Lucky

As the Pearl sits and waits, waiting and waiting, for the energy and time to materialize, dust collecting on her flanks. Quietly in the corner of the drivers door, rust continues it's ever relentless quest to devour her body.

I as a self appointed patron of the art of speed and gasoline find myself devouring every bit of information I can find in the far reaches of the world web. The clouds of winter have crept into my bones, energy has gone with the sun. Every bit from the coverage of S.E.M.A., to the comedy of errors that's F-1, Porsches triumph over all comers in the endurance trials.

I've shared in the hurt of Magnus Walker's loss and the new beginnings of his recently debuted 964. Idiots on power wheels and everything in between. I experienced a blown '56 Belair hard top, with amazing craftsmanship and perfect patina, and.....four doors

The hours of glaring at a glowing screen bring hope rekindled in a city in the Netherlands. The fabled men at Porsche have brought a bright future with the past.

Although I've pined for years to have that air cooled sound following me around, to feel the road through the leather steering wheel. I've come to terms that they've slipped out of reach, that the closest I can hope is to have the opportunity to help someone restore theirs one day.

However in what I feel is an absolute stroke of genius, Porsche in their divine wisdom and loyalty to their customers have opened a dealership souly dedicated to the preservation of the classics.

Volkswagen has classic over stock available in Europe, they'll even restore your Westfallia for a price, Audi has some parts still available, Mercedes and Volvo provide almost everything one would need to return the former glory.

Porsche has gone to that place just beyond, where unicorns dance on clouds. They provide service, parts, restoration, they've made a classic stereo with modern navigation. Trained technicians on the intricate art of synchronizing six carburetors. They've filled the world with hope, hope that history won't be lost.

The Pearl carry's a long history of innovation and firsts, styling and America's love of the road. The "Turbo-fire" 265 v8, those wonderful lines, industry changing suspension.

Yet as I labor year after year to piece together the little things that fall through the cracks. Those conical screws that hold down the trim, stainless trim, the dome lamp. I wonder to myself, why not us, "why can't the big three do the same?"

With the retro styilings, name recognition and advertising that reminds us just how great we are. We love the cars, help us keep them on the road.

There's no need to try and sell me a front wheel drive Impala, I won't buy it, and never a hard earned dime of mine will find it's way into your till. But tell me that I can still bring the Pearl into port and the fine young men in the neatly pressed uniform would gladly diagnose my electrical draw, well, then I will see you on Tuesday. Now if G.M. decides to have a change of heart I would gladly provide them with my services.

And that's the brilliance in the move, not that Porsche wants to sell any less cars from year to year, bit that they'll happily provide the services their customers require to carry on their love affair with the automobile.

Lucky bastards,

Thank you to Road & Track, Autoweek and Magnus Walker for the inspiration.