Page 34 - KCRPCA MayJune 2021

DRIVING TO YEAR 30
THE LONGEST DRIVE
SOME PEOPLE FIND A CAR THEY LIKE AND JUST KEEP DRIVING
My first Porsche was purchased in April 1991, but this 30-year story really begins in 1986. Ronald Reagan was President, Dire Straits’ Money for Nothing was a chart topper, and the KC Royals, having won the ’85 World Series, were looking good again as they headed into summer. Little did I know that the seed of a 30-year Porsche ownership story was about to be planted.
That July, an industry colleague of mine returned from Europe. While discussing a project, I noticed a Porsche brochure laying casually on his desk. I couldn’t help but look inside. The full- page glossy photos would make any car enthusiast drool. Yes,
Jeff Zwart was in his prime. I slowly perused the pages of 911s, secretly knowing I couldn’t afford one. Reaching the full-page
ASSISTANT EDITOR RAY STEEBLE
to me. Knowing it too was out of reach financially, but not as far, I continued to flip the pages. The visual of that ’86 Turbo in that brochure was strong and I filed that thought away.
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About a year later, I saw a 944 Turbo zipping along on I-35. The image from the brochure had come to life. I was astounded by its stance and how it looked at speed. I tried to keep up, but it was soon out of sight.
By 1991, prices had come down enough that purchasing one was possible. In March, I started looking seriously. The
center spread, I saw the new 1986 944 Turbo. Now what is this, I thought, eyeing the graceful lines penned by Harm Lagaay. Back then I was a muscle car type, with 2 Pontiac GTOs in my past. But this Porsche, with its front engine shape and layout, spoke
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Der Sportwagen
YEARS