Coming
from our humble beginnings it's an honor to be the last active
Charter Club member. Just the other day at lunch I had
the opportunity to speak with Larry Randall who is one of the few
Porsche owners in Tucson who started the University
Arizona Porsche club in the mid 60's, that became the
Porsche Club Tucson then Tucson Porsche Club. In the summer of
1967 Gene Parrill along with fourteen other Faithful signed a
Charter petition with the Porsche Club of America to be come
a Region. Obtaining the blessing of the Arizona Region
was needed to split Arizona into two Regions. I recall that
meeting at the Guendelsburgers Brau House (now gone) restaurant on
Broadway and how we were all so excited to sign the paper
work for the Region.
In January 67 along with the help of Larry Ashton I purchased
a 55 Speedster (for $800) that my Dad found in Safford over
the New Years' holiday. I was anxious to become a part
of the Porsche Club and participate in all the various
events; this included the popular SCCA slaloms at the old Tucson
Airport.
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Unfortunately all too soon
the slaloms proved too much of a strain on the weak ring gear
bolts of the Speedster transaxel and the car
was sidelined when the Club held (my first official
TPC event) the Beetle Rally no.3 Feb 12, 1967.
I was so disappointed we couldn't drive the Speedster and
that we had no choice but to take my tan Karmman
Ghia to a Porsche Club event. Soon Al Jobst repaired
the transaxel and I sold the car (Apr 67) in favor of the
improved suspension design of an A model 1957 Speedster.
It's amazing to think back that these were just old used
sports cars that happened to be German 356 Porsches and
were only worth about $500-$1000, plus we had a selection to chose
from. We simply didn't think anything about their
collectablity... Except for Larry Randall who
traded his A Coupe for a rare race Carrera Abarth at Vasek
Polaks in So. California.
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