July/Aug 12

July/August 2012
Fred and Annette Huberty’s recently restored ’59 Cabriolet (story inside)
IN THIS ISSUE
The Membership Chairman’s 1959 Cabriolet
Porsche Crest Origin Recaro Story
Schedule of Events Tech Note
Product Review... and more!
356CAR MONTHLY MEETINGS
356CAR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
& COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Barney SpeckmanPresident
[email protected]
2130 Belford Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
hm: 925-937-3972 mb:925-367-3940
Ed Morris [email protected]
31 Anderson Circle
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
hm: 925-933-1285
Vice President
Fred Huberty
Director
[email protected] Membership
13286 Lake Wildwood Drive
Penn Valley, CA 95946
hm: 530-432-7769
mb: 530-219-4501
Director
Jim Reeder, Jr.
[email protected]
5255 Mowry Ave. Suite L
Fremont, CA 94538
wk: 510-793-4030
mb: 510-409-7576
fx: 510-790-2838
Garrick HueyDirector
[email protected]
P.O. Box 3059
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
hm: 925-938-8390
mb: 925-209-7593
1st Saturday San Mateo Breakfast
8:30 AM Mimi’s Cafe, 2208 Bridgepointe Parkway, San Mateo. Take Mariners Island Blvd. exit just east of Hwy 101 on Hwy 92, head north, turn right on Bridgepointe Parkway, restaurant is on the right. Contact Michael Hodos at [email protected] or 650-326-1621.
2nd Saturday Sacramento Breakfast
9:00 AM Marie Calendar’s, 5525 Sunrise Blvd, Citrus Heights. Hwy 50 east to
Sunrise Blvd., head north about 4 miles just past Madison Ave, restaurant is on the left. Contact Jim Hardie at [email protected] or 916-972-7232.
3rd Saturday Hollister Breakfast
9:00 AM San Juan Oaks Golf Course, Hollister, 156 east off of Hwy 101, 4 miles past San Juan Bautista, right on Union Road, right to the golf course. Contact Jack Biersdorff at [email protected] or 831-636-3046.
1st Tuesday Santa Cruz Dinner
6:00 PM Johnny’s Harborside 493 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz 95062, 831.479.3430
Located in the upper yacht harbor just off Murray Street. Contact Steve Douglas at [email protected] or 831-239-1291.
5th Saturday Central Coast Breakfast
9:00 AM
Spanish Bay Golf Course Clubhouse, Pebble Beach. Enter 17 Mile Drive via the Pacific Grove Gate, mention the Porsche Breakfast for free entrance. Contact George Breein at [email protected] or 408-888-5925
Kent AndersonDirector
[email protected]
19094 Madison Avenue
Castro Valley, CA 94546
hm: 510-538-9590
mb: 510-909-2311
George Breein [email protected]
129 Olive Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
mb: 408-888-5925
Director
Events Chairman
Phil Rowe [email protected]
1544 Arbutus Drive
Walnut Creek, CA 94595
hm: 925-943-6597
mb: 925-595-2180
Director
Chairman - North
Meets South 2012
Cover photo: John Thompson
Michael HodosDirector
[email protected]
Editor, Newsletter
944 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
hm: 650-326-6121
2
By Barney Speckman
356CAR Name Badges – These can still be ordered directly online
from 356CAR.org or from Membership Chairman Fred Huberty. See
an announcement inside for details.
Welcome to another President’s Message. This month I would like to
cover a few administrative items as well as remind you about some of
the upcoming events in which you may wish to participate.
356CAR Grille Badges – Additional copies of the new badges are still
available for $20 + $5 postage for members. See 356CAR.org for online
ordering or send your check made out to “356CAR to Membership
Chairman Fred Huberty.
President’s Message
Membership Renewal – First let me remind you that membership
renewals were due at the end of June. Please check your mailing label
and if it says “Expires June 2012” then your membership renewal is
overdue and this is the last 356CAR Newsletter you will be receiving.
Members who subscribe to the electronic version of the newsletter
only should have received an email reminder by now.
New 356CAR window stickers – Some of these newly designed
stickers are still available free to members in good standing while the
supply lasts.
356CAR Newsletter Editor Retiring – Having been on the job since
2004, the newsletter editor has indicated to the board that it is his
desire to retire from the position in the not too distant future. If you
think you might be interested in assuming responsibility for the club
newsletter, please contact Michael Hodos to learn what is involved.
Membership Recognition – A second reminder that the 356CAR
Board has adopted a policy that establishes a series of awards to
recognize the valuable contributions to the club made by individual
club members. See the article in the February/March issue for
details on how this recognition practice will work. The deadline
for nominations is October 31. If you feel someone has done an
outstanding job of contributing to the 356CAR please submit their
nomination.
New Member Welcome – Please join me in welcoming the following
new members to 356CAR:
Tyler Carlson, Auburn
Kerry and Valerie Gates, Fair Oaks
Dennis Grist and Susie Graf, Los Gatos
Glen Lewis, Reno
Skip and Lin Stahmer, Grass Valley
Bill Van Bibber, Grass Valley
Featured Newsletter Article – The series of articles about your board
members, their cars and their Porsche collectables continues in this
issue with a story by Membership Chairman Fred Huberty of the
decades-long quest for his 1959 Cabriolet. Don’t miss this engaging
saga!
Last but not least, I was pleased to see about a dozen of our members
from all over the Bay Area at the Nor Cal Vintage VW & Porsche
Treffen 2012 event in Concord this past weekend. This low profile
event features Porsches and Volkswagens in a relaxed setting and the
fine weather made it all the more fun.
August Events – We are in the middle of an usually busy August with
7 events centered around the Rolex Motorsports Monterey Reunion
at Laguna Seca listed on our calendar. Needless-to-say, there will
be plenty of activities this summer from which to choose. Be sure to
review your options and keep an eye on our 356CAR.org website for
updates. A free download of all the events is on the calendar page.
That’s it for now! Be safe out there!
Barney
Mendocino Tour – Bill and Gwen Jacobson will once again be hosting
this traditional North Coast fall getaway. Space is limited for this very
popular event. See the Close ups section for details.
Tour of Aircraft Carrier Hornet – October 6 will be your chance to
take a 3-hour tour of the carrier, as well as eat lunch there and fly the
simulators on board. However, please note that advance reservations
are required. See Close Ups for details then email your RSVP to
George Breein no later than Friday, September 21.
facebook.com/356car
Subscribe to the 356CAR eNewsletter !
Our eNewsletter offers a number of advantages for you and for the
club:
San Francisco Sports Cars People’s Choice Concours & Swap Meet
Co-Hosted by 356CAR and the NorCal912 group, this event is just
around the corner. Reserve your swap meet space now and be ready
for the event on October 21 in San Carlos. See details in Close Ups and
on page 9 of this issue.
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Drive Your Porsche 356 Day – This informal event occurs on
September 16 this year. Check the 356CAR.org website for organized
drives.
Photo Contest – The newsletter editor is offering a special
incentive for members to submit photo documentation of their
Porsche 356 exploits on Drive Your Porsche 356 Day. Each member
is invited to submit one and only one high resolution (i.e. MB not KB),
horizontal format, digital photograph that shows their car on location
on the drive. The photo chosen will be featured on the cover of
the September/October 356CAR Newsletter. The winner will also
receive a framed dry-mounted copy of the cover! The deadline for
photo submissions is Monday September 17 so warm up those digital
cameras!
Full color
More content
Real time updates
Instantaneous availability 3-5 days before the hardcopy
Archived copies readily available
Content and pictures easy to download
Membership dues reduction to subscribers
Current members may sign up now by sending an email to:
[email protected].
California Automobile Museum
3
At the January, 2011 meeting of the 356CAR board of directors it
was decided to again support the California Automobile Museum
in Sacramento. For our members this means that you will have
a one-time yearly free admission to the museum located at 2200
Front Street in Sacramento. Just tell them you are a member of
356CAR and enjoy the museum!
COMING EVENTS – CLOSE UPS
August 14
10 AM – 5 PM
Carmel-By-The-Sea Concours on the
Avenue
Features 1940-1973 multi-marques plus
Porsche and Ferrari from the beginning
through 1989. A judged concours with
~175 vehicles vying for 1st and 2nd place
in 30 classes plus 14 major awards and the
Best of Show. Application deadline is June
30. See www.motorclubevents.com for
additional information.
August 14
10 AM – 6 PM
August 15
10 AM – 7 PM
Automobilia Monterey
Embassy Suites, Seaside
This is the largest automobilia show in
the US. Only original posters, photos,
signs, rallye plates, badges, pins, models,
literature, books and much more. Benefits
the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center.
See www.AutomobiliaMonterey.com for
additional information.
August 17
Legends of the Autobahn
Rancho Canada Golf Club,
4860 Carmel Valley Road,
Carmel 93923. Corral parking $30, Judged
cars $60. Pre-registration required through
www.motorsportsreg.com. See www.
zone77.org for additional information
August 17-19
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
550 vintage vehicles with Cobra as the
featured marque. See www.mazdaraceway.
com for additional information.
August 26
10 AM – 4 PM
Hillsborough Concours
Crystal Springs Golf Course
Black Mountain Road off Highway 280.
See www.hisllboroughconcours.org for
additional information.
September 16
Drive Your Porsche Day
Watch www.356CAR.org for additional
information.
September
21-23
FIA World Touring Car Championship
Infineon Raceway, Sonoma
This will be the first appearance of this
global stock car racing series on American
soil. See www.infineonraceway.com
and www.fiawtcc.com for additional
information.
September
28-29
Mendocino Tour
Bill and Gwen Jacobson will once again
be hosting this traditional North Coast
Fall getaway. See Close Ups for important
details and watch www.356CAR.org for
additional information. Contact Bill to let
him know you’re coming at [email protected] or
707.937.2432.
October 5-7
Classic Sports Racing Group Charity
Challenge Vintage Race Weekend
Infineon Raceway, Sears Point in Sonoma. Take a tax-deductible three-lap ride for
charity in the vintage racecar of your choice
for a good cause. See www.csrgracing.org
for additional information.
Mendocino Tour – September 28-29
Bill and Gwen Jacobson will once again be hosting this traditional
North Coast fall event. 12 rooms have been blocked out at the
Beachcomber Motel for attendees. Interested parties must contact
the motel directly at 800.400.7873 to reserve a room. Upstairs Kings
are $139; downstairs Kings are $129. Mention that you are with the
Porsche 356CAR group. Rooms not reserved by August 28 will be
released. Please contact Bill at [email protected] or 707.937.2432 if you
are coming so that he will have a correct count for the Saturday
night dinner.
Friday attendees will meet at 12 Noon for a picnic at Parducci Winery
at the north end of Ukiah. While the winery does have some cheeses
and pre-made sandwiches that may be purchased it’s probably best to
bring your own lunch. From Parducci the group will travel north to
Laytonville and take Branscomb Road over to the coast. Individuals
are free to do their own thing Friday evening. As usual, the Jacobsons
will host a BYOB lunch on Saturday and will make a reservation at a
local restaurant for the group on Saturday night.
USS Hornet Guided Tour – October 6
707 West Hornet Avenue, Alameda 94501 following the 356CAR San
Mateo Breakfast.
• Entry Fee for 3 hour tour – $12/$10 for seniors
• Box Lunch – $8 Sandwich (choice of turkey, ham, roast beef,
pastrami, tuna, egg salad) or pasta salad plus chips and a soft drink
• Flight Simulator – Single Flight $6/Double Flight $8 per person
Advanced registration is required by contacting George Breein
at [email protected] or 408.888.5925. Payment in full is due to
George in person or via USPS mail no later than Friday, September
21 (see inside front cover for his address.) Online registration is
also available at www.356CAR.org/calendar. Contact George for
additional information.
San Francisco Sports Cars People’s Choice Concours &
Swap Meet – October 21
191 Industrial Road, San Carlos, 94070. Co-Hosted by 356CAR and
the NorCal912 group. Concours entry is $5; Swap Meet vendor
space is $10; No fee for spectators. This is a space-limited first come,
first served event for both the concours and swap meet. Swap meet
vendors who make an advanced reservation by contacting Wil
Patterson at 650.851.7152 or [email protected] and arrive by 8 AM
will be guaranteed a space. Rain cancels. Watch www.356car.org or
contact Michael Hodos at mehodos.mac.com or 650.326.6121 for
additional information.
Event dates and locations are subject to change. Always
check www.356car.org for the most up-to-date event information.
August 10-12
Pre-Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca
This is the relaxed kickoff to the Rolex
Monterey Motorsports Reunion August
17-19. Admission is $20 per day. See
www.mazdaraceway.com for additional
information.
4
October 6
USS Hornet Guided Tour
707 West Hornet Avenue, Alameda 94501
Following the San Mateo breakfast. See
Close Ups for required pre-registration
information as well as admission, meal and
flight simulator prices. Online registration
available at www.356CAR.org calendar
page. Contact George Breein at gbreein@
comcast.net and 408.888.5925 for additional
information.
October 11-14
356 Club of Southern California
Yosemite Fall Festival
Tennaya Lodge, 1121 Highway 41,
Fish Camp, CA 93623 Online registration
is now available at www.356car.org and
www.356club.org or contact Bob Lee at
619.518.8645 for additional information.
October 21
San Francisco Sports Cars People’s Choice
Concours & Swap Meet
191 Industrial Road, San Carlos, 94070. Co-Hosted by 356CAR and the NorCal912
group. Concours entry is $5; Swap Meet
vendor space is $10; No fee for spectators.
This is a space-limited first come, first
served event for both the concours and
swap meet. Swap meet vendors who make
an advanced reservation by contacting
Wil Patterson at 650.851.7152 or wxpatt@
comcast.net and arrive by 8 AM will be
guaranteed a space. Rain cancels. Watch
www.356car.org or contact Michael Hodos
at mehodos.mac.com or 650.326.6121 for
additional information.
December 1
8:30 AM
San Mateo Benefit Breakfast & Toy Drive
Bring an unwrapped $10 toy or a $10
donation for the San Mateo Firefighters’ toy
drive. Watch 356CAR.org for additional
information.
December 15
Sacramento Holiday Party
Check 356CAR.org for additional
information as it becomes available.
2013
May 16-19
North Meets South 2013
Cambria Pines Lodge
2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, 93428
Watch 356CAR.org for information.
5
The Membership Chairman’s Car - Hub’s Tub
By Fred Huberty
The editor thought that it would be nice for the members
of 356CAR to get to know the members of the board a little
better via the Porsche 356 vehicles and automobilia they
own. It took just a little arm-twisting to convince the
Membership Chairman to write what I hope will be a number
of such articles in the series.
Our appreciation for the 356 Porsche goes back many
years to when I was stationed at Maxwell AFB in 1967.
Newly married, I was driving a 1961 Corvette that was
fun to drive in a straight line, but parallel parking was
a challenge for Annette not to mention she couldn’t
reach the pedals. My sister had purchased a new
Porsche Cabriolet from the factory and we envied the
nimbleness, so we sold the Corvette and bought a 356
C. That car lasted only a year before we sold it and
moved to Alaska.
At the time this was going on, a very close friend
named Bill stationed in Georgia saw the advantages
of our quick, fun car. When he got out of the Army
he started to purchase a few 356s back home in Los
Angeles. As we made trips home to visit Bill’s family,
The new front clip finally in place.
I would always catch up with Bill and see his latest car.
In 1972 he found a 1959 Cabriolet that had been practically abandoned
For the next few months we worked on completing some finishing
on the street near UCLA. The car had less than 19,000 miles on the
touches before driving it to North Meets South 2012. We left for
odometer! As it turned out, a student had driven it there but couldn’t
San Luis Obispo in a heavy rain. While I had packed several towels
move it because the clutch cable broke and he didn’t have the funds
figuring we’d have some leaks to deal with, we were pleasantly
and/or knowledge to fix it. As the car stayed there it began to collect
surprised to experience not a single leak. The new top that Roy
parking tickets, water inside and a dent from a garbage truck. Bill
Neilson put on and the re-assembly that Klasse 356 did were excellent.
tracked down the owner and made him an offer that he accepted.
At the People’s Choice Concours, the car was awarded 1st place in the
A Open class.
Between 1973 and 1976 the car received body repair, a top end engine
rebuild, new paint and upholstery. The colors were changed from
As time goes on, we continue to learn how to drive our first open
light ivory with red interior to Aqua Marine Blue with a brown
356. There are definitely some differences compared to a Coupe (e.g.
interior. The car stayed that way until 2009. Bill used the car as a
less packing space, more sunscreen and better visibility.) A particular
daily driver for about 45,000 miles and went to many Porsche events
plus are the T1 seats that came with the car. It hasn’t been determined
in Colorado and Southern California. In the 1990s other priorities took how the seats got put in, but I believe the car came that way from the
hold and “VMO” (the name came from the license plate) spent more
dealer. The COA hasn’t been ordered yet, but I did get a look at the
time in the garage than on the road. In the meantime we had moved
build sheet during the Rennsport Reunion last year. It verified the
many times and bought and sold several Porsches, but VMO remained color was light ivory and it showed the car was originally shipped to
a real attraction for me. I kept telling Bill that I wanted to know if and
the states via Belgium in August 1958.
when he wanted to sell the car. In 2007 he finally relinquished control. As we were loading the car on a trailer in Los Angeles the actor Jon
Now that the body and trim have been restored, I suspect the engine
Voight drove by and stopped to talk with us about the car and where it will become envious and let me know soon that it wants some
was destined to go.
attention. We’ll wait and see. For now we’ll just enjoy the ride.
I brought the car home to Auburn, California in the hope that it would
take just a little brake work to get it running strong. Unfortunately a
growl in the transmission started getting louder just as we got it back
on the road. At that point it became evident that it would be a good
point to start a major renovation. Fortunately, it was about that time
that I became aware that Ed Rutherford was nearby and had recently
purchased Klasse 356 Parts. His son Kyle had considerable experience
with auto bodywork and painting and wanted to start his restoration
business that became Foothill Autowerks. A contract was negotiated
and the restoration of the car started in Oct 2009. After sandblasting
the body, we decided to replace what ended up to be ~60% of the
front body, the longitudinals and the floor pans. The bodywork was
meticulously done and the car was painted in Dec 2010. In October
2011 reassembly was completed just in time for the West Coast
Holiday in Palm Springs. In fact, when we rolled the car out of the
parking lot to drive up to Idyllwild it was the first real test of the car! The car made it up and back and placed second in class at the People’s
Choice Concours.
6
Origin of the Porsche Crest, Color and Script
The following piece is based in its entirety on an article originally written by
Terry Lovett of the Porsche Club of Canberra, Australia. It seemed fitting to
reprint it in recognition of the recent passing of Ferdinand A. Porsche.
The Crest
In 1951 Porsche was finalizing plans for
its move from the wartime sanctuary of
Gmund back to Stuttgart. Importers and
agents selling the product made it clear that
customers wanted some sort of trademark
or badge to identify their vehicles that until
then only carried the word “Porsche” on
the bodywork. In 1952 Professor Porsche
had devised the basic design of the crest.
Folklore has it that he sketched it on a table
napkin during a luncheon. Whether true or
not, it was Messrs. Lepper and Reimspiess of the publicity and design
studios who carefully finalized the design.
World Class Service
for World Class Collections.
There are three components: the family name, of course, is positioned
at the top, while the other two components reflect Porsche’s gratitude
for the rebirth of the company in the Stuttgart area. The red and
black bars with the antlers are from the coat of arms of Stuttgart,
capital of Württemberg. The origins of Stuttgart developed from the
royal patronage given in historical times in the area. A fine horse
stud developed there so the name derives from Stutt (stud) Garten
(garden).
protecting the world’s finest collections
The crest first appeared on a Porsche in 1953, but was limited to the
interior of the car on the horn button of a 356 Coupe.
800-922-4050 | www.hagerty.CoM
ColleCtion ManageMent • global Coverage • autoMobilia ColleCtions
Corporate entities • MuseuMs • Dealer ColleCtors
The Color
Maroon or claret has appeared on the driver’s handbooks, service
manuals and official letterhead since 1951. The choice of color was
due to necessity rather than any romantic design consideration.
After the Second World War colored inks were in very short supply
and colored papers were only just being reintroduced. It was in this
environment that the first manuals were produced. To maintain an
attractive design within the shortages of the period, black ink and
colored stock were chosen. The small printer Glauner happened to
have some colored paper in maroon. It was a case of no alternatives.
No one could imagine the precedent that this would set.
Need more garage space?
See Leigh Rutledge and Bill Hambrick
for Sacramento’s finest homes....
Today all official stationary, driver’s manuals and even the exterior
color schemes of the factory building in Stuttgart utilize bold stripes of
these colors.
The Script
The Porsche script has undergone a number of evolutionary changes
since it first appeared on Porsche No. 1 at Gmund in June 1948. From
the outset the square shape of the letters was apparent. Initially letters
were placed individually in a curved pattern on the front of the cars.
In 1950 a horizontal underlining bar joined all the letters into a single
unit. In 1952 the letters became more squat and extended. The design
remained unchanged for the remaining life of the 356 series.
356 owners who know the
needs of car enthusiasts!
916-612-6911
[email protected]
In 1963-64 when the 911 came on the scene the word Porsche reverted
to a series of individual letters of a thinner more open shape. Then in
1974 the metal letters were no longer used. Instead they were depicted
on the reflective panel separating the taillights of the 911.
916-600-6528
[email protected]
The Tradition
Tony Lapine, head of the styling studio for Porsche from 19691989 was once quoted as saying, “More than any emblem or logo,
Professor Porsche himself represents the bond between tradition and
progressive technology that makes Porsche such a unique company.”
7
DUNNIGA
N
Realtors
The Story of Recaro
How a German master saddle maker created a company that became synonymous with the best automotive seats.
By Terry Shea
We think of Recaro today as a
premier manufacturer of serious
seats for the street or the track,
but Recaro’s position – holding
posteriors as one of the premier
seat manufacturers – followed
a long history as a coachbuilder
for many luxury automakers, as
well as a longtime collaboration
with Porsche.
Like so many early car
companies, Recaro got its start
bridging the gap between the
horse and automobile trades.
Founded by 32-year-old saddle
maker Wilhelm Reutter in
Stuttgart in 1906 under simply
his own name, the firm was
listed as specialists in “luxury
and motor vehicles and English
ware,” the latter related to a
particular type of flat saddle
used in the English riding style.
But it was Reutter’s
coachbuilding business that
brought prosperity and growth
to the company. In 1909,
Reutter’s brother Albert joined
as a partner, and the company
changed its name to Stuttgarter
Karosseriewerk Reutter & Co.
a year later. By 1918, Wilhelm,
facing health issues, had largely
stepped away and Albert was
firmly in charge. During those
early years, the company was
granted patents on the “reform
body” (one of the earliest folding
top convertible designs), rollup windows and the adjustable
seat.
In 1932 when Ferdinand
Porsche worked with German
motorcycle maker Zündapp to
develop what would ultimately
become the Volkswagen, Reutter
built the wood-framed bodies
for the first prototypes as well
as the first 40 all-steel bodies
for later pre-production Type
1s. By this time, Reutter, which
had made bodies for the likes
of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and
Opel, had also partnered with
the companies that would join
to form Auto Union: DKW,
Audi, Horch and particularly
Wanderer, for whom Reutter
built as many as 30 bodies per
day.
Willhelm & Albert Reutter
Just before the war Reutter was employing around 900 people, a workforce that slowly diminished in the
following years. Wilhelm Reutter died in 1939 and Albert was killed during an Allied bombing raid on
Stuttgart in 1944 that heavily damaged the factory. Yet the company survived, listing 94 employees at war’s
end when it was allowed to produce hand trucks and repair Stuttgart street cars. Orders for mail trucks
and buses started the business growing again.
In 1949 Porsche returned from Gmünd, Austria with grand plans for its 356 sports car. Without sufficient
capital to produce its own bodies and with no place to actually build the cars, Porsche contracted with
Reutter for the manufacture of the bodies and rented space from its Zuffenhausen neighbor to assemble
the cars. Later, as sales skyrocketed, Reutter employment rose to 1,000 and the company even built the
prototype Type 901 which ultimately became the 911.
Porsche, as expected, approached Reutter about tooling up to produce the highly anticipated 911, but
Reutter, then employing 1,000 people, and run by a manager appointed by family heirs, was reluctant to
make such an investment. Instead, Porsche bought out the Reutter Karosserie in 1963, essentially doubling
its employment overnight.
But Reutter wasn’t finished, as it had kept the seat manufacturing operation in its original building in
Stuttgart and changed its name to Recaro, a concatenation of Reutter and Karosserie. Not surprisingly,
Porsche was its primary customer at the start. The remaining Reutter heirs sold the company in 1969 to
a consortium led by Keiper, which eventually bought out their other partners. By 1973, with a booming
airline seat business to go along with a growing reputation among sports and luxury car buyers, Recaro
outgrew their Stuttgart factory and moved to Kirchheim/Teck.
Recaro’s innovations in seating technology include making the first sport seats with lateral support, the
first seats with integrated seat belts and the first full shell racing seats. In the 1970s, having outgrown the
Kirchheim plant, they moved airline seat manufacture to a new factory. Later plants to produce aircraft
seats opened in Texas and Poland. In the late 1990s Recaro introduced child safety seats and operations
expanded to other parts of the world. Going well beyond sports cars, Recaro seats can be found in trains,
taxicabs, fork lifts, offices, boats, U.S. police cars and even the sideline benches at many soccer stadiums.
In 2011, major Milwaukee-based Tier 1 OEM Johnson Controls acquired the automotive seating business
from Recaro, incorporating the Keiper and Recaro brands into its existing seating businesses. But the
airline, child safety and home seating businesses remain with the Keiper family heirs.
Reprinted with the generous permission of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car magazine. Images provided courtesy of
Recaro North America.
8
Product Review – Waxing Made Easier
By Michael Hodos
If you’re one of those people like me who still prefers waxing your cars by hand rather than
with an orbital polisher, then these products may be for you. Griot’s Garage has come up with
a terrific palm size holder and a set of small polish and wax pads that will almost surely make
your cosmetic car care easier while also significantly reducing the time required to do the job.
The key is the holder that is made of a firm (but not hard) dense foam that features a Velcro-like
backing to retain a variety of 3” pads now available. Not only does the holder provide a very
comfortable way to apply polish and wax, it enables you to apply a very even application of
product with impressive speed . . . in my case less than 5 minutes for the entire roof of my C
Coupe.
The 3” palm grip pad holder (part #10642) sells for $10 as do the blue foam tire dressing pads
(part no. 11249) in sets of 3. The orange foam polish pads (part #11241) and red foam wax pads
(part #11263) each sell for $13 in sets of 3.
Griot’s Garage can be found at www.griotsgarage.com and 800.345.5789.
John’s Mobile Engine Service
Expert Vintage VW & Porsche Repair
Parts & Service
Bead Blasting
650-574-4643
1753 Leslie Street
San Mateo, CA 94403
9
BOSCH Distributors
Restoration and Recurving
Vintage Werks
REPAIR, REBUILDING,
RESTORATION
of BOSCH Distributors
for
PORSCHE 356, 912, 911
Advance curve reset to factory
specifications on all distributor
rebuilds.
REPAIR, REBUILDING,
RESTORATION
of SOLEX and PIERBURG
Mechanical Fuel Pumps
for
PORSCHE 356, 912, 911
Ed Fall
PHONE: 801-355-0266
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: http://www.vintagewerks.com
10
Tech Note – I Can See Clearly Now: LED Bulbs for Dash Gauges
By Ron Ridley
What attracts and keeps us interested
in fifty year-old cars with out of date
technology? As I look around at any
one of our gatherings, I ask myself
what we all have in common. Can it be
nostalgia for a simpler age? Or perhaps
it’s the confidence that we actually have
a fair amount of accumulated knowledge
in a rapidly changing world? Certainly it isn’t
the fear of this brave new world, not with everyone
gathered together constantly checking messages on their iPhones,
tweeting a source for an original horn button in Europe or forgetting
to place the key in the ignition to start the tub since their other, much
more reliable transportation only has a button on the dash.
So what is the common thread? I submit that just like the 24-hour
of Le Mans, we endure. We maintain what we have and accept the
shortcomings that will cost too much in time and/or money to change.
Fortunately, there has been a giant leap forward in technology that will
not cost an arm and a leg. It’s a relatively easy fix that will improve
the illumination of the dashboard instruments on any 356.
When I restored my C coupe not everything worked perfectly the
first time around so when I finally got some dash lighting I accepted
it with joy. The dim lighting also added mystery and excitement to
my nighttime drives as I was concentrating more on not over running
my 6-volt headlights than on worrying about how fast I was going.
Anyway, there’s a skill in estimating RPMs by sound and not by what
the tach is indicating in the darkness.
I’m not sure if I just accepted these inconveniences as inevitable or just
didn’t know any better until I began seeing articles in the 356 Registry
and finally met a vendor at North Meets South this year that peaked
my interest. He sold LED bulbs that fit perfectly into the dashboard
bulb holders with no adaptation required. Unfortunately, I would
have had to take out a loan on my car to afford them. Thankfully,
fellow 356CAR member Tom Camp steered me to Jules Dielen in
Arizona who has an A tub and has experimented to get just the right
combination of brightness and color so the lighting still retains a
natural look.
The results? Brilliant, as Harry Potter
would say. Now I can see the instruments
at night. The only downside is that if I’m
pulled over for speeding at night by the
CHP I can no longer plead ignorance.
Other than a few contortions to reach
under the dash on your back, tools are
minimal: A thin blade short screwdriver
or knife to pry the bulb holder out of
the back of the instrument, a light to
see what you are doing and the right
bulb for the right holder are all that is
necessary. Set the dimmer switch to
maximum since LEDs can’t be dimmed
as much as a standard bulb. The LED set
comes with two packages of bulbs. One package contains clear bulbs
for the gauges along with colored bulbs for the high beam and turn
signal indicator. The second package includes color LED’s for the
oil pressure, generator and hand brake indicators in the combination
instrument. The bulb holder is spring loaded, just pull forward on the
casing and the old bulb will release and the new LED fits in perfectly. Then simply slide the holder back into the back of the instrument.
(Since the combination gauge is physically shallower than the other
instruments, it is possible that this gauge will be a bit less bright than
the others.) Jules suggests pulling the bulb holder out of the gauge
about ½”. This way, you increase the distance of the LED to the dial
and increase light dispersion. One helpful tip for those of you with a
clock above the radio is to drop the radio down to access the back of
the clock. Then you’re in business.
After the replacement is complete I think you’ll find that the color
and intensity of the dials is close to being perfect and I doubt anyone
will be able to tell the difference between the incandescent and the
LED bulbs. Jules has added a yellow sticker to the tip of each LED
bulb to diffuse the pinpoint light and cast just the right glow. My only
concern is the green turn signal indicator is a bit too bright. But other
than that, I am very pleased with the results.
My ’65 C requires twelve bulbs, including the clock light and the
parking brake light . . . who knew? Good news for those of you
who have Speedsters as only seven bulbs required. I was somewhat
surprised to find out that there are at least two bulbs for each
instrument. No wonder I could only see 0 to 20 MPH and 100 to
120 MPH on the speedometer at night! Jules estimates this is a tenminute installation project but he did suggest hiring my six-year-old
granddaughter to reach above the radio to replace the clock bulb!
I would guess for the person with average dexterity and a fully wired
and working back of the dash, the project probably would take 30
minutes. But considering the average age of fellow members, as well
as the age of the parts and wires (not to mention the many repairs
along the years), it may take a little longer . . . two weeks in my case.
Yes, there were aches, pains, bruises and the unforeseen necessity to
order additional parts from NLA for the speedometer bulb holder
and the discovery that my running lights can’t be on without the
headlights but who cares? I need all the light power I can get at
night and have never understood using running lights without the
headlights in the first place. Except in the past in Paris, where it used
to be the law that headlights were not permitted within the city limits
at night. But that’s another story.
Contact Jules Dielen at 480.694.0516 for additional information and
ordering. The cost is $79.95 for 6 volt A and B cars, and $87.50 for
6-volt C cars. 12-volt bulb kits are also available.
11
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Dealing with an Accident
While I’m sure that most of us have heard the following information at least
once, it never hurts to refresh our memories occasionally.
According to The National Highway Transportation Safety
Administration, there are more than six million U.S. motor vehicle
crashes per year reported in the United States. Most of us don’t like
to think about what if, especially when it comes to vehicle accidents.
However, the odds say that you’ll most likely find yourself involved
in a vehicle accident at some point in your life. Do you know how to
handle a vehicle accident?
• Contact your insurance agent or carrier as soon as possible. Most
major insurance companies have a 24-hour phone number for claim
reports.
Edited reprint from the Integra Insurance Services Insurance Briefs
eNewsletter with permission from Integra Insurance Services, 14107
Winchester Boulevard, Suite V, Los Gatos, CA 95032, 408.354.3030.
There will be an initial shock. Once you’ve realized what has
happened and checked yourself for injury, you should attempt to exit
your vehicle. You might need to use a window if your door has been
damaged. As you find your way out of the vehicle, make sure to pay
attention to the oncoming traffic and stay clear of it.
Accident Factoid Quiz
1. In a car accident going 30 mph with what force are you propelled
forward if you’re not wearing a seatbelt?
If your vehicle is still drivable, then move it to a public location. From
there you’ll be able to safely exit the vehicle and report the accident.
Moving the vehicle is usually a good idea if there’s an immediate
danger like being hit again on a busy highway. Do keep in mind that
some states require you to stay on the scene.
a. 10 times your body weight
b. 25 times your body weight
c. 60 times your body weight
You should dial 911 to report the accident. The dispatcher will
automatically know your location if you’re calling from a land line.
You’ll need to know your location when using a cellular phone since
it’s a more difficult and lengthy process for an emergency dispatcher
to determine your location through a cellular phone.
2. How many crashes per day in the US are due to distracted driving?
a. 1000
b. 2000-3000
c. 4000-8000
In the event that your vehicle ends up in water, staying calm is a must.
You won’t be able to open the door due to the pressure from the water
if the vehicle submerges. Calmly take a deep breath and roll down
the window to escape. If the electric windows won’t work, then you
should break the window by hitting it with an object or kicking it.
Answers on page 15
As far as insurance goes, most insurance carriers recommend the
following universal steps be taken following an accident:
• Take note of how many passengers are in each of the other vehicles
involved in the accident as this will help prevent the future addition of
passengers during insurance scams.
• Collect the full name, insurance information, and home address of
all other drivers involved in the accident. You should also provide
your information to the other driver(s).
• Write a brief summary of the accident, recording as many details as
possible - the make, model and year of the vehicles involved; the time
of accident; and weather conditions.
• Collect the names and contact information of any witnesses,
especially if you feel something or someone other than yourself
caused the accident.
• While it’s okay to express concern over what happened at the scene,
you should never admit that the accident was your fault or claim
liability.
• Have your insurance information, driver’s license, and vehicle
registration available for the police. Once the police are on scene, the
officer will collect your information. The officer will ask all the drivers
what happened and record the account(s).
• Make sure that you ask the officer for the police report so that you
can submit it to your insurance carrier.
13
June 356CAR Board Meeting – A Young Guy’s View
By Shane Bremmer
I’ve been a 914 owner (not a “6” if
that’s what you’re thinking) and
a 911SC is my current car. During
the last year and a half I’ve been
going to the 356CAR meetings
in Sacramento at the fabulously
elegant Marie Calendars with my
in-laws Jim and Martha Roten.
My wife Diana always comments
that I’m the youngest guy at
the meetings which can’t be
true because sometimes there
are children and grandchildren at
some of the meetings!
Sailor Jack’s in Benicia
In May 356CAR Board members
Barney Speckman and Fred Huberty approached me and explained
that they wanted to get younger people involved with the club and
that it may help to have a younger club member participating in the
Board meetings. That’s me, Shane Bremmer, the young guy. I readily
accepted their invitation to the next meeting in Benicia. It sounded
like the drive from Sacramento
would be a good way to get the
SC nicely warmed up and besides
. . . how many times in my life is
there going to be an opportunity
to enjoy the company of two guys
named Barney and Fred to talk
about cars?
There was a lot of conversation about
membership renewal, bringing in
new members and how all members should
receive the electronic version of the 356CAR
Newsletter. A lot of other topics were hashed
out as well although one topic that I still don’t
completely understand is the mystery of the
missing chairs. Apparently an entire pallet of
chairs intended for distribution at the North
Meets South event still haven’t been located. I
can imagine them parked in the corner of some
trucker’s garage behind his four-wheel drive
pick up.
The 356CAR group is a fun crowd and the
356CAR Board members really seem to enjoy
their work and each other’s company. Hopefully I’ll be going back to
Sailor Jack’s this summer. Before leaving Benicia I did what “young
people” do. I shot a picture with my phone and posted it on Facebook.
Having been added to the Board’s
email communication list, the
first message on which I was
copied turned out to be entitled
“Welcome to Shane Bremmer and
Next Board Meeting”. Oh wow, I
was in the title of the email for the
next meeting! My first thought
was, “I hope I’m not going to be
expected to do something fancy
with Power Point!” There was a
list of items for discussion thrown
into one of the messages that
included a North Meets South
2012 review, upcoming events,
membership renewals, accounting
and a few other things. This is
how they started hammering out
a plan for the meeting.
At the end of June Barney sent out
the meeting location and the agenda. June 30th the 911SC made it to
Benicia in 1 hour and 30 minutes from Granite Bay, exactly as Google
had predicted. Benicia has always been a place I’ve passed through
driving to and from San Francisco. It’s where the ships are sitting on
mothballs in the bay.
The board converged on Sailor Jack’s, which appeared to have been on
the edge of the bay since the days of the gold rush. (Side Notes: The
food at Sailor Jacks is excellent and by the way the Board members
pay for their own meals.) The guys had a table on the 2nd floor where
we could catch the ships floating in and out from the Pacific. Over
brunch we talked about the success of North Meets South this year
and discussed where the event should take place in 2014. I can say
with great confidence that it will be someplace midway between
Northern and Southern California. Exactly where is still in question.
14
Is Your 356CAR Membership Expiring?
Please take a look at your mailing label.
If the year printed in the corner is 2012, your 356CAR
membership renewal is due in June. Memberships are $15
a year for the 356CAR eNewsletter or $21 a year for the
hardcopy 356CAR Newsletter. An electronic version of the
newsletter is sent to everone with an active email address.
356CAR Membership
Application / Renewal
356CAR Club Membership Badges
first name Club name badges with magnetic attachments are available to each active member and one additional driver
for $9 per badge plus packaging and mailing if required.
Badges are normally mailed or hand delivered within 30
days of payment receipt.
co-pilot
Badges may be ordered online @ www.356car.org or contact Fred Huberty at [email protected] to make the
necessary arrangements.
phone (day)
last name
address
city
state zip
phone (eve)
email
Accident Factoid Quiz- Answers
1 (c), 2 (c)
preferred meeting location
Sacramento
Move to paradise with everything
you could wish for, just 2 hours from Lake Tahoe
- all for $200,000 to $650,000 for beautiful wellbuilt homes, many with 3 car garages. HOA dues
only $104/mo. and Kaiser is 5 minutes away.
Call or e-mail me - Rick Bradley, original owner of a
1960 Porsche 356 and charter 356 Registry member about moving to Del Webb’s 10-year-old Sun CityLincoln Hills, between Roseville and Rocklin.
RICK BRADLEY
REALTOR
San Mateo
Capitola
Hollister
Central Coast
newsletter preference (check one)
electronic version
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Membership Dues
Dues renew every July 1st and can be prorated if desired.
eNewsletter only
Hardcopy Newsletter
1 year:
$15 ($1.25/mo)
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®
E-Mail:
[email protected]
916.408.0431 Home/Office
916.786.4600 Business
916.786.5287 Fax
RESIDENTIAL BROKERAGE
Owned and Operated by NRT LLC.
Roseville Office
2270 Douglas Blvd., Suite 120
Roseville, CA 95661
DRE # 01874661
2 years:$30$42
3 years:$45$63
Mail your completed application and check (payable to
356CAR) to:
356 CAR
c/o Fred Huberty
13286 Lake Wildwood Dr.
Penn Valley, CA 95946
15
13286 Lake Wildwood Dr.
Penn Valley, CA 95946