The Captains Log

Mark Johnson, staff writer

DIE PORSCHE KASSETTE member feature continues this month with a great story of our Porsche friends, their cars, fishing boats, and a knack for photography.

Bob Walters was born in Denver, Colorado, a very long way from the ocean. His wife of 34 years, Ms. Patricia Walters, was born and raised in Mexico City, not so far from the ocean but a pretty long drive to Denver, CO. They met when their paths crossed in Cozumel, Mexico while Captain Bob was commanding a sport fishing boat. It was love at first sight.

Patricia & Captain Bob Walters with their well traveled ‘07 997 Carrera S

Living in Colorado, Bob began his lifelong passion for all things Porsche by acquiring a 1970 911S in 1976, paying $6500. The car was modified to improve high altitude performance, and included water-cooled brakes. Driving out west for work, his driver’s license began to suffer with several “moving violations” to the point that he lost his license in several states. Youthful exuberance and a fast car will contribute to that condition. This prompted a move to Florida. Life changed a bit for the Colorado kid living in the Sunshine State.

After two years in the Florida heat the 911S swallowed a valve, insurance premiums were somewhat high, and Bob signed onto a boat as crew. The boat’s owner had scheduled an extensive fishing expedition. With no place to store the 911 the car was sold.

Following the seven-month cruise, the desire to drive a Porsche returned as quickly as his land legs. He bought a 1975 914 as a daily driver. Modifications and improvements followed that included full paint, a ‘built” 2110 motor, new wheels and Pirelli 50 series tires. The 914 was great fun, but there was a longing for another 911, much like the lure of the sea, and Bob started saving for his next car.

Bob’s dad assisted him in finding a 1972 911S with 18K miles. The car was solid; both Walters’ boys liked the car. Dad bought it. Bob purchased it from pops and paid a 10% premium to his father as a finder’s fee. He owned and drove the 911S for 11 years, and 9000 miles, before selling it to his brother. Brother John still has this vehicle and it to this day he drives/rallies the 911S in California.

When the driver 914 was totaled due to a Cadillac encounter, another 914 was acquired. This 914 was pale yellow, the same color as the damaged 914, and same color and hue as the 1972 911S. Yellow Canary, each and every one of these three. With the 911S was sold to brother John in California, Bob and Patricia drove the second 914 through the mid 2000s, when it was sold.

Their current PCar is a 2007 Carrera 2S. It is Carrera white, maintained in stock condition with a plethora of stickers on the vehicle windows and body. One will also see a couple GoPro mounts, front and rear of the car, for those running footage videos. Bob sets up the GoPros and Patricia takes photos from her passenger seat on every Porsche car run. Photography, videography, and drone footage editing and posting accounts for much of their non-driving time these days.

Patricia at the marina with their 1972 911 S The Canary Yellow 911S and 914 at home, and at rest.

Early in his fishing career Captain Walters was lucky enough to work for a prominent family in Texas. He was not greeted with the proverbial open arms. As a matter of fact, the local boat captains didn’t like a Florida boy taking one of the better jobs on the Texas waterfront. During the first encounter with the locals in Galveston one of the captains yelled out “he looks like Father Guido from Saturday night live”! A straight-brim Stetson, wire rim glasses, and a bushy mustache honestly made him look like Father Guido. It was Captain Bob, Guido, who Ms. Patricia met and married.

Patricia signed on as life partner in 1987, and then in 2000 she became one of the crew. Why this took so long we do not know, but one might guess that is may have been a discussion as to who the real captain was! As shared, above, Patricia and Bob have been married for 34 years. Besides a mutual love of Porsche automobiles, they travel extensively. During these trips each carries a camera to document and share the beautiful and exotic locations, and Porsche automobiles. A conservative estimate might be 1000+ photos taken between them during a threeday 48 Hours of Porsche event.

Pictures and drone footage (Cap’n Bob is also a talented drone pilot) are posted to multiple Facebook sites to share. Perhaps many of our readers follow the Southeastern Porsche Enthusiasts on FB. If so, they have been treated to some of their (Continued on page 16)

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exceptional work. Bob and Patricia have posted pics and video from DRT events, Werks Reunions, Rennsport Dragon Rallys (RDR), tons of Cars & Coffee, Brumos Museum in Jacksonville (a favorite for both). Captain Bob and Ms. Patricia are part of the dedicated photo support team for the past seven RDR events held on the western North Carolina twisty mountain roads.

Captain Bobby “Guido” Walters Drone Pilot

Bob is a United States Coast Guard and United Kingdom of Great Britain boat captain, holding a “Master of Oceans” license. That’s huge. He currently commands an 88’ sport-fishing boat. Patricia and Bob will travel to Madeira ,Portugal on a fishing trip to try for a “grander,” a 1000-pound marlin, in the deep waters of the area. They’ll also attempt to capture the woman’s open world record for spearfish with Ms. Patricia on the rod/reel.

As for activities with PCA Gold Coast, the Covid virus put a damper on recent participation, as with all of us. They will participate in autocross events, driver education, and intend to join a Porsches & Pancakes soon.

Bob loves driving Porsche cars at speed. His all-time favorite Porsches are the 90X models. As a very young man his dad would compete against the 90X in hill climbs and at the Continental Divide Raceways in Colorado. He suggests that he was probably 7 years old before he realized not everybody has a racecar. For fun, his choice is a 909 Bergspyder.

There are a couple Porsche-related events that really stand out in their lives. The first occurred in 2001 when Bob learned that Porsche was offering the initial driving school experience at the Sebring racetrack. Mr. Hurley Haywood would be the lead instructor. A new Porsche 911, the 996, was the vehicle used. It would be a great opportunity to learn performance driving from the best, and to get a feel for how Porsche quality might have changed as they moved from air to water-cooled engines.

Once acquainted with the track, and instruction from Hurley, he began to realize that he could push the new 996 much harder than ever imagined. Smiling all the way, he was gaining proficiency with every lap. And who wouldn’t with Hurley Haywood as your ride along instructor!

Captain Bob & Porsche’s Finest, Mr. Hurley Heywood The second is a European trip in 2017 that included a visit to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Both Bob and Patricia suggest that if you are fortunate enough to take delivery of your new Porsche in Germany the museum is a must do! Every car in the museum is a significant marker in Porsche history. Each auto is also in running order given the full vehicle maintenance shop at the facility. The museum offers rentals of current production cars to acquaint the visitors with Porsche performance. They both agree that is worth being at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart from the moment the doors open for the entire day.

As Bob and Patricia progress into their golden years, fishing and boat captain duties will take a back seat to all great Porsche happenings, having Porsche Car Fun. Carrying a camera or two, we are certain to be treated to quite a few exceptional photos and videos. Great PCar plans.

We’ll see you on the road – fair winds and following seas!

Oh - Our Captain, Captain Guido!

September Greetings

Christy Spangler, Director

September brings us the Labor Day weekend, and the first day of autumn. This Labor Day weekend will also bring the Zonefest weekend in Melbourne, FL. The next trip will be the fall getaway to the mountains of Northern Georgia in October. Check out the GCR jackets and duffle bag in our goodie store to bring along for the trip: https://goldcoast.pcawebstore.org. Our DE committee has been busy planning the next DE event for October 2-3. See the ad on page 19 for more information. We also have regularly scheduled events, including the monthly first Saturday Porsches and Pancakes and the third Thursday Socials. Stay tuned to the enews email blasts for these and other events that are added to the calendar. You can also check the calendar on the GCR website for event updates: https://www.goldcoastregion.org/calendar/. If you are interested in volunteering or have an idea for an event, please let me know. You can email me at christyspangler@yahoo.com.