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We Are Porsche Exhibit Opens at the Petersen Museum
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Former US Air Force pilot Roy Schechter opened a Porsche and Volkswagen dealership in Florida in 1947 and raced this Porsche 718 RSK, which he drove to a victory in the 4th Annual Courtland Sports Car Races in Alabama in 1959. Photo © 2023 Rex McAfee RexMcAfee@gmail.com
Former US Air Force pilot Roy Schechter opened a Porsche and Volkswagen dealership in Florida in 1947 and raced this Porsche 718 RSK, which he drove to a victory in the 4th Annual Courtland Sports Car Races in Alabama in 1959. Photo © 2023 Rex McAfee
Racecar News

We Are Porsche Exhibit Opens at the Petersen Museum

The intertwined story of Porsche and the personalities behind them

 Rex McAfee

Porsche lands on American soil

The story of Porsche’s phenomenal success in America is one of many chapters and couldn’t have been written based on the car itself. Initial reactions to the little car with the engine in the rear was like trying to be sold an expensive suit that buttons up the back; it would take deeply committed advocates to promote this German brand. Between the initial efforts of Porsche importer Max Hoffmann on the East Coast and the sports car culture of Southern California, Porsche’s growth across America took on a life of its own. Movie stars like Steve McQueen and James Dean zipping around in Porsche Speedsters helped fuel the car’s meteoric popularity.

 RexMcAfee@gmail.com
This 1954 Porsche 550 Spyder, chassis 06, was originally built as a show car. It was eventually sold to California Porsche distributor John von Neumann whose race team would pilot it to numerous victories around Southern California. Betty Shutes bought the car in 1957 and drove it in 31 races, winning 13, including victories in nine of ten contests in 1959. Photo © 2023 Rex McAfee
This 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR with drivers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood, won both the IMSA and Trans-Am championships in 1973, including victories at the IMSA 3 Hours at Daytona and Camel GT 250 at Daytona. PHoto © 2023 Rex McAfee RexMcAfee@gmail.com
This 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR with drivers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood, won both the IMSA and Trans-Am championships in 1973, including victories at the IMSA 3 Hours at Daytona and Camel GT 250 at Daytona. PHoto © 2023 Rex McAfee

The Porsche Effect

Fast forward to 2018, and the Petersen Automotive Museum combined forces with Porsche Cars North America to launch The Porsche Effect, the most comprehensive exhibit of the fabled marque ever assembled in North America. Those who experienced the exhibit were overwhelmed by the show’s depth, which included a 1938 Berlin-Rome Type 64 race car; the genesis of Porsche’s first model, the 356.

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Rex McAfee
Published photographer and writer for several Porsche and Ferrari magazines. I currently reside in Southern California and I am very grateful for all of the opportunities the local car culture presents me with. Currently the editor of the 356 Club of Southern California. Sharing the car's history through the club's magazine is a true privilege.
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