Special to the Kirkland Reporter Paper.
More than 500 people crowded into a Carillon Point parking lot to not only peruse some Porsches, but also raise money for charity on Sept. 18. Hosted by the Northwest Region of the Porsche Club of America, the fifth annual Porsche Display is a way for local owners to give back to the community while also sharing in car culture. The event brought in more than $4,000 for charity.
“We’re really happy about that, but we support some really worthy causes, but Evergreen is one of the few non-automotive charities,” Jay Gillotti, Membership chair for the Northwest Region of the Porsche Owners Club.
(More below photograph.)
Ninety-nine cars arrived for the display and the field was open for display at 9 a.m., with the sounds of jazz music courtesy of the Seattle Teen Music jazz band drifting over the crowd.
“They do a wonderful job and I’ve been every year, it’s very nice,” said Jim Anderson of Seattle and car show attendee. “I’ve got some [Porsches] at home and they remind me of a pretty good time in my life, my twenties. I’m no longer in my 20s.”
Porsches of all years were at the show, including some that were worth $6,000 and some worth well over a $1 million.
“We’re trying to build this show up every year, plus some special groups. We look at anniversaries to get interesting groups of cars together,” Gillotti said.
This year’s special groups include the 20th anniversary of the one year only 1976 912E model and the 40th anniversary of the Front-Engine Trans-Axle Porsche (with the transmission near rear axle of the car).
Steven Varga’s 1987 944 Coupe in Guards Red won the Transaxle Car 40th Anniversary. Jim and Michelle Welch won dual awards in the Boxsters 20th Anniversary class for their two 2000 986 Boxster S hardtop cars. Among air-cooled to 1998 cars Chris Powell took first for his 1959 Porsche 356 Speedster GT/GT in Ruby Red while Stan Dickison took first for his 2013 981 convertible in Aqua Blue.
The Seattle Teen Music jazz band was belting out tunes and even chose their own winner, Marv Engstrom’s 1957 Red Speedster. The People’s Choice award also went to Engstrom.
“This is a really awesome event. All the proceeds go directly to our patient care and benefits our patients directly,” said Kae Peterson, VP for development and executive director of the EvergreenHealth Foundation. “I love the Porsches, they’re a dream come true.”
When the Kirkland Concours left for Tacoma, the Northwest Region of the Porsche Owners Club of America stepped up to take over a new charity event in its place. The All Porsche Display was born and has made Kirkland its home ever since, much to Evergreen Hospital’s appreciation.
“This is just such a great experience for us and a wonderful opportunity. Kirkland was the beginning of the hospital, we started in Kirkland and Kirkland is a special community to us,” Peterson said. “And we’ve been association with this car group for a long time and really appreciate their support of Evergreen and our patients.”
Already people were discussing next year’s Porsche Display, with many looking forward to the next time the event graces the Carillon Point in Kirkland.
“Thank you to all the owners and drivers who brought their Porsches to the 5th annual All Porsche Grand Display. Without you there would be no display,” said Dennis Rood of the NW Region Porsche Club of America. “This was the last big event for 2016, but we look forward to holding classes and judged concours in 2017.”
