Chapter 4 (page 41)

As I mentioned Dad had the car on the road for about 13 months at this point. Word spread quickly amongst longtime residents of Red Hill and the surrounding town that the car was done. Well, it was kind of hard to miss, being that it was resurrected with a smashing “Ferrari Fly Yellow” paint job (99% same color) and you could see the car, let alone hear it, coming a mile away.

Dad immediately entered in one of the largest competition car shows in the Upper Perkiomen Valley (the valley made up of a group of 5 towns where Red Hill is located). Without a hitch, he wins the Grand Prize. Then he enters in a few more shows taking first place each time. These victories were wonderful, but being a “car guy” Dad was concerned about putting the Porsche up against its brethren - other Porsches. Well he got his chance when he took the car out to Hershey PA and the annual Porsche Car Swap & Meet. I was working and couldn’t attend, but my brother-in-law went with Dad and I remember getting the call: “Sean?” Yes. Hi Dad. How is the car show going? ...And after a few drawn out phrases for dramatic build up, he uttered the words: “Best In Class!” For those of you that may not be familiar with a Porsche meet - That's the Grand Prize!

At this point, I have to compare this venture to the rise of Mike Tyson’s boxing career or Secretariat’s history making, triple crown run. Amidst everything - Against all odds Dad literally brought his dream to life, then walked onto one of the biggest stages, and slaughtered the competition. At this point there is nothing left to prove. This is pure success.

In closing, I realized that I missed so many of the side stories that I really wish I could have included, but over a span of 28 years, they will simply have to be told over a fire pit and your favorite beer or bourbon. The stories are many, but then again so is the beer & bourbon! In the early part of this book I told you about how the Porsche became part of the family, always there, sitting quietly having its part in our family and our lives. For the most part, it was always dingy, banged up and quiet and wrapped in the hopes and dreams of one man that truly believed that one day he would drive it again, my Dad.

But today, the Porsche is a magnanimous presentation for anyone and everyone that is invited into the garage. Its sits center stage under its cover, resting up for the next driving adventure, which is usually the next available weekend, mixed with good weather and a fresh tank of gas. The garage has been cleaned up, sporting a nicely redone floor outlined in the traditional victory lane “black and white checkers” and a threshold representing the yard of bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway start/finish line. In the back hangs a bright Porsche Racing Flag and the rest of the garage is spattered with different racing and car paraphernalia. The bench is still present, where most of the work was completed, and is still active. Although the car is done, it requires its regular maintenance and Dad has already done a few mods, the front brakes being the biggest. So as long as we drive the car, the work will continue.