History of Porsche Club GB (1970 - 1979)
The 1970s saw the introduction of front-engined, water-cooled models to the Porsche range and a surge in production; this development attracted many new members. By the end of the decade, membership was set to grow to over a thousand, split into a dozen Regions, all organising events and many types of Porsche-related activities.
The Registers
In 1970, Porsche Club Registers began with 356 owners beginning to understand that with sales of 911 now in its sixth year it was important to keep a record of 356s in the UK. It would be sometime before other Registers joined the party but a start had been made. The aims of the Register were to:
- Establish the whereabouts, history and specifications of all relevant cars belonging to UK residents.
- Assist members in the restoration of their cars to a standard which would be a credit to the marque.
- Perpetuate the use of such cars as road-going vehicles and when suitable Club events provide the opportunity, to encourage owners to participate with their cars.
These aims remain true today for all the Club's Registers.
Membership grows
Club membership was still small, in 1974 there were only 380 members but one has to realise that Porsche production was also relatively low with less than 12,000 vehicles being manufactured for world-wide distribution that year. The cost of membership in 1974 was just £3, an extra pound would provide family membership.
Not just sportscars
Porsche was not only responsible for the manufacture of road and race cars but also several other powered products. These include aero engines and a product group as ‘down to earth’ as it is possible to get - tractors.
Porsche Club GB prides itself on being all inclusive and the family would not be complete without reference to Tony Standen and latterly John Hearn who fly the flag for the slowest motorised vehicle to bear the Porsche name - the Porsche Diesel tractor.
This image is taken from a magazine article published in 1973.
The small ads
For those looking to buy a Porsche in 1974, these are the advertisments they would have seen in the motoring press:
1500 N 356 Coupe, 1955. Taxed, M.O.T., generally good condition. Plenty of
spares – engine, transmission etc. £250
1972 2.4 911 S Type. Blood Orange. Verifiable 6,000 miles. Recaro super
safety seats. Electric roof and windows, rear wiper, electric aerial and Bluespot
radio. Heated screen, all tinted glass. £3,950
1961 356B 'Super' Sable with tan interior. Very reliable. M.O.T. Radio,
Porsche Workshop manual. Offers considered around £300
Leisure activities
By the mid 1970s Regions were organising events such as the Lakeland Weekend which attracted a considerable number of members from all over the UK.
"Members take a rest near the Hardknott Pass in Cumbria during a Lakeland trip"
This period also saw the Club’s first attempt at providing away day hospitality in the shape of its mobile hospitality unit, sponsored by an early commercial partner.
"The PCGB Caravan in use as 'Reception' at the Club's A.G.M."
By the end of the decade membership was in excess of 1200 with a healthy number of events taking place at both regional and national level in which members could participate.