It was Max Hoffman, the New York-based Porsche importer, who was instrumental in getting the factory to produce a lightweight sports car for local competition in the USA. Hoffman’s clients were demanding a stripped-down factory version of the 356 to compete in the rapidly developing sports car racing scene in America. At less than $3000, the Speedster, which took the form of a … [Read more...]
My Story
A whale of a tale – maintaining an ‘89 911 Carrera Sport in Zimbabwe
As I’ve explained on the few occasions I’ve burst into print in Porsche Road & Race, my enduring love affair with the Porsche brand was developed and nurtured from the late 1950s. My father, a dentist by profession, was very mechanically-minded and owned Beetles – and Mercs – from the early ‘50s, but it was our family doctor who raced VW-powered single seaters at the … [Read more...]
The long and twisty road…
For many years now, the name ‘Carrera’ has been associated with Porsche sports cars. But the story of how the fledgling 356 first got its ‘Carrera’ name is a fascinating one. This required the far-sightedness of the company founder, Ferry Porsche, and a young engineer who was prepared to think outside the box. This story follows a long and twisty road which started in far-off … [Read more...]
My journey to Porsche ownership
My journey (Chris Stretton) to Porsche ownership started when I was still a teenager in the 1960s. My father, Lionel Stretton, was a serious petrol-head owning many different cars and competing in VSCC events, and so it was perhaps inevitable that I would become enthused by these activities. The first time I travelled at over 100 mph remains a vivid memory: it was at the age of … [Read more...]
Sports cars – it’s horses for courses
Owning a sports car is a compromise: on the one hand, it doesn’t have the space of a family estate, and for some it is slightly less practical as a daily run around. On the other hand, it has superior performance and in most cases, better looks, so, it is horses for courses. If you can live with the lack of space and the impractical nature of a sports car, then you have a … [Read more...]
