Cruising Through 50 Years…
I recently received an email from the PCA headquarters reminding me that it was time, once again, to renew my PCA/LPR membership. This renewal will be my 50th and as such reminds me of how rapidly time has passed over these 50 years. And many, many fond memories come to mind as the two year renewal is filled out and sent in. I could have opted for a three year renewal, but at my age the two year option was a better fit.
Times were quite different in 1970 and so was Loma Prieta Region. When Kathy and I filled out our first PCA application LPR was six months old and its membership was at thirty four – that was thirty four rabid Porsche enthusiasts who were determined to never let a weekend go by without some sort of LPR activity.
We knew we had found something special. This special feeling has lasted throughout the entire 50 years. I don’t know of too many other clubs or organizations that could hold ones interest for that length of time, LPR is indeed unique.
The next three years set the tone, a brief recap goes like this…
The first Porsche Parade we could attend was the 1971 event in Sun Valley, Id. More than 20 LPR headed out for the week, this was a first for several, while others had attended previous Parades. A Porsche Parade is wonderful introduction to the many facets of the Porsche Club and also an introduction to PCA members from other regions. During the week we made our presence known, not only by winning several event awards but being very vocal and enthusiastic at social events – we weren’t the only ones, just the happiest! After this week-long national get together LPR was established as one of PCA’s newest upbeat regions and a region on the go.
Two things happened in 1972 that really put LPR on the PCA map. The first: The Prieta POST won the Paul Heinmiller Award for Best Overall PCA Newsletter at the Porsche Parade in Chicago. Being the Editor I was very proud to receive this award on behalf of the LPR membership and with this accolade LPR was really up and running and a region to be remembered.
Keeping the 1972 engine at full steam LPR hosted, in the Fall, the West Coast Weekend in Santa Cruz. Over 100 cars of PCAers attended, waking up the sleepy Santa Cruz landscape from Friday through Sunday with an array of well-thought out and executed events – from a Concours, a Rallye, a Hill Climb (a county road was closed for this event) and a world class Porsche Stuffing Contest you could say we did it all. Add to these events one welcome party and two banquets . World class? Maybe more like Santa Cruz class.
Oh, about stuffing a Porsche: The idea, as envisioned, was to see how many people could fit ( stuffed) into a Porsche. Simple, but challenging. This brain storm came from the ongoing telephone stuffing contests held near many college campuses. Several attending region members participated, but LPR members were the winners! We removed the seats from a 356 Cabriolet and stuffed around 23 people inside. The ones on the bottom were considered heroes and treated to a beer and a shot of oxygen afterwards.
When all was said and done the thank you notes poured in and to this day no one has attempted to duplicate the West Coast Weekend, we set a high standard with our enthusiasm, professionalism and a dynamic of just plain fun.
1973 was to become a highlight of our ongoing regional rise into the ranks of the very best. At the Porsche Parade in Monterey LPR was named the Ferry Porsche PCA Region of the Year and the Prieta POST won first place in its class and second overall. The celebratory party afterwards was held on the 17 Mile Drive home of Bill and Juanita Van Schoick and lasted well into the wee hours of the morning. The Perpetual trophy was filled with champagne and enjoyed immensely ( please don’t tell anyone that we did that).
And so goes the first three years of what was to become PCA’s official Good Time Region!
This year, of course, has become the unusual rather than the norm. Our monthly activities have dropped to practically nothing, or nothing for most months thanks to the coronavirus/COVID -19 pandemic. But we’re doing the best we can under trying circumstances, so stick with us and give us your support as best you can; It will get better, maybe not right away, but better someday.
Finally…
I was going to replay an article sent to me by my pal and former LPR President Jim Van Dam about the Detroit chapter of the SCCA’s running of a rallye called Press on Regardless, featuring the Studebaker, an American car long gone in the annals of automobile history. This rallye dates back to 1949, but the rallye is secondary to the longevity of this car club.
Maybe next month the story in appear all its glory, but for now I’m positive that anyone who has read the previous ramblings has either fallen asleep or gone to the bathroom twice, hopefully while not asleep.
Think of today’s collector and muscle cars and what they meant during the days when the fast lane was occupied by many versions of the Studebaker – and while you’re at it, we’ll see you on…..the road ahead.
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