Well, college basketball’s March Madness has come and gone — and so has all Porschephiles’ March Madness of the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend of festivities, events and open houses. No worries, though. Re-live that splendid Porsche weekend here.
And what a fantastic weekend it was! If you’ve never experienced this annual mind-blowing Porschephile weekend, you must make it a point to immerse yourself in all of the activities in the future. They usually take place on or around the first weekend in March.
Click here to get a general overview of the annual L.A. Lit and Toy Show itself
Whether you’ve enjoyed the festivities before or not, I’ll briefly recap the weekend so you can live (or re-live) it vicariously. All shops, vendors and events are listed by date below and in alphabetical order.
So let’s roll . . .
The 2017 Porsche L.A. Lit Meet Show Weekend Festivities
The centerpiece of this annual event-filled Porsche weekend in Los Angeles is what this year was officially known as “The 34th Annual Porsche and Vintage VW Literature, Toy & Memorabilia Meet.”
It’s also known as the “Porsche Lit Meet,” for short, obviously in its 34th year now.
But this is the first year offering bus tours to most of the daily L.A. County and Orange County events orbiting the 2017 L.A. Porsche Lit & Toy Meet Show on Sunday. This was a great way for both national and international out-of-towners to enjoy the festivities during this 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet weekend.
The bus tours made it super-easy for those unfamiliar with the Southland’s wacky weekend traffic patterns, as well as the heavily congested and far-flung Southern California freeway system. What a great way to improve upon the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
The Porsche L.A. Lit Meet’s Week of Festivities kicked off on Thursday. Unlike some of you lucky pups, I have a j-o-b. To keep it, I have to show up more often than not to keep up appearances of some modicum of productivity, at the very least.
Consequently, I was unable to attend and chronicle any Thursday events. But I’ve listed them so that you can still get the flavor of the first day. I’ve visited many of these Open Houses in past years, though.
StuttgartDNA Tip:
Get the right insurance for your Porsche
When shopping for insurance on your Porsche, make sure to do your homework on getting the best insurance for it — read our article on the subject by clicking on the following link:
How to choose the best car insurance
Also check out the Agreed Value insurance companies in our Porsche Resources Directory:
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Benton Performance – Porsche repair, maintenance and tuning, as well as Porsche restoration and pre-purchase inspection in Anaheim, Orange County, California
Benton Performance held its Open House on Thursday, as well as on Friday, as a participant in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Benton Performance is located at 1275 N. Lance Street, Anaheim, California. This Porsche repair shop is near La Habra, Corona, Santa Ana and Lakewood.
Benton Performance is an independent Porsche facility in Orange County. This garage specializes in not only normal repair and maintenance, but also full restoration, high-performance tuning and modification, as well as concours preparation and pre-purchase inspection.
Benton Performance focuses on Porsche 356 motorcars and early Porsche 911 and 912 vehicles. This early Porsche-centric shop was founded by John Benton. He can be reached at 714-630-5025.
(Also see the “Benton Performance” listing under “Friday, March 3, 2017” below.)
Click here to go to the Benton Performance website
California Porsche Restoration – Porsche air-cooled classic-car sales, and Porsche classic-car restoration and pre-purchase inspection in Fallbrook, San Diego County, California
Open House at California Porsche Restoration was held on both Thursday and Friday during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Well-known 356 Talk guru and So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display co-organizer Bob Lee hosted the shop’s Open House on both days.
For the last four decades, this restoration and sales house has specialized in restoring and selling air-cooled Porsche 356 models, and early 911 and 912 models. Located north of San Diego, these restoration specialists strictly conform to factory specifications.
The Restoration Department (760-731-1353 and 760-723-8689) of California Porsche Restoration is located at 309 Industrial Way, Fallbrook, California 92028. The shop’s Sales Department (760-723-8900) can be visited at 501 Industrial Way, Fallbrook, California 92028.
Both California Porsche Restoration locations are near Temecula, Escondido, San Diego, Carlsbad and San Clemente.
Click here to go to the California Porsche Restoration sales website
Click here to go to the California Porsche Restoration restoration workshops website
Justice Private Automotive Collection – private automotive museum in Duarte, Los Angeles County, California
The Justice Private Automotive Collection Open House was also held on Friday and Monday. It is the only automotive museum participating in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Unfortunately, the Justice Private Automotive Collection website doesn’t give you any info, so here’s what I have in case you want to check out the Collection on your own someday:
The address of the museum is 2734 Huntington Drive, Duarte, California 91010; call the Collection at 626-359-9174 or email them at museum@justicebrothers.com.
The Justice Private Automotive Collection is near Monrovia, Azusa, Baldwin Park and Arcadia.
Click here to go to the Justice Private Automotive Collection website
Sierra Madre Collection – large-catalog new and used Porsche parts sales and Porsche wheel refurbishing and restoration services in Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California
Again for another year, Sierra Madre Collection hosted its official Open House as part of the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend. It was held on Thursday at its Los Angeles Warehouse located at 3410 N. San Fernando Road, No. 4, Los Angeles, California 90065.
All Open House visitors were eligible for a 10% discount on all Porsche parts orders placed at the warehouse and also those picked up during the event. Lunch was also served, and there was a “Scratch and Dent” sale in progress.
If you’re ever in the Pasadena area during weekdays and want to drop by to say “hello,” the Sierra Madre Collection Showroom is at 1055 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, California 91106 – near La Cañada Flintridge, Altadena, Arcadia, Monterey Park and Glendale. I’m sure they’d love to see you.
For future new and used Porsche parts phone orders or for more information, feel free to call the Collection at 888-986-4466.
Click here to go to the Sierra Madre Collection website
Wholesale California – Porsche vintage classic-car sales and Porsche classic-car restoration in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
Holding its Open House on both Thursday and Friday, Wholesale California is in the business of “selling the garage finds of California worldwide,” as their motto declares.
As in past years, Wholesale California participated in this year’s 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Tom Drummond and Mike Canfield run the Porsche vintage car sales and restoration outfit. They can be reached at 949-631-7456. Wholesale California is located at 2148 Newport Boulevard, Suite F, Costa Mesa, California 92627.
Near Santa Ana, Irvine, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, Wholesale California also held a garage sale, and fed all visitors homemade tacos at lunch on Friday.
Click here to go to Wholesale California sales and showroom website
Click here to go to Wholesale California restoration shop website
Friday, March 3, 2017
I was able to take Friday off from that aforementioned j-o-b to enjoy some of that day’s festivities. Here are the Open Houses that were on offer that Friday to participate in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Show Weekend.
Auto Kennel – Porsche vintage classic-car sales and Porsche pre-owned car sales in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
The Auto Kennel Open House was fun as always, with pizza and ice-cold refreshments provided throughout Friday during this 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
The firm’s address is 1974 Charle Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627. Auto Kennel is near Santa Ana, Irvine, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach.
Owned and operated by Paul Kramer (714-335-4911) and Ed Kramer (310-633-1065), Auto Kennel had some nice Porsches on sale to admire and dream about owning during its Open House — including one sweet black Porsche 928 (above) that wasn’t for sale.
Auto Kennel sells its own vehicles. It also provides a consignment service for those who don’t want to deal with the hassles and potential fraud that are commonly associated with private “sell by owner” scenarios.
Click here to go to the Auto Kennel website
Benton Performance – Porsche repair, maintenance and tuning, and Porsche restoration and pre-purchase inspection in Anaheim, Orange County, California
Located at 1275 N Lance Lane in Anaheim, California 92806, Benton Performance hosted its Open House on both Thursday and Friday during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
The independent Porsche repair and maintenance shop is near Corona, La Habra, Lakewood and Santa Ana, and is in Orange County.
Benton Performance specializes in full automotive restoration, high-performance modification, precision tuning and concours preparation of 356 and early 911 and 912 Porsche motorcars.
Founded by John Benton, this early Porsche-centric shop can be contacted by calling 714-630-5025.
(Also see the “Benton Performance” listing under “Thursday, March 2, 2017” above.)
Click here to go to the Benton Performance website
California Porsche Restoration – Porsche air-cooled classic-car sales, and Porsche classic-car restoration and pre-purchase inspection in Fallbrook, San Diego County, California
Open House was also held this date from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Please also see the “California Porsche Restoration” listing under “Thursday, March 2, 2017” above.
Bob Lee, well-known 356 Talk guru and So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display co-organizer, hosted the shop’s Open House on both days.
Click here to go to the California Porsche Restoration sales website
California Porsche Restoration restoration workshops website
Callas Rennsport – Porsche repair, maintenance and tuning, as well as Porsche restoration and pre-purchase inspection in Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
The Callas Rennsport Open House, hosted by Tony Callas himself, included several Tech Sessions as its contribution to the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
These Tech Sessions covered discussions on the history of the world-record-setting 911R No. 001, the history and restoration of the 1971 914-6 in the shop (below), and an M9X engine session, among others.
A light continental breakfast was served in the morning, and lunch was catered in the afternoon.
Founder Tony Callas was blessed with quite an impressive early education and career immersed in working on Porsche cars and race cars before opening Callas Rennsport, his renowned Porsche service, repair and restoration operation.
Suffice it to say only briefly in the narrow scope of this piece that Tony Callas apprenticed first as a young lad under his father, Mike Callas, an accomplished Porsche mechanic and Porsche race-team participant in his own right.
Tony Callas then went on to study under the tutelage of such distinguished mentors as Adrian Gang at Edelweiss Porsche, Alwin Springer at ANDIAL and legendary Vasek Polak.
Be sure to take note that Tony Callas will personally perform Porsche pre-purchase inspections for you. Who better to perform this critical, indispensable service for you?
Callas Rennsport is located at 19080 Hawthorne Boulevard, Torrance, California 90503. Tony Callas and his shop can be reached at 310-504-1809.
Callas Rennsport is near Los Angeles, Gardena, Lakewood, Seal Beach and San Pedro.
Click here to go to the Callas Rennsport website
GTwerk / Bob Kann – Porsche 356 GT and Outlaw restoration parts and Porsche 356 parts fabrication in Los Alamitos, Orange County, California
This Open House featured a car show, as well as displays of representative GTwerk products during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
GTwerk is located at 3841 Catalina Street, Suite G, Los Alamitos, California 90720 — near Cerritos, Anaheim, Huntington Beach and Long Beach.
GTwerk is run by Bob Kann, who founded the company in 1996. The firm provides 356 parts and services for the Porsche 356.
GTwerk’s specialty is outfitting restoration parts for GT and Outlaw enthusiasts and their project cars.
If a sought-after Porsche part is unavailable across the “Porsche Universe,” GTwerk’s fabrication shop can duplicate the part for you.
Click here to go to the GTwerk website
John Esposito’s Porsche Repair – Porsche repair, maintenance and tuning, as well as Porsche restoration and pre-purchase inspection in North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California
Located at 7360 Varna Avenue in North Hollywood, California 91605, John Esposito’s Porsche Repair held its Open House on this date, also, to participate in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend. The shop is near Sun Valley, Burbank, Universal City and Van Nuys.
This independent Porsche repair garage was one of the scant few, but welcomed, San Fernando Valley participants in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Lit Meet Weekend.
John Esposito’s Porsche Repair specializes in Porsche restoration, repair and pre-purchase inspection. The shop is headed by owner John Esposito who supervises the maintenance and care of your Porsche motorcars.
Since moving to its new 30,000-square-foot facility, John Esposito’s Porsche Repair has everything under one roof to offer your Porsche(s) everything from routine maintenance and servicing, to full rotisserie restoration.
Contact Esposito’s shop and speak to John personally by calling 818-469-1811.
Click here to go to the John Esposito’s Porsche Repair website
Klasse 356 Parts – new and used Porsche 356 restoration parts in Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Klasse 356 Parts held its Open House in concurrence with Hunziker Designs (see “Nicolas Hunziker Designs” below) during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend; both firms are in the same industrial-park location.
Klasse 356 Parts, as its name gives away, is a Porsche 356-centered parts house. The company is located at 4040 Spencer Street, Suite L, in Torrance, California 90503. The phone number there is 310-370-3014.
Klasse 356 Parts is near Los Angeles, Lakewood, Gardena, Seal Beach and San Pedro.
This niche parts outfit sells both new and used parts, and just about anything 356, from interior carpeting and upholstery, to sheet-metal panels.
Click here to go to the Klasse 356 Parts website
L.A. Dismantler – Porsche dismantler, salvage junkyard and used Porsche parts sales in Sun Valley, Los Angeles County, California
The L.A. Dismantler Open House ran from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Friday in participation in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
L.A. Dismantler specializes in only Porsche vehicle parts extracted from later-model 911, Boxster and Cayman vehicles, from 1980 through today’s model years. L.A. Dismantler is a salvage junkyard, dismantler and used Porsche parts provider all in one.
Only problem is, there is sadness and despair when you first lay eyes on all those twisted, mangled, demolished Porsche cadavers stacked three bodies high in the L.A. Dismantler junkyard.
But that despondency is slightly soothed and calmed once you realize these disfigured wrecks so close to our Porschephile hearts are much-needed donors providing parts for all of our Porsches still on the road.
Just keep telling yourself that, and hopefully you’ll be okay in surviving that shocking initial visual trauma. . .
You can see it all up close and personal by visiting L.A. Dismantler at 9819 Glenoaks Boulevard, Sun Valley, California 91352. Call them for parts at 818-767-7243, or check out their website using the link below.
L.A. Dismantler is near Sunland-Tujunga, La Crescenta, Burbank, North Hollywood, and San Fernando.
Click here to go to the L.A. Dismantler website
Nicolas Hunziker Designs – original Nicolas Hunziker-designed Porsche art, posters, prints, watches, apparel, T-shirts, and driving shoes in Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
For its part during the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, Nicolas Hunziker Designs held its Open House in Torrance. It’s worth noting the stark contrast between the space’s nondescript exterior and the vibrant, exquisite motorsports artwork contained within the walls of that vanilla exterior.
The Design studio is just a door down from Klasse 356 Parts, and a few blocks south of Callas Rennsport.
The Nicolas Hunziker Designs address is 4040 Spencer Street, Suites A & B, Torrance, California 90503. Hunziker Designs is near Los Angeles, Lakewood, Gardena, Long Beach and San Pedro.
![2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend: 20 Jahre Boxster painting by Nicolas Hunziker, Switzerland. Original painting, acrylic on canvas, 36 inches by 48 inches, depicting the original Boxster prototype designed by American stylist Grant Larson. List Price: POA [price on application – i.e., contact Hunziker Design to obtain asking price]. Commissioned by the Porsche Club of America – official event artwork of the PCA Werks Reunion 2018 in Monterey, California, on Friday, August 18, 2017. Licensed by Porsche AG. Credit: StuttgartDNA](https://i0.wp.com/stuttgartdna.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Hunziker-Boxster-20-Jahre-painting.jpg?ssl=1 "Credit: StuttgartDNA")
The best thing of all was that we were able to buy Mr. Hunziker’s merchandise and artwork on the spot.
Not quite having the total $75,000 in pocket change on me at that time, though, to buy one of the priceless McQueen paintings seen above, I instead bought a pair of Hunziker-designed Martini Racing driving shoes. Very cool! And even cooler when on — very, very comfortable.
I wore them over the course of the entire day, and they still felt comfy even up until taking them off after getting home. I also bought some nice T-shirts bearing Mr. Hunziker’s Porsche artwork.
Click here to go to the Nicolas Hunziker Designs website
Pelican Parts – large-catalog new and used Porsche parts sales in Harbor City, Los Angeles County, California
For the very first time ever, Pelican Parts held its inaugural Open House — a real treat for all of us taking part in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend. It allowed us to get a peek at the facilities and the notorious “Pelican Garage.”
Tasty street tacos and refreshments were provided. Owner / co-founder Wayne Dempsey fired up a few of the cars in the garage, including an RSR Tribute and the Yokohama 962.
Of course, virtually everyone in the PorscheSphere knows all about Pelican Parts’ huge Porsche parts catalog, its many forums and its copious tech articles.
Pelican Parts is located at 1600 240th Street, Harbor City, California 90710. You can order online by clicking on the catalog link below, or by calling 888-280-7799.
Pelican Parts is near Torrance, Long Beach, San Pedro, Palos Verdes Estates and Redondo Beach.
Click here to go to the Pelican Parts photo gallery of shots taken during the 2017 Lit Show weekend
Click here to go to the Pelican Parts’ humongous Porsche parts catalog website
Click here to go to the Pelican Parts forums homepage
Click here to go to the Pelican Parts tech articles homepage
Performance Vintage International – Porsche vintage classic-car sales, modern-car sales and classic-car restoration in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
Performance Vintage International held its Open House sessions on both Friday and Monday. It was one of many Orange County, California, participants celebrating the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Performance Vintage International is at 1765 Placentia Avenue, Costa Mesa, California 92627 — near Los Alamitos, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and Huntington Beach.
One of Performance Vintage International’s specialties is finding and selling early air-cooled Porsche models. The Porsche car reseller also restores these classic Porsche cars.
In short, the firm not only buys and sell these classics, but also consigns cars for clients who wish to avoid the hassle and potential fraudulent pitfalls of private-party wheeling and dealing.
Next time you’re in the neighborhood, drop by and say “hi” to PVI’s fellow sports-car enthusiasts at their long-established and expansive Costa Mesa showroom. You can reach them for any additional info at 949-302-1773.
Click here to go to the Performance Vintage International website
Steve Hogue Enterprises – old-world “panel-beaters” specializing in hand-crafting Porsche 356 and early-911 body panels in Torrance, Los Angeles County, California
Steve Hogue Enterprises held its Open House event for the whole day on Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The firm’s focus is on vintage car restorations and fabrications out of aluminum or steel.
Steve Hogue Enterprises’ address is 22416 S. Normandie Avenue, Unit D, Torrance, CA 90502 — near Los Angeles, Gardena, Lakewood, San Pedro and Long Beach.
And what a treat it is to see Steve’s works in progress! Steve and his craftsmen provide vintage aluminum and steel coach-building and reconstruction of the highest exacting caliber, using old-world “panel-beating” techniques coupled with modern technological methods.
The company is not limited to just Porsche vehicles, however. They can work on any classic make or model, producing and crafting anything from a door panel to an entire automobile.
But for all of us Porschephiles, Steve Hogue Enterprises handcrafts Porsche 356 and Porsche early-911 body panels — fenders, bumpers, noses, deck lids, door skins, and rear body and other panels.
The shop can be contacted by calling 310-787-1001.
If you weren’t able to take part in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, then click on the Steve Hogue Enterprises website link immediately below to see Steve Hogue’s portfolio.
Click here to go to the Steve Hogue Enterprises website
The Parts Shop – new and used Porsche 356 restoration parts in Huntington Beach, Los Angeles County, California
The Parts Shop’s Open House took place on Friday between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. as part of the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Run by Bill Perrone, The Parts Shop sells new and used Porsche 356 parts. Bill’s parts house is at 15725 Chemical Lane, Huntington Beach, California 92649 — near Los Alamitos, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Corona del Mar and Newport Beach.
The phone number is 714-894-3112.
The Parts Shop website: None available at this time.
TRE Motorsports / TRE Automotive – Porsche maintenance, repair and tuning, as well as Porsche restoration, pre-purchase inspection and track-day preparation in Van Nuys, Los Angeles County, California
The TRE Motorsports Open House was held only on Friday, taking part in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Everyone got a chance to check out the shop and its latest projects. The garage is located at 15854 Strathern Street, Van Nuys, CA 91406.
TRE Motorsports has been in business over 30 years. Its garage component, TRE Automotive, is one of the most respected and patronized independent Porsche repair and maintenance shops in Southern California.
In fact, TRE Motorsports has worked on some of my Porsche cars over the years. I took my very first Porsche – a 1977½ 924 — to TRE Motorsports way, way back in the early Eighties when the garage was in its original location on Chandler Boulevard in North Hollywood, California.
I believe at that time the only remaining owner was Dave Bouzaglou. TRE has worked on my Porsches off and on ever since.
TRE Automotive works on all Porsches, from the 356, 911, 912, 914, 924 through 968, 928, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne, Macan and Panamera, on through to the latest 991.2.
This garage performs multiple services, including but not limited to maintenance, repair, tuning, restoration, pre-purchase inspection and track-day preparation.
The TRE Automotive garage and Service Manager Jeremy Cottrell can be reached at 818-909-9220.
Click here to go to the TRE Motorsports website
Willhoit Auto Restoration – specialists in complete Porsche 356 and early 911 restoration and pre-purchase inspection, as well as in Porsche 356 routine servicing and maintenance in Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California
Willhoit Auto Restoration held its annual Open House on Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Willhoit Auto Restoration once again participated in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
Unlike during last year’s Open House, this year my wife and I got there in time to munch on the shop’s lunchtime fare: The “Grill-Meisters” served up some of the tastiest authentic German Bratwursts I’ve ever had the pleasure to savor. Really. They were that good. But I digress . . .
Anyhow, Willhoit Auto Restoration has been restoring the Porsche 356 and early 911 since 1976. They have a reputation among Porschephiles of performing some of the best restoration work in the country.
The 14,000-square-foot facility in Long Beach, California, is a self-contained one-stop restoration shop. The shop boasts a custom-built spray booth and a comprehensive paint library of factory paint samples of every color produced by Porsche from 1950 through 1965.
The shop also features a custom-built rotisserie, body jigs for precision panel replacement, etc.
Other Willhoit Auto Restoration shop perks include complete Porsche 356 maintenance and servicing, engine dyno testing and break-in, paint samples to be taken to any third-party painter of your choice, and collision repair.
Willhoit Auto Restoration is located at 1360 Gladys Avenue, Long Beach, California 90804 — near San Pedro, Lakewood, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach.
You can reach the shop at 562-439-3333, or call owner John Willhoit himself directly at 714-356-1735.
Click here to go to the Willhoit Auto Restoration website
Saturday, March 4, 2017
2017 L.A. Lit and Toy Show
The 2017 Porsche L.A. Lit and Toy Meet Show kicked off Saturday’s events at the Airport Hilton outside Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). It served as the centerpiece to the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
The 2017 Porsche L.A. Lit and Toy Meet Show opened at 7:00 a.m. for “Early Bird” shoppers and bargain hunters at a premium admission price, and then general-public entry began at 9:00 a.m. at the regular admission price.
Click here to get a broader overview of the annual L.A. Lit & Toy Show
Two ballrooms, one large and one a little smaller, were jammed with Porsche vendors displaying and selling their wares.
This was the first year that Stoddard NLA LLC ran the L.A. Lit and Toy Meet Show. Stoddard is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year as one of the largest players in the global Porsche-specific restoration market.
Click here to go to the Stoddard website
Stoddard has taken over from the original Porsche L.A. Lit and Toy Meet Show organizers — PCAers and Porschephiles Prescott Kelley, Wayne Callaway and Jim Perrin, who all started their little swap meet 34 years ago.
Now that little swap meet has grown into a truly world-class, world-famous classic Porsche event that hosts visitors from all over the globe.
If you’ve never experienced a Porsche L.A. Lit and Toy Meet Show, you must do so sometime soon — it’s like being the proverbial kid in a candy store for all Porschephiles, young and old alike.
Click here to go to the LA Lit and Toy Show website
356 Registry Trustees Meeting
The trustees of the 356 Registry held their meeting directly after the 2017 Porsche Toy and Lit Meet Show. (Great way to kill two birds with one stone. . .)
The meeting took place on premises at the LAX Airport Hilton that Saturday between 2:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. It allowed 356 Registry members to address their trustees with any questions, issues or concerns about one of our great Porsche clubs.
Click here to access 356 Registry information on the StuttgartDNA website
Click here to go to the 356 Registry website
California Porsches – specialists in complete Porsche early 911 and 912 restoration, sales, pre-purchase inspection and consignment in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
California Porsches wasn’t listed on the on the Lit Show’s website this year as participating in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, but they’ve always held their own Open House on Saturday.
This is simply because they are located on the same property as Jim Liberty’s shop (please see below), and are across the street from European Collectibles (also please see below).
The California Porsches address is: 1638 Babcock Street, Suite A, Costa Mesa, California 92627 – near Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach.
California Porsches specializes in the restoration and sale of early air-cooled Porsche motorcars, i.e., early 911 and 912 models. The firm also offers consignment services to help sell your own early air-cooled Porsche cars.
The shop’s phone number is 949-646-3428. Co-proprietor Jason Adams’ mobile / text line is 714-336-4988. Co-proprietor (Jim’s wife) Leslie Adams’ mobile / text line is 714-323-2830.
Click here to go to the California Porsches website
Carparc USA – specialists in complete early 911 and 912 Porsche restoration, sales, pre-purchase inspection and consignment in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
Carparc USA hosted its Open House on Saturday only, between 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., participating in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
The Carparc USA Open House took place at Carparc USA’s restoration and sales facility, which is separate from its administrative offices in Seal Beach, California.
Carparc USA specializes in what it has always done best since moving from the Netherlands to sunny Porsche-concentrated Southern California — buying, restoring, selling and consigning the Porsche early 911 and 912.
The Carparc USA Open House spotlighted both Porsche early 911 works in progress and finished works of dazzling art on the showroom floor. Outside, grilled brats and caramelized onions were served on fluffy rolls, along with potato salad. Ice-cold refreshments were also provided.
The cars and cuisine made for a great mix on this balmy Saturday afternoon in Orange County.
Click here to go to the Carparc USA website
European Collectibles – Porsche vintage classic-car sales and modern-car sales, and Porsche classic-car restoration in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
Participating once again in the 
2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, European Collectibles held its 10th Annual Open House on this Saturday, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
And what a fine European Collectibles Open House it was. The cuisine included not only tasty hot dogs and tacos from freshly handmade corn tortillas on the grill, but also fantastic charbroiled hamburgers and cheeseburgers grilled on the spot with all the fixins’ you could ask for. Yummy! But yet again I digress on the tasty cuisine . . .
Another feast for the “car-guy” or “car-gal” appetite were the motorcars: The classics on display were numerous, outstanding and memorable, as you can see in these accompanying photos.
European Collectibles was founded by Nick Clemence, and is now owned and operated by Nick, Chris Casler and Jeff Trask. As you can see again by the photos, their restoration services are quite impressive.
A sales and restoration enterprise, European Collectibles is located at 665 Babcock Street, Costa Mesa, California 92627 — near Irvine, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach. The firm can be reached at 949-650-4718.
Click here to go to the European Collectibles website
Jim Liberty Motorsports – Porsche vintage classic-car 356 and early 911 & 912 sales, restoration and concours preparation, as well as Porsche pre-purchase inspection and sales consultation in Costa Mesa, Orange County, California
Also participating in the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, Jim Liberty Motorsports’ Open House took place concurrently with the Open Houses at European Collectibles down the street and at California Porsches, which is on the same property as Liberty Motorsports.
Jim Liberty’s Open House served up snacks and cold refreshments from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All visitors were able to chat with Jim and to take a look at his latest offerings.
Jim Liberty Motorsports’ full address is 1638 Babcock Street, Suite F, Costa Mesa, California 92627. The phone number there is 949-375-1888.
Liberty Motorsports’ vintage Porsche sales, restoration, concours preparation, sales consultation and pre-purchase inspection operation was founded by Jim Liberty in 1986.
Click here to go to the Jim Liberty Motorsports website
Porsche South Bay – Porsche Classic Center – Authorized Porsche dealership and Los Angeles County’s only Porsche Classic Partner, located in Hawthorne, California
Porsche South Bay – Porsche Classic Partner Center hosted its Open House on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. as part of the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend.
German cuisine goodies and beer were served, while several classic Porsche motorcars were on display for the visual appetites of all guests. There was a raffle, as well as other giveaway items.
As of this writing, this is the only Porsche Classic Partner in the County of Los Angeles. The concept behind Porsche Classic Partners is predicated on the fact that more than 70% of all Porsche cars are still on the road today.
As a result, the Porsche Classic Partners’ highly committed goal is to maintain your classic Porsche both with genuine parts and superior service and maintenance.
Porsche South Bay and its Porsche Classic Partner Center are located at 14610 Hindry Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90505 — near Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach and Hawthorne.
The Porsche South Bay dealership, its Porsche Classic Center and GSM Carl Tofflemire can be reached by calling 310-891-2110. As of this writing, Porsche South Bay’s Porsche Classic Partner Center is only 1 of four such Porsche Classic Partners in the United States.
Click here to read the Stuttgart DNA article on Porsche Classic Partners’ growth worldwide
Click here to go to the Porsche South Bay website
Sunday, March 5, 2017
So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display
As part of the 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend, the So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display took place at the Phoenix Club. The German cultural center founded in 1960 is located at 1340 S. Sanderson Avenue, Anaheim, California 92806.
Click here to see photos of the So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display on the Pelican Parts website
Unfortunately, we missed the So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display. Rain was forecast and fell throughout the day, so we decided to pass. The wife and I didn’t even take a daily driver down to Anaheim, which I do regret after hearing what a massive Porsche turnout there was (please see and use link directly above).
Ever since buying my first Porsche back in 1976, I’ve never driven any one of them in the rain – intentionally. Oh, sure, sure, some if not all of you are muttering something about that being impossible – and I’d have to agree.
The key word was “intentionally” because a time or two or three we have been caught in an unexpected rain shower on occasion.
One such occasion was during the 2009 Porsche Parade in Keystone, Colorado. We took a driving tour of Rocky Mountain National Park to eyeball the Continental Divide. Suddenly a microclimatic downpour drenched us all at close to some 11,000 feet in elevation, including the beautiful silver Carrera GT that had joined us all on the tour.
Anyway, we did indeed miss the So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display this year, which I regret as I did last year when it freakishly rained on that day too in 2016. So much for the drought-inspired song titled It Never Rains in Southern California by Albert Hammond.
You can, however, click here to see photos of the So Cal All-Porsche Swap and Car Display on the Pelican Parts website
Monday, March 6, 2017
Again, the Justice Collection and Performance Vintage International held additional Open House sessions. See their original listings above under Thursday and Friday, respectively, above.
Well, that concludes another wonderful extended weekend of Porsche activities in Southern California as specified in the piece, 2017 Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Weekend. I’m sure you’re looking forward to attending next year, as am I.
To stay in-the-know about all of the following years’ details, sign up for the show’s emails by searching for the link at the LA Lit and Toy Show website. Or, you can sign up for the Show’s emails directly by clicking here.
See you during next year’s Porsche L.A. Literature, Toy and Memorabilia Meet Show Weekend!
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Acknowledgments and thanks to fellow “Regionnaire” Jim Alton, a co-member in my San Gabriel Valley Region of the Porsche Club of America. Every year Jim concisely gathers and distills a lot of the data and external links concerning the L.A. Porsche Lit Meet Weekend for our Region in his capacity as our PCA-SGVR Communications Chair. Jim’s work went a long way in allowing me to put this piece together for all of you. Great job as always, Jim.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed here at StuttgartDNA do not reflect the views and opinions of the Porsche Club of America nor of any of PCA’s 143 Regions across the USA and Canada. Conversely, the Porsche Club of America does not endorse nor reflect the views and opinions expressed here on the StuttgartDNA website and through our affiliates. In short, StuttgartDNA is not affiliated in any way with the Porsche Club of America.