Spiel

MARCH 2015 46 Cameron Ingram Cam Ingram originated the concept and supplied most of the relevant experience used to write Porsche Unexpected. He also contributed directly to the text in places. Cam is a founding partner in Road Scholars, a restoration and collection management company – also with a Porsche specialty. He sees the world through the eyes of a trained sculptor and professional artist, which he is – explaining his affinity for Porsches and his attention to detail. Road Scholar's approach to restoration starts with intensive research into everything about a given car from its production records, its original materials, its construction, its provenance, and history. When I was touring the Ingram Collection, Rory showed me a custom book Cam had supplied with a Road Scholars-restored 356, full of original condition and restoration photos, service records, and all the rest of the research associated with that particular car. Fascinating doesn't begin to describe it. These one-of-a-kind books significantly amplify the value of the cars they document. Michael Furman All of us have photographed our cars, and every now and then we produce pretty nice images others like, as well. But the difference between our snapshots and Michael Furman's photographs is akin to the difference between sandlot softball and the World Series. There is simply no comparison. Mr. Furman has perfected the narrow field of automotive studio photography and raised it to a high art, making him the go-to photographer for car collectors, museum exhibitions, and concours events. Imagine the skill, experience, and physical work involved in moving, staging, lighting, and photographing so many large and complicated objects from so many angles and producing consistently attractive and interesting images. What a prodigious accomplishment! Bob Ingram While not listed as an author, Collection owner Bob Ingram makes no small contribution with his frequent "collector's notes" scattered throughout the book. In these he tells entertaining stories about how cars were acquired, why they were acquired, and specific details making them unique. From these notes you get the sense that he remains deeply involved with his collection. Less obvious is his commitment to developing, preserving, and protecting a history of Porsche production cars used on the track, and handing down this legacy intact for the benefit of future generations. In this, he is following in the footsteps of his friend and mentor Dr. Bill Jackson. My Favorite Cars from the Collection I think I personally saw every car featured in Porsche Unexpected except the Gmünd 356 and the 959 as both were out at shows. Below is a list of cars that appealed to me most in the order we walked the museum: 1964 904 Carrera GTS Coupe (page 202) – I liked the styling and the original use of fiberglass body panels. However, there is no way I could ever fit in this car to drive it. 1960 356B 1600 Carrera GTL Abarth (page 188) – The Carlo Abarth-designed body stood out in the crowd of 356s. Three features in particular caught my eye: the flatter, more 904-like front end, the highly vented engine lid, and the single, long unmuffled exhaust. 1955 356 Speedster (page 112) – Something about the warm light colors and clean lines strikes a chord with me. This is Bob's wife Jeanie's personal car. 1952 540 America Roadster (page 154) – This was John Crean's car and the main car I went to see. 2010 991/997-2 Sport Classic Coupe (page 342) – I think the similarity between this car and my personal 997 attracted me at first, but the unique body features (ducktail, bumpers, double- bubble roof) and color grew on me rapidly. This car was parked in front of the 2005 Carrera GT, but somehow I liked it better. Where To Get the Book I would buy this book if it was only "How To Collect Porsches" from a highly qualified expert. I would buy this book solely for the thorough account of the historical evolution of Porsche production cars. I would buy this book just for the stunning Porsche photo essay. And I would buy this book if all it contained was a catalog of the Ingram Collection. Each component carries its own weight while amplifying all the others. It's a real bargain at $100 a copy. Porsche Unexpected: Discoveries in Collecting (hardcover), by Randy Leffingwell, Cameron Ingram, and Michael Furman (412 pages) is available wherever high quality automotive books are sold. I purchased mine directly from the Road Scholars website at www.porscheunexpected.com. All Book Illustrations are courtesy of the Authors and Road Scholars. Typical opening photo spread for a section on the 1984/85 911 SC/RS coupe.

• Cover