‘The Porsche tractor was one of my best buys to date – I predicated that they would become special’
As we move on, Michelle eagerly ushers me to the next car with significance, her Guards Red 930 Turbo.
1984 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo
‘Early in my Porsche journey I became a Porsche Club member and started to build contacts. Once they realised that I was really passionate about these cars, a number of them started making suggestions as to which classic Porsches I should have in my future collection. The Porsche Club president was looking at selling his 930 Turbo and for some reason he thought that I should have it.’
Although all her cars get driven, the Turbo is the one that gets used most regularly. A year after acquiring the 930, Michelle’s Turbo collection grew with the addition of a 993, and more recently a 996 was also added. But our next stop distinctly changes the pace of things.
1958 Porsche Diesel Junior tractor
‘This was one of my best buys to date – I predicated that they would eventually become considered more special. People always ask me how and why I got interested in the tractors. Again, it’s the history of them.
‘I’m an avid reader, and when I started learning about Porsche, I read all about the importance of the tractors in the company’s story. For me the tractor is really the foundation of my collection and one of the most pivotal vehicles you see here.’
This is anything but a garage queen. Michelle is part of the Western Cape Veteran Tractor and Engine Club and she won’t hesitate to put her tractor on a trailer to take it to one of these events and drive fellow enthusiasts or children around the show grounds.
1970 Porsche 911S 2.2
We walk down the row of cars and I ask her about the immaculate 911S. ‘As I mentioned, I always wanted an 911S. Tim Abbot, known as the Porsche master craftsman in Johannesburg, is a restorer whose family has been in the industry for two generations. He restored this 1970 911S 2.2 and did a superb job. I bought the car when the restoration was finished.
‘I don’t want to denigrate the drive of the S, but it is very close to that of the T. Maybe I haven’t yet driven it the way an S should be driven, but they are very similar.’ Being fully restored, the S is in stunning condition and can proudly stand its ground as one of the best air-cooled models in this collection.
1960 Jennings Porsche
The most fascinating car in the collection is without a doubt the Jennings Porsche. It was built by South African engineer Bill Jennings. He
designed it to be as close as possible to Porsche’s 718 Formula 1 car. The four-cam engine and gearbox that he fitted came from Stuttgart, and Michelle has the papers to prove it. Jennings finished 10th at the 1960 South African Grand Prix and at the 1961 event he came 12th. Michelle has some fantastic period photos, one with Stirling Moss looking down into the cabin while Jennings is seated behind the wheel at one of the races.
‘I knew about this car for around eight years. Crossley & Webb, classic motoring specialists in Cape Town, found it and had it for a few years. I went to the Goodwood Revival for four years running and became totally obsessed with these single seaters, especially after seeing 904s, 906s and 917s in action.
‘Crossly & Webb had already started the restoration process at that stage, because it had pictures and specifications of the car as it raced back in the day. However, the engine was separated from the car in 1962. It was sold to a gentleman in Port Elizabeth.’
As expected, Michelle is currently doing everything possible to trace the original engine. Thankfully she already has the gearbox and is using the engine number to follow up leads. Ultimately it is her objective to finish the restoration and drive this car, once again, on the track where it belongs.
1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34
Porsche is the predominant theme in this collection, though it’s not the only one. Michelle owns a beautiful Ford Fairlane sedan which she is very fond of and is often seen at classic car meets with, but another air-cooled car in her collection is a 1960 VW Karmann Ghia Type 34. ‘This was a sentimental birthday present from my husband. My very first car was a Karmann Ghia. I studied law at the time and I didn’t want a Beetle.’
Inside the car, Michelle keenly shows me the original sales brochure. ‘In 2019 I went to the Techno Classica Essen show in Germany and found it there. Owning it brings back some wonderful memories. In my opinion, the razorback Karmann Ghia is a even more beautiful car than the original, more rounded Type 14 model. It is a fun little car to drive. We’ve taken it out for a number of rallies and I also use it to drive to the Crankhandle Club clubhouse here in Cape Town.
‘What also makes it interesting for me, and applicable to my collection, is that it was the last car designed by Karmann before Porsche bought the factory.’
1962 356B Super 90
No Porsche collection would be complete without a 356, and the 1962 356B Super 90 is one of Michelle’s favourites. She enthusiastically starts to share her journey as we approach.
In 2014 she set her heart on finding a 356 to add to her collection. Even though there are vast distances between the respective economic hubs of South Africa, word quickly spread and a ticket was booked from Cape Town to Johannesburg. ‘I flew to Johannesburg to have a look at the car. Included with the sale were no fewer than four boxes of parts and sundries.’
At a time when several buyers were trying to make a quick buck by buying and selling these cars soon thereafter, the previous owner of this 356 was happy to hear that she intended to keep the car. A deal was struck and the car was put on a trailer for the approximately 1000-mile journey back to the Mother City.
There was definitely some work that needed to be done, but at this stage it was not clear to what level. Once the car arrived in Cape Town, Michelle initially decided to only take it for a service at the local Porsche Centre. However, on draining the oil Porsche noticed that there was a piece of loose metal – an engine part, magnetised to the sump plug. As expected, the scope of the work took on a new dimension and the car ended up receiving a fairly comprehensive restoration.
‘My very first car was a Karmann Ghia. I studied law at the time and I didn’t want a Beetle’
During the restoration process, parts were sourced from countries as far afield as Austria and the United Kingdom. Because of the hot weather we experience in Cape Town, I decided to have the vinyl seats replaced with more comfortable leather trim. These had to be done in the correct period manner, which meant they are chrome dyed – only coloured on the one side of the leather.’
‘I also sourced the correct carpets and the plastic covering for the gearbox tunnel. The steering wheel was also reconditioned. Even after all this, I’m surprised by the fact that the 356 still has that old car smell on the inside. This could possibly be because all original parts have been used, except for the retrimmed seats.’
The four boxes Michelle received as part of the purchase contained some fascinating parts. I carefully open a small, flat box and marvel at the 55-year-old paraphernalia inside. I find a small blue light bulb box, a Porsche badge and a medicine kit. Then I leaf through the thick history file and find documention for servicing, oil changes and invoices for other work, plus metal badges from past rallies and events that the car participated in.
Michelle also owns a Porsche 944 race car in which she enters local racing events, as well as a 1990 Nissan Primera which has a significant local racing history. With the Nissan she would like to take part in endurance racing one day.
Michelle’s passion for Porsches is effervescent and infectious. Listening to her makes me come to understand this passion. It runs deeply and shows no sign of abating.
The keeper
Most collectors struggle to tell us the one car they’d keep if all others had to go, but not Michelle.
‘That’s actually not really a tricky question. It’s the 930 Turbo. This car is the perfect manifestation of what Porsche is about. The combination of the power, together with the exhaust and engine note, gives you goosebumps. It is without doubt the most incredible car to drive, which is why it was not under a cover when you arrived, and standing directly across the garage door. It is a real driver’s car and I like to drive it often.’
‘Somehow the 356 still has that old car smell on the inside, even though I had the interior renewed’