Tag Archive for Hood River

More Old Porsche’s in The Gorge

The Porsche “356 Registry” had a get together in August at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington.  Stevenson is about 30 minutes driving from Portland, Oregon on the Washington side of the river in the Columbia River Gorge.

Mom and Dad in the Speedster

Mom and Dad in the Speedster

My first car was a 356, and I have an attachment to them.  My father came home with a Speedster when I was 5 years old – my recollection is that he had paid less (perhaps a lot less) than $1,000 for it – that’s what he told Mom, anyway…  Other people must like them, too – now that car is worth $200K, on a bad day.

In any case, it was really fun to see all of these beautiful cars so close to home.  And, I took some pictures.  The coolest cars I saw were the “Continentals” which are 356’s before they called them 356’s (from 1955).  There were also a couple of really nice 356 Carrera’s (see my post about why Porsches are called Carrera’s), which one of the owners fired up for us – super cool.

In addition to the Continental’s, there were A’s, B’s and C’s of all varieties, some interesting wheels I’d never seen, and some hot rodded up “Outlaw” 356’s – something for everybody!

If you like old Porsche’s, you should also read this earlier post “Classic Porsche’s in The Gorge“.

 

Classic Porsche’s in The Gorge

Route 30 fron across street2If you are near Portland, Oregon and enjoy vintage Porsche’s, there is a gem of a place that you should know about.  Everybody knows that The Gorge has plenty of stuff (like for mom and the kids) to do – but if you are a car guy that has come to Hood River to visit the WAAAM (air and automobile museum), for the Maryhill Loops Hill Climb, or to see some of the most recognized driving (car video, and commercial filming) roads in North America, you will end up close to Route 30 ClassicsJust take the Mosier exit (Exit 69) from I-84, and you can’t miss it – really.

Mosier is an eclectic little town 5 miles east of Hood River – when wind sports took of in The Gorge, a lot of the hippy / hipsters settled right there.  One of those hippies is Stephen Demosthenes – he’s a Porsche nut with a collection of Porsche memorabilia (some of it for sale) and some cars.  Oh, and there is also an ice cream shop…

I stopped by last week and there were two very nice early 70’s 911’s on display, and Stephen’s blue 6 cylinder 914 that you’ve seen if you regularly ride a bicycle between Hood River and The Dalles.

Dean and McQueen

Porsche’s are cool, as evidenced by the fact that both James Dean and Steve McQueen are inextricably linked to them.  Dean for famously dying in one, and McQueen for his movie LeMans.

917 Arentina 1000K

LeMans featured the Porsche 917 – the biggest, baddest sports racing prototype of all time.  The 917 was capable of speeds approaching 250mph, it was the pinnacle of technology in the early 70’s – they were loved by racing fans and feared by those who drove them.  At Route 30  Classics, Stephen has a nice collection of the posters that  commemorate the Porsche 917 and great races of that era.

Route 30 911's

This is a nice spot in a little town that has something of interest for just about everybody – especially a car guy that likes ice cream…