John D’Angelo, USA

Armed with all of that knowledge and enthusiasm, but without the means to make ownership a reality, I filled my time by deliberating, researching and searching for the car that would be my first Porsche, which I firmly decided would be a 2.2 liter 911 S. Since it was taking me what seemed to be far too long to save for that car, I changed careers to something more financially rewarding in an effort to accelerate the process. Yes, I have Porsche to thank for my now 31-year long career as a management consultant. On the other hand, I often attempted to talk about the merits of air cooling, first gear lockout and rear engine placement with girls who I was interested in dating. Looking back, I shouldn’t have been surprised that most didn’t share my enthusiasm for the topic, for which I can’t blame Porsche.

Years of reading and scheming and searching and saving finally brought a Light Ivory over black 1970 911 S into my life in 1992, along with membership in the Porsche Club of America and almost uninterrupted Porsche ownership ever since.

Although I was very focused on Porsche ownership, I didn’t really think about Porsche Club membership and all that it would bring to my life. That didn’t last long.

Ownership of my early 911 S helped me discover that I loved both cleaning and maintaining the car and using it on driving tours. Both of those loves were supported and encouraged within the Porsche Club and have been a part of my Club experience for three decades. As a result of our Porsche Club involvement, my wife and I have made many friends from across North America and, indeed, across the globe.

In 2015 we had the good fortune to purchase a 60th Anniversary 991 GTS PCA Club Coupe, take delivery in Zuffenhausen, and participate in the 2nd Porsche Days celebration in Zell am Zee Austria. This was an amazing experience and was the first new Porsche that I purchased. A highlight of that trip of amazing experiences was posing together with our car and the 24 hours of LeMans trophy, recently won by Porsche with the 919 Hybrid, on stage at the Porsche Days awards dinner.

We again found ourselves in Germany in 2018 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Porsche and reunite with so many friends from our 2015 trip.

Along the way, I volunteered to start the PCA Club Coupes special interest registry and now oversee all of the PCA registries. I’ve also had the privilege to oversee the PCA Zone 7 Concours Series, and now serve on the national nominating committee and as head judge for WERKS reunion in Monterey.

As for those thirteen Porsches, we are currently fortunate to own a Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo, a 718 Boxster and a unique 993 Cabriolet. Our very green 993, Kermit, was featured on the cover of the May 2022 PCA Panorama magazine and might be my favorite of all the Porsche cars that I’ve owned (so far). It was ordered in the early ‘70s color, Conda Green, with all wheel drive, blue interior and sports seats. Something about this car never fails to make people smile.

Porsche and Club membership has brought so many amazing things to my and our life that we continue to look for ways to give back and be part of the volunteer fuel that keeps PCA running. While the merits of air cooling and engine placement might be lost on Honore, she loves the friendships from all over the world that Porsche has brought to us. And, lucky me, she also likes to help keep our Porsches clean and use them to participate in Club tours.

Indeed, for as long as I can remember, Porsche has been a big part of my life and my dreams. I’m fortunate and grateful to have realized so many of those dreams. And sharing all things Porsche and PCA with Honore continues to enrich my life.