Curated 001 by Saratoga Automobile Museum

From the people who brought you your dream car: your next one. Introducing an all-electric car with a true Porsche soul: the Taycan. Equipped with a performance battery delivering 402 hp. Countless customization options. And, most importantly, sustainable and repeatable high-performance driving. Wearing undeniable Porsche curves, it’s an electric dream come true.

Experience the Porsche Taycan. Starting at $79,900.*

Porsche Clifton Park 205 Route 146 Mechanicville, NY 12118 (518) 664-4448 porschecliftonpark.com

©2021 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seat belt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times. European model shown. Some options may not be available in the U.S. *Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes options; taxes; title; registration; delivery, processing and handling fee; dealer charges. Dealer sets actual selling price. Some models may be eligible for a federal tax credit up to $7,500. For more information visit energy.gov.

Cruising, not streaming INSURANCE DRIVERS CLUB CAR CULTURE MARKETPLACE

+1-800-922-4050 | Local agent | Hagerty.com Policies underwritten by Essentia Insurance Company. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance. Membership by Hagerty Drivers Club (HDC), a non-insurance subsidiary of The Hagerty Group, LLC. Hagerty & Hagerty Drivers Club are registered trademarks of the Hagerty Group LLC, ©2021 The Hagerty Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Established in 2002, the Saratoga Automobile Museum has long been the gathering place for automotive enthusiasts in Upstate New York. As we approach our 20th anniversary, we’re taking everything our members and guests have come to love about our Museum and bringing it to the world. Introducing Curated, our new platform for sharing the incredible experiences, events, exhibits, and educational programming at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Bringing the unique people we meet and their stories to a world-wide audience through this magazine, social media, and special events. We’re excited for what the next 20 years has to offer and we hope you’ll join us on the journey. We invite you to support the Museum and all its efforts, like Curated, our annual Motorcar Auction and weekly events by making a donation or becoming a member today. Learn more at saratogaautomuseum.org/curated

Curated is a multi-media experiential brand presented by the Saratoga Automobile Museum. The name “Curated” implies the highest–quality level of content, tailored to fit our discerning members and supporters. Curated’s mission is to build the Museum’s brand in the world-wide automotive community while reaching new audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

CREDITS EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

STEPHEN STRUSS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DUSTIN LANTERMAN

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OLIVER LANG

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MICHAEL LEMPERT

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

RICHARD ALEXANDER

SPONSORSHIP & AD SALES COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

ABBY INGRAHAM JAMES LIPMAN

MUSEUM STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR & CURATOR

STEPHEN STRUSS

COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

DUSTIN LANTERMAN

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ABBY INGRAHAM

EVENTS DIRECTOR

MOLLY KNOTT

AUCTION DIRECTOR

BILL WINDHAM

AUCTION CUSTOMER LIAISON

Curated, formerly “Horsepower” magazine is the official publication of the Saratoga Automobile Museum for its members. Become a member today to receive future issues of this publication, plus access to exclusive events, discounts on admission and the Museum gift shop, plus much more. Learn more about our membership plans online at saratogaautomuseum.org or by visiting the Museum in person.

MEGAN HENNESSEY

BUSINESS MANAGER

AUCTION DEPUTY DIRECTOR

CARLY CONNORS

The Saratoga Automobile Museum is a 501.C.3 non-for-profit organization, chartered by the New York State Department of Education.

DAN RITOPECKI LEAH FINN

Saratoga Automobile Museum 110 Avenue of the Pines Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866 saratogaautomuseum.org

summer 2021 09

THE COLD START

MUSEUM PIECE

FORMULA VEE RESTORATION

WHEELS & WOMEN

ABSTRACTED AIR – LYN HINER

THE ART OF RACING ON CANVAS

RARE AIR

EXHIBIT GUIDE

THE CARS OF “RARE AIR”

MEMBER PROFILE

FORD VS. FORD

the cold start Carly Connors Executive Director Despite all that has happened in the last year, the Museum remains strong and poised for the future. Through the generous support of our board, members and the community, we were able to have a bright 2020, regardless of the odds working against us.

We are also proud to announce that the Fifth Annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction will be held on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25. Now is the perfect time to consign your vehicle or register to bid!

We were extremely fortunate to have been able to open the doors to our historic building and welcome the public back in July 2020 with the premier of our “Dyson Racing | The Private Collection” exhibit. We extend our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Rob and Chris Dyson for their continued generosity and flexibility in scheduling the exhibit.

You are holding the brand-new, completely redesigned Museum magazine, Curated. Earlier in the year, we decided on a path forward for our magazine and what it offered. Curated combines the best of our old magazine, Horsepower, with a new energy and feel. Inside you will find indepth automotive articles, updates on Museum happenings, coverage about our new exhibit Rare Air and so much more.

As the world is slowly shifting back to a bit of normalcy, I am delighted to introduce our 2021 exhibit and events. Our newest exhibit, Rare Air, which showcases 16 of the most iconic and rare Porsches from the Steven Harris Collection, opened at the beginning of May. We owe a large debt of gratitude to Steven Harris for loaning us his priceless Porsches to and James Lipman for the stunning photography of the cars used in the exhibit.

Finally, I cannot thank the Museum staff and volunteers enough for the amazing work they did over the last year in the midst of the global pandemic to keep the Museum going each and every day. We truly hope you enjoy Curated. Gratefully yours,

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from the board Kevin Biebel Chairman, Board of Trustees

Since 2002, the Saratoga Automobile Museum has proudly displayed historically significant automobiles in its exhibit spaces and through open events on the Museum lawn. We have welcomed the local community to admire, learn, and become inspired by the automobiles that reside in our region and beyond. In that same vein, we are proud to showcase 16 stunning, air-cooled Porsches from the collection of Steven Harris in our newest exhibition, Rare Air. I would like to thank Steven for his generosity in loaning these timeless cars to the Museum. The Museum has also kicked-off the annual sweepstakes in partnership with Porsche and Porsche Clifton Park. For 2021, we will be giving away a new 2021 Porsche Taycan. Every ticket purchase helps support the Museum and its mission. You can learn more about our sweepstakes on the Museum’s website. We thank Porsche and Porsche Clifton Park for presenting this year’s sweepstakes. The Museum is also gearing up for the fifth annual Saratoga Motorcar Auction, taking place on Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25 on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa State Park.

”

The Auction is the Museum’s largest fundraiser and helps support our educational programs. Our team has been working around the clock and has already secured some incredible consignments for the Auction. Your generosity has helped guide our efforts to further our Museum nearly 20 years. We need that continued effort and generosity now as we go into the next 20 years. Our Museum is an important thread in the fabric of our local community; please consider making a donation, becoming a Museum member or purchasing tickets to our sweepstakes to ensure that we can be stronger than ever. See you at the Museum!

museum piece 1973 rca mk vi formula vee Richard Alexander Contributing Writer

Formula Vee was conceived in the early 1960s as an entry level class for open wheel road racing. The goal of this class was to provide a competitive class dependent on driver skill at a reasonable cost. These cars are purpose-built tube frame race cars with fiberglass bodies. They use a stock air-cooled VW 1200cc 40 HP motor, transmission, suspension, wheels, and brakes as found in the ubiquitous Beetle of that era. This class requires that the car weigh a minimum of 1200 pounds with a driver at the end of a race. Top speed for a Formula Vee is approximately 120 MPH. Like most open wheel formula cars, the cars tight cockpit is typical. Adults of average or larger size might find it difficult to enter or exit the car. Notable drivers who race Formula Vees early in their careers include Formula 1 World Champions Niki Lauda, Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Keke Rosberg as well as Mohawk-Hudson racing legend Dick Stewart. The Museum’s RCA MK VI entered its first race on September 21, 1973. Over the years it saw competition, with at least eight different owners, at many well-known tracks including Bridgehampton, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock Park, Summit Point, Nelson Ledges and Bryar (now New Hampshire Motor Speedway). The last documented race was on September 29, 1995 at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Richard Alexander, of Wynantskill, New York, donated the car to the Saratoga Automobile Museum in 2003 for use as a “photo op” car.

Custom Paintwork by Paintworx Collision Center

While the car saw action in several colors and numbers, Alexander chose to paint it red with the number 85 as a tribute to his late friend and fellow Formula Vee racer David Riggi who raced throughout the Northeast under that color and number. Riggi, widely known as both a ferocious competitor and a skilled mechanic who would jump in to help a fellow competitor at the drop of a hat, tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in 1999. In early 2021, the RCA MK VI underwent extensive body restoration by the Albany based, Paintworx Collision Center. David Stumpf, owner of Paintworx, donated his time and materials to ensure this Formula Vee car could be enjoyed for many years to come. The RCA MK VI is currently on display at the Museum.

wheels women & Dustin Lanterman Contributing Writer

To celebrate and honor the Women’s Suffrage Centennials, the Saratoga Automobile Museum, along with Anne Rockwood, a prolific researcher, writer and guest curator, created an exhibit focused on pioneering women who utilized the automobile to further their righteous cause. A commanding narrative of the daring tenacity of six women was initially created for the debut of the exhibit in 2019. In 2020, six more powerful stories of pioneering women were added to the exhibit. The exhibit now spans the two first decades of the 1900s when women’s rights movements were exploding onto the scene.

Featured in the exhibit are Izetta Jewel Kenney Brown Miller, Hazel May Jewel Kenney Godwin Horne, Dr. Elizabeth Van Rensselaer Gillette, Joan Newton Cuneo, Alice Taylor Huyler Ramsey (right), Blanche Stuart Scott, Sarah Breedlove McWilliams Davis Walker “Madam C.J. Walker”, Luella Bates Coates, Lucile Atcherson Curtis, Amelia Earhart, Florence Jaffray “Daisy” Hurst Harriman and A’Lelia McWilliams Walker Robinson Wilson Kennedy.

During the time period of many of these impressive women, less than 10 percent of licensed drivers were women and motoring was not for the faint of heart due to unfavorable road conditions and the limitations of early automobiles. With the seemingly unsurmountable odds against them, the women featured in the Wheels: Women & Independence were able to push the boundaries of what was socially accepted and were able to break those early glass ceilings that lead to the passage of the 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote. The important research, exhibit design, and installation was able to be completed with grant funding from Humanities New York, Soroptimist and Saratoga Arts.

Joan Newton Cuneo

FROM CLASSIC TO FANTASTIC

Over the past 30 years, Speedsport Tuning has grown from a small Porsche specialty shop to a full service, independent company serving Porsche street, competition and vintage enthusiasts nationwide. As Porsche embraces the past, yet sets new standards in performance and technology, we also understand the passions that drive Porschephiles are as diverse as the cars themselves. Our vintage department is globally recognized for its expertise and skill, developed over decades of working on some of the world’s most coveted Porsches. Modern Porsches receive the same attention-todetail in our street department as our staff uses the latest tools to diagnose, repair and enhance the finest vehicles from Stuttgart. Track enthusiasts benefit from the expertise of our competition department that has delivered hundreds of podiums and numerous championships in PCA races up and down the East Coast. No matter which Porsche you drive, or how you drive it, we’ve got you covered. Even if you forget to put the top up on your Speedster.

COMPETITION • STREET • VINTAGE

203-730-0311 • service@SpeedSportTuning.net SpeedSportTuning.net • 52 Miry Brook Road, Danbury, CT 06810 15 facebook.com/SpeedSportCT @speedsporttuning

2021 FEATURED ARTIST

Lyn Hiner – California, USA

Lyn Hiner is an internationally recognized palette knife painter based in Southern California. Known for her bold color selection and abstract expressionist style, her works often create a sense of conflict on the canvas by portraying expectedly detailed elements through an emotionally expressive application.

artist preview

“Abstracted Air” is a series of original artwork created for the Saratoga Automobile Museum’s Rare Air exhibition and is on display through 2021. The project allowed artist Lyn Hiner to further explore her ongoing fascination with capturing the essence and movement of fine cars on canvas while also indulging her lifelong love of the Porsche automobile.

ARTIST STATEMENT After studying art at Pratt Institute in New York, I ended up working in the business world as the trade show manager for Performance Racing Industry. For nearly a decade, I enjoyed everything about the racing industry and learned the value of good business acumen. These early experiences helped shape the course of my life as I decided to become a professional artist. In 2012, after a horrific incident put me in the hospital with 2nd & 3rddegree burns, a year of surgeries and occupational therapy, I was called back to art, a passion I enjoyed in my youth and early twenties.

It might seem strange to those who don’t know my history, but my dad used to rebuild and race Porsche’s when I was very young. The distinct sights, sounds and smells of that beautiful machine were embedded from those early memories. Over the years my work has become recognized internationally and I’ve been blessed to have displayed at juried fine art shows, world class automotive concours and other distinguished events including:

My “Petals” collection, initially titled “Beauty from Ashes” became my ongoing conversation with God about the journey back from that difficult experience, recognizing there’s beauty to be found in the midst of life’s struggles.

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, Art San Diego, Beverly Hills Art Show, C.H.O.C. Charity Fall Benefit, Global Auto Salon Riyadh, iSanctuary Charity Benefit, Kaaboo Del Mar, Mission Federal Artwalk San Diego, Laguna Beach Festival of Arts, La Jolla Art & Wine, La Jolla Concours D’elegance, RetroAuto Pebble Beach (Monterey Car Week), the SEMA Show, Smokies GT and more.

Now there are other works...other conversations I’m having in the form of abstractions and most recently, cars. In November 2017, I launched “Cars on Canvas” or my “Petrol” collection at the SEMA Show Artwalk.

I can’t help but marvel at how each experience, each relationship, and the love and passion for what I do has allowed me this oddly wonderful journey to circle back to this place I find myself now.

“RARE AIR”

Clockwise, from top right corner:

Abstracted Air #1 – 1973 911 “Outlaw” 48” x 48” acrylic and silver leaf on canvas

Abstracted Air #2 – 1994 911 RS 3.8L 48” x 48” acrylic and silver leaf on canvas

Abstracted Air #3 – 1967 911S 48” x 48” acrylic and silver leaf on canvas

Abstracted Air #4 – 1957 356 Carrera Speedster 36” x 48” acrylic and silver leaf on canvas

Abstracted Air #5 – 1960 356B Steering Wheel 36” x 48” acrylic and 23k, 18k, 12k gold and silver leaf on canvas

To learn more about Lyn Hiner, visit lynhiner.com To view or purchase artwork, visit the Saratoga Automobile Museum

artist profile

THE ART OF RACING ON CANVAS Michael Lempert Contributing Writer

The British Grand Prix of 1973 was held on the 14th of July at Silverstone in Northamptonshire, England. The dramatic race opened with a massive crash in the very first lap that caused 11 of the 29 competing cars to drop out of the race. Ultimately, driver Denny Hulme of New Zealand snagged a thirdplace finish in the #7 McLaren M23, which featured a McLaren-tuned 490hp 2.9L naturally-aspirated Ford-Cosworth V8. Among the spectators that day was an inspired nine-year-old boy in a raincoat and glasses, awestruck by the power of the machines and skill of the drivers; it was only his second time at the races, but the excitement of that race would inform the direction his life would take for decades to come. That child was captured on film in a photograph by Richard Warminsham, pictured just behind the front wheel (left side, looking at

Photo by Richard Warminsham

it from the front) of the #7 McLaren. In this picture from 1973, the young boy watched the powerful new McLaren as they prepped it for a successful run, accompanied by his younger brother (to the right) and his father and mother (also to the right, next to and behind his younger brother). Even by the age of nine he had developed an eye and an artistic talent for drawing and painting these machines. It is rare that photographic evidence is available to demonstrate a lifelong passion, but Simon Ward was elated to stumble across this picture of his younger self 48 years later; it is proof of his origin story. Today Simon is a globally-respected painter, with a body of work largely favoring the style and athleticism of some of the most fantastic motorsports machines and drivers in racing history, although that is not his only talent; the portfolio of

Simon Ward includes other works such as portraits and custom work (full disclosure: I recently became one of those patrons). I was introduced to Simon by Dustin Lanterman, the Director of Communications at the Saratoga Automobile Museum, after Dustin sent me a message saying he had told a famous artist about my derelict postwar Cadillac that had been resurrected after 32 years of neglect. Simon had developed an interest in painting the car after hearing her dramatic story, and wanted to speak with me. As it happens we shared an interest deeper than just the appearance of the machines; we enjoyed telling stories, albeit our mediums were different, as mine was ink and Simon’s was acrylic paint. Our first call was nearly an hour long, and ranged from topics of our classic car interests, to events

had attended, collectors and drivers we admired, and other current events at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic. Simon describes his transition from someone who paints as a hobby to someone who paints as a profession as having occurred maybe in a single day, August 25, 1986. Simon attended the Birmingham Super Prix, where he met Ivan Capelli and Riccardo Patrese, among others, as he explored the circuit carrying his portfolio of gouacheon-paper works. Following the event, he was approached by Capelli while boarding his bus home from the race. Capelli told Simon to call him to discuss a possible commission. Since his home was too busy to return a professional call, Simon went down the street to a pay phone to call back Capelli in Milan, Italy from a public phone box, and that resulted in his first commission from an F1 racing driver. Capelli had requested some artwork of his cars in action at Grand Prix events.

As it happens, Ivan Capelli ended up driving for Ferrari, among other teams, and it was not long before Simon started seeing his commissions in the background of video interviews with the likes of Gordon Murray, designer of the McLaren F1, and other significant designers, drivers, and celebrities in racing circles and elsewhere. At one point, Simon encountered Mark Webber at the AVON tire awards, and ended up producing a series of paintings for the staff as a thank you from management. Simon followed Mark through his F1 career, and Mark ultimately commissioned over 50 paintings in total. Years after that first meeting, Simon moved home to Buckinghamshire to a house only six miles from the Silverstone course, where he could hear the sound of racing machines daily from his home. One day, he visited a retired mechanic nearby for dinner, only to find one of his own paintings proudly displayed in the mechanic’s home, a gift from Mark Webber!

Above: Original Painting: Porsche 935/K3 at Brands Hatch Left: Simon Ward, provided photo

Simon made his international rounds in order to gather inspiration and meet new potential clients, attending about 25 races each year: Grand Prix events, LeMans, Indianapolis 500, Daytona, Sebring; he traveled between continents carrying a portfolio of artwork featuring F1, Group C, British Touring Cars, and other subjects. He was also an invited artist to the Coys Historic Festival (now Silverstone Classic) for 10 consecutive years. However talented, Simon is at least as humble, and prefers not to boast about his extensive and impressive client list – extracting the details for this brief biography were challenging enough. His accomplishments include the Sebring posters and program art from about 1991-2005, and the series of paintings still on display at the Sebring Regional Airport, which serves as the gateway for almost all racing participants and spectators pass through en route to Sebring races at the retired Hendricks air base that serves as the Sebring motorsports venue. Simon added that his discomfort with self-promoting has become even more uncomfortable with the introduction of social media (which also has become a critical outlet for generating interest in his work), where boasting about one’s own exploits is rather the point. It may be a surprise upon viewing his work, but Simon has no formal training in the arts. Before the 1986 Grand Prix that served as the defining moment in his career, he worked in a factory where he constructed mechanical pumps for automobiles. His exposure to pencil, ink, and painting mediums was entirely selftaught and rooted in his obsession with replicating the excitement of the vehicles he witnessed in action as a child. He recalls that his father had wanted him to be a mechanic, despite offering no technical guidance whatsoever. Simon remembered that “…[my father] never taught me how to change a spark plug. I didn’t have

a clue about what anything meant, so I ended up working at a factory that made pumps for different applications, water pumps and such. But I was allergic to the coolant they used to keep the metal from burning up - it keeps the metal from scorching when cutting - so my hands were covered in blisters. I would still paint in the evenings and on the weekends…and after some time, I went back to college for two years to get a few more qualifications, and decided to start painting professionally.”

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO PAINT- EVERY CAR HAS A STORY, A HISTORY, AND A MEMORY. Simon prides himself on his almost religious attendance at motorsports events such as Spa Monza, Laguna Seca, Sebring, Silverstone, Daytona, Indianapolis 500, and others. He recalls that he attended every single British Grand Prix event between 1972 and 2001, and that he still hasn’t missed more than a handful of events in the time since. His presence in the live audience is heavily influential in determining the content he pursues in his artwork. When pressed about how he arrives at the scenes and vehicles he chooses to paint, he elaborated: “I see things and you can’t get it out of your head…that’s why I don’t research in advance, because then you get too many ideas in your head. I work on one painting at a time to avoid having too many things in my head and to get it onto a canvas. Each artist is different, and I don’t like working too quickly, but sometimes you have to. I once did a painting in six hours – and I sold it!” On the day I met Simon Ward for the first time, I had no idea what to expect, so after staging Topaz (my 1947 Cadillac, and the subject of the painting that brought us together), my brother and I wandered through the Saratoga Automobile Museum

fall auction lineup for a bit until a pickup truck arrived and a man emerged wearing a button-down casual shirt, jeans, and a bandana, and I turned to my brother and said “that has to be the man we are here to meet – he looks like an artist.” In fact it was Simon. He says “I don’t have a lot of pictures of myself, I don’t think people are interested in what I look like, I just let the art do the talking. I’ve been told that I look like Keith Richards, but more human.” All due respect to Keith Richards, it is not an inaccurate assessment, and though any dialogue with Simon is full of British witticisms such as “have a giggle”, and dry, often self-deprecating humor, I suspect he likens himself to Richards with a subtle hint of pride. Indeed, Simon Ward is remarkably down-to-Earth and human, a dedicated artist and proud father of two now-adult children, his son Oliver (22) and daughter Pollyanna (28). Developing a friendship grounded in a mutual respect for our passions has been a great privilege and honour (spelled the British way, out of respect for the artist’s heritage of course). Simon’s work is currently on display in a variety of venues, including the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY. Simon hopes that following the pandemic, he will be able to return to traveling and experiencing races live again – especially LeMans, which is his favorite to paint. It has been said that his work captures the atmosphere of the races so well, that the sound of the engines and smell of petrol and tires smoke seem to come off the canvas, and for that he credits his continued live experiences at the track. His goal is to translate his lifetime of painting and racing into something tangible for his clients and racing enthusiasts to enjoy, and he says “the point of the paintings is speed…and there is always something to paint – every car has a story, a history, and a memory.”

FEATURED EXHIBIT

Exhibition Presented by Porsche & Porsche Clifton Park

WORDS BY STEPHEN STRUSS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES LIPMAN

As the doors opened on the nondescript garage in rural Upstate New York, we faced a staggering collection of ultra-rare Porsche’s. The long silence was finally broken by the photographer asking, “So, where do we start?”

James Lipman, one of the most in-demand automotive photographers working had just arrived from California to begin his 10 day stay with a monumental task ahead: photograph two dozen rare Porsche cars for an upcoming exhibit and book – without the risk or logistic nightmare of moving these priceless machines to an off site studio. His solution? Bring the studio to the cars. Lipman ordered a custom made inflatable 60’x32’ dome, which allowed him to match the lighting and background for each car. Utilizing some large utility fans and some tent spikes, the massive bubble certainly caught the eye of the few neighbors who would pass by during the day. The garage’s owner, New York City architect Steven Harris, has earned a reputable name for himself over his impressive career designing modern, striking homes and ultra-lux Manhattan retail flagship stores. But his neighbors in this quiet town have come to know him as “that guy with all those old Porsche’s.” Harris’ collection spans every era of Porsche from 1950’s 356 Carreras to the brand’s latest and greatest machines. The collection; now well north of 50 cars, and his absolute obsession with Porsche began with a ride in his uncles 1958 356 Coupe. “I can still remember the smell of it.” Harris recalls. “I get that same feeling every time I get in one, even to this day.” Harris’ first Porsche would be his fathers 1967 911S, after some to let him take it to college. Years later, after establishing his architectural firm in New York City, he would return to the brand in search of recreating that original joy of driving. As the collection grew, he found himself drawn most to the limited-edition and special models Porsche offered throughout the years; RS 911’s, four-cam 356 Carreras and the latest GT track-focused variants.

“They simply drove the best. It was never an investment because at the time, they weren’t that sought over. You could find them everywhere for next to nothing. But they always looked and sounded great, and they went like hell.” When the race-inspired special editions eventually weren’t enough, Harris began having his cars extensively modified, or “outlawed” as Porsche owners consider it – but never without specific purpose in mind. A 1964 356C Coupe he acquired would go on to become a rugged endurance rally car that would go on to drive in the worlds most remote places on some of the most grueling rallies. On the 2010 Peking to Paris rally, a 47-day, 9300mi journey from Bejing to Paris, Harris found himself traversing road-less mountain ranges, speeding across dry desert beds and forging rivers when no bridges could be found, thanks to a relocated exhast and raised suspension. “Still wearing it’s original paint, too.” Harris adds. Another of Harris’ special projects would go on to inspire one of the biggest names in the auto industry today. Known for building the ultimate “re-imagined” 911, Los Angeles’ Singer Vehicle Design creates bespoke, incredibly detail-oriented one-of-one creations, often combining the small size and simple lines of an early 911 with the modern performance of a modern donor car. But the world of hot-rodding 911’s existing long before Singer. R-Gruppe, an exclusive “brotherhood” of some 300 custom 911 owners dates back over 20 years. As an original member , Harris built a 1972 911T into the ultimate street car. Replacing the cars original engine with the 3.6L VarioRam twin-plug power plant from a later 993 generation nearly doubled the power output while massively upgrading suspension and brakes made for a well balanced drive.

The build was so well balanced in fact, it caught the attention of Rob Dickinson, then singer for English band Catherine Wheel at the 2006 R-Gruppe meeting in Monterey. Dickinson, who at the time was restoring his own 911, was blown away by the craftsmanship and attention to detail by builder and former Formula 1 mechanic Hayden Burvill of WEVO. Harris offered Dickinson the keys and said “Take it for a drive. Tell me what you think.” Dickinson was so impressed by the performance, build quality and simple appearance of Harris’ 911, dubbed “SHTANG” (Steven Harris, Tangerine, the cars color), he approached Burvill to recreate similar cars to sell to the public. After buying a test mule, a 1988 Carrera Coupe, and with guidance of experienced builders like Burvill and Jeff Gamroth, Singer was born. Today, the company painstakingly turns out near seven-figure custom 911’s for lucky owners under the company motto “everything is important”; a lesson Dickinson credits to Steven Harris and SHTANG. The entire ethos and appeal of Singer highlights a general trend that has taken hold in the automotive world as cars get ever

faster (and expensive) – a “return to simpler times” way of thinking. The cars many enthusiasts seek today are the those that really provide an engaging experience, free of complicated electric “nannies” and driver-aids that sterilize the drive. In the pursuit of ever faster 0-60 times and lap times; things typically useless in most real world driving, many modern cars have lost sight of what makes cars actually fun: the driving experience. Few brands have truly delivered that visceral and emotional experience better than Porsche, even dating back to the companies first road cars. These “air-cooled” models were simple and direct, the very thing

that lures people like Steven Harris in for life. A true driver whose drawn to the most sensory-awakening parts of the car; the deafening sound of a 9,000 RPM red-line and vibrations from being inches from the rearmounted engine. With the 356 and the 911, Porsche have created some of the most iconic cars ever made. In their pursuit for the perfect sports car, they’ve created fiercely loyal and devoted owners and fans, always ready for the next big to come out of Stuttgart.

Top Harris & his 993 GT2 at Luftgekühlt 2016 Insert: 1972 911T “SHTANG” (WEVO, Singer) Right: Photo shoot Location (Struss)

“RARE AIR”

1956 356A 1500 GS CARRERA COUPE

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1957 356A 1500GS/GT CARRERA SPEEDSTER

“RARE AIR”

1958 356A CARRERA GT COUPE

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1959 356A CARRERA GS CABRIOLET

1960 356B T5 ROADSTER Photographed at the Rye, New York home of Max Hoffman, New York-based importer of luxury European automobiles into the United States during the 1950’s. House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

“RARE AIR”

1963 356 CARRERA 2 GS CABRIOLET

– ENDURANCE 1964THE 356C COUPE RALLY CAR STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

356C COUPE

“RARE AIR”

1973 911 CARRERA RS

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

35 1974 911 CARRERA RS 3.0L

“RARE AIR”

36 1973 911 R-GRUPPE CUSTOM BUILD

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1984 911 SC/RS CHASSIS #18

“RARE AIR”

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THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1992 911 CARRERA RS MACAU

“RARE AIR”

1992 911 CARRERA RS LIGHTWEIGHT

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1994 911 CARRERA RS 3.8L

“RARE AIR”

1995 911 GT2

THE STEVEN HARRIS PORSCHE COLLECTION

1995 911 CARRERA RS

Ford Ford vs.

You go to a Ferrari dealership to see exotic sports cars many only dream of someday owning. You go to a Ford dealership to actually buy your next car. Over these two companies’ histories, this has been their story. The Ford Motor Company has been known to make regular cars that are practical and affordable. Even their iconic muscle car, the Mustang, often blends in a sea of modern sports cars. Ford has been known to build “everyday” vehicles –– except for one. For six straight years, from 1960-1965, a Ferrari dominated at LeMans. After a botched acquisition attempt by Ford to bolster their racing program, Henry Ford II gave the orders to build one of the greatest cars in American history; the GT40. With one goal in mind, they returned to France and won LeMans four years straight. This V8 beast was so legendary that Ford has reincarnated it twice, once to honor the companies 100th birthday from 2005-6 and yet again from 2017-2022; the latter was made to do just as they had 50 years earlier, beat Ferrari. Aside from both accomplishing their goals spectacularly, what they mean to American auto manufacturing has long driven owners and collectors to the brand to share in the glory. John Honis, a Saratoga based collector owns both of them, and who better to know their independent quirks than an actual owner of both. Alone, a Ford GT or GT40 instantly screams “race car for the road” But side by side, it’s honesty hard to believe they’re the same car, let alone same brand who made them. However, they’re a whole lot more similar than you might think. One of the most iconic parts of the new GT is its flying buttress. When asked, Honis agreed, “When you look at the back and see the buttresses, that is my favorite.”

Oliver Lang Contributing Writer Stephen Struss Photography

Member Profile John Honis, Silver Arrow Member Saratoga Springs, New York Member Since: 2018 2020 Ford GT Carbon Edition 2006 Ford GT HPE700

Well, interestingly enough, this incredible piece of engineering was actually on its older sibling, the ‘06 GT. While it isn’t as monstrous and significant in terms of creating some sort of aerodynamics that will grip it to the track, the older Ford GT has a flying buttress type of design in the same location on the car. Unlike the newer model, the ‘06 Ford GT used a supercharged 5.4 liter V8 that produced 550 horsepower. Honis’ GT has been modified by Hennessy to have around 700 horsepower. In addition to the power, while it isn’t as track focused as the newer GT, it only weighs 3,400 pounds, just around 100 more than the new Ford GT. This wild combo allows it to do 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 miles per hour. Not too bad for a 16 year old car built by the same company who also makes the Focus. When talking about the enjoyment he gets from these two cars, Honis points out that the two are great in their own ways. When it comes to the ‘06 GT, he says that “under 60, or under 70 miles per hour, that’s a ball to drive.”

As for the new GT, his being the even more exclusive “Carbon Edition”, he says, “This car wants to get fast.” This kind of a statement would normally mean nothing but greatness for a car. However, that isn’t quite the case for the new Ford GT. While Honis feels the ‘06 GT is great to drive at speeds that would often be the speed limit on many highways and roads, his 2020 GT doesn’t give that type of feel. “When you’re going slower, it’s kind of, it’s kind of frustrating.” This is due at least in part to modern day exotic cars like the Ford GT being so powerful and fast that as Honis puts it, “You’re in 1st gear at 50.” Older cars like the ‘06 Ford GT don’t have that problem and will often be the more enjoyable ride on regular roads if you’re following the speed limits in place. However, there is a place where the new GT thrives — on the track.

The new Ford GT isn’t technically a race car, as it is a streetcar and a less extreme version of the Ford that won its class at LeMans, but it probably still could have beaten the other race cars in its street form too. From Honis’ own experience, he has determined that “It’s unbelievably stable at high speeds,” and has arrived at the verdict that “this is truly a race car with blinkers.” Despite using an EcoBoost V6, the same engine in a majority of Ford’s other, more pedestrian offerings, the new Ford GT has 660 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. But power is nothing without being lightweight. It comes in with a curb weight of just 3,300 pounds, a very similar number to companies like Ferrari’s flagship V8 cars, such as the 488 Pista. And it’s over 1,000 pounds lighter than the Bugatti Chiron. This incredible power, combined with its relatively low

weight, leads to a 0-60 time of just 3 seconds and a top speed of 216 miles per hour. Don’t expect to see many of these new GT’s on the road, as Ford has greatly limited their production both for obviously financial reasons, but to also build the hype around their “Ford Performance” racing products. Having the privilege to own one of the greatest cars ever built, at least in the eyes of Ford, is an honor, such an honor, in fact, that people had to apply to get the newer one. Essentially, you often had to be a prominent figure and a strong Ford supporter who would get these art pieces on wheels good publicity. That said, you won’t find John Honnis starting for the Yankees or on YouTube with millions of subscribers. So what did he do? He created his own personal awareness campaign.

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To get Ford’s attention, Honis hired a plane to fly around the Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan with a sign on it reading, “IS A FORD GT IN MY FUTURE? #GOINGFURTHER.” He then informed news outlets about his stunt, garnering national publicity only to later find out that his stunt flew directly through private air space, which only raised even more attention. This wild act certainly got the attention of Ford and their marketing department, and the rest is history. Honis proved his eagerness to own Ford Performances’ next masterpiece, and he was awarded with customer build slot #1. Both of these cars are at the top of the list when it comes to power and speed, but when it comes to the driving experience, they are completely different cars. Simply put, the ‘06GT has a 6-speed manual transmission, while the new GT uses the more modern dual clutch 7-speed transmission. Honis describes the experience of using these as, “You’re staring at the track and just going boom boom boom.”Not only is the newer GT’s transmission easier to use, as all you have to do to shift is press the paddles behind the wheel or simply drive in automatic, it also allows you to go faster, as shifts can be done much more efficiently. In the older GT, you have to shift manually with the

2006 Ford GT HPE700 Above Left 2020 Ford GT Carbon Edition Above Right

classic 3 pedal setup, something many people actually love. Just from taking a glance at the acceleration numbers, you’d assume that speed is key for having fun with a car, meaning the new GT is better. But on the contrary, Honis, an actual owner of both, prefers the older Ford GT. As he puts it, “My favorite thing about this car is the six speed.” The experience of a newer GT is un-replicable, that is true, but sometimes nothing beats old-fashioned driver engagement with a car. Both the ‘05-‘’06 Ford GT and ‘17-‘22 Ford GT will go down in history as some of the greatest pieces of American machinery. But despite all that is alike between them, it is clear that they are completely different automobiles and achieve greatness in their own forms—both a car enthusiast’s dream, and both “Built Ford Tough.”

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