Everglades Region of The Year 2024

Official PCA Region for Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Punta Gorda and the rest of SWFL. 2024 Region of the Year!, 1st Runner Up Region of the Year 2023. Winner PCA Public Service Award 2022, 1st Runner Up Region of the Year 2021

Passion Newsletter

Welcome to our Porsche Passion Newsletter!

Check back here every month to learn more about fellow EGS members and discover more fun facts about your club.
Editors: Sharon V. and Faith W.

So, did you ever wonder how the Porsche Club of America began? Well, it’s an interesting story and if you have a few moments, take a read and enjoy our history. Remember, this year, we celebrate 70 years as a club.

Great things start small, and the Porsche Club of America is no different. It began with one man, Bill Sholar, who was a commercial artist in the Washington, D.C. area in the early 1950s. He bought a new 1953 356 Coupe, and, as time passed, he met other Porsches on the road and flashed his lights at them in silent greeting. By late 1954, Sholar was convinced that a more personal meeting would be appropriate with other Porsche owners to discuss the positive and the not-so-positive aspects of driving the infrequently encountered marque. Hence the Porsche Club of America was born. The first unofficial PCA meeting was held at the Sholar house on February 8, 1955. Following that meeting, several Porsche owners occasionally got together that spring and summer to share knowledge about the unique cars they drove. Eventually, they decided to start a club. A brief paragraph in the August 1955 issue of Sports Car Illustrated informed readers that a Porsche club was being formed in the United States; all inquiries were directed to Bill Sholar’s attention. As part of the effort, Porsche was petitioned to recognize the proposed club.

The original members of the new Porsche club titled the new organization the Porsche Club of America, but unofficially, they referred to it as “the gripe group.” They held their first business meeting on September 13, 1955, at Blackie’s House of Beef in Washington, D.C., and thirteen prospective members showed up. Only 12 of them were admitted as members because one person was a Volkswagen owner, didn’t qualify for membership under the Club Bylaws – which remain in effect today – and politely was asked to leave. Those in attendance at that first meeting were Bill Sholar, Karl Grimm, Peter Pearman, Ken Twigg, Frank Beckett, Gamble Mann, Fred Schulenburg, Bob Flick, Bob Elliott, Ray Pitts, Harvey Brown, and Don Carr. Sholar was elected President, and the PCA sent a press release to Porsche’s magazine, Christophorus, introducing the Porsche Club of America to other Porsche enthusiasts. Word spread, and the 189 Porsche owners who joined the PCA by January 31, 1956 were designated as “charter members.”

As more and more members joined outside the Washington, D.C. area, Regions were formed in other communities. The original Washington, D.C. group eventually became Potomac Region, which remained the hub of activities. First appearing in December 1955, the Club’s monthly magazine, Porsche Panorama, kept all members updated on the latest technical information, factory news, and events.

Pretty cool, huh? Well, if you liked that, stay tuned. We’ll add another update next month about the history of the Porsche Club, not of America, but starting in Germany. It’s pretty interesting. We might even share history of the Porsche Parade.

And, here is an invitation to all of our Everglades members. If you have an interesting story about how you got started with Porsche, travels to pick up your Porsche, or your Porsche Parade, Werks, Treffen; please share with us so we can publish it to our members.

For now, remember, “It’s not just the cars, it’s the people.”

This photo was taken by members Sharon & Robert Vigorito, of the original table and set up from the first meeting at Blackie’s.

This is on display at the PCA Headquarters Museum in Columbia, Maryland.)

MARY PATRICIA “TRICIA” RUPPRECHT

I am a native of Evansville, Indiana.  In addition to Indiana,  I have lived in St. Louis, MO, San Diego, CA, Carmel, Indiana, Greenville, NC and Tarboro, NC.

I worked as a medical secretary for doctors in Evansville and at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology in St. Louis.  After the birth of my three children, I moved with my family to San Diego, CA where I committed myself as a full-time mom and a part-time retail merchandiser for the Kimberly Clark Corp.

I have been married to Don Rupprecht for 55 years. We have two sons, Donald, Bryan, and a daughter, Renee. We have eight grandchildren.  We have been residents of Naples since 1998.

My first Porsche was a Mahogony 2014 Boxster which I received as an Anniversary gift.  I fell in love with this beautiful little convertible. Recently, we purchased a lovely Carmine Red 2021 Carrera S Cabriolet Convertible.  I guess I fall in love easily because I love this beauty too.

I enjoy time with family, friends, and, of course, our grandchildren.  My activities involve Walking,  Pilates, Mah Jongg, Mexican train, book clubs, and volunteering.  The Porsche Club has opened doors for new friendships and fun activities. 

INTRODUCING

PCA’S Digital Membership Card

PCA members can now opt in to the digital membership card, available for Apple and Android digital wallets. It’s easy and quick to download! Once in your wallet, your card is easily accessible when you need it.

Hello Everglades Region Members,

This news article is to advise you about a new option that is available to PCA members. The opportunity to create a Digital Membership Card provides a wonderful convenience to members. 

This began in July, offered to Membership Chairs to test out the new card and I opted to try it out. I love it. If you’re like me, having to dig in my wallet to find my membership card when I need it can be trying. And, if you’re into techy things, this will be right up your alley.

So, here is additional information, if you are interested in opting in for a Digital Membership Card.

  • A Digital Membership Card will be available only to members who select Digital Membership Card. A member will not be able to select both Digital and Mailed options.
  • With either the mailed card or the digital card, the Primary Member’s choice will extend to the Family/Affiliate Member (as it currently does). 
  • Once opted in for a Digital Membership Card, the Primary Member will receive an email that includes:
    • instructions to access their Digital Membership Card
    • a digital version of the membership brochure 
    • instructions on how to request a PCA window decal 
  • A member who opts for a Digital Membership Card will not receive a mailed membership package or a mailed renewal reminder.
  • Opting in for a Digital Membership Card will not affect the member’s Panorama subscription or any other communication preferences that aren’t mentioned above. If a member currently receives a mailed Panorama, they will continue to receive it. 
  • Digital Membership Cards are downloadable to Apple or Android smartphone Digital Wallet. 
  • Each Digital Membership Card will always be current with an individual’s membership. If the membership expires, the Digital Wallet will indicate they are not a current member.
  • If the Primary Member does nothing, the account will continue with the traditional mailed membership card.
  • The Digital Membership Card contains a QR code that will allow you to verify a person’s membership status. 

With this new feature, PCA looks forward to allowing members to carry this convenient digital card with them everywhere in their smartphone’s Digital Wallet. This will also be a step forward in helping the Club become more sustainable and continuously adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.

So, that’s it. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. If I don’t know the answer, I know just who to call at PCA National.

VISIT PCADIGITALCARD.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION

Have a great day!

Sharon Vigorito

Secretary

Membership Chair

Everglades Region, PCA


EGR Power Women Profile: Janet W.

Our new EGR Central Sector Chair, Janet W. is clearly a woman in power. Janet ‘s a semi-retired fire marshal from the City of Hollywood, Florida where she moved up the fire department career ladder from firefighter – paramedic to becoming the first female Division Chief of Fire Prevention. Upon retirement from that fire department, she wasn’t ready to hang up her fire helmut. She took another “fire female fire marshal” position at another fire district on the West Coast and moved to Bonita Springs in 2019. She built a new home and even fire sprinklered it!


Janet has served on many technical fire committees nationwide; a position responsible for writing fire codes. She has written articles for national fire service magazines and technical journals. She has also taught many architects, fire marshals and fire inspectors throughout the State of Florida.
Janet is originally from Portland, Maine and moved to Florida by herself in 1980. She has a Master of Science degree in Leadership from Northeastern University. She attended Harvard Kennedy School for Executive Education a few years ago.

In the 1980’s Janet worked as a print and TV model in S Florida. She continues to dabble in that industry and recently appeared in the TV commercial for Margaritaville Latitude Resort, Daytona Beach, Florida.
In her spare time, she enjoys fine dining, baking, hiking, flats fishing and bicycles several times a week. She also enjoys river cruises throughout Europe. She’s looking forward to a Tauck Grand Rail Adventure throughout the Swiss Alps in September.

Janet has owned two Porsche’s and currently drives a Special Edition 2021 Boxster 25 years in Carrara White Metallic. Prior to that she drove a Porsche Macan S.
Janet is having fun planning social events as our Central Sector Chair including meeting new people.

EGR Power Women Profile: Sharon J.

Sharon joined PCA recently, as a new Member and fairly new Resident to Naples. Sharon moved from Ft. Lauderdale 3 years ago, originally from Ohio. Here in Naples, she custom built her dream home and shortly after, custom built her dream car. Thus, creating her own Paradise or Sharadise as she likes to refer to it.

Her first Porsche was a Black/Saddle Interior 2002 996 911 cabriolet, manual transmission, from that moment she was in LOVE. Her second Porsche was a White/Ocean Blue Interior 2007 997 911Cabriolet Tiptronic. She held on to that for 10+ years, and still regrets selling that one. Her third/current and NOT her last is a White/Bordeaux Red interior 2021 992 911. This one she made to order and has no regrets! “Every time I get in the car and start it up, it automatically makes me smile, there’s nothing like the sound of a Porsche! Not too quiet, not too loud, just Right. Passion for Porsche!!”

Sharon has been in the Hospitality Industry all her life and has been with Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas for 24 years. She helps Corporations maximize their profits by incentivizing their employees and rewarding them with a customized trip to Atlantis. Some of her hobbies and interests are Pilates, Pickleball, Pizza and Porsche’s – NOT in that order 😊

Sharon looks forward to helping support the new “EGR – Porsche Women’s Team”, to meeting more members and enjoying fun group events with all the people that share the same passion!!! Follow her on Insta@TeamSharadise

Drive Report: Ave Maria Drive and Tour, May 21, 2023

Ave Maria is a planned community in the eastern environs of Collier County. Created some 21 years ago by entrepreneur Thomas Monahan, Founder of the Domino’s Pizza chain, the quiet community also is home to Ave Maria University amidst many lakes and golf courses.

So on a bright sunny Sunday morning filled with high blue clouds and a northeast breeze, 16 colorful Porsches headed out from North Collier Regional Park in Naples. Chilled bottled spring water was provided to all attendees. The drive took a more southeast route via Rt 41 to Carnestown and Rt 29. Fantastic views of the forested Everglades and ponds populated by an assortment of our avian friends for many miles; so nice to see no development! Many had never been here so today was a special day for them, to get see a community highlighted by the center Green upon which sits the magnificent stone cathedral build in the style of famed Notre Dame in Paris, with its striking “Flying Buttresses”. The surrounding buildings are notable for their assorted pastel colors. A charming town center indeed.

Members Tom and Robin Kring. Tom is EGR Board member and Autocross Chair for Everglades Region

Tom and Robin Kring have been residents of Estero since 2001.  Tom is a financial advisor and the owner of Kring Financial Services since 1994.  Robin has worked with the Collier County School District since 2001 as an Intervention Support Specialist and earned her Doctorate in 2013. Tom and Robin love traveling, Disney and fine dining.  Tom’s biggest passion is racing, especially autocross and he competes regularly in the SCCA National Tour.  Tom and Robin became PCA members with the Everglades Region in 2008 when Tom bought his first Porsche, a black 2006 Cayman.  Since then, the Kring household has had 8 other Porsche’s, the newest edition being Robin’s white Macan.  In 2012, Tom became the Motorsports Chairman for Everglades region and promptly restarted the, at that time defunct, autocross program.  

Tom was joined the following year by one of the region’s past presidents, Dave Noelken, who was a big help in getting the program running again.  Dave still helps out and attends an occasional autocross when he has time (he wears a lot of hats in the region’s leadership!). Tom holds autocross events for the region at Buckingham Airfield which is arguably one of the best autocross sites in the country as well as Venice Airport and Sebring.  He is also looking at bringing Port St. Lucie Fairgrounds into the mix.  While, not in our region, Sebring and Port St. Lucie is a shared autocross site for many of our regions and clubs in Florida. Our autocross events regularly attract attendees from the entire state and oftentimes southern Georgia.  

Over the years, Tom has also organized and instructed at some very high-profile Autocross schools for Everglades region.  Namely, the Solo Pro schools and the BEST (Beyond Seat Time) schools.  Tom is attempting to organize another very special autocross school for later this fall if adequate sponsorship can be attained.   In many regions throughout the country and especially in Florida Autocross and DE (driver’s education, i.e., ”Track Days”) is a very big part of the region’s activities.  This has never been the case with the Everglades region, as its focus has been seen as far more “Social”.  We are working on changing that perception because there are very few car communities that are as social, friendly and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone involved as the autocross community.  It would be hard to find anyone who has ever attended an autocross event that would feel differently.  To most, the autocross community is like a second family.  If you haven’t given autocross a try or if it’s been a while, come on out and join us.  Learn to drive your car the way it was meant to be driven!

Drivers Education or Track days is another aspect of our club’s motorsports activities.  We are so lucky in Florida to have access to world-renowned racetracks…Sebring, Homestead and Daytona to name a few.  There are also some smaller tracks like The FIRM, near Gainesville, that provide a great track experience… or for those with the hankering to get a little dirty, The FIRM also has a fantastic rally course.  While Everglades has grown immensely over the recent years to 1400+ members, we are a small fish in a big sea for hosting DE.  We generally join Suncoast or Goldcoast region’s DE events in order to keep costs in line.  Instructors are not only available, but mandatory for novice drivers on the track and do a great job in teaching you and keeping you safe while allowing you to have the thrill of a lifetime.

All PCA events are great (especially Everglades region events…yes, some bias here!).  I encourage you to attend any that catch your eye and fit your schedule.  But, if you want a real thrill and want to REALLY learn how to drive your car the way a Porsche should be driven, sign up for an autocross or a DE day…or better yet BOTH, and do it often!!!

For more information or answers to your motorsports questions, please feel free to give Tom a call.  His contact information is available on the Everglades website.

Welcome to new Everglades Region PCA member, Michelle Joy Kramer.

Michelle is a Board-Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, CHHC, AADP and resides in Naples, FL.
She assists individuals and corporate teams in achieving optimal health through healthy lifestyle choices regarding nutrition, exercise, spirituality, relationships, and careers. She is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds a Certificate from the Cornell University Plant-Based Nutrition Program. She has also completed CEU and Certification Programs for Health Counseling through Purchase College. She holds accreditation from The American Association of Drugless Practitioners and is a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
She has a global private concierge health coaching practice and is the organizer of a whole foods plant-based community group in Naples, Florida, called the http://naplesgreenscene.org/

Michelle is also an accomplished top competing Triathlete and considers her best achievement to be qualifying and completing the IRONMAN World Championship Triathlon in Hawaii.

She is also on the advisory board of The Plantrition Project.

Michelle’s first Porsche was a 718 Cayman and was a Valentine’s gift. She is currently driving a super sexy, Berry metallic, 718 Cayman that she gifted herself as an empowered woman in 2023! Be sure to look for her in that beautiful Porsche!

On March 5th at the British Italian and German Car Show in Cape Coral Florida, PCA Everglades Central Area co-chair Steve Noble won 2nd in his class for his Miami Blue Porsche 911 Targa 4. This was Steve’s first award for his car. The category was 911’s water cooled 1999 to present day.

Steve is a new member to PCA in the Everglades Region and has become an active member, planning, and executing events on behalf of the Everglades Central Area. It was Steve’s lifelong passion to own a 911 one day and become an active participant in the Porsche community. Before arriving in Fort Myers Steve moved from Canada in 2008 to continue his career with Emerson Electric and finally retired in 2019 after 37 years. Since moving to the US, he has lived in Georgia, Texas, and Ohio before landing permanently in Florida. Before arriving in Fort Myers Steve was an avid motorcyclist riding Suzuki’s, Honda’s, and Harley Davison bikes. Some of his best rides were through the Blue Ridge Parkway and Tail of the Dragon. His goal today is to get his 911 Targa to some of those same roads and explore the curves as he did on his motorcycles. Lastly, Steve has two sons Connor and Mathew who he shares the passion for cars and cooking with. Along with his two boys Steve often entertaines dinner parties enjoying the company of family and friends. 

March Member Spotlight – The Houlette family

The Houlette family, David, Kerry Ann, Alex (7), and Kate (5), reside in Estero and have been living in SWFL for approximately 10 years.  Alex and Kate are homegrown Floridians, while David and Kerry Ann are originally from California and New Jersey.  

David is a Captain for JetBlue airways based out of Fort Lauderdale and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps reserve.  Kerry Ann is a former JetBlue flight attendant and professional dancer.  They met  at work and decided to make beautiful SWFL their home and start a family. 

The Houlettes enjoy traveling, snow skiing, and watching 49er football games.  Kerry Ann is an avid runner and David enjoys participating in a few Sebring Track day events per year in his BMW.    

David got involved with the PCA and the Everglades region to meet fellow Porsche and car enthusiasts.  They are proud owners of a 1978 Porsche 930 which they have owned for 9 years.  David first saw this particular Porsche when he was 10 years old and purchased it from a family friend.  David and Alex had the pleasure of attending a Poker run drive in January and thoroughly enjoyed their time meeting the friendly members, checking out their beautiful Porsches, and zipping along the country roads within their group.  Alex is quickly turning into a car enthusiast,  just like his Dad.    

The Houlettes may have to unfortunately part ways with the 930 to make room for a new Carrera T which is due to arrive in early May.  If there is no conflict with a kid weekend sporting event, David and Alex are eagerly looking forward to attending their next Everglades region event. 

EGR Power Women Member Spotlight – Suzy G.

Suzy Gurevich is excited to be part of the Porsche family. Her passion for Porsches began approximately 15 years ago.

She started coming to Cars on Fifth and fell in love with Naples. The people, the sugar sand, the cars, the lifestyle, and of course the majestic sunsets. She knew this was the place to call home. So almost 10 years ago, she settled into Naples and loves it!

Suzy’s first Porsche was a Cayenne. She put over 100,000 miles on that car before saying goodbye. In the meantime, in 2008, she acquired the limited-edition orange Boxster S. That is her pride and joy. Getting behind the wheel of her Boxster S, putting down the top, hearing the rev of the engine fuels her soul. It’s exhilarating and brings her pure happiness. She had a 2016 white Macan that was traded in recently and she purchased a 2022 blue Macan. Like many of us, she is Porsche obsessed! 

Suzy is blessed to have an amazing family, she has 3 kids and a beautiful granddaughter! And, she is a wonderful daughter, caring for her mom with Alzheimer’s.

Suzy is very excited to participate in the Everglades Region events. Her New Year’s resolution was to get more active in the club, and we are seeing her more often. Be sure to watch for her and introduce yourself. You most likely will see her pushing her mother in her wheelchair. So, Mom gets to be part of the Porsche experience along with Suzy

Welcome to the Everglades Region family, Suzy! 

–Sharon Vigorito

Everglades Region gets National Coverage!

“The principle chronicle of Porsche history in the United States for the past 25 years has been ‘Porsche Panorama’, the monthly magazine of the Porsche Club of America. Since 1955, ‘Porsche Panorama’ the magazine has grown up with Porsche the car in this country and has thereby documented a significant chapter in the Porsche success story. Today the U.S. is Porsche’s largest market, and PCA is the world’s largest one marque club. This growth has led to an increasing interest in the history of Porsche. Obviously Porsche drivers have been both creating history and recording it. As the publication of a club which is independent of the Porsche factory and the U.S. importer, ‘Panorama’ is also independent. Instead of serving as a mere advertising tool ‘Panorama’ is a journal of how to live with and enjoy a Porsche, written by enthusiastic and knowledgeable owners. Porsche and ‘Panorama’ matured together, simultaneously becoming more sophisticated vehicles of transportation and communication. Since ‘Panorama’s’ inception, there has been a continuous flow of material on maintenance, modification and restoration of Porsches, all born of personal knowledge and firsthand experience.” Chapters include: New Porsches; Porsche People; Porsche Events; Porsche Competition; Porsche Features; Porsche Humor; and Historical Notes, each accompanied by dozens of photos. This is a must-have book for all Porsche lovers.”

One particular section of the magazine is entitled “From The Regions”. This section provides all regions the opportunity to share what they have been doing. Because there are 147 regions across the country, it’s not easy to get an article published. The only requirements are that the article is 50 words and accompanied by a high resolution, actual size photo from an event relating to the article. Cell phone photos are the best, actual size. If a region can get an article published, it usually is about a two month wait.

So, one evening after the Porsche Panorama Magazine arrived, Robert Vigorito was looking through it and reading all the articles that were present. He said out loud, “How is it that Everglades Region never has anything in From The Regions?” So, Sharon contacted the national office of PCA and was connected to Linda Goodman, the Regions Editor for the national office for Porsche Panorama. Next thing you know, Sharon submitted a photo and article, and it was accepted. And with that, July 29, 2022, Sharon has taken on the role of Panorama, From The Regions liaison for the Everglades Region. 

To date, Sharon has submitted 6 articles and 3 have been published. Because this is such a highly desirable section for Regions to “show their stuff”, the first article, submitted in July was not published until the October 2022 issue of the magazine.

So, keep your eyes open to activities in the region. If you feel there is a photo op staring you in the face, write up the article and submit it and a photo to Sharon. 

Linda Goodman provided the following suggestions: Don’t bury the lead when writing the article, keep it at 50 words (maybe stretch to 55), and have a high resolution, actual size photo (preferably from a cell phone). 

–Sharon Vigorito

Member Spotlight – Dave Noelken

Dave & Caryl Noelken grew up in Southern Illinois, close to St Louis and are avid Cardinal baseball fans. They bought their first Porsche in 2004 from Isringhausen Imports, a 911 Carrera 4S. Within a few moths, they joined PCA – Lincoln Trail Region in central Illinois.

A corporate move relocated the family to Houston in 2009, bringing a PCA transfer to Lone Star Region. Unfortunately work and international travel left little time to enjoy PCA events, Texas style. 

2012 was a year filled with change. Dave retired from Caterpillar after 36 years in marketing, dealer administration and executive management. They moved into their Estero home and finished construction of their “barndominium” on 30 acres in Illinois. Since every barndominium needs at least one Porsche inside, Dave & Caryl purchased a 1994 – 968 Coupe and transferred their PCA membership to St Louis Region. Only six 968 coupes with this metallic black and marble gray color combination were imported into the US.

With the C4S now garaged in Estero, Dave & Caryl opened a second PCA membership with Everglades Region in 2013. Dave joined the EGS board as Joint Autocross Chair, teaming up with Tom Kring to expand AX events, a working relationship that continues today.

In 2016 Dave was elected Vice President of Everglades Region. The new series of 911’s were so attractive that the 2004 C4S went to a new owner, replaced by a pre-owned, Agate Gray 2014 Carrera S. 

In 2018 Dave was elected President of Everglades Region, a position he held into 2019. That same year, Caryl became the proud owner of her new Macan S.

Just a few months ago, the 968 came home to Estero.

Dave and Caryl are very active with Everglades Region, organizing driving tours and rally’s. Dave remains on the board handling member communications, event registrations and PCA insurance.

Beyond Porsche and Everglades Region, the Noelken’s are regular golfers. They enjoy international travel and spend time at the Illinois farm every summer.

But the real center of attention is Aja, an 8 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Never a dull moment with a Jack Russell in the house!

–Sharon Vigorito

REVS Museum – our hidden gem

Do you like history? Do you like automotive history? Well, if you do, Naples Florida has a gift for you. The REVS Institute on Horseshoe Drive in Naples is the place to go. REVS: Researching the Evolution of Vehicles in Society; it’s more than a car museum.

Founded by Miles Collier in 2008, the museum houses over 117 significant automobiles built between 1896 and 1995. Yes, I said 1896. Some of the rarest cars and race cars in the world are housed here. It also has one of the largest specialized automotive libraries in the world, hard copy and digital versions available. There is also a large workshop where automobiles are restored, and the technicians look for innovative ways to care for antique machinery.

The air in the institute is filtered through several types of filters to ensure the automobiles housed there are protected from damaging particulates. 

You can visit the institute for a walking tour, or you can go with a group for a docent tour, as members of the Everglades Region PCA did on Friday February 17th, 2023. Seventy-five members of the region were in attendance, with many who had never been to the institute and were astonished at all aspects of the tour.

Before “graduating to be a full-fledged docent, you must complete almost 2 years of intense training, and it shows. The scope of knowledge of the docents about each and every car is incredible.

Something that puts the REVS tour in a specialized category is that like some museum, none of the cars are roped off to allow visitors to be up close and personal with each car. The only restrictions are no touching and no flash photography. 

The automobiles in the collection are working vehicles. The cars may be loaned to other collections for display, run in historic races, but almost all of them are driven on the roads to keep them fit. 

To quote from the REVS Institute website: “There are four exhibit areas and are presented in the same unconstrained fashion, elevating man and machine to the same stratum:

  • Automobility: Experience the automobiles that shaped the 20th century and changed the way we live, travel and work from the Model T to the advent of the first luxury car.”
  • Vitesse: Exit the roadway and enter the raceway. Peer into the evolution of high performance auto racing and witness the rarest and most groundbreaking specimens of automotive engineering and design evolution.
  • Porsche: Stroll through thirty years of unparalleled innovation produced by one of the most revered automakers of our time.
  • Revs: Uncover the rich narrative that is embedded in every racing car and pay homage to the racing men that shaped the evolution of auto sport as it is known today.”

Some of the cars on display include:

  • 1896 Panhard et Levassor Wagonette (the collection’s oldest vehicle)
  • The very first Porsche 550-01
  • 1948 Ferrari Tipo 166
  • 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 Silver Arrow
  • 1937 Delahaye
  • 1959 Porsche RSK
  • 1965 Porsche 356C 1600SC Coupe
  • 1950 Cadillac Series 61 “LeMonstre”
  • 1967 Porsche 911R 
  • 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK Sport Model (see narrative below):

The 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK Sport Model, owned by English sportswoman Dorothy Paget. This car was the last one worked on by Ferdinand Porsche before he left Mercedes-Benz and started his own company, fondly known by all of us as Porsche, in Stuttgart, Germany. 1929 Mercedes-Benz SSK Sport Model

If you have never been to The REVS Institute, put it on your bucket list. You won’t be sorry. 

— Sharon Vigorito