Porsche 911: A Hilton Head fan favorite against stiff competition

Was it the 1911 Oldsmobile Limited Touring Car that claimed Best in Show honors?

No. It was our 1984 Porsche 911 Carrera, part of the Influencer Avenue display at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival.

The BMX bike on the roof rack, he and others said, recalled past times–days as a teenager roaming about, not a cell phone or care in sight.

This bike was a retro Skyway T/A built to fit a skatepark pictorial from a 1983 BMX magazine: five-spoke Skyway Tuff Wheels, three-piece Redlight Flight cranks and period-correct skatepark tires.

Others homed in on the orange-and-blue New York license plates, standard issue through 1986: Were they about to meet a fellow New Yorker? (Answer: Yes, with the plates coming from our personal stash.)

Several attendees noted the classic Vans sticker in the rear window. “I also wear Vans,” they’d proclaim.

And that has long been the goal with that project. It’s not perfectly restored. It’s not a rare, million-dollar example.

Instead, this Porsche is about the little details that authentically capture those ’80s vibes: the ’80s-issue Yokohama A008-P tires, the 1984 New York registration sticker, the vintage radar detector perched atop the dash. Even the IMSA stickers in the rear windows are appropriate for 1984.

Getting the car up and back from our base in Ormond Beach, Florida, involved much less excitement: checked the tires, gave the car our usual 1-hour detail and shoved off. Thank you, everyone, for the hospitality and love once on the island.

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David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:09 p.m.

And a pic from the drive up: the all-important lunch stop.

I stopped for gas somewhere in South Florida. There was a BBQ shack in the parking lot.

Perfect, I thought.

Then the people in front of me were taking forever to order–like, I went into the gas station to pee, and they were still ordering when I returned to the line.

I heard one say to other that it was going to take half an hour.

So I cut my losses and visited the Colonel.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:09 p.m.

Once in Hilton Head, I headed right to entrant check-in. I got there just before closing time. It’s four hours each way. Then over to the host hotel to check in as a judge.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:10 p.m.

And, finally, parking for the night.

Where’s the bike?

Back here since I’d rather it not get beaten up at 80 mph.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:12 p.m.

Saturday morning, I rolled onto the show field. I put the bike together and could then welcome everyone.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:15 p.m.

The car wouldn’t fit back into the parking garage with the bike on top. Plus I had a judges meeting early Sunday morning.

So I just left the car on the field overnight with the bike up there.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:17 p.m.

Sunday morning, I took a minute to wipe down the car before judging my class. In addition to my class (Italian Mircocars) I also helped pick the best road trip car.

We had to wrap up all judging by 11:00 or so.

Ate a quick lunch and then back to the car to clean it up and welcome everyone. Thank you to those who stopped to visit.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:18 p.m.

After best in show was awarded, I could break down the bike and load up.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/4/24 4:19 p.m.

One stop on the way home. I wanted Waffle House. But this was closer to the exit and, um, I really needed to go. Before this weekend, I can’t remember the last time I had KFC but it sounded good at the time.

The car is currently in the garage full of my gear minus my suitcase and camera bag.

Realistically, it’ll be the weekend before I can unpack and clean it.

CrustyRedXpress Dork
11/5/24 8:14 p.m.

Always wanted to get up there, haven't made it yet. BMX on the 911 is a great look.

I thought I recognized the plane fuselage as Elvis', but had no idea what had been done to it!

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/7/24 9:07 a.m.

In reply to CrustyRedXpress :

Thanks and, yes, that is Elvis’ old plane. It’s now a truck. (Well, sort of.)

Hilton Head is very much worth a visit. Lots of good cars but without the choking crowds. You can see everything, easily get photos, talk to owners, etc.