One of the best-kept secrets of Amelia Island Concours week isn’t really a secret. The Porsche Club of America’s Werks Reunion has been a staple on the island for the past seven years, and its growth rate in terms of participants and spectators has shown no sign of slowing down. Case in point: the 2024 edition, held on Friday, March 1, at The Amelia River Club, was the eighth annual, and once again the judged show car spaces were sold out well in advance.
Need a number? Roughly 800 Porsches in total were expected, not including what could be found in spectator parking lots, a portion of which were 1973 and ’74 “ducktail” Carreras to be honored at this year’s gathering. So, did Porsche faithful disappoint?
Hardly. They arrived in droves, owners and spectators alike, despite the forecast for scattered showers in the morning and the chance for steadier rain in the afternoon. The spotty foul weather drifted by as well, not a drop of which spoiled the camaraderie and enthusiasm. And amongst the family reunion from multiple States and countries alike, we spotted seven Porsches that grabbed our attention.
1973 911 S
Current owner Jim Earlbeck grew up at the drag strip with his siblings and did the American “muscle car thing” for a while. That is until he landed a 1972 De Tomaso Pantera to drive around Maryland. “I was familiar with the engine and began learning about European handling in the same package. A fast car that could corner,” Jim says. That car gave way to his first Porsche in 1977, and it’s been a love affair since. This 911 S was acquired three years ago. With the exception of some paint work on the rear quarters and hood, and newer upholstery installed by the previous owner, it’s all original, and Jim says it’s the best driving Porsche he’s ever owned. “I’ve owned a few long-hood Porsches over the years, but they’re not all the same. Each handles a little different, and this one fits my driving style perfectly. It’s all about the drive, after all.”
1958 356A Speedster
A common thread among most Porsche owners who attend Werks Reunions is their willingness to drive their cars–often, and no matter the condition. A case study is this 1958 356A Speedster called discovered in a farmer’s field in early 1971 by current owner Mark Eskuche. His father knew the owner and helped facilitate an introduction that led to its purchase for $200. According to Mark, “That’s what it cost him to repair the transaxle. I could have the car for free, but if I wanted the transaxle, that’s what I had to pay. The front of the car was full of bullet holes, one of which I kept when I fixed up the speedster and got it back on the road. One bullet passed through the fender, the inner panel, and dented the fuel tank. I left the dent, too,” Mark says, adding, “It’s a story car. It’s not a perfect car, which is fine since I drive it everywhere. I’ve been to events all across the country in this.”
1958 356A Speedster
A common thread among most Porsche owners who attend Werks Reunions is their willingness to drive their examples. Often. No matter the condition. A case study is this 1958 356A Speedster called discovered in a farmer’s field in early 1971 by current owner Mark Eskuche. His father knew the owner and helped facilitate an introduction that led to its purchase for $200. According to Mark, “That’s what it cost him to repair the transaxle. I could have the car for free, but if I wanted the transaxle, that’s what I had to pay. The front of the car was full of bullet holes, one of which I kept when I fixed up the speedster and got it back on the road. One bullet passed through the fender, the inner panel, and dented the fuel tank. I left the dent, too,” Mark says, adding, “It’s a story car. It’s not a perfect car, which is fine since I drive it everywhere. I’ve been to events all across the country in this.”
1958 356A Speedster
A common thread among most Porsche owners who attend Werks Reunions is their willingness to drive their examples. Often. No matter the condition. A case study is this 1958 356A Speedster called discovered in a farmer’s field in early 1971 by current owner Mark Eskuche. His father knew the owner and helped facilitate an introduction that led to its purchase for $200. According to Mark, “That’s what it cost him to repair the transaxle. I could have the car for free, but if I wanted the transaxle, that’s what I had to pay. The front of the car was full of bullet holes, one of which I kept when I fixed up the speedster and got it back on the road. One bullet passed through the fender, the inner panel, and dented the fuel tank. I left the dent, too,” Mark says, adding, “It’s a story car. It’s not a perfect car, which is fine since I drive it everywhere. I’ve been to events all across the country in this.”
1958 356A Speedster
A common thread among most Porsche owners who attend Werks Reunions is their willingness to drive their examples. Often. No matter the condition. A case study is this 1958 356A Speedster called discovered in a farmer’s field in early 1971 by current owner Mark Eskuche. His father knew the owner and helped facilitate an introduction that led to its purchase for $200. According to Mark, “That’s what it cost him to repair the transaxle. I could have the car for free, but if I wanted the transaxle, that’s what I had to pay. The front of the car was full of bullet holes, one of which I kept when I fixed up the speedster and got it back on the road. One bullet passed through the fender, the inner panel, and dented the fuel tank. I left the dent, too,” Mark says, adding, “It’s a story car. It’s not a perfect car, which is fine since I drive it everywhere. I’ve been to events all across the country in this.”
1958 356A Speedster
A common thread among most Porsche owners who attend Werks Reunions is their willingness to drive their examples. Often. No matter the condition. A case study is this 1958 356A Speedster called discovered in a farmer’s field in early 1971 by current owner Mark Eskuche. His father knew the owner and helped facilitate an introduction that led to its purchase for $200. According to Mark, “That’s what it cost him to repair the transaxle. I could have the car for free, but if I wanted the transaxle, that’s what I had to pay. The front of the car was full of bullet holes, one of which I kept when I fixed up the speedster and got it back on the road. One bullet passed through the fender, the inner panel, and dented the fuel tank. I left the dent, too,” Mark says, adding, “It’s a story car. It’s not a perfect car, which is fine since I drive it everywhere. I’ve been to events all across the country in this.”
1953 356 Pre-A
Casual enthusiasts are probably unaware that from 1950-’55, Porsche’s 356 coupes and cabriolets are known as “Pre A” examples. This is probably one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen. Owner Nicola Venchierutti, of Charlotte, North Carolina, prepared it for the 2023 La Carrera Panamericana and then drove it from Charlotte to the starting line in Veracruz, Mexico. It competed in the grueling race without any support from tools and spare parts, managing a second-place finish in the “Original Pan Am” category and 42nd overall. Upon crossing the finish line in Monterrey, Nicola drove it home, a round trip that added 7,000 miles to the Porsche’s odometer.
1953 356 Pre-A
Casual enthusiasts are probably unaware that from 1950-’55, Porsche’s 356 coupes and cabriolets are known as “Pre A” examples. This is probably one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen. Owner Nicola Venchierutti, of Charlotte, North Carolina, prepared it for the 2023 La Carrera Panamericana and then drove it from Charlotte to the starting line in Veracruz, Mexico. It competed in the grueling race without any support from tools and spare parts, managing a second-place finish in the “Original Pan Am” category and 42nd overall. Upon crossing the finish line in Monterrey, Nicola drove it home, a round trip that added 7,000 miles to the Porsche’s odometer.
1953 356 Pre-A
Casual enthusiasts are probably unaware that from 1950-’55, Porsche’s 356 coupes and cabriolets are known as “Pre A” examples. This is probably one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen. Owner Nicola Venchierutti, of Charlotte, North Carolina, prepared it for the 2023 La Carrera Panamericana and then drove it from Charlotte to the starting line in Veracruz, Mexico. It competed in the grueling race without any support from tools and spare parts, managing a second-place finish in the “Original Pan Am” category and 42nd overall. Upon crossing the finish line in Monterrey, Nicola drove it home, a round trip that added 7,000 miles to the Porsche’s odometer.
1953 356 Pre-A
Casual enthusiasts are probably unaware that from 1950-’55, Porsche’s 356 coupes and cabriolets are known as “Pre A” examples. This is probably one of the most unusual we’ve ever seen. Owner Nicola Venchierutti, of Charlotte, North Carolina, prepared it for the 2023 La Carrera Panamericana and then drove it from Charlotte to the starting line in Veracruz, Mexico. It competed in the grueling race without any support from tools and spare parts, managing a second-place finish in the “Original Pan Am” category and 42nd overall. Upon crossing the finish line in Monterrey, Nicola drove it home, a round trip that added 7,000 miles to the Porsche’s odometer.
1977 911
Some Outlaw Porsches are far more subtle, like this 1977 Slate Grey 911, currently under the care of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, resident Don Curtis. Much of the upgrades had already been done when Don spotted it for sale in November ’23, and when combined with the lack of “distractions” – radio, air conditioning, heater – it’s “feather-like” demeanor has transformed the car into what Don describes as “a quintessential driver’s car.” Ample daily driving and a couple of road rallies have already spurred him to administer a few more upgrades before the upcoming Blue Ridge Road Rally, and a coastal trek to Maine for an extended stay during the summer months. “Its home is on the road, not in a trailer,” Don says.
1977 911
Some Outlaw Porsches are far more subtle, like this 1977 Slate Grey 911, currently under the care of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, resident Don Curtis. Much of the upgrades had already been done when Don spotted it for sale in November ’23, and when combined with the lack of “distractions” – radio, air conditioning, heater – it’s “feather-like” demeanor has transformed the car into what Don describes as “a quintessential driver’s car.” Ample daily driving and a couple of road rallies has already spurred him to administer a few more upgrades before the upcoming Blue Ridge Road Rally, and a coastal trek to Maine for an extended stay during the summer months. “Its home is on the road, not in a trailer,” Don says.
1977 911
Some Outlaw Porsches are far more subtle, like this 1977 Slate Grey 911, currently under the care of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, resident Don Curtis. Much of the upgrades had already been done when Don spotted it for sale in November ’23, and when combined with the lack of “distractions” – radio, air conditioning, heater – it’s “feather-like” demeanor has transformed the car into what Don describes as “a quintessential driver’s car.” Ample daily driving and a couple of road rallies has already spurred him to administer a few more upgrades before the upcoming Blue Ridge Road Rally, and a coastal trek to Maine for an extended stay during the summer months. “Its home is on the road, not in a trailer,” Don says.
1977 911
Some outlaw Porsches are far more subtle, like this 1977 Slate Grey 911, currently under the care of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, resident Don Curtis. Much of the upgrades had already been done when Don spotted it for sale in November ’23, and when combined with the lack of “distractions” – radio, air conditioning, heater – it’s “feather-like” demeanor has transformed the car into what Don describes as “a quintessential driver’s car.” Ample daily driving and a couple of road rallies has already spurred him to administer a few more upgrades before the upcoming Blue Ridge Road Rally, and a coastal trek to Maine for an extended stay during the summer months. “Its home is on the road, not in a trailer,” Don says.
1967 912 Targa
Ever take a gamble on a restoration project without knowing a single thing about the car…or how to do a restoration? That’s exactly what Joe Pellegrino faced in 2008 when a colleague approached him, offering to sell this 912 Targa to afford airline tickets to visit family in South Korea. The asking price was $1,475, so Joe purchased it. “I was living in Los Angles, California, (he now lives in Satellite Beach, Florida) and the car was in really bad shape. The first thing I did when I got it home was purchase a Haynes repair manual and a set of metric wrenches. Without knowing anything about car restoration, my then four-year old son and I began the journey to bring it back to life. Over the years, we learned how to do tasks like rebuilding the engine, repairing the brakes, and refurbishing the interior. It took us 13 years, but we finished just in time for him to drive it to his junior prom. This car provided me with many wonderful memories with my son, hands covered in grease in the garage,” Joe says.
1967 912 Targa
Ever take a gamble on a restoration project without knowing a single thing about the car…or how to do a restoration? That’s exactly what Joe Pellegrino faced in 2008 when a colleague approached him, offering to sell this 912 Targa to afford airline tickets to visit family in South Korea. The asking price was $1,475, so Joe purchased it. “I was living in Los Angles, California, (he now lives in Satellite Beach, Florida) and the car was in really bad shape. The first thing I did when I got it home was purchase a Haynes repair manual and a set of metric wrenches. Without knowing anything about car restoration, my then four-year old son and I began the journey to bring it back to life. Over the years, we learned how to do tasks like rebuilding the engine, repairing the brakes, and refurbishing the interior. It took us 13 years, but we finished just in time for him to drive it to his junior prom. This car provided me with many wonderful memories with my son, hands covered in grease in the garage,” Joe says.
1967 912 Targa
Ever take a gamble on a restoration project without knowing a single thing about the car…or how to do a restoration? That’s exactly what Joe Pellegrino faced in 2008 when a colleague approached him, offering to sell this 912 Targa to afford airline tickets to visit family in South Korea. The asking price was $1,475, so Joe purchased it. “I was living in Los Angles, California, (he now lives in Satellite Beach, Florida) and the car was in really bad shape. The first thing I did when I got it home was purchase a Haynes repair manual and a set of metric wrenches. Without knowing anything about car restoration, my then four-year old son and I began the journey to bring it back to life. Over the years, we learned how to do tasks like rebuilding the engine, repairing the brakes, and refurbishing the interior. It took us 13 years, but we finished just in time for him to drive it to his junior prom. This car provided me with many wonderful memories with my son, hands covered in grease in the garage,” Joe says.
1967 912 Targa
Ever take a gamble on a restoration project without knowing a single thing about the car…or how to do a restoration? That’s exactly what Satellite Beach, Florida resident Joe Pellegrino faced in 2008 when a colleague approached him, offering to sell this 912 Targa to afford airline tickets to visit family in South Korea. The asking price was $1,475, so Joe purchased it. “I was living in Los Angles, California and the car was in really bad shape. The first thing I did when I got it home was purchase a Haynes repair manual and a set of metric wrenches. Without knowing anything about car restoration, my then four-year old son and I began the journey to bring it back to life. Over the years, we learned how to do tasks like rebuilding the engine, repairing the brakes, and refurbishing the interior. It took us 13 years, but we finished just in time for him to drive it to his junior prom. This car provided me with many wonderful memories with my son, hands covered in grease in the garage,” Joe says.
1959 356A
Fernandina Beach, Florida, residents Beverly Crowe and Greg Gaviglio speak of their 1959 356A as a member of the family. That’s because Beverly’s brother-in-law rescued the Porsche from a Texas field in 1974 and brought it back to life, albeit with a few upgrades administered over time. That included a warmed-up Super 90 engine from a used up ’63 Porsche, Deltoro carburetors, a Sebring exhaust system, Fuchs wheels, and the conversion to a 12-volt electric system. It was later stored in a northern Vermont barn. After he died, Beverly purchased the Porsche from the estate to keep it in the family, though it required a bit of effort to make it road worthy once more.
1963 356BT6 S/R Coupe
Every car has a story, and the saga forever attached this this 1963 356BT6 S/R coupe is so complex, Hollywood screenwriters would have a hard time dreaming it up. Bill and Debbie Cooper, of St. Augustine, Florida, responded to the sale of this car. At first blush, it seemed like a straight-forward deal would be easy. However, the seller was in the midst of a trans-continental divorce; she was in Pennsylvania, he was in Belgium. She was selling it, he held the title. She knew where the shell of the car was, he knew where the critical pieces were hiding – the Porsche had been dismantled for 20 years. Two deals later, Bill finally secured the shell and all the parts in 2001 and began the process of finishing a long-neglected restoration.