I am searching for a missing puzzle piece and hope you or another member of your group may help.

I am a charter member of the Kansas City PCA, although not active for a few years and no longer a Porsche owner. But from my archives of car accessories I have a Badge that was attached to the engine lid of a 1963 356 SC notch back coupe that I bought from a gent from AZ. I took it off and have recently rediscovered it. I just wonder if an oldtimer there may remember if that was a forerunner of your or another sports car club in the area, as I would like to lead someone to an opportunity of owning the early badge. Probably Indian made and definitely sterling silver.

Thank you for any information.
Larry Woodworth larryw0hxs@kc.rr.com

Update 1

Tom Sherman alerted club members Jeff Gamble and Kurt Cramer to this request, and both knew about the badge. Here's what they said:

That's right. You have a badge from the Southern Arizona Sports Car Club! The bird is a Thunderbird. A native American symbol and the club was formed in 1951 before Ford took that name for their "sports car". The club lasted until 1970 when it was combined with the Arizona Border Region of the SCCA.

You're right about the Sterling Silver. Ones mounted on 356 engine grills usually had their tails broken off, because people used it to open the lid. The one I have on my '67 911 has an aluminum tail!

If you want more info about the club let me know, I'll have to dig around in some of the old club records that I have. Also if you want to get rid of the badge please let me know. However it really should stay with its car, if the owner wishes to have it.

Kurt Cramer (PCA-SAZ historian)

Very nice, you have one of the coveted SASSC car badges...

Kurt Cramer can more help with the history of the early days of SASSC time period.

The PCA Southern Arizona Region branched off of from the Arizona region in 1967. Prior to the Charter from PCA we were the University of Arizona Porsche Club then the Tucson Porsche Club.

Best regards,
Jeff Gamble

Update 2, from Larry Woodworth

I want to tell you the story of how I got it. Back about 1968 I saw a 356SC for sale by owner and bought it same day. Can't remember the guy's name sorry to say. I had already owned a few 356s and knew that the "notchbacks" were rare. The owner moved to KC from Arizona and claimed he no longer needed the car. He also explained how the bullet hole happened to the L-R fender. He stopped at a roadside tavern for a cool beer one night and while there heard a shot outside. After rushing out and finding nothing he dismissed it. Next day he saw the rear fender hole and also found the slug passed thru the back side of the cooling shroud but the engine ran same as always so he neglected to fix it.

I owned it long enough to find that a bearing was bad in the crankshaft and had my garage already full of my other Porsche project car, '58 speedster undergoing concours prep and engine mods. I sold it and it had a happy home with a doctor who fixed its needs. While doing the engine tear down, he found the 45 slug resting next to the oil cooler!! The Thunderbird emblem was replaced by me with a PCA badge, but went into a saver box some 30 years ago.

And Finally....

Kurt Cramer knew who had made the Thunderbird badge: Frank Patania of the Thunderbird Silver Shop in Tucson. Here is some interesting information on Mr. Patania:

http://www.modernsilver.com/patania.htm
http://www.modernsilver.com/patania2.htm

Gift Certificates may be purchased for driving events.

Indicate who it is "to" and "from", the amount, and the event, track, and dates if you want to specify that information.

Make your payment to PCA-SAR and mail to:

PCA-SAR
10645 N. Oracle Road
Suite 121 Box 308
Oro Valley, Arizona 85737

The cost of events is $50, except Arroyo Seco driver's education which is $230 for the whole weekend or $130 for one day.
Gift certificates can be purchased for any amount. The driver will still need to register for the event.

EVEX featured in EXCELLENCE!

7/15/08
"Blew by You"EXCELLENCE, The Magazine About Porsche; September 2008
A most unusual slant on the 930...
Story by Peter Linsky & Photos by Hal Tretbar

Fritz has a new TOY in his barn!

3/11/08
Fritz and Leah FickeFritz and his "1960 Porsche Diesel Super" - Looks like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay Fun!

EPA approves exemptions for classic car emission testing

12/22/06
Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) -- Collectable cars and trucks can soon skip emissions testing in Maricopa and Pima Counties. The Environmental Protection Agency approved Arizona legislation that will allow vehicles 15 years or older to skip emissions for registration. However, the cars must be true show cars or hobbyist items that carry collector-car insurance, which limits annual mileage and restricts use.

The state Legislature passed the exemptions bill in April 2005. It was then signed by Gov. Janet Napolitano and submitted to the EPA for hearings and study. The state exemptions are expected to take effect about March 1.

Information from: The Arizona Republic, www.azcentral.com