Air Cool

THE PORSCHE COLLECTION OF ANGEL MARTINEZ Story and photos by Dennis Power

Members of the Santa Barbara Region of PCA are fortunate to associate with people who have interesting life histories and superb cars. I want to occasionally feature in these pages some of those stories. This seemed especially timely given the impact on getting together last year owing to the pandemic. One member who came to mind is someone I know: Angel

Martinez, a member continuously since 1993. Here is what I found.

This is one of those success stories we have come to respect. Angel was born in Cuba, moved to the Bronx at the age of three, and grew up with his grandmother’s sister and her husband. They relocated to California when he was a boy. He still remembers the impact of seeing a Volkswagen in the Bronx when age 10. A fascination with Porsches came later. It originated at the age of 12 in California with a 1957 maroon 356. Taken with the look, he asked, “What is that?” “A Porsche,” came the reply. “What’s a Porsche?” he asked. “Well, it’s a sports car?” he was told. “What’s a sports car?” came the next question. And with that Angel was offered a ride: “I was mesmerized; it was so fast, it was the coolest experience I ever had!” Later, in high school, and not afraid to get his hands dirty and see how things work, Angel earned credits for rebuilding VW motors at his high school’s auto shop.

The aspiration to own the best of Porsche’s air-cooled cars was set. What allowed Angel to acquire the cars he’s owned over the years, and that are in his collection now, was helped by his hard work and wise decisions in business. As a high school runner he developed an interest in the sport. After graduating as an All American in Cross Country and Track from UC Davis he opened a running shoe store. Opportunity knocked as he met two entrepreneurs who were trying to launch an unknown running brand in the U.S. named Reebok. Angel became the third employee and one of the founders. Over two decades later, after retiring from Reebok and moving to Santa Barbara with his family, Angel launched Keen Footwear, followed by an offer to become CEO of Deckers Outdoor, known today as Deckers Brands.

What he calls his “car disease” started with 356s. In 1977 Angel bought his first Porsche, a 1963 356 B. His second car was just as stylish: a 1965 sunroof SC, a barn find. “Engineering works of art” are how he characterized the 356s: the quality and the feel of the cars were part of what he valued about every Porsche he drove or owned. The early Porsches were supposed to be affordable, but the company didn’t compromise on quality.

One of the ventures he recalls was in 2004, attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the Speedster in Pebble Beach. He persuaded a group from his 356 club, Typ356NE, to drive across the country, with the rule that they could clean only the windshield, nothing else. The only breakdown was a failed generator on one of the cars, which was fixed with a replacement part found in Kansas City. They rest performed flawlessly. They arrived in Monterey with bugs and dirt on all, along with pride and great stories to tell.

(Continued on page 12)

Left to right, from top: 1993 RS America, Black; 1966 912 Coupe, Irish Green; 1968 912 Targa, Irish Green; 1965 356 SC Cabriolet, Slate Gray; 1989 Carrera, Grand Prix White

During my interview I mentioned that I’ve known art collectors who appreciate most their whole collection, whether it represents a genre or historic period, more so than the individual works of art by themselves. I asked, “When you look at or think about the entirety of what you have, do you get a feeling about the collection, the value to you of the whole, or are you equally passionate about each specific car?” His answer is what you might expect from someone deeply involved in buying, restoring, driving, and taking care of these air-cooled gems: “Each car is so unique and the driving character so different that I value each one on its own; I value most the car I’m driving that day.”

Left to right, from top: 1972 911 Targa, Aubergine; 1964 356 C Coupe, Black; 1958 1964 356 C Coupe, Ruby Red; 1973, 911 S long hood, Metallic Silver, the current project.

Angel takes his cars on PCA drives, to Cars & Coffees, and occasionally to the track. That’s what they are made for. “concours are not my thing—driving is,” he said. The collection gets some new additions from time to time. He added, “I don’t seek out the cars; they seem to come my way.” The latest under restoration is a 240,000-mile 1973 911 S long hood found in Solvang. We look forward to seeing the finished product as well as any of the examples in this superb collection of aircooled Porsches. Top to bottom: 1974 914 2.0 1959 356 Outlaw

SOLD OUT

Explore King Gillette Ranch February 20, 2021

One of the most stunning locales in the Santa Monica Mountains, the 588-acre King Gillette Ranch offers a rare, unspoiled view of California’s rich archaeological, cultural, and historic resources, including a Chumash settlement. Wallace Neff, an architect of California’s Golden Age, designed the nationally significant structures for razor magnate King C. Gillette in the 1920’s.

Now owned by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, the park features some of the original formal landscaping on the estate, including a grand entry, a serene pond, sweeping lawns, bridges, and the Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion with a formal courtyard and terrace.

Our morning starts at The Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard with a guided tour by Executive Director David Neel. The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret the history and heritage of the American automobile, including offering education programs on the role of the automobile in the tri-county area. From the museum, we will have a relaxing and beautiful drive along the Pacific Ocean on Hwy 1 and head into Malibu before turning inland to the King Gillette Ranch for a highlighted tour of the grounds and structures of the Ranch. There are outdoor accommodations for seating, so be sure to pack a lunch and beverage! Please note that no dogs are allowed at the Ranch.

Plan on a parking fee of $7 (cash for their pay envelope) at King Gillette Ranch, plus an SBR activity fee of $15 per person that includes parking and admission to the Murphy Museum. Details on waivers, meeting instructions, and driving directions will be provided to those who sign up. To register, first send an email to Steve Geldman at imagerep@gmail.com notifying him of your intention to participate. If you do not receive a response to your email within 24 hours, contact Steve via his cellphone at (805) 279-0466. Second, send in the form below..

Please send this form by February 13 with your check for $15 per person made payable to PCA/SBR to: Steve Geldman, 1342 Caitlyn Circle, Westlake Village CA 91361

Name(s): _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _______________________________________ Phone: __________________________ Number attending: ________

Amount enclosed: _____________________________ Note: no refunds for cancellations after February 13, 2021

MARVEL AT THE WILD AND

SCENIC KERN RIVER Saturday, March 20, 2021

The Kern River Valley is gorgeous! Especially in the spring when the river rampages down the canyon and engages your senses every step of the way.

Join like-minded SBR adventurers as we conquer the turns, hear the roar of cascading water, feel the spray, and stare at the numerous waterfalls along the drive to our destination, the village of Kernville.

We start the day at 9:00 a.m. in the parking lot by Denny’s Restuarant, Moorpark Market Place (aka Target shopping center) in Moorpark, at 800 New Los Angeles Avenue, just off Hwy 23. Plan to bring your own lunch for a noontime stop. There is an activity fee of $10 per person for this event, payable the morning of March 20 at the meeting place.

To register for this event, contact Steve Doll at sdollres@ outlook.com by March 6. Please provide the names of participants, your e-mail address, and cell phone number. Registrants will receive more details and driving directions in due course.

PORSchE POKER RUN

Play your cards right for big winnings SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Try your luck and poker skills and you might win lots of $$$ if you play your cards right! Navigate the scenic back roads of Ventura County and collect playing cards at strategic locations along the way. And that’s not all!

The top three poker hands will split the pot! Winners will be crowned and the prize $$$ will be distributed at the end of our drive.

We will meet at 9:30 at the Camarillo Outlets by Panera Bread where you will draw your first playing card and get further instructions. Bring your own delicious picnic lunch to enjoy at the end of the drive. R.S.V.P to Doreen Pankow by January 8, 2021. Email your name(s) and cell phone number to dpankow@sbcglobal.net. Cost is only $5 per person for the activity fee plus $5 for each poker hand (limit two poker hands per car).