Dedicated to the enjoyment of the Porsche 356 automobile

A GREAT  DAY AT THE GARAGE!

Spending a little time in the garage is generally a fun time for we car nuts.  But if you combine fifteen lovely 356’s with the handsome facility

in Tacoma known as Griot’s Garage it is a real treat indeed.  In spite of the finicky weather on this 31st day July and a few rainstorms on the drive to the site the day turned out very pleasant for the display of our cars on the Concours Plaza.

Hosted by Griot’s President and 356 Group NW member, Mark Greene was the consummate host. From directing the parking to providing guided tours Mark provided his guests with an inside look into the workings of the Griot’s operation. But Mark kept his crew busy as well with a demonstration of their key car maintenance products. One lucky 356 owner came home with a highly polished fender after Griot’s technician, Sam, took us through the various steps of washing, clay application, polishing, and application of a final wax coat.  Most of us came away with a new appreciation for the wide range of products that Griot’s offers for the care and maintenance of vehicles ranging from garage queens to everyday drivers.

                                                                                                                                                                       Denny & Sue Aker's Conv. D

After a lovely lunch in the very red and white period Griot’s café the group was treated to a rare tour into the inner sanctum of Richard Griot’s car collection and restoration facility. In spite of the wide variety of cars the first thing you notice is the gleaming white floor accentuated by red trim and the broad expanse of windows. The work environment immediately provides a flavor for the manner in which this collection of cars is not just maintained but also the treatment of those cars being restored. While some of us may have been more interested in the wide variety of Porsches on display it was not difficult to ogle over the    

Ferrari Daytona, the old Ford Woody wagon, or the monstrous Buick from the early 60’s. Nonetheless, the complement of Porsches included a beautifully restored 962, a very Purple 911S, and a recent 911 Speedster sitting next to the red GT2. Mark relayed the unique background of each of the cars with many having a particular historical or family connection to the collector. Like many 356 owners, Richard Griot is a stickler for authenticity and the cars being restored certainly reflected that feeling.

At the conclusion of the tour there was still plenty of time for the members to obtain many of the products demonstrated earlier in the day. There will no doubt be plenty of clean and shiny 356’s on the road in the near future.

 Thanks to Mark Greene and the Griot’s team for great hospitality, product demonstration, and sharing the beautiful collection of sports and racing vehicles.