Dozens of Porsche 356s arrived at Fontana Dam in North Carolina for the Porsche 356 Registry's annual East Coast Holiday from 25-28 September.
Nearly 200 classic Porsches made the pilgrimage to the dam, journeying to the landmark from all corners of the United States. A highlight for many was traversing The Tail of the Dragon – an eleven-mile stretch of highway with more than 300 tight turns and hairpins, sheer drops and not a guardrail in sight.
In addition to the rally, the event also featured a night-time Peoples' Choice Concours, which was illuminated by quartz halogen light globes. Perfect weather added to the beautiful nighttime display.
The winner of the Peoples' Choice award, by a landslide vote, was the 1955 356 Continental Coupé of Steve and Jamie Harrison, from Cartersville, Georgia. Harrison bought the car 25 years ago as a number of parts-filled boxes before beginning its restoration five years ago.
"If I sell it I won't have one," said Harrison. "I'm just a regular guy and could never afford to buy one now. I don't care if it's worth a fortune either – I'm gonna drive it. Who wants to die with a perfect car in their garage?"
Carey and Karen Lindsey from Richmond, Virginia were in the car wash area giving their 1961 Porsche 356B Roadster a bit of a bath. Carey spent 12 years returning their 356 back to as original condition as possible with Aetna Blue paintwork and red interior. He looked fondly at his wife while saying that his biggest accomplishment was staying married during that time.
Larry Petry drove his 1960 Porsche 356B roadster to the event from Hoopeston, Illinois. He couldn't wait to tell us he was the original owner and had bought his 356 the day before his 22nd birthday on 27 October 1960 for $3926.32. The first 10 years of ownership he drove more than 90,000 miles and before long he could see the road through the rusty holes in the car's floor, so laid it up.
