Porsche engineers created the most perfect sports car ever. So, it’s only fitting that Porsche Irvine brings you the most perfect Porsche experience ever. Visit us today and let us treat you to amenities and services as exceptional as the nameplate they represent. Because What Drives You, Drives UsSM
Call Dan Comouche direct at (949) 668-6305 to deliver the Porsche experience that exceeds your expectations.
Irvine
I'm Dan Comouche, and my journey with Porsche began in 1988 in Southern California. Since 2018, I've had the privilege of serving as General Manager at Porsche Irvine, where customer satisfaction drives everything we do. Leading a passionate team, I'm proud to deliver the excellence and performance that define the Porsche experience.
Stewart Thompson pandoeditor@gmail.com
Rob Alen robalen602@gmail.com
Jan Knright janknight@sbcglobal.net
Robbie Crawford ads4pcaocr@gmail.com
Bob Weber hbobw930@aol.com 714-960-4981
Lee Rice riceturbos@sbcglobal.net
Stewart Thompson
Rob Alen
Jim Miller
David K. Whitlock
Rose Krupp
Joe Hacunda
Mike Seymour
Steve Fairbanks
Dave Yotter
Bill Reynolds
Lisa Lawson
Lee Rice
Gary Ambrose
Jim Storms
Stewart Thompson
Rob Alen
Monica Asbury
Dennis Asbury
In this Issue
Upcoming Events
PCA-OCR’s Website is now openplease visit www. PCAOCR .org
Tell a friend about joining PCA-OCR, www.pca.org Send the PANDO to a friend. Go to www.pcaocr.org. Clic k PANDO, selec t the issue, highlight to copy the link and attac h to your email.
Printed by Innovative Printing Solutions. www.ipsprinter.com
PANDO is published monthly. Deadline for materials is the 7th of the month for publication in the next month's issue.
Subscriptions for PCA members are $60 per year for twelve issues. If additional copies of PANDO are requested and available, each additional copy is $5.00. PANDO is the official publication of Orange Coast Region, Porsche Club of America. Any statement appearing in the PANDO is that of the author, and does not constitute an opinion of the Porsche Club of America, the Orange Coast Region, Inc., its Board of Directors, the PANDO editors or its staff. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication. Permission is given to chartered regions of PCA to reprint articles in their newsletter if credit is given to the author and the PANDO. Publication office: P.O. Box 6726, Huntington Beach, CA 92615-6726.
Breakfast Club – Elks Lodge, Santa Ana 1751 South Lyon Street, Santa Ana, 92705
8-10 am
BurgerBahn – Woody’s Diner, 10136 Adams, Huntington Beach, CA 92646
6-8 pm
Porsches & Par-Tee– Gallery/Anaheim Public Golf Course, 6501 Nohl Ranch Rd., Anaheim, CA 92807
6-8 pm
OCR Board Meetings
All members are welcome to OCR Board Meetings, held after the breakfast meeting at Santa Ana Elks Lodge.
Links to Zone 8 events can be found at www. Zone8.org.
* Event dates and times subject to change.
OCR Member Notice of Board Meeting Minutes & Financial Statements
OCR Board meeting minutes and financial statements are posted to the OCR Digital Board Book, which may be viewed by all OCR members at:
http://bit.ly/OCRBoardBook
The documents are posted once they have been reviewed and approved by the Board, generally within two weeks following a given Board meeting.
If you are looking for Porsche sales, service, or parts; or automotive and personal services, make your 1st Choice a PANDO advertiser. You will have something in common.
See page 40 for a list of PANDO advertisers.
ACTIVITY LOCATIONS
Porsches & Pastries – Enderle Center, 14081 Yorba St., Tustin, CA 92780
8-10 am
Porsches & Pancakes – Woody’s Diner, 3461 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663 8-10 am
Porsches & Pizza – Blaze Pizza, 225 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, CA 92672
6:30-8:30 pm (Located in The Outlets of San Clemente) Porsches & Pizza – Wise Guys, 7606 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92869
6:30-8:30 pm
Porsches & Pizza – Mod Pizza, 7051 Yorktown Ave., Ste 103, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
6:30-8:30 pm
President's Messa g e
Jim Miller
Is it summer already?
Jim and Norma Miller
The sun is shining. The roads are beckoning. Here is hoping that you are out driving your beautiful Porsche with your top down, perhaps your sunroof open or with your windows down, listening to the roar of your exhaust. Whatever flavor your Porsche is, enjoy the drive!
Speaking of driving your Porsche, are you ready for a Poker Rally? Be on the lookout for an email update for this Poker Rally which is slated to start at the Phoenix Club in Brea. Prizes will be awarded for the best hand and the second-best hand. Feeling lucky?
For those interested in becoming a Concours Judge at any of the Zone 8 Concours Series or are renewing your Judge status, a Judge Class will be held April 19th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at the Elks Lodge. If you are entering your car in a judged category at Concours, it is recommended that you attend this class, as it will give you a better understanding of what the judges look for. You can register for this class on MotorsportReg.
Speaking of Concours, registration is open for our 54th Annual White Glove Concours and All Porsche Car Show celebrating Porsches with Wings. It will be held on June 27, 2026, at Sea Terrace Park in Dana Point. Register to have your car judged or non-judged in the display class on MotorsportReg.
For you golfers, our Golf Outing Series resumes April 22 at Oso Creek Golf Course. Be on the lookout for email updates to reserve your spot.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Rick Eckelmans’ family.
Let us continue to make PCA-OCR a special part of our Porsche experience. Participate, volunteer, and let the ride bring a huge smile to your face!
Jim Miller PCA-OCR President
Editor's Letter
Stewart Thompson
Pando's,
It’s official—I sold my 2006 Cayenne Turbo S on Cars & Bids. And what a surprise: it went to a fellow PANDO reader, Colin Wan! We completed the deal on February 23rd, and while I’ll admit I was starting to have second thoughts about letting it go, I’m excited to report that it led to my next adventure.
In a twis t that feels a bit like fate, I found myself back in what I like to call “the car I should have never sold.” I picked up a 2004 996 Carrera 4S Cabriolet in Atlas Grey Metallic with a beautiful Boxster Red interior. One rule I set for myself during the search was that the car had to be different from my previous one, which was black on black. After living with the Cayenne’s Sand Beige interior, I realized how much I appreciated lighter, more interesting color combinations.
As luck would have it, this one appeared in Hermosa Beach. The first time I inquired—before my Cayenne had sold—I was told the car had just been purchased. A few days later I got another message: the buyer had fallen through, and it was available again. After doing my due diligence and arranging a proper inspection, I pulled the trigger. In fact, I picked it up the very same Friday I sold the Cayenne.
The pa st couple of weeks have been blissful. After a thorough post-purchase inspection by Al at German Car Garage—my trusted mechanics for the last six years—I’m thrilled to report everything looks great. I’m once again enjoying drives along the coast with the top down, and it feels fantastic to be back in a 911 Cabriolet.
My wife is pretty happy about it too. We’ve already taken it out for several spirited drives, and it has reminded me why I loved these cars in the first place.
All this to say—it’s been a great start to the year.
As a quick postscript, you may notice a new section toward the end of the magazine: Letters to the Editor. If you have thoughts about the magazine, comments on stories, or something you’d like to share with fellow members, please send them in. We’ll do our best to include them in future issues.
Until then, I look forward to seeing many of you out on the road—and perhaps showing off the new ride.
Stewart Thompson Editor, PANDO
Stuttgart Market Letter
Report by David K. Whitlock
Over the past few years, what many once thought of simply as the Amelia Island auctions has evolved into something bigger. Thanks to RM Sotheby’s launching its ModaMiami sale the week prior, “Florida Car Week” has effectively become a two week run of major auctions, beginning in Miami and finishing on Amelia Island with Gooding Christie’s and Broad Arrow. For Porsche collectors, the numbers were impressive once again. In 2025, a total of 78 Porsches crossed the block with an 85% sell-through rate generating $35,886,680 in sales. 2026 saw slightly fewer cars offered at 72, but with the same 85% sell-through rate and an even stronger $37,218,700 in total dollar volume, proving that while the lineup may have shifted between venues, demand for top tier Porsches during Florida Car Week remains as strong as ever.
If 2025 was the year of the RUF, then 2026 may very well be remembered as the year of the Carrera GT. Earlier this year we saw a fairly standard 2,000 mile example finished in Seal Grey over Dark Grey top the $3 million mark, leaving many to wonder whether it was simply a one off result or the beginning of a new pricing tier for Porsche’s V10 hypercar. Florida gave us the answer. Three Carrera GTs crossed the block and the momentum clearly continued, with a pair of GT Silver Metallic examples both clearing $3 million. The standout, however, was a 2,800 mile Paint to Sample Gulf Blue example over Ascot Brown leather. Believed to be the first true factory PTS Carrera GT we have seen at auction in quite some time, it reset the market in emphatic fashion with a world record sale of $6,715,000.
RUF was not completely out of the picture, though, with six examples crossing the block across the Florida sales. The rarest of the bunch was a 1989 RUF 928R, the only W09 VIN RUF 928 ever built. Showing less than 1,600 miles and equipped with a RUF tuned V8, carbon ceramic brakes, and the brand’s iconic five spoke wheels, it was certainly one of the more unusual cars of the week. Unfortunately, it failed to sell on the block at $260,000, but later found a home post sale for $335,000 against a presale estimate of $400,000 to $500,000. Topping the RUF results, however, was a 2016 RUF Turbo Florio that brought $692,500. A strong number by most standards, though still about $17,000 short of the price the same car achieved when it last crossed the auction block back in 2022.
The biggest story to come out of Florida may have been the transaxle cars. Two exceedingly rare 968 variants crossed the block in the form of a 1993 968 Turbo S and a 1993 968 Turbo RS, with both bidding to an eye opening $775,000. Incredible money for a transaxle Porsche. In the end it was the RS that hammered sold while the S went unsold. Elsewhere in the segment we saw a strong result for a 968 Club Sport at $89,600 and an even more surprising $61,600 paid for a 12,580 mile 968 Cabriolet finished in the striking combination of Coral Red Metallic over Light Grey and Classic
Grey leather. My pick of the transaxle litter, however, was the 924 Turbo rally car that competed in the 1979 Rallye Monte Carlo. It sold for $75,600, which feels like a bit of a deal.
356s also had a strong showing in Florida with 18 cars crossing the block and an impressive 89% sell-through rate. Leading the way was a 1956 356A 1600 Speedster restored in its original White over Red color combination. Originally delivered through Hoffman Motors, the car carried considerable history dating back to the late 1970s documenting long term preservation into the late 2010s, followed by an extensive restoration within the last decade. It ultimately sold for $357,000. Even the lowest 356 result of the week was still a strong showing for the model. A 1962 356B Notchback finished in Champagne Yellow over Black Leatherette, one of approximately 699 Porsche 356 B T6 Karmann Notchback Coupes built, had been extensively refurbished between 2019 and 2020 and retained its matching numbers engine per its Kardex. It sold for $81,200.
There were few other noteworthy results to come out of Florida as well. Leading the pack was a staggering $5,505,000 paid for a 959 Sport, one of the original eight examples sent to the United States before being turned away when the DOT and EPA deemed them ineligible for import. On the modern side, we saw a strong $767,000 result for a 2016 911 R. Another 959, this time an SC reimagined by Canepa, was bid to $2,900,000, which was right in line with recent comps, but ultimately failed to sell. Meanwhile, one of the more historically interesting cars of the week, a 1969 911 GT-S, one of just ten built and used by Porsche as a testing and development car, brought $357,000 against a presale estimate of $500,000 to $750,000.
Florida was one for the books, and certainly one for the record books as well. Looking ahead, the auction calendar does not slow down much. Broad Arrow returns with its Air | Water all Porsche sale in April, followed by Bonhams Miami and Greenwich auctions in May. After that, the market begins its steady march toward Pebble Beach, with plenty of online auction action in between. If Florida Car Week was any indication, it should be an interesting few months ahead for the Porsche market.
David K. Whitlock is a writer for The Stuttgart Market Letter, a daily market update for Porschephiles. www.stuttgartmarketletter.com
Where’s PANDO?
Alaska
Robert and Linda Griffith
OCR Members, Robert and Linda Griffith celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in Alaska, fall of 2025.
Kauai
Rosemary Krupp and Paul Hacunda
Rosemary Krupp and Paul Hacunda are PCA-OC members. They recently visited Kauai and Waimea Canyon . Rosemary comments "It was spectacular and we recommend visiting!"
Hanoi, Vietnam
Lou Leto and Sherri Colligan
Lou Leto and Sherri Colligan at the Citadel in Hanoi. A vast property built in the 900’s for the Kings of Viet Nam, used until the last abdicated in the 20th century.
The local couple in the center were dressed to prepare for Tet, the Lunar New Year. All in group making traditional hand sign for Love.
Heritage in Motion
A Love Letter to the Cars We Drive
By Stewart Thompson, Editor
In May of 2020, with the world at a standstill, I did the only sensible thing I could think of: I bought a Porsche.
It was a 2004 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, black on black, and it was exactly what I needed. Every errand became an excuse to drive. Every open stretch of Pacific Coast Highway was an invitation I couldn't refuse. The car gave me freedom when the world had very little of it to offer. It asked almost nothing in return, save for one oil-air separator that eventually cried uncle, and it delivered joy every single time I turned the key.
Eventually, my friends' off-road adventures started pulling at me. I found the Eurowise lifted Cayenne builds online and decided I wanted in. So I did the unthinkable: I sold the 911. I replaced it with a stunning Lapis Blue Cayenne Turbo S in Sand Beige, lifted it, put all-terrain tires on it, and made it properly trail-worthy.
I took it off-road exactly twice. Both times it was brilliant. And yet, after three years of admiring it and exactly zero trails on the calendar, it was time to let it go. The Cayenne sold on Cars & Bids to a fellow PANDO reader, no less—and within the same week, I found myself driving home in another 2004 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. This one in Atlas Grey Metallic with a Boxster Red interior, picked up in Hermosa Beach, blessed by my trusted mechanic Al at German Car Garage, and absolutely perfect. These 996s suit me in ways other cars couldn't. It has an automatic transmission with button shifters on both sides of the steering wheel—which, as a paraplegic who drives with one hand, changes everything. I can shift up, shift down, and carve a canyon road with the same enthusiasm as anyone. The car doesn't just accommodate the way I drive; it was practically designed for it.
But here's what strikes me most, reflecting on these two cars: I've had the privilege of owning two of the most controversial, most consequential Porsches ever built. The Cayenne was Porsche's first SUV, a decision that outraged purists and saved the company. The 996 was the first water-cooled 911, a decision that also outraged purists and also helped save the company. Porsche has a remarkable talent for making the right choice and getting yelled at for it. Both cars are, in their own way, “Heritage in Motion.”
This month's issue celebrates exactly that—the Porsches with history that are still out on the road, still being driven, still delivering the joy they were engineered to deliver. It's a theme that resonates deeply with me, because the best argument for any of these cars isn't found in a museum or a magazine archive. It's found in the feeling you get when the top goes down and the road opens up.
I hope you enjoy the stories our members have shared this month. They reminded me, once again, why we love these cars so much.
Stewart
My love affair with Porsche began years ago as a college student. I learned to drive a stick in a 356 bathtub Porsche. Both the boyfriend and the car are long gone. I sure miss that car.
Fast forward to 2015. A co-worker was moving to Hawaii and wanted to sell her 1998 Boxster (986) and get a pickup truck. I managed to convince Paul to trade his beloved truck for the Boxster. We obviously got the better end of that deal!
The Boxster was named in Car & Driver’s Ten Best for 1998 listing, while Automobile declared it ‘1998 Automobile of the year.’ Here’s what they wrote.
“The Boxster is powered by a 2.5-liter, water cooled, 24 valve flat six featuring aluminum pistons with an iron coating, cracked forged steel conrods attaching them to the crankshaft. With a double overhead cam per bank arrangement, hydraulic lifters for the valves and Variocam variable valve timing, the Boxster had a very advanced powerplant at the time.
When the tach reaches 4000 rpm the engine comes alive. At 5200 rpm it delivers a passionate howl and hurls the car forward, changing to an even deeper wail at 6,000 rpm. It’s the sound of a fanatically eager engine. The engine’s love of revs is combined with a slick and precise five-speed manual transaxle, you change gears just for the fun of it.
Up front on the Boxster, there are coil springs over MacPherson struts, with aluminum alloy lower control arms and an anti-roll bar. The rear suspension was basically the same, with the addition of track rods and a V-shaped metal brace bar.
The Rack-and-pinion steering was praised in most road test reports, being light yet full of feel. The Boxster’s steering, handling and ride are simply fabulous. The chassis has all the tenacity of a 911 but with superior agility, fluency and control.”
While our Boxster may not have all the bells and whistles of a newer model, she’s an oldie but a goodie. Her original Pastel Yellow is rare, and she stands out in a crowd. And, her license plate, GO RND, is testament to my dislike of tailgaters.
We won’t be trading GO RND for a truck or anything else soon. Our newly licensed grandson is learning to drive her and looks forward to the day it will be his car. He’s going to have to wait awhile.
She’s a Keeper!
Story and Photos by Rose Krupp and Paul Hacunda
A1957
By Mike Seymour
n interesting chronology: In 1957, when I was nine, a Porsche 1600 normal with a 5-digit VIN arrived in the US. Ten years forward, I bought it (very) used for $1,100.00; that was after I sold my VW Beetle. I was smitten (or was it bitten?) by the Porsche mystique.
A little about the car. The car took me to Long Beach State College, LA Parker Center (I was a police student worker; 20 hours a week adjusted to your school schedule), and for rides up Topanga Canyon, drives to the San Diego Zoo, trips to the Troubadour, and trips to Canter’s on Fairfax. I taught my blonde girlfriend to use 3 pedals. As mentioned, the car was very used… lots of rust, and the driver’s door hung by only one good hinge. If it was raining, Cecilia’s feet got wet!
I lived where there were Volkswagen and Porsche dealers within blocks of each other. I once showed up at the VW dealer and talked them into changing the transmission oil. It was cool to see my yellow 356 up in the air next to all the
bugs and buses. I think today a Boxster in the service lane at VW would draw attention, but a service write-up? No.
Alas, I sold that car after several years … but after getting married to Cecilia, that girl of mine rustled up $2,000.00 and told me to go buy another 356. This time it was a late ’62 from a private party. A used luggage rack bought at Vasek Polak allowed us to take the car camping. After many, many years, we gave Porsche #118832 to our son. By then it had a 6V VW engine … shame on me.
Fast forward 30 years, and we now have a used 2001 986 Boxster. It is pretty easy to work on. It’s nice to be able to get to the front of the engine as well as the back. I won’t be able to “drop” the engine like the 356, but dozens of maintenance jobs are possible. It has a good history, a 2-owner car sold twice by a Porsche dealership. Since we’re seniors now, the car is a Tiptronic … better for my problem knee!
By the way, I think it was fifty-nine years ago when I bought that used ‘57. So, are there enough clues here to estimate this author’s age?
My journey with Porsche began with my wife in June of 1997. You see, I had always wanted a Jensen Interceptor touring car with its big Chrysler motor and iconic curved rear window. On that June day we were walking on the Coast Highway in Laguna Beach when she saw a 1988 911 Targa Grand Prix White w/Linen interior on a car lot; she commented that it was nice and ‘maybe’ we should buy it. I walked right inside, gave the salesman my credit card, and said I’d be back within an hour with a check. We had that car for 21 years until it was stolen from our driveway in September of 2019. Heartwrenching, to say the least, but after all, it’s just a car, and no one was hurt. After a proper mourning period, I was on the hunt for a final-year production 1994 964 Targa, which had to be specially ordered because Porsche was gearing up for the 993; there was a zero allocation of 94 Targas for the US market. Fewer than 200 coupes and cabs were sent over that year…and of course Singer was buying all he could for his production line. To the best of my knowledge/research, it turned out
there were 5 special order 94 Targas sent to North America: 2 to Canada and 3 to the US. Four of them were manuals, and only 1 was a Tiptronic, which I traced to an eBay auction in 2013 and was sold to someone in Louisiana. I had the VIN, so I hired a friend who was a retired detective and also a P.I. on the side; he gave me some limited general information, and with further research, I found the doctor from Baton Rouge who was a collector and had bought the car. In February of 2020, contact was made, and after two flights back to see the car, with 130k miles on it, he sold it to me for $40k, and I drove it home. Fast forward, and after a motor reseal, new interior, and other upgrades/replacements, I now drive the car frequently. It has been driven across the country twice to the Porsche Parade, and on those trips it also broke down twice with belts being shredded and fan bearings burning out; both times were within 100 miles of a Porsche Classics Dealership. I am the 5th owner/guardian of this car, and it now has 175k miles on the odometer. My dad made me a ‘car guy’ when I was young, so driving is always an adventure. What’s not to love!
My Journey with Porsche
By Steve Fairbanks
My ‘87 Summer Yellow Carrera coupe started its Orange County life on the lot at Meister Porsche Audi in Garden Grove. My wife Penny and I had decided that the family finances were such that a replacement for my ’72 BMW 2002 tii (in Inca orange) was in order. I had thought that a two- or three-year-old SC would be about right. When we drove onto the lot at Meister and spotted the yellow Carrera, I thought to myself, ‘I have a new car.’ Penny loved yellow, and this would not be our first yellow car. Earlier, we had a ’67 Mustang fastback in, wait for it, springtime yellow.
The Carrera became my daily driver, back and forth to work with occasional trips up the coast or down to San Diego. About the first or second time the Carrera was due for a service, I drove over to Meister and found it had turned into a Chevy dealer or some such. Thinking none of that, I asked around, found out about ANDIAL in Anaheim, and it was serviced there until it retired from daily use in around 2009.
Since then, it has arguably had a more interesting life. It is out at least twice a month for OCR breakfast meetings with occasional cars & coffee. It was in the recent Air + Water show at the OC Fairgrounds and Luft-10 at Universal Studios last year.
A few years back, I caught the Concours bug and started cleaning: seats out, door cards off, stone ding touch-up, new windshield, taillight lenses, clay bar,
My ’87 Summer Yellow
By Dave Yotter
and ceramic coating, but otherwise all original. The work paid off with a couple of seconds and then several first-in-class and even one division win. This was only with exterior and interior judged, Detail & Shine division. I still drive it a lot, and so the engine is never ready for Concours inspection. Ferry Porsche has been quoted as saying, “Porsches are meant to be driven, not polished.” I guess I must admit to doing a little of both.
This is one of only nine or ten U.S. Carreras in Summer Yellow, a one-year-only color. For the home market it was called Limonengelb, or lime yellow. Black partial leather interior. Sunroof delete. First year of the G50 five-speed gearbox. Original paint. 145k Miles. Recent upgrades include installing PCCM, facilitating Apple CarPlay, and an A/C system that WORKS with all new Mr. Ice Project components.
April 2026 | PANDO 17
1968 Porsche 912
By Bill Reynolds
Ibought my 1968 Porsche 912 in Pastel Blue (Code R5012) in 2018 from a private seller in Simi Valley. It’s equipped with a 5-speed transmission and a factory sunroof—two details people always notice, along with the color.
Like many cars of its age, it needed a little attention when I brought it home. Over time I replaced the headliner, repaired the sunroof motor, revived the dash clock, and replaced the original Solex carburetors with Webers. Synchronizing the Solex carbs proved tricky, so switching to Webers made the car much easier to live with. Even now, it remains an ongoing project—something I enjoy, especially in retirement.
My wife isn’t particularly fond of riding in it, especially on the freeway, but that just means more solo drives for me.
One of my favorite routes is through Carbon Canyon on the way to Flo’s Diner at Corona Airport. It’s a popular gathering spot where Porsche owners meet each month, and the drive getting there is half the fun. The 912 also makes regular appearances at PCA–Orange Coast events.
Closer to home, I’ve started a small tradition. Every Father’s Day I take the car to the Downtown Brea car show, where it’s always enjoyable to share it with other enthusiasts.
I actually owned a 912 back in the early 1980s, and finding this one brought that experience full circle. Driving down to the beach with the sunroof open never gets old. It’s simple, engaging, and exactly what makes classic Porsches so enjoyable.
For me, this 912 is more than transportation—it’s part project, part memory, and always an excuse to get out and drive.
1968 Porsche 912 in Pastel Blue
TMy 914 Story
By Lisa Lawson
his is my story of my 914. I cannot call it a Porsche, purists may object.
In 1979, my boyfriend Jeff (who became my husband), found the 914 advertised for sale by the Turners in the Pennysaver. I wanted a VW Bug. Jeff came from a Porsche family, so we went to Newport Beach to see it. Of course, we loved it.
Mrs. Turner had reluctantly decided to sell the car as the difficult shifting linkage aggravated her elbow. As first owners, she and her husband had purchased the 1970 914 1.7 in Germany and shipped it to the United States. It was “born” metallic green with tan interior; she later painted it yellow.
We were barely out of our teens and asked the Turners to save the car for us, since I had to obtain financing. They amazingly agreed. The next day, Jeff’s father took me to Crocker Bank and co-signed a car loan for me. Jeff and I immediately drove back to Newport Beach and purchased the 914. The Turners told us they received 10 phone calls that night, offering more than the advertised asking price, sight unseen.
I told her I would never sell her beloved car.
Fast forward twenty years later, I sent her a letter and a picture of the 914 telling her that the car went with us to UC Santa Barbara and that Jeff and I married. I told her again I would never sell it. Now, nearly 50 years later, I still have the car. We have repainted it yellow, replaced tan interior to black, Fuchs wheels, and the clutch twice replaced. Other than that, all original. My first mechanic was Scott Hendry (Scott’s Independent) as Scott maintained Jeff’s fathers two 914-6 cars, one race car, one street car.
Well, I was going through my old paperwork last year and decided to call the Turners. She remembered us and the car. She is 93 and her husband is 96. She said she loved that 914. I told her I do too and would never sell it. She then sent me the original paperwork on the 914. Along with the paperwork was my letter to her over 20 years before and the picture I sent her. She said, “I guess we are both savers.”
A Feel For Speed:
Alwin Springer's secret to speed is in his fingertips.
I have seen Alwin trace his hand on the machined surfaces of a Porsche racing engine block with the delicacy and precision of a laser. Result? Race-winning Porsches.
At the Daytona 24-Hour this year, the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC) awarded Alwin the Phil Hill Award. The RRDC is a group of motorsports eminences, like other Phil Hill recipients Roger Penske (2008), Hurley Haywood (2014), David Hobbs (2017), and Brian Redman (2004).
A Southern California native, Phil Hill was America's first World Driving Champion in 1961. He, like Alwin, had mechanical sympathy and steely gentlemanliness.
In 1975, Alwin, with two partners, created ANDIAL (it's an acronym of their names) in Costa Mesa. Offering racing services and unparalleled race engine building for Porsches. Knowledgeable about the 917s, Alwin and ANDIAL built a reputation with the Porsche 962, winning 50 races in the mid-1970s.
The
OCR member Brian Dawson and Alwin Springer celebrate Alwin's RRDC Phil Hill Award.
trophy depicts Hill's Ferrari 156 "Sharknose" from the 1961 Italian GP where Hill secured the World Driving Championship.
Story and Photos by Rob Alen
Alwin Springer
Alwin has a strong ethic: “It is simple. Either you do it right, or you are not going to do it at all.”
ANDIAL melded into Porsche Motorsports North America (PMNA) in Santa Ana. Alwin would become president from 1997 to 2004. Many at PMNA today are ANDIAL alumni. These days Alwin consults with Porsche AG and the Porsche Penske 963 team and can still be found on pit lane.
Alwin Springer (r) was recently recognized for the 2025 Phil Hill Award from the Road Racing Drivers Club (RRDC). He is with 5-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell (l), himself an RRDC Phil Hill recipient (2003). At Amelia Island 2019.
At this year's Long Beach Grand Prix, if you see Alwin, congratulate him and shake his hand; it will be a hand that can feel speed.
If yo u are interested, see his recent memoir, “Alwin Springer—Racing with Porsche in North America” Alwin Springer with Wilfried Mueller. Published by Sportfahrer, 468 pages.
Alwin sharing special 935 painting by Stefan Johansson.
"The prestigious Phil Hill Award was really something special for me and much appreciated.
The painting is a special gift from Multimatic (Pacal Zurlinden, Larry Holt and Steve Charlsley) It shows the ANDIAL 935 with Rolf Stommelen, Harald Grohs and Derek Bell and winning the 1981 three 500 Miles races on consecutive weekends in Mosport, Canada; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; Mid-Ohio, Ohio. It elevated ANDIAL Racing to the top in IMSA racing and laid the base for our success. Porsche Penske won the 24hrs of Daytona 2024; 2025 AND 2026. A remarkable achievement!" Alwin Springer
Story by Lee Rice
A Lifetime with Porsche Ramblings RICE’S
Trying to write this month’s column has been a bit of a challenge. I’ve been thinking about where I fit in today’s Porsche world, especially after writing technical columns for PANDO since around the summer of 1992. That’s a long time, and the Porsche landscape has changed dramatically over those decades.
My background has always centered on the air-cooled cars. That’s where my experience lies, and in many ways it reflects the mechanical world I came from. For me, the air-cooled 911 has always made perfect sense. It reminds me of the aircooled aircraft engines I worked on and flew beginning in 1964. Those machines were mechanical, direct, and honest. You understood how they worked, and if something needed attention, you fixed it yourself.
The early Porsche sports cars shared that same spirit.
RSR 2.8 // Max Edleston
When I first became involved with Porsche, the lineup was simple: the 356, the 911, and eventually the 914. These were true sports cars, built around performance and driver involvement. For many of us who owned and raced 911s in those days, there was a very real connection between the cars we drove on the road and the cars Porsche ran in competition.
That connection mattered.
Porsche’s philosophy was straightforward: race the cars, develop new ideas, prove them on the track, and then refine them for production. The engineering lessons learned in motorsport directly influenced what owners experienced on the street. When Porsche improved something on the race cars, that technology eventually found its way into production models—and often into the hands of enthusiasts like us.
It created a relationship between Porsche and its owners that felt personal.
Early Days : The Spirit of Porsche Racing
Back then, Porsche Motorsport and private teams often worked side by side. Many of us raced through organizations like the USPCA, POC, SCCA, and early IMSA events. You could visit the factory in Germany, speak with people at the motorsport department, and even obtain race parts directly if you needed them.
I remember visiting the Werk and speaking with Frau Bier about acquiring a rare racing component for a team back home. Imagine that today—an ordinary Porsche owner walking into the factory and arranging for a racing part. It sounds impossible now, but in those days it happened.
Sometimes Porsche even advised us to wait for improved parts that were coming soon. They wanted owners and racers to succeed, and they treated us as partners in that effort.
Occasionally, the support went the other direction too. Owners and private teams helped keep Porsche race cars running when needed.
One memorable example came during the 1978 Daytona 24 Hours. A Porsche 935 lost its right-hand door at high speed. The race officials insisted the car could not continue without one. So a friendly 930 owner removed the passenger door from his street car and lent it to the team so the race car could return to the track.
That was the spirit of Porsche racing in those days.
Another memory that still stands out was seeing a freshly prepared 2.8 RSR arrive at a race. I expected the team would need help servicing it. Instead, the car ran a six-hour endurance race and required almost nothing—just fuel, a tire change, and a quick cleaning of the windshield. Porsche had built it so well that there simply wasn’t anything to fix.
Meanwhile, I ended up helping a friend’s team keep a very loud RX-7 alive.
Moments like that reinforced something we all believed: Porsche engineering worked.
Peter Goesina / 1978 Daytona
The Heart of Porsche
Private teams also played a huge role in Porsche’s success. Cars like the legendary Porsche 935 began life as production 911s before being transformed into racing machines. Teams such as the Kremer brothers pushed those cars even further, developing the famous Kremer K-series cars. One of them—the K3—won the overall victory at Le Mans in 1979.
Even closer to home, Orange County had its own place in Porsche racing history. Glenn Blakely designed an extraordinary racing 911 that was built at Andial right here in Southern California. I remember seeing that car run at Riverside. The only machines faster were the prototype racers that were beginning to appear, like the Porsche 962.
Through all of this, Porsche’s racing success always tied back to the production cars.
That connection is what many of us loved most.
Of course, Porsche eventually had to evolve. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company faced financial pressures and needed to expand beyond its traditional niche. New manufacturing methods were introduced, including production techniques inspired by Japanese industry. Automation increased, and Porsche broadened its lineup dramatically.
Cars like the Cayenne changed the company’s future. Today it’s not only a popular family vehicle but also a proven off-road performer.
Porsche grew—and in many ways had to grow. Still, from my perspective, something changed along the way.
Modern Porsches are remarkable machines. They are incredibly fast, technologically advanced, and manufactured with astonishing precision. Yet occasionally they feel more like perfectly engineered devices than the mechanical sports cars many of us grew up with.
Take the newest 911 Turbo S. By every measure it is an incredible car. But it weighs nearly 3,800 pounds. That’s difficult for someone like me to reconcile with the lightweight 911S models we once drove.
Back then, “spartan” was a badge of honor.
Early 911S and RS models were intentionally simple. Thin carpeting, minimal sound insulation, and lightweight components—everything served the purpose of performance.
What mattered was the feeling behind the wheel: the engine singing near redline, the car pulling hard through the gears, and the driver fully involved in the experience.
One of my most memorable upgrades was installing a fresh 2.2-liter 911S engine in my lightweight early 911. At just over 2,100 pounds, the car absolutely flew.
Cars like the 1973 Carrera RS carried that philosophy forward. The RS—and its racing sibling, the RSR—became legendary because they captured exactly what Porsche did best: lightweight engineering, driver focus, and motorsport heritage. Those cars won races all over the world, often in the hands of private teams.
And that, to me, remains the heart of Porsche.
Even today, when I watch modern racing, I still see glimpses of that legacy. One of the most exciting recent examples was the Penske-Porsche 963 prototype. Earlier this year, it won the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona by just 1.2 seconds—a dramatic finish that reminded everyone that the Porsche racing spirit is still alive.
Moments like that prove something important. Technology changes. Cars evolve. Companies grow.
But the essence of Porsche—the drive to compete, innovate, and push forward—remains exactly where it has always been: on the track and in the hands of passionate drivers.
And as long as that continues, there will always be something worth writing about here in PANDO.
Godspeed, Leslie Rice PCA-OCR Technical
Rice’s Ramblings: Ask a Mechanic
If you have a question about your Porsche, please send in your question to Lee at : riceturbos@sbcglobal.net
Breakfast Club March 7, 2026
Photos by Monica Asbury
Tim Ashcroft, Creator of Doorshield.
The
DIMINISHED VALUE
LOSS OF USE
The cost to rent a similar vehicle as yours during repairs.
PORSCHE SERVICE FACILITY EQUIPPED TO SERVICE ALL MODELS
Mercedes Benz 300SL, 190SL, 230SL-280SL Jaguar XKs & XKEs, Classic Aston Martins, Classic Ferraris
Cape Auto 2026 OCR Golf Series
Sponsored by
Where: Oso Creek Golf Course, Mission Viejo
Date: April 22, 2026
First Tee Time: 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $44 per person, includes 9 holes and cart
Registration: MotorsportReg
Watch for email announcements for registration details.
Future golf outings at Oso Creek Golf Course:
g May 20, 2026
g June 10, 2026
g July 15, 2026
g August 12, 2026
g September 9, 2026
g October 7, 2026
*All dates are subject to change, please watch for email updates
Letter to the Editor
I want to compliment Stewart on a superbly written Legacy and Influence story in the February Pando. He hit it exactly as to why we buy and drive these cars and the additional stories of the five individuals and their cars was excellent. Many thanks for that great article!!
Steve Fairbanks Laguna Beach, CA
OCR Membership Updates
Anniversaries :
Congratulations!
April
Anniversaries are recognized every five years of membership.
30 Years
Gabus, Jack
Albertsen, Bolette
25 Years
Pepper, Bryan H. Pepper, Heather
20 Years
Shiwota, Gabriel S.
Krasner, Paul
Iwasaki, Arthur
Iwasaki, Joanne
15 Years
Barrett, Craig A. Smith, Scott
Smith, Stefani
Arango, Edward J.
Billups, Brian
Thomas, Gregory B.
Thomas, Kathy
10 Years
Boyce, Blair
DeBach, Robert Hicks, Deborah
5 Years
Clobes, Kendall Chavez, James Levin, Dave
Sterling, Don Binford, John
Chaves, Juan Le Jeune, Tammy Jo Borup, Clara
Boswell, Scott Boswell, Tracy Barnett, William Christensen, Terry Wingartz, Angel
Jordan, Maureen
Brox, Nicholas J. Redlinger, Debra H. Redlinger, Brian
Stanphill, Dean
Stanphill, Maggy Dike,Woodward
New Members : Welcome!
February
Bai, John
2022 Cayenne GTS Coupe
Chaplin, Danny Robert
Chaplin, Carla 2025 Macan T
Crawford, Japheth 2005 Boxster
Ehrlich, Stephen Scott
Ehrlich, Ethan 2024 911 S/T
Erickson, Mark 2013 911 Carrera
Hauer, Walt Hauer, Jennifer 2026 911 Carrera
Hunt, Jerri
Arnold, Chris 2026 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet
Kelley, Scott Patrick 2024 Taycan 4S Cross Turismo
Liauw, Nicko 2006 911 Carrera S
Parkinson, Mark J.
Mongell, Linda Rose 2026 Cayenne GTS Coupe
Snowball, Scot R. 2026 911 Carrera GTS
Sterling, Jack Charles 1986 911 Carrera
Turner, Craig D.
Whelan, Michael John
Whelan, Elaine 2025 Panamera GTS
Wise, Lawrence Alan Wise, Phoebe 2022 Cayenne E-Hybrid
Yuson, Randolth Sison 2004 911 Carrera 4S
An, Derek
2004 911 Carrera 4S
Transfer From: Los Angeles (LA) Member
Membership Benefits :
From over 3,500 local and national events including driving activities, social gatherings, autocross, track days, high performance driver education, club racing, tech sessions, car shows, insider exclusives and premieres:
There’s something for everyone at PCA.
Maintain Good Standing For : “members-only raffle”, Pelican Parts’ discount, The Mart; and more.
Subscription to Two Monthly Magazines : PANDO and that other one (PCA’s Panorama). Get Monica’s emails.
Stay Current : to know when and where to hang out. Trade stories and advice.
Membership
New Members
Julie D'Arca and Mitch Mathis / 2024 718 Cayman GTS / White
Grace and Ernie Caponera / 911 Carrera / Grey
ALL
SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2026
Join us at Sea Terrace Park, PCH & Niguel Rd., Dana Point. Over 275 Porsches on the field. Latest Porsche models, race cars and rare vintage models. It’s a family friendly event. Many favorite vendors offering Porsche merchandise and services. A fantastic club event for all ages.
Registration Opens 3/1/26.
To register : msreg.ocrconcours2026
Pre-order box lunches at the same time as registration.
Sponsored by:
PCA-OCR Contact Information
OCR Executive Board
President Jim Miller | pcaocrprez@gmail.com
| sheamonica@gmail.com
Secretary Tom Gray | Crazi02@aol.com
Treasurer
Norma Miller | pcaocrtreas@gmail.com
Membership
Asbury | dennisasbury44@gmail.com
OCR Board Appointments
Advertising Chair
Robbie Crawford | ads4pcaocr@gmail.com
Charity Chair
Monica Asbury | sheamonica@gmail.com
Concours Chair
Monica Asbury | sheamonica@gmail.com
Goodie Store Manager
Monica Asbury | sheamonica@gmail.com
Pando Editor
Stewart Thompson | pandoeditor@gmail.com
Pando Classified Auto Sales Editor
Bob Weber | hbobw930@aol.com 714-960-4981
Pando Production Manager
Jan Knight | janknight@sbcglobal.net
Events Driving Chair
Glenn Billings | gb41@hotmail.com
Dealer / Sponsorship Liaison
Monica Asbury | sheamonica@gmail.com
Tech Advisor
Paul Shaffer | Paulcshaffer@yahoo.com
Social Media Chair
Richard Chu |rcpcaocr@gmail.com
Zone 8 Chairs
Zone 8 Representative
Victoria Varon
Zone 8 Secretary
Monica Asbury | secretary@zone8.org
Zone 8 CA Rules Coordinator & Webmaster
Tom Brown | ruleproposals@zone8.org
Zone 8 Chief Driving Instructor
Scott Mann | cdi@zone8.org
Zone 8 Drivers Ed / Time Trial Chair
Russell Shon | russell@lightningmotorsports.us
www.pcaocr.org
Got a suggestion? Have a question? Just want to vent?
This email goes straight to the board of directors: opinionspcaocr@gmail.com
Let us know what’s on your mind and we’ll share it at the next board meeting.
Anyone wishing to inform the club of special circumstances, illness or loss? Please let us know.
Chair
Denny
Vice President
Monica Asbury
Classifieds
FOR SALE : 930-911 TURBO
1989 911 Turbo Coupe, Black/Black lthr, 27.5K mi. 5 spd manual $294,995.00 Ralph 347/977-7113; ralphsarway02@gmail.com. NJR (2)
FOR SALE : 911-GT2 and GT3; Carrera GT
2004 911 GT3 Coupe, Midnight Blue Metallic/Black lthr, 27K mi. 6 spd manual $124,500.00 Bryant 619/916-1689; zinnom3@yahoo.coom SDR (2)
2024 911 GT3 Coupe Touring, Green/ Brown lthr, 1K mi!!!! . 6 spd manual $355,555.00 Joseph 415/991-0503; joeseidler@gmail.com. TXR (2)
2 )
2025 911 GT3 RS Coupe, Red/ Grey Two-Tone lthr, 1K mi!!!!. PDK $448,999.00 Michael 765/490-8155; mike.molter.in@gmail.com. IR (2)
FOR SALE : LATE MODEL 911-964-993-986996-997-991
2002 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe 996 Track Spec. Black/Black lthr, 72K mi. 6spd manual. Evolution Motorsports (EVOMS) GT700 Kit. JRZ Suspension RS Pro 3 Triple Adjustable. Big Reds Brake Kit. Rennline 996 Bolt-In Rollbar. Cobra Nogaro Circuit Racing Seat. USR Black Housing Project Headlights. Asking $69,995.00. Joseph Fan. 818/427-9672 cell; Brightonllc@ aol.com. OCR (4)
NOTE:
Would you like to advertise your car in the Pando?
Please contact Bob Weber 714-960-4981 or email hbobw930@aol.com
FOR SALE: PARTS-911-930-993-986-996997-991
FOR SALE: VARIOUS PORSCHE 911 PARTS. Various tools, radio, badge, shift knob. All these +2 car covers are for 911 models. Make offer to Richard witucki@ yahoo.com . or 949-2911123. OCR (0)
FOR SALE: 2025 992.2 CARRERA STANDARD
SIDESKIRTS: Standard Sideskirts from my 992.2 Carrera. These are unpainted, black plastic OEM parts and will fit all 991 and 992 variants. They were replaced with more aggressive GT3 skirts immediately after I took delivery, so they're in perfect condition. Asking $300.00 for pair. Call me direct for local pickup Tod. 714-745-6911 or Todmerkwan@gmail.com. OCR (1)
FOR SALE : PARTS-BOXSTER, PANAMERA, CAYENNE & CAYMAN
FOR SALE: BOXSTER 986 PARTS. Porsche Boxster Removable OEM Hardtop in Metallic Black (744). In very good condition with operating latches and defroster cable. $1995.00. Local pick up only in Laguna Beach, CA. Porsche 6 CD changer with magazine and mounting bracket. OEM P/N 993.645.130.00. Stows in front trunk $129.00. Contact Dale at 714-209-6312; DLJ747@gmail.com. OCR (1)
MISCELLANEOUS
PORSCHE ENCLOSED SECURED PARKING
AVAILABLE: Parking space for only 2 more Porsches—356 or early 911 to latest 991. New ADT Infrared Fire and Police Monitoring System. All concrete construction warehouse building in safe and secured NW Huntington Beach/Boeing area is close to and 5 minutes away from the 405 and 22 Freeways. PCA members preferred, no subletting. Accepting only fully operational, currently licensed and insured Porsches, no leakers, nonoperational project cars, storage cars or tear downs. Provide your own car cover, insurance and battery tender. Month to month or longer rentals. PCA member. Bob 714/960-4981. hbobw930@aol.com; OCR (2)
Apex Predator, redefined.
THE PORSCHE X
AO
RACING COLLECTION.
Rawr meets race. Porsche and AO Racing present a limited capsule with a prehistoric punch – featuring the iconic duo Rexy and Roxy. Tees, polos, hoodies and caps bring race track energy and comic-cool straight to the street.
