You meet the nicest people in a Porsche

Story by Tom Goodmann

Photos by Cynde Strand

Some of us are of an age (ahem!) to remember the slogan of a famous magazine and TV ad campaign, first run in 1963 for the Honda 50 Super Cub and soon used across the product line. “You meet the nicest people on a Honda,” the ads claimed, an effort to change the image of motorcyclists from that of Brando-like “bikers.”

It worked. In 1963 alone Honda sold 100,000 Super Cubs—nearly sixteen times the number the company imported in 1959—and soon gained half the U.S. market in scooters and motorcycles.

The public image of Porsche people, of course, needs no such rehabilitation, but something similar is just as true: you meet the most positive people in Porsches. Come to any Porsche gathering and you will find plenty of proof.

Just two stories will serve, drawn from several conversations enjoyed at the “Cars & Coffee” event, part of the DRT weekend bridging April and May this spring. That mild Saturday morning saw a mix of sun and clouds looking down on a couple of hundred Porsches lined up along the roadways and parking places in the Waterford Business Park just south of Miami International Airport. The afternoon forecast called for rain; the morning called for revving engines.

Dynamic Duo Outlaws

“She’s a mess, but she’s mine.” Chris Bolton had driven down to DRT from Jacksonville in his 1975 911S— well, that’s what “most of it is,” he allows. It was a “project car”—a common euphemism in the collector community—that his friend found for him six years ago in Zephyr Hills. The two of them trailered it home and began what Bolton calls “a resurrection” of the car, purchased for 20K. The car had a 1993 964 motor in it when he bought it, worth more than what he paid for the car! “It was a piece of junk but had a lot of potential.” These days it sports a rebuilt transmission, new suspension, brakes, wheels, and tires, and wears some replacement fiberglass body parts.

His advice to others is to shop around for Porsche factory parts online which, he finds, needn’t always be expensive. Chris has also added an electric AC unit made in the UK by Classic Retrofit, including a second condenser to deal with Florida’s humid climate. While a stock AC was available in 1975, it would not likely be up to the challenges of our hot and heavy summers. “The CR unit,” says Chris, “is transformative.” Eventually there will be a repaint too to match the color of the fuel cap, which wears the car’s original color, Gemini Blue. Chris did the interior himself: “The car is my therapy.”

This is not his only Porsche, all the same. Chris also has a 2001 996 Turbo and a 1989 911 Carrera Silver Anniversary Edition, one of only 240 coupes made. He prefers these older, lighter, smaller cars over

Chris Bolton and his outlaw 911S

Continued

the more recent ones with larger dimensions. And he continues a family tradition, for his dad got him started in Porsches. Chris’s father purchased a 356B from racing legend Lake Underwood (no less!) It was a Super 90 Roadster, which Bolton senior sold, all the same, to buy his fiancé a wedding ring. Now, that’s love! When Chris saw one go for sale at close to half a million dollars, he asked his father what his 356 had been worth. “Priceless,” said his father, “because without it, you wouldn’t be here!”

And who was the friend who found Chris Bolton’s resto-rection project? That would be Chris Cusimano, who has a talent for locating unloved Porsches to bring back out on the road. He drove his Porsche down from Jacksonville with his friend. Along with a valve job, his ’86 Carrera has been repainted in its original white, the work done professionally with the glass out, along with a red interior that Cusimano installed himself, producing a contrasting color combination that is his favorite. Like his friend’s father, at one point this Chris also sold a Porsche to purchase a ring for his bride. An avid cyclist, just over a year ago, he was hit by a car on his way home with a friend from a group ride. “I’m happy to be here,” he reflects. Four months in a wheelchair and a back brace gave him plenty of time to think, though it was evident from visiting with these two guys that their priorities—family, friendship, and Porsches (and cycling)—have been clear for a long time. Chris Cusimano in his ‘86 Carrera

A Restorative Covid Year

“Inspired by the great reflection in life—COVID” is how Marc Willard, a technology entrepreneur, explains the rerouting of life for him and his wife, Stephanie, in the past year and more from one coast to the other, including his hands-on restoration of a standout car.

As soon as we arrived on the scene, my eyes sweeping over the twin lines of Porsches queued up and stretching north toward the lakes and the airport, the ’73 911T caught my attention. It was that livery, of course, the famous Gulf blue color from the very period of the car’s manufacture. Inside the car were Stephanie and Marc Willard, lately of Sarasota, the driver sporting a narrow-brim Panama hat. But that’s not where the story of this car begins.

The couple were living in Southern California when COVID began to change the shape of life for millions, and to end many lives around the world. Marc’s response was to reflect, and step back from his role as a F500 executive and take up restoring and modifying this wonderful car. A few friends with lots of experience working

on Shelby cars taught him—at times by sitting and watching Marc learn by doing the work himself across a year. He never read a manual.

Technically the car is now an outlaw, as it has been modified from a T to an ST in body form, along with changes to the engine. Out back is a hotrodded 2.5-liter boxer six, enlarged from the stock 2.3-liter engine, revving with mechanical fuel injection and race cams. This engine build was meticulously completed by the renowned Porsche racer, Wayne Baker. The steel fender flairs are custom— “bespoke” as the British say—and the whole body was taken down to base metal, after which a filler primer was applied, but no filler. Then the car was shot with single-stage paint, followed by ten hours of color sanding, and finished with three coats of clear coat.

Further touches taking the car away from stock and toward an elemental custom cool include a backdated dash with no glove box or ashtray, in the style of ‘60s-era 911s. The value of the original restored Recaro sports seats approaches the price of a solid early 996; Marc had the seat upholstery done professionally, the only element of the exterior and interior that does not show his hardearned skills in handiwork. Another change is where the rubber meets the road: Marc has switched the stock 15-inch Fuchs for 16-inch 930 Fuchs wheels, upgraded the suspension and brakes to period 911 S specification, yielding more tire choices and improved handling. The drive to Miami for DRT was just the third trip for this Gulf blue beauty.

The work on the car gave rise to further reflection, and the couple relocated from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast, as they enjoy sailing. Like so many such efforts, this 911 T/ST restomod carries layered histories of the marque, of modification, and of owners/drivers. Did you notice that badge? It’s from the RAC—the Royal Automobile Club—and has been aboard every car Marc’s dad has ever owned. And the shift knob, custommade from birchwood and oak, yields a feel and a look that are a delight to hand and eye. As to why Porsches, the answer is simple: history. A UK native, Marc discovered the beauty of the 365 and early 911 as a young teenager, committing to own one at some point. And to add to the charm, this car shares the same birth year as Stephanie. All in all, Marc concludes, the effort has been “a labor of love and a keeper for life.”

That old Honda ad was a good one, to be sure. We have our own memorable slogan too, invoking a diverse community of passionate Porsche folks: “It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.” Come out to any Gold Coast Region event, or any PCA gathering across the country, and you’ll learn again how true it is.

Stephanie & Marc Willard at DRT

Mark Johnson, DE Manager

The Gold Coast Region is working to re-establish a viable, fun, and safe Driver Education program for our region. There is a need for a fresh approach. We have the time to nurture new ideas and a wider perspective to develop a DE program that is a benefit to our club and the drivers who participate.

When building a bonfire, we need a few base logs, some kindling, and a spark. Once we establish a good, solid flame, we can build it to a great fire. A Driver Education program requires similar basic pieces. We need to know the interest level, that is the number of members who wish to drive in a GCR sponsored DE event. We need instructors, and we need a track, the base logs. We are soliciting ideas from our member on items which will contribute to the overall success of a GCR DE, the kindling. Then, we expect to create the spark through a few off-track “prep meetings” to develop the initial flame.

With these basics, the Gold Coast DE Manager humbly requests your input. Send your suggestions to:

Mark Johnson, DE Manager 954-422-2199 mjsailing@hotmail.com

*Are you interested in driving in a DE event? *Are you a novice at DE, or a seasoned SOLO driver? *Are you a PCA certified DE driving instructor? *Should there be any off-track events the day of the DE? *Would you attend a novice course, WHY DE? *Has your Porsche been inspected for driving in a DE? *Is there any interest to a social event with DE? *Where have you driven, and with what groups?

<PLEASE TEXT OR EMAIL YOUR RESPONSES TO CONTACT ABOVE>

Gold Coast Region 60th Anniversary Tagline Contest

In December 2023, the Gold Coast Region will be celebrating our 60th anniversary. We will have celebrations throughout the year, but to do this,

the 60th Anniversary Committee needs your help!

We are holding a tagline contest to align with the 60th theme. A tagline is a short saying that should be catchy and memorable. For example, PCA's tagline is: "It's not just the cars... it's the people." Scan the QR code to submit your tagline idea by October 31, 2022. The 60th Anniversary Committee will select five finalists whose taglines will be submitted to the Board of Directors for the final selection. The winner will receive a $75.00 gift certificate to clubregistration.net, which can be used towards any event. The winning tagline will be announced at the Holiday in Paradise Party on December 3, 2022, and in the December Kassette.

Questions? Contact Christy Spangler, socials@goldcoastregion.org