One of the great things about Porsche is how the
marque appeals to petrolheads all over the globe. Granted, worldwide appeal
isn’t exclusive to the Stuttgart brand, but it’s something making my job so
much more interesting than the editorial positions I’ve held on
territory-specific single-marque magazines in the past. By comparison,
Classic Porsche is something of a ‘league of nations’, as is conveniently
demonstrated by this issue, which features cars from Canada, the USA,
Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary and Finland.
Showcasing the enthusiast scene’s passion for Porsche in all four corners
of the world is a hugely enjoyable pursuit, not least because it affords us
the freedom to present readers with a snapshot of a different culture’s way
of approaching the badge, but also because of the wonderful opportunity we
get to meet owners, restorers, workshop proprietors and dealers keen to
indulge us in what their part of the world has to offer, both in and away
from Porsche circles. It has become a bit of a cliché, but there’s a saying
along the lines of the Porsche scene being about its people, not its cars. In
truth, it’s probably an even split.
Thankfully, there is always new blood coming to the Porsche scene and there
appears to be no shortage of cars to restore, personalise and — as the
manufacturer intended — get out and drive, making the Classic Porsche
editorial team’s job that little bit easier than if we were focused on a
marque subject to limited-volume production and owners who cosseted their
cars, sticking strictly to standard specification and never allowing the
odometer’s scoreboard to increase.
The point about personalisation is important to note. Of course, we feature
standard cars — everyone loves a historically significant Porsche in the same
configuration as it left the factory, but from its earliest days, the
manufacturer has always offered individual equipment to its private clients,
allowing owners to tailor their cars to a number of influencing factors,
including driving style. In this regard, nothing has changed, though
personalisation is certainly now more prevalent. A broad church indeed. |
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