As another amazing NNJR Concours season comes to a close, we had the pleasure of hosting our final workshop at ID Signs in South Hackensack, NJ. Jose DeLaCruz, the owner of ID Signs, put together a fantastic buffet for the crowd. This amazing epicurean delight was more fitting of a wedding than a Concours workshop. Jose is the consummate host and has one of the best facilities to run an indoor event. The topic du jour was winter storage and car care. This was the second year for the event which continues to draw one of the most inquisitive and involved crowds of our workshop season. With over 50 Porsche enthusiasts on hand we began our event. Hank and I divided the day into two sections, drivers and sleepers. I took the driver portion of the event with Hank taking the sleepers. As you might imagine the driver portion focused on the necessary steps involved in taking care of your car if you plan on driving it through the winter.

It is hard to believe; 75 Porsches on display, perfect weather, and over 550 NNJR members in one location. Sounds like a recreation of a German car equivalent of Woodstock, but in reality it was one epic celebration of NNJR’s 55th year in existence.

As the 8:00am hour rolled around, I pulled up to Harbor Hills Day Camp in Mendham to be greeted by Warren Gisser and Hank Menkes ready to get the event started. The weather could have not been more perfect. As we set up the display field, we optimistically prepared for a showing of 60 Porsches ranging in age from 1951 all the way to present day.

Summer has fully arrived and for concours enthusiasts, that means that our annual “Do It Yourself Concours Workshop” was again part of our concours agenda. Ray Catena Porsche generously agreed to host this event at their outstanding service facility in Edison, NJ on June 3rd. 

Despite erroneous reports on the local radio station that Route 1 was closed in both directions at the Route 287 exit as a result of an overturned tanker truck, over forty members showed up for this workshop ready and eager to learn the tips, techniques and secrets of proper Porsche car care from our celebrated team of concours experts. With our club’s emphasis on recruiting new members, it was encouraging to see a number of new faces interested in proper Porsche care.

May 19 and 20 was the weekend of the 33rd annual PCA Zone 1 Concours and Rally. The format was reversed this year with the Concours on Saturday morning and the Rally on Sunday morning. This meant that you did not have to hurry back from the Rally and prepare your car for Sunday morning judging. It was not a big deal this year because the weather gods provided a weekend of spectacular weather. The base of the event was the Framingham, MA Sheraton right at exit 12 off the Mass Pike. We were hosted by the Northeast Region with Steve Ross as the event Chairman.

I’m sure most of you have heard the term “wet sanding” or “color sanding.” What do these terms mean and when and how should you use these procedures? Sometimes the only way to remove or lighten a heavy imperfection is by sanding the paint surface. This can be a fast and effective way to remove a heavy scratch or scuff, if you are skilled and very careful. On the other hand, this method may lead to a trip to the spray booth if you are over zealous and not aware of when to stop.