn AutoX at the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race! That’s what took place on February 3, 2024. Many of you have heard about the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race, but how many of you know that the Gold Coast Region AutoX team has been hosting an AutoX as part of the Suncoast/Gold Coast activities every year since 2008? I believe we were the first Club to introduce Autocross as a feature activity to Club Race and have billed this as a Zone Challenge competitive event since the beginning. This AutoX has drawn the best drivers from all over the country to see who could claim the title of class “Top Gun” or FTD (fastest time of the day). This year we had drivers from as far as Northern New Jersey, Middle Tennessee and even Wisconsin.
Unlike last year, this year’s Club Race and the AutoX had none of the challenges in the form of staff shortages and 20+ MPH winds. The weather for the AX was perfect and we had a great group of volunteers. While we had less volunteers at AutoX, we made up for it in quality. A huge thanks to those that helped us make this event a success, including SCCA AutoX Champion Tom K. from Everglades region & Steve (Our AutoX chair for 20+ years) who fine-tuned the course for the perfect balance of safety, flow and fun. It’s rare when a course can be designed to satisfy both the horsepower cars and the momentum cars! Dottie did an excellent job of grouping who would run and who would work, and the event finished right on schedule! Julie, Bonnie and Paige kept timing running smoothly, with zero timing errors! The course was a modification of a design we have used in the past. It was similar, but enough difference to make it challenging and safe.
Listed below are the AX highlights for 2024.
• An AutoX school on Friday. This proved to be rewarding and hopefully we will use this as part of the 2025 agenda.
• Nice trophies with a personalized name plate for class winners.
• A 2-event structure that provided for an event in the morning, a two hour break to do the track tour, get lunch and socialize, then a separate AX event in the afternoon. This new format allows competitors to do morning, afternoon or both events. It eliminates the need to stay at the AX site all day, and participants only need to do one work shift per event and still get seven runs.
• A really nice FTD Pirelli hat for the fastest time of the day.
The level of competition was spectacular, and the Fastest Time of the Day went to Cory Corona from Suncoast Region who drives a modified Cayman S in class M02. The P04 class was probably the most competitive with some very close times. A full listing of results and maybe pictures can be found on the 48 Hours at Sebring website. If you missed this year’s Club Race AX, be sure to plan on participating next year.
Tentative AX schedule for the remainder of 2024
Event #4 3/24 /2024 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast Region DE. Thanks again to our friends at Suncoast for the site.
Event #5 5/11 /2024 @St. Lucie County Fairgrounds.
Event #6 9/14/2024 or 9/15/2024 @ Sebring in conjunction with the Suncoast Region DE. Date not Confirmed.
Event #7 10/19/2024 @ St. Lucie County Fairgrounds
Most of the above dates & sites are subject to change due to weather, availability and factors beyond our control. News, reminders and 2024 updates:
• Everyone is now required to pre-register for any AutoX on Clubregistration.net… Please consult the GCR website and Kassette for all Autocross photos & results.
• Porsche classes are currently based on the PCR’s (Parade Competition Rules), with minor regional adjustments. We understand rule changes may be in the works, but we will continue to use the current AX rules throughout the 2024 season. The major difference will be the addition of SN (stock car/novice driver) for men and ladies. These classes are strictly for newcomers, either Porsche or non-Porsche only. Please contact Steve for any car class questions. We reserve the right to make additional class/rule changes as needed.
• Our 2024 series is planned to be 5-7 events, depending on site eligibility. To be eligible for an end of the year award, competitors must run in over half the events in the same class. Each competitor ’s top finishes will be calculated, and an end of the year class champion will be recognized. In the case of a tie, additional events will be added until the tie is broken. Year-end class champion awards may be presented.
• No passengers except for an approved AX instructor driving or in the car instructing.
• Questions? call Steve 954 292 3915 or Dottie Kidd 954-562 5919.
• HELP WANTED After 20+ years of running the AX program, we are looking to retire, (we’re not expecting a pension or gold watch.... just kidding) most likely in 2025. Dottie and I will be looking to train and mentor the next generation of AutoX chair and registrar. Please contact us if you have an interest in being trained and possibly carrying the AX torch in years to come. More details will follow in subsequent Kassettes issues.
DOWNLOAD YOUR PCA Digital Membership Card
PCA members can now opt in to the digital membership card, available for Apple and Android digital wallets. It’s easy and quick to download! Once in your wallet, your card is easily accessible when you need it.
An AutoX at the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race! That’s what took place on February 3, 2024. Many of you have heard about the 48 Hours at Sebring Club Race, but how many of you know that the Gold Coast Region AutoX team has been hosting an AutoX as part of the Suncoast/ Gold Coast activities every year since 2008? I believe we were the first Club to introduce Autocross as a feature activity to Club Race and have billed this as a Zone Challenge competitive event since the beginning. This AutoX has drawn the best drivers from all over the country to see who could claim the title of class “Top Gun” or FTD (fastest time of the day). This year we had drivers from as far as Northern New Jersey, Middle Tennessee, and even Wisconsin.
VISIT PCADIGITALCARD.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION
AutoX chair for 20+ years) fine-tuned the course for the perfect balance of safety, flow and fun.It’s rare when a course can be designed to satisfy both the horsepower cars and the momentum cars! did an excellent job of grouping who would run and who would work, and the event finished right on schedule!
Club Race and the AutoX had none of the challenges in the form of staff shortages and 20+ MPH winds. The weather for the AX was perfect and we had a great group of volunteers. While we had less volunteers at AutoX, we made up for it in quality. A huge thanks to those that helped us make this event a success, including SCCA AutoX Champion from Everglades region &
Das Renn Treffen (DRT) found an opportunity to get back to its roots for the 10th anniversary of the initial Porsche event, or “the race meet.”
During the week of January 14-21, 2024, DRT was held in three venues across Miami and South Miami to the enjoyment of Porsche aficionados. Overall, the 10th anniversary event, known as DRTX, drew approximately 10,000 attendees and roughly 1,000 Porsche automobiles over the eight day period.
DRTX began with a Cars & Coffee at the Waterford District south of the Miami airport on Sunday January 14th Well over 450 vehicles and perhaps
as many as 1,000 people gathered to chat about their love of the Porsche marque and the events planned for the week. The C&C included a swap meet, music and a great selection of locally owned Porsches of all designs and hues.
The Cars & Coffee was followed by a DRTX Track Day at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The track event could well be described as a high-performance driver education, or DE on steroids. The on-track component offered time for advanced solo drivers, intermediate DE level driving, and a lead-follow session. The lead-follow session was headed by Steve Kidd of
GCR with instructor assistance from Ed Kohly, Fred Kohly, Danny Simonson, Ed Frankoswki and Polo Palmeares, each who have taught performance driving in previous club events. This track day included a catered lunch, enhanced camaraderie, a ton of folks taking photos, and a bit of cafecito (thanks PDrola). This portion of DRTX was supported by many GCR members through their driving and attendance. Homestead Driving Club also provided instructors and safety equipment for many who chose to take their Porsche on the track.
Following the track day, DRTX featured an Open House at ZWECK in South
Miami on both Thursday January 18th and Friday January 19th. Guests were treated to tours of the facility which houses a curated Porsche sales salon, an experienced and sizable service facility and a second story vehicle storage area.
With the preliminary events completed, it was time for the MAIN EVENT. The MAIN, a three-day Porsche Party, was on! Friday evening offered an exclusive catered cocktail party for attendees to admire the exceptional vehicles. The cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were consumed in a beautiful two level display area in the north end of The Shops at Sunset Place. Sunset Place was the original location of DRT #1, and it was a true welcoming home event to experience. As noted, DRTX was back to its roots.
The display facility housed many incredible vehicles supplied by Singer Vehicle Design, Gunther Werks, RUF Automobile, Graham Rahal Porsche, Rod Emory Outlaws and Leh Keen. Historic race Porsches were in high supply with three Porsche 962’s and a very special Vasek Polak Porsche hauler and race car combo. There were GT2 and GT3 RS models, 904906-908’s, a 959, three Carrera GT’s, a GT1, 934’s - 935’s and several spectacular 356’s.
In a word, “overload” came to mind. There were simply too many high quality cars to count or appreciate. Attendees were treated to great style, stunning vehicles and lively conversation surrounding the Porsche brand. “Car dreaming” was in vogue on Friday night.
Saturday and Sunday of the MAIN EVENT took DRTX to a completely new level with the full opening of the show. Nearly 200 Porsches adorned the winding walks of Sunset Place with exceptional vehicles filling both the ground and the second level of the mall area.
Everywhere there were Porsches to be seen. Porsches were on the streets and walkways, in the former shops, on the second floor (getting them there was a story unto itself). Many of the vehicles displayed were owned by PCA members.
Gold Coast Region participants brought their cars. For example, we saw 356’s (Pam Behar, @356 momma), a 944 (Christy Spangler with Shadow), numerous air cooled
911’s (Ruben Fuentes, Jorge Alvarez, Santiago Herrera and Sebastian Mercader to name a few) and of course the water cooled crew (Robert Salvador Jr. Silver 996 @Flat6Rebel and Alexis Agopian’s Ruby Star GT4 RS Cayman).
Outside on Sunset Drive, additional cars were driven in by their proud owners. These vehicles easily rivaled those inside the display area. Not to be outdone, the Sunset Place parking garage provided another opportunity to walk and enjoy between 700-800+ Porsche owned vehicles which were driven to the event and couldn’t find a spot on the street. These vehicles took up space on the top three floors of the garage. Adding up all the PCars in attendance, the volume approached 1000 units in total, each one as desirable as the next.
And yet, it wasn’t only Porsches. It was books, photography, artwork and of course t-shirt and memorabilia sales. Bart Kuykens, the commercial photographer from Belgium was in attendance with copies of his new photo document of Porsche autos “EARLY COLOR”. Bart has authored and printed a seven volume set of photos named “A Flat 6 Love Affair” and multiple other Porsche related tomes.
Our local professional photographer, Facundo Bustos, brought several large prints from his newest collection of captures of local South Florida member vehicles. Facundo as you may remember took the cover picture used in the February issue of the Kassette.
Artists in attendance were Johans Lamic, creator and artist of the Whale
Tale Project. Two key pieces of his work were displayed. Also showing his talents at the DRTX art exhibit room was Manu Campa of Madrid, Spain. If a person loved Porsche art, DRTX was the place to see some incredible works.
DRTX is a serious event. It is billed as the Greatest Porsche Automobile event in South Florida. However, given the length and scope of the eight days, it easily exceeds the PCA Werks Reunion at Amelia Island, and so many other regional shows scattered along the east coast of the US.
DRTX draws international participants from Europe, Central and South America. The President of PCA Puerto Rico attended with several PR PCA members. RUF as an international manufacturer attends to display their latest designs. Derek Bell, world-
renowned Porsche driver, spent some time at the ZWECK display with Max Strunc, Chief Technician and Service Director for ZWECK.
Gold Coast Region PCA was in attendance with a prominent location on the main mall walkway. The PCA hospitality room was shared by the DRTX hospitality room. Liquid refreshments and light snacks were served in the hospitality area both days.
GCR also had display space on the main street. GCR focused on welcoming PCA members to the event, identifying and enrolling new PCA participants and Junior members, sharing the benefits of membership in our club, offering club publications, and handing out club “goodies and swag”. Additionally, GCR held several raffles during the two days of the MAIN EVENT. Announcing a winner about every three hours, entrants received a basket of multiple Porsche related items. The winning recipients were notified by phone or text immediately to come get their booty and nearly 400 entries were received.
It was estimated that well over 500+ PCA members stopped by the PCA table and hospitality area. Special thanks are extended to those working the booth. They were Ed Blair, Mike DelPozo, Nestor and Noemi Sanchez, Steve and Dottie Kidd, Carolynn Ditrichs, Christy Spangler, Paul Laya, Larry and Tamar Shendell, Lissette
and Mario Gonzalez, Juliet and Ozzie Paulet. They all took turns visiting with GCR members and prospective members. It is estimated that nearly 20 new members were enrolled.
One of the unexpected highlights of DRTX were the musical concerts performed by two unique local rock bands. The bands were THE OUTLAWS and THE LUFTS. THE OUTLAWS performed an early onehour set of music each day at 2:00 PM, and THE LUFTS followed with their one-hour set at 4:00 PM. Of greatest interest was the simple fact that each band was comprised exclusively by Porsche owners!
Band members knew each other through Porsche. They discovered their shared talents for music over the past several months while visiting in a garage to talk cars. Multiple “jam sessions” led to practices as respective groups. The band leader for both THE OUTLAWS and THE LUFTS was Jevon Olea who played guitar and keyboards, as well as sang lead for both entities. To say these fellows are talented would be a serious understatement.
DRT Founder Alvaro Rodriguez knew of their efforts and exceptional talent. He invited them to perform the sets on Saturday and Sunday of DRTX. The bands were so successful and powerful that GCR is working on two individual concerts to be held in South Florida this spring (April and May time
frame) to feature THE LUFTS and THE OUTLAWS at a club event. Rock ON!
As the bands wound down their performances, the Rodriguez Family was called to the north stage by the show announcer. Alvaro and Yordi were joined by their two sons, Enzo and Vincente (Vinnie). Alvaro spoke of the family dream to create and develop a high-quality, well attended car show and class event to celebrate all things Porsche in South Miami. He suggested that the community had given his family so very much through their support and they were working to share that love and appreciation through DRT.
Hundreds of people are required to coordinate and operate such a large venture. Delivering and then staging these incredible vehicles in a truly stunning venue represent a substantial effort. Seeing all our cherished Porsche vehicles surrounded by art, music, and thousands of tropical plants to highlight and define the vehicles was mesmerizing.
Alvaro and Yordi Rodriguez, founders of DRTX, have dreamed and then created a most unique and incredibly enjoyable way to give back to the south Florida Porsche community. Quoting Alvaro, “DRT is a celebration of what has happened with Porsche people and cars in Miami!”.
DRT is expected to return to at Sunset Place for the next couple years, all we need are the dates. If you could not attend DRTX, do not miss the 2025 event.
DRT
IS
THE
AUTOMOBILE EVENT in SOUTH FLORIDA, and it is ALL PORSCHE!
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2017 Panamera Turbo
4.0 v8 36.6K Black Escort detect max360 - mint condition - pix upon request. 95K Contact Christian Ollino at 786-200 -1931 or ollino@bellsouth.net.
1992 Porsche 968 CAB 6 Speed
Meticulously maintained 968 Cab. 21 Yrs/84K miles with original owner, 10 Yrs/14K miles with me. Only 2248 968 cabriolets came the US during the four years (92-95) that Porsche built this unique car. Every service, repair, and update documented. Excel spreadsheet shows every activity performed, with date, mileage, shop name and cost since new. Details and photos on Autotrader. com and PCA Mart. $29,900. Call Roy, 561-6700519 RoyRosner@Bellsouth.Net
Models, Toys, Posters and Memorabilia
Porsche die cast models - 1/64th to 1/8th scale Hot Wheels, Matchbox, MiniChamps, Exoto, Bburago, Maisto, and more.
Rennsport Reunion VII - Program, Poster, Flags, Hat, Car Badge.
Several framed posters.
Toy sets with Porsche and other cars included. Complete set (1-8) of Porsche Originale catalogs from Porsche Classic.
Lots and lots of Porsche Memorabilia. Contact: Bruce fasttoys@bellsouth.net 954-980-5670
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(Halon Extinguishers– One Ansul Sentry Halon 1211, one Amerex Halotron, each 5 pounds and fully charged. Ansul comes with bracket for wall mounting. Local pickup in/ near Palm Beach Gardens. Price is $100 each or $150 for the pair.
Pair (2) 43mm spacers - H&R part # 8695716. These bolt to the hub using existing wheel studs and special lug nuts (included). Price for the pair is $100 plus shipping Porsche 914 5-speed side shifter – removed from 1976 914 – includes boot and shift knob, all in excellent condition. Ask for pictures. Price is $100 plus shipping.
Call/text Rich 201 602-1947, richardwyeth1@gmail.com
address and phone number
• Submit to rfabel@aol.com for inclusion in Kassette
PHOTO FINISH
Christy Spangler, Photo EditorWorth the Cost of Shipping
Robert Atlass lives part time in Telluride, Colorado and part time here in South Florida. He took this photo of his 911 Targa 4 GTS on a drive in the Colorado mountains. Robert purchased this Porsche in November of 2019, and says “I absolutely love it although I wish it was a manual transmission like my previous 2007 Carrera”. The car resides in Fort Lauderdale, except in the summer when it is shipped to Telluride. This is when Robert has a chance to enjoy the beautiful mountains and winding roads. “I could not have had a more enjoyable driving experience.” says Robert.
Have a cool picture of your Porsche? Then submit it with a description and short story to gcr.photofinish@gmail.com