June 1971. Well, there I was, just graduated from high school, my bankbook in my hand and out of the house. My parents were great in making sure all of us boys worked and saved our money. Now at 18 I had to leave the house, my parents having a sincere want that I would take my money and pursue a college education. This would come later, but not at this time.

I had my eyes on this 59 convertible D. Don’t ask me why the 356 appealed to me, I could have bought a 911 but I knew the 356 Porsche had class, beauty and performance. It had been sitting outside for a few years next to a home in the neighborhood and needed a lot of attention. I negotiated a purchase on the car and spent that summer restoring the car, at least as much as I could. Remember, then we did not have the support we have now from the club and vendors.

The parts manager at the local Porsche dealership and I got to know each other pretty well that summer. One day while trying to track down a base gasket for the windshield, he asked me if I would consider taking a job within the parts department. While I was currently working full time, I jumped at the chance to work within the car industry, and what could beat working for PORSCHE!

I worked the front and back counters, the back counter being the place the mechanics would come to get parts, tell jokes, get jokes, and occasionally return parts, like the fully charged condenser that they just pulled off the battery charger and would drop in your hand sending you through the roof and the whole shop would break out in great laughter, at your expense of course. That only happened once as you learned very quickly that the new kid was always the target for this stuff. I still remember one of the mechanics coming up and telling me that on Friday, payday, that I would have to buy a half gallon of whisky for the shop. I was only 18 and very gullible, so I got Jim Pasqule to go and get me a ½ gallon of Black Velvet. When Jim came back he asked why I was getting this much booze. That’s when I told him I had to buy the first bottle for the shop, Jim laughed and said well you got taken again and this is only your first week. Well, we did have a great time that evening. The wash rack became the bar and that ½ gallon went in the first ½ hour. Those were the days.

During some of the slow times I would page through the parts books familiarizing myself with the part numbers, groupings, and different models. The A parts book had a section on the Carrera motor. This was of great interest to me, as I had never seen one and nor had a customer ever tried to buy parts for one. In a way I developed a fascination with the Carrera during this time as it was something of a mystery with beauty and rarity. It seemed to me to be not only a durable and functional motor, but also a thing of beauty with its smooth lines. After all, this legendary motor powered the 550’s and a very limited number of street cars. I thought I would never see one, until that day.

I was working the back counter putting up with the normal abuse from the mechanics and this incredible 356 pulled into the shop and into a nearby stall. There were always 356’s in the shop but there was something that made this one stand out like white elephant in a herd of buffalo. I walked up to the car and noticed right away the Rudge wheels, sunroof, a spyder mirror cowling, head light stone guards, and look at that - a rear window wiper. I had never seen anything like that on a 356. But then I was startled to see the designation “CARRERA” just under the Porsche script on the back deck. No, this can’t be a real Carrera! The owner was just getting out of the car and was kind enough to tell me the car was being brought in for the owner of the dealership, Tom Carsten, to inspect the car and possibly to purchase. It was a T-1, early 57 Carrera GS Deluxe. I fell in love with the car immediately and knew I wanted that car.

Tom Carsten could have driven any car he wanted and certainly had his pick of 911’s, but Tom’s favorite was a 1965 SC Cab., black on black. This was a beautiful 356 and had many amenities. I spoke with Tom after his inspection of the Carrera and found he decided it was not for him. I immediately contacted the owner and found he wanted a lot of money for the car, $1,800.00. I looked at my options and how I could raise the money. The convertible D was sold the next day and I purchased my first Carrera. The year was 1972.

I can still remember first sitting in the car with its original interior still intact. And all those knobs on the dash, what could they all be for? Well lets see; there was the electric fuel pump, electric washer pump, electric antenna, those two distinctive ignition switches, and of course the rear window wiper. I often have commented that the rear wiper works better than the front, and it does. But what I remember most is the smell. I can’t describe it. If you have ever sat in an original 356 with at least 15 years or more under its belt, you’ll know what I mean.

The first time driving the car with the 1500 Carrera motor was a little disappointing. I was expecting this all-powerful Spyder motor pushing my head back as I accelerated through the gears. I soon realized this car was not going to compete with my friends 63 vette down the straight, but once I got the car out of the city and onto some open roads the car showed me a personality I fell in love with. The engine would spurt, sputter, and fart, then catch at about 2,200 and really does not come on until 3,000 RPM and accelerates smoothly up as high as I have dared take it. Where as my 59 convertible D with the 1600 normal was most docile in the lower RPMs and with good lower torque and accelerate up to a point.

I continued to work at the dealership and became the Porsche/Audi parts manager. It was around this time microfiche became the substitute for the parts books but the best was I could now search the complete inventory of Riviera Motors, the regional supplier for the Porsche stores. There was an incredible supply of four cam parts readily available at that time from Riviera. I remembered wanting to replace my Rudge spinners so I ordered replacements, but they made a mistake and sent 4 spinners all for the same side. I returned two and they immediately resent the correct ones. The year was now 1974 and I resigned my position at the dealership to go back to college.

This car became my daily driver, as it was the only car I owned. I remember many trips from Tacoma to Pullman, WA., where my girl friend, now my wife, went to school. The weather never seemed to cooperate and found myself in snow on many of those trips. It was during this time Denny Aker of Seattle became a friend and great help in loaning me tools and advice. On one of those visits to Denny’s shop I was sitting in the office waiting to speak with Denny and overheard an older gentlemen telling Denny how he wished he could locate his brothers old 356 Carrera. He went on to describe the car to Denny and I soon realized he was talking about my 57 GS sunroof coupe. I introduced myself to Jim Shuh that day. Jim went on to explain how his brother, Pepper Shuh, owned the car for many years and had sold it in the mid sixties and that is when Jim lost track of it. Jim also became a good friend and advisor. It was Jim Shuh who helped on the restoration of that car and others. I owe a lot to Jim as many of us do.

One of the more interesting and best aspects of this hobby is the people you meet, especially those who are supporting this affliction. Bill Doyle, Jim Wellington, Warren Eads, and many others. The trips I have made over the years in chasing 4 cam cars, engines and parts has been one adventure after another.

I still own that car today and others. I enjoy driving them now as I did back in the 70’s. I will say it is nice to see the interest in the 4 cams, but back when I purchased my first Carrera, no one would give it a second look. I enjoy showing the cars and the garage is always open to anyone who wishes to visit.

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