30 Year 928 Anniversary in Stuttgart
06-19-2007, 12:07 PM
#76
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Originally Posted by marton
Bill, I think nicole is enjoying a computer free holiday...
I see Nicole clearly in several of the shots. Also, I see what looks like some of the Porsche 928 engineers and designers. Must have been a great party!
06-20-2007, 04:15 PM
#79
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Well hell wish I visited this section more often. There were a large group of us GI's down there in that area for a Porsche/RUF meeting the very same weekend. Would of been cool to meet up with some of you Shark owners! An S4 won a few awards at the RUF Concours.
06-22-2007, 02:22 PM
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Hi there: I am back in the US, after a wonderful 20-day break in Sweden and Germany.
The German 928 club put on quite a party. The pictures you see above are from the main event on Saturday, where we drove to the castle in Ludwigsburg. There we were allowed to park in the castle yard and take pictures - usually this is only available to real vintage car gatherings, or weddings (you see a few limousines in the background). I don't have a count of the cars, but it is said to be over 60 - some from as far as Austria, Switzerland, France and Denmark. Joe and I were the only visitors from the US.
Bill is right: Here I am with the new owner of the yellow 6-wheel pick-up from Las Vegas. He also owns the crazy Swedish 928 SUV (a 928 body mounted on a truck chassis). Neither the 6wheeler nor the truck can be registered in Germany, so he brought his Jurinek 928 Convertible. Here we are looking at the car of one of my German customers...
FRIDAY:
The event started with heavy rain on Friday afternoon. When I arrived at the hotel, only a hand full of 928s were there, so I had the opportunity to speak with a few interesting owners first.
One was a French man who had travelled with a French and German flag mounted on the front of his car. He had brought his 928 collection, and displayed it in the registration room for all to see. It took about 12 x 24 feet in space, just to give you an idea. I have never seen so many 928 collectibles in one place!!!
The other interesting person I met was Thomas Lenz from Porsche Classic. His department has now taken over the parts and restoration responsibility for the 928 models, and is determined to help us keep our cars on the road. This means they willl ensure availability of all parts neded to keep the cars running, and remanufacture those no longer available. This does not mean they will make ALL parts, though. It does have to be feasible somehow, and some parts are plentiful in good used condition that can be refreshed. They do complete restorations at the factory - from next year onwards you can see the shop through a glass wall in the new museum - and each restoration is documented ain all detail. The restored cars get a special label attached that verifies the authenticy.
Thomas gave a presentation about Porsche Classic during a buffet dinner, where I sat with an international crowd (we all spoke English at the table).
SATURDAY
I met my wonderful driver Schocki (Michael) at the breakfast buffet. Around 9AM we all left for the Ludwigsburg castle. There was some confusion on where to enter the court yard of the castle, but we found it eventually. The cars were parked, but I wish they would have lined them up a bit nicer. This is when we got to meet everybody in one spot for the first time... I met up with one of my German customers, who owns a very beautiful dark green / greygreen 1987 S4 with my stainless door sill enhancements and the Italian Burl wood trim.
After taking pictures, we moved the cars to a nearby parking garage. On the way, two 928s got into an accident when moving to the left turn lane. Apparently a car came fast from behind and thought he could cut through between both - he hit the right 928 on its left fender, rose up in the air on that side, and scraped the 928 on his left in the process. I am really worried about the S4 that got hit in the fender, as it looked like the whole front of it was no longer straight. Very sad, as this car was stunning otherwise.
We proceeded to a tour of the castle. This was hillareous, as the guide was dressed and spoke like the people in 1788. Well, sort of... We learned about life in the castle - particularly of those not at the top of the food chain. I learned how to properlyl navigate stairs with a dress 5 feet wide, while operating a fan...
After the castle tour we tried to have lunch, but the castle's cafe was completelyl overwhelmed by us all arriving at the same time. So all I got was something to drink before the next step: We had the choice between a fun cruise, and to visit the castle gardens "Blühendes Barock" (blooming baroque).
Michael and I went on the fun cruise, which took us through small villages and towns around Ludwigsburg (on the West side of Stuttgart). We stopped in Weissach at the Porsche Engineering Center Parking Lot, before heading back to the hotel.
At the dinner buffet, I met Peter Reisinger, who worked for Porsche's design department from 1970 to 2005 and was their cheif modeler. Peter, a very nice Austrian native, was very easy to talk to and eager to tell stories from the 928s development. I spoke with him for a long time. More on that later.
SUNDAY
Some of the participants left right after breakfast, while a nice group stayed for the German 928 club's annual meeting. I sat in on this, to get a feel for what's going on in Germany, and what issuses 928 owners are facing there.
Let me first say that this club is as professionally run as it can be. The board contains five true enthusiasts who are working extremely hard to keep the club attractive and lobby for 928 owners.
They decided to join a national organization that lobbies for vintage cars. but the membership declined joining the German Porsche Club. Reason: They want to be represented directly with Porsche, not through an umbrella organization that can't focus on their specific needs.
The club is broken down into regions with "Stammtisch" (regular meetings at a bar/restaurant), wrenching parties, fun cruises and other events. Regions communicate directly, but also report their activities to the board.
The club publishes a professionally produced 4-color magazine every 3-4 months, summarizing everything that's going on in the club, along with tech tips and other stories. That magazine alone made me think of joining the club. It's amazing!!!
They discused putting together an emergency road help system, and I described how we do this in the US. I thanked the club for this great event and invited them to San Francisco, where we would organize a small 928 gathering, if they give us enough notice.
After the meeting I had some discussions with the Club President, in which I mentioned that I am running for a board position in the 928 Owners Club here in the US. We agreed to start a dialog about possible synergies in case I should get elected.
A few of us then hung out for a few more hours before taking pictures in the parking lot and heading home. Among the people who stayed around was another Nicole. She lives in Switzerland and owns a berry red metallic S4 with pink suede interior (this car had been discussed here before).
I will post pictures later.
The German 928 club put on quite a party. The pictures you see above are from the main event on Saturday, where we drove to the castle in Ludwigsburg. There we were allowed to park in the castle yard and take pictures - usually this is only available to real vintage car gatherings, or weddings (you see a few limousines in the background). I don't have a count of the cars, but it is said to be over 60 - some from as far as Austria, Switzerland, France and Denmark. Joe and I were the only visitors from the US.
Bill is right: Here I am with the new owner of the yellow 6-wheel pick-up from Las Vegas. He also owns the crazy Swedish 928 SUV (a 928 body mounted on a truck chassis). Neither the 6wheeler nor the truck can be registered in Germany, so he brought his Jurinek 928 Convertible. Here we are looking at the car of one of my German customers...
FRIDAY:
The event started with heavy rain on Friday afternoon. When I arrived at the hotel, only a hand full of 928s were there, so I had the opportunity to speak with a few interesting owners first.
One was a French man who had travelled with a French and German flag mounted on the front of his car. He had brought his 928 collection, and displayed it in the registration room for all to see. It took about 12 x 24 feet in space, just to give you an idea. I have never seen so many 928 collectibles in one place!!!
The other interesting person I met was Thomas Lenz from Porsche Classic. His department has now taken over the parts and restoration responsibility for the 928 models, and is determined to help us keep our cars on the road. This means they willl ensure availability of all parts neded to keep the cars running, and remanufacture those no longer available. This does not mean they will make ALL parts, though. It does have to be feasible somehow, and some parts are plentiful in good used condition that can be refreshed. They do complete restorations at the factory - from next year onwards you can see the shop through a glass wall in the new museum - and each restoration is documented ain all detail. The restored cars get a special label attached that verifies the authenticy.
Thomas gave a presentation about Porsche Classic during a buffet dinner, where I sat with an international crowd (we all spoke English at the table).
SATURDAY
I met my wonderful driver Schocki (Michael) at the breakfast buffet. Around 9AM we all left for the Ludwigsburg castle. There was some confusion on where to enter the court yard of the castle, but we found it eventually. The cars were parked, but I wish they would have lined them up a bit nicer. This is when we got to meet everybody in one spot for the first time... I met up with one of my German customers, who owns a very beautiful dark green / greygreen 1987 S4 with my stainless door sill enhancements and the Italian Burl wood trim.
After taking pictures, we moved the cars to a nearby parking garage. On the way, two 928s got into an accident when moving to the left turn lane. Apparently a car came fast from behind and thought he could cut through between both - he hit the right 928 on its left fender, rose up in the air on that side, and scraped the 928 on his left in the process. I am really worried about the S4 that got hit in the fender, as it looked like the whole front of it was no longer straight. Very sad, as this car was stunning otherwise.
We proceeded to a tour of the castle. This was hillareous, as the guide was dressed and spoke like the people in 1788. Well, sort of... We learned about life in the castle - particularly of those not at the top of the food chain. I learned how to properlyl navigate stairs with a dress 5 feet wide, while operating a fan...
After the castle tour we tried to have lunch, but the castle's cafe was completelyl overwhelmed by us all arriving at the same time. So all I got was something to drink before the next step: We had the choice between a fun cruise, and to visit the castle gardens "Blühendes Barock" (blooming baroque).
Michael and I went on the fun cruise, which took us through small villages and towns around Ludwigsburg (on the West side of Stuttgart). We stopped in Weissach at the Porsche Engineering Center Parking Lot, before heading back to the hotel.
At the dinner buffet, I met Peter Reisinger, who worked for Porsche's design department from 1970 to 2005 and was their cheif modeler. Peter, a very nice Austrian native, was very easy to talk to and eager to tell stories from the 928s development. I spoke with him for a long time. More on that later.
SUNDAY
Some of the participants left right after breakfast, while a nice group stayed for the German 928 club's annual meeting. I sat in on this, to get a feel for what's going on in Germany, and what issuses 928 owners are facing there.
Let me first say that this club is as professionally run as it can be. The board contains five true enthusiasts who are working extremely hard to keep the club attractive and lobby for 928 owners.
They decided to join a national organization that lobbies for vintage cars. but the membership declined joining the German Porsche Club. Reason: They want to be represented directly with Porsche, not through an umbrella organization that can't focus on their specific needs.
The club is broken down into regions with "Stammtisch" (regular meetings at a bar/restaurant), wrenching parties, fun cruises and other events. Regions communicate directly, but also report their activities to the board.
The club publishes a professionally produced 4-color magazine every 3-4 months, summarizing everything that's going on in the club, along with tech tips and other stories. That magazine alone made me think of joining the club. It's amazing!!!
They discused putting together an emergency road help system, and I described how we do this in the US. I thanked the club for this great event and invited them to San Francisco, where we would organize a small 928 gathering, if they give us enough notice.
After the meeting I had some discussions with the Club President, in which I mentioned that I am running for a board position in the 928 Owners Club here in the US. We agreed to start a dialog about possible synergies in case I should get elected.
A few of us then hung out for a few more hours before taking pictures in the parking lot and heading home. Among the people who stayed around was another Nicole. She lives in Switzerland and owns a berry red metallic S4 with pink suede interior (this car had been discussed here before).
I will post pictures later.
Last edited by Nicole; 06-28-2007 at 04:16 AM.
06-22-2007, 03:05 PM
#83
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Originally Posted by Alan
Did Joe Priv. go with you?
06-22-2007, 03:07 PM
#84
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It was a great event! We ended up with about 63 cars inside Ludwigsburg castle.
I finally met most of my Anchor MM and silicone customers from my time in the US. Nicole took tons of pictures and I hope that she is going to post some of them soon.
I finally met most of my Anchor MM and silicone customers from my time in the US. Nicole took tons of pictures and I hope that she is going to post some of them soon.
06-22-2007, 03:21 PM
#86
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Originally Posted by Ed Hughes
Great pics, thanks for sharing.
I like the "bright blue" car seen in a couple of the shots. Nice color!
I like the "bright blue" car seen in a couple of the shots. Nice color!
Even in the engine compartment you won't find any of the original color anymore... The interior has been redone also in blue and black leather; some plastic pieces have been painted in "soft touch" paint.
It's certainly a very interesting car, even though I personally think the side moldings would look better in body color. But it's not my car...
06-22-2007, 03:23 PM
#87
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A big thanks to all of you who have posted pics and reported on this significant event! 
Nicole,
Can you tell us more about Thomas Lenz and his intention to keep parts available for 928's. Seems more and more are becoming NLA. How will they be accessed from Porsche Classic?
Glenn
Nicole,
Can you tell us more about Thomas Lenz and his intention to keep parts available for 928's. Seems more and more are becoming NLA. How will they be accessed from Porsche Classic?
Glenn
06-22-2007, 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by sharkmeister85
Can you tell us more about Thomas Lenz and his intention to keep parts available for 928's. Seems more and more are becoming NLA. How will they be accessed from Porsche Classic?
First priority is to keep the cars running, so they are trying to ensure all vital mechanical parts are available. Any other parts are secondary. But they do have access to all original drawings and specifications, so they can assure highest quality and fit.
The parts are ordered through Porsche dealers or parts suppliers (the 928 Internationals of this world). However, there are some restoration parts that might not be available through those channels, due to limited or lack of availability.
The Porsche Classic Center in Stuttgart has some limited own stock of materials that they use only for restorations in their department. This is to ensure that they can perform these restorations in the first place.
At this point there is one Porsche Classic Center at the factory. However, they are planning to establish additional centers in various regions of Germany as a pilot project. If this turns out successful, more Porsche Classic Centers might follow in other parts of the world.
Last edited by Nicole; 08-15-2007 at 04:29 AM.
