Book Review
PORSCHE OUTLAWS – STUTTGART HOT RODS
PORSCHE OUTLAWS
STUTTGART HOT RODS
You’ll know Porsche, with – in 2023 – a 75-year history of producing singular motorcars for the specific tastes of individualistic motorists. And since the company’s inception in 1948, Porsche has been building ‘outlaws’, refusing – in most instances – to cave to convention. Its early 356 and later 911 were as far removed from the classically drawn sports and GT machinery as they could have been. And if you don’t believe me, look at the design and spec of Jaguar’s XK120 or E-Type, and compare it to the contemporary spec of Porsche’s 356 or 911. The Jaguars are Captain Kirk, while the Porsche’s lean toward Mr. Spock. Of course, some Porsches are more outlandish than others, and to highlight these author and photographer Michael Alan Ross gives us PORSCHE OUTLAWS: STUTTGART HOT RODS in some 200 pages of text and photography.
In its beginning, and running – I believe – through the end of the 20th century, Porsches were sufficiently singular to not require much (if anything) in the way of personalization. It was only in the last 20 years that Porsches, especially in the large metro areas, became commonplace, with not only bigger volumes but a much wider demographic. (Of course, the sale of expensive sports cars runs parallel to the increasing gulf between the middle class and affluent.) Happily, Mr. Ross doesn’t devote these pages to new Porsche showrooms; instead, he sets his sights on Porsche parts, Emory Outlaws and owners like Magnus Walker.
The book begins, as you’d hope, with the origins of the Outlaw Porsche. And that origin story is generally credited to California customizer Dean Jeffries and his modified 356. Ross doesn’t go into granular detail, but does provide the bullet points: How Jeffries obtained the 356, the inspiration behind the sheetmetal mods and custom paint, and its subsequent sale; ultimately the car ends up with an owner – Jack Walter – in Atlanta. Notably, a car that was originally regarded as an aberration by Porsche enthusiasts in the late ‘50s is now regarded as a design benchmark almost 70 years later. The Jeffries 356 has been returned to Southern California, and that seems wholly appropriate.
Editorial attention is also given to any number of special Porsches, or – as the Outlaws might put it – the very special Porsches. Notable among the Ross compilation is the ‘Red Door’ 911 of Joshy Roberts, Rob Ida’s red 356, Patrick Long’s almost subtle 911 and Carl Magnusson’s 912. Yup, a 912.
But equal emphasis is placed on those people behind the cars, and not only are they identified, but their compelling narratives are, well…narrated. For many readers customizer Dean Jeffries doesn’t need to be fleshed out, but the Atlanta-based owner/restorer of the Jeffries 356, Jack Walton, is given appropriate credit for its initial preservation and subsequent renovation. And while much has been written about Magnus Walker and musician John Oates, the juxtaposition of these names with their cars or, in Walker’s case, his collection is fully appropriate…and very readable.
Given the work of Ross, both commercially (clients have included Porsche Design, Porsche Cars NA, Ford and Opel) and editorially, you’d expect the photos to prove captivating. But his almost conversational writing keeps the book open, and these are an easy 192 pages to read and enjoy.
Our review copy of PORSCHE OUTLAWS was provided by Motorbooks, and is available here: https://geni.us/PorcheOutlaws. In the U.S. it retails for $55. And that, Dear Reader, is a deal.
