924S944.com spent Memorial Day Weekend at ZoneFest 2019 – a PCA Florida Citrus Region (Orlando) event that was held in and around the Lakeside Inn in Mt. Dora near Orlando. While there were only a few front engine water cooled Porsches there, there were a few things that are worth noting in the conversations, cars and people that were in attendance.
One of the events for the weekend was a People’s Choice Concours. That event was held at the Howey Mansion in Howey-in-the-Hills near Tavares. It was a great sub-event with about fifty Porsches from 356 to 718 Spiders on display. In our little class, the People’s Choice winner was David English and his 1983 944. This absolutely impeccable 944 – black with a black interior and factory Fuch wheels – was purchased in 1983 by David
at the Porsche Dealership in Orlando from none other than our own Nort Northam. Not only did he purchase it new, but he and Nort took delivery of it at the factory in Germany – “tourist delivery.” Photos to prove it. AND, if that isn’t enough, the car has 243,000 miles on it, and the engine and transaxle have never been out. All original. (If you have to lose to someone, David and his 944 are the best.)
Many of the cars in attendance were later-model 911’s, Caymans and Boxsters, including GT3’s. However, it was amazing to me that conversations and questions abounded about using the 944 as a street-legal, drive-to-the-event autocross and/or track car. It seems that owners of these high-buck Porsches are nervous about driving their cars on a track at speed, especially when they can get their kicks at a lower price – and have just as much fun. And still have air conditioning.
Here at 924S944.com we have been attending various events and shows for many years. I find it amazing – and quite gratifying – that the 924-944-924S models are quickly gaining acceptance back into the Porsche fold. As you have heard us say before, the Porsche Club of America local regions will welcome us with our quirky not-a-real-Porsche Porsche – just join and join in.
We have a lot more coming up this summer and fall. We have plans to attend 944Fest at Nelson Ledges in Ohio the first weekend in August; the Appalachian Adventure in Young Harris, GA in mid-August; and the PCA “Treffen” in Woodstock, VT in early September. There are additional track days in there, too.
So again – get involved, show off your great cars, and come join us. Check the event calendar for events in the Orlando area.
