Classic Auto Mall SHOW Jan 29, 2026

Classic Auto Mall - #228 - Stewart Howden with Guests Alwin Springer + Keith Martin

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Car

Porsche 968

The Porsche 968 is a sporty car made by Porsche in the early 1990s. It is appreciated for its good handling and comes in both a hardtop and a convertible version.

Car

The Porsche 928 is a fancy sports car made by Porsche that was built from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. It stands out because it has its engine in the front instead of the back, which is different from most other Porsches. People talk about it because it mixes speed with a comfortable ride.

Car

Volkswagen 550 Spyder

The Volkswagen 550 Spyder is a classic sports car from the 1950s. It's known for being very light and fast, and it has a famous history in racing and pop culture.

Car

Porsche 906

The Porsche 906 is a race car made by Porsche in the 1960s. It's known for being very light and fast, and it was used in many racing competitions.

Car

Volkswagen Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle is a small car that looks very different from most cars today. It has a round shape and was popular for many years, especially in the 1960s and 70s.

Car

Porsche 917

The Porsche 917 is a famous race car from the late 1960s and early 1970s that is known for being super fast and winning many races. It has a unique design and a powerful engine, which helped it become a big deal in the racing world. People talk about it because it changed the way race cars were made.

Brand

Penske Racing

Penske Racing is a well-known racing team in the United States, famous for competing in different types of car races. They have worked with many car brands, including Porsche, to achieve success on the racetrack.

Car

Porsche 963

The Porsche 963 is a type of race car built for endurance racing. It's part of a series of cars that compete in long-distance races, where speed and reliability are crucial.

Term

LMP

LMP means Le Mans Prototype, which is a type of race car built for long-distance races. These cars are designed to be very fast and efficient over many hours of racing.

Brand

BMW

BMW is a well-known car brand from Germany that makes luxury cars and sports cars. They are famous for their performance and quality.

Concept

Formula One

Formula One is a top-level car racing series where teams compete in fast cars on different tracks. It's famous for its exciting races and the technology used in the cars.

Term

tires

Tires are the rubber parts of a car that touch the road. In racing, teams choose special tires to help their cars go faster and handle better depending on the track conditions.

Car

Porsche 935

The Porsche 935 is a race car that was built from the Porsche 911. It was popular in the 1970s and known for winning many races.

Car

Porsche 962

The Porsche 962 is a famous race car from the 1980s that competed in long-distance races. It's recognized for its unique shape and many victories in racing events.

Term

turbocharger

A turbocharger is a part that helps an engine produce more power by pushing extra air into it. This allows the engine to burn more fuel and run faster.

Term

Garrett

Garrett is a company that makes turbochargers, which are parts that help engines run better and faster. They are popular among car enthusiasts and in racing.

Concept

Le Mans

Le Mans is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours. It's held in France and is known for being very challenging for the cars and drivers.

Car

1911 ST

The 1911 ST is a car from the year 1911, which is very old and part of automotive history. Cars from this time are rare and special because they were some of the first cars ever made.

Car

Genesis G80

The Genesis G80 is a fancy car that is comfortable and has a lot of cool features. It's made by Genesis, which is a luxury brand from Hyundai.

Car

Chevrolet Nova

The Chevrolet Nova SS is a sportier version of the Nova, which is a classic American car. The 'SS' means it has better performance features.

Term

383 stroker

A 383 stroker is a type of engine that has been modified to make it bigger and more powerful. It helps the car go faster and perform better.

Part

aluminum heads

Aluminum heads are parts of the engine that help it run better. They are lighter than other materials and help keep the engine cool.

Company

Holley Sniper EFI

Car

Oldsmobile Cutlass

The 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible is a classic car that many people enjoy for its stylish design and the fun of driving with the top down.

Car

Jaguar Etypes

The Jaguar E-Type is a classic sports car that was made from the early 1960s to the mid-1970s. It's famous for its beautiful design and fast performance, making it a favorite among car collectors. People often talk about it because it's considered one of the best-looking cars ever.

Car

Porsche 911

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that has been around since the 1960s. It's known for its unique shape and powerful performance, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. People talk about it a lot because it has a rich history and has improved with each new version.

Car

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is a classic American car that first came out in the 1960s. It's known for being fast and having a sporty look, which makes it very popular. People often talk about it because it's a big part of car culture in the U.S.

Car

Porsche Boxster

The Porsche Boxster is a sporty convertible car that started being made in the late 1990s. It's designed to be fun to drive while also being more affordable than some other Porsches. People like to talk about it because it combines good performance with the joy of open-top driving.

LIVE

This is the Classic Automall Show.

Broadcast from the studios inside the Classic Automall in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just

one hour west of Philadelphia at Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 298, featuring nearly 1,000

classic vintage and barred-fine vehicles for sale under one climate-controlled roof.

Now, here's your host, Classic Automall president and the man with all the toys,

Stuart Howden.

And here we are, show number 228, and of course we are buried in snow.

Love it.

The piles in our parking lot are gonna, they're not gonna melt till July.

I wanna make a little fort in them like we used to.

Like a little tunnel.

I have not been plowed out at home yet.

Okay, we've heard that enough of that this morning.

Wow, wow, wow, I know.

Glad you made it.

Glad you made it in.

And so it's too bad that our inventory doesn't have a Porsche reference today,

considering our guess.

But anyway, I'll let Steve go first this week.

How many cars in inventory, Steve?

Right this moment.

I'm gonna guess a Porsche number anyway.

Oh.

968.

Alright.

I'm gonna play your game.

969.

How about 950?

Neither one of you went.

You both went over.

I almost did 928.

Yeah.

Well, we went down in inventory a little bit because of the snow, and sales because of

the snow a little bit.

Sure.

We got 11 or 12 inches of snow here.

So most we've had in a number of years.

And now it's not supposed to get above 28 for the next 80 years or something like that.

Do you long for Tennessee?

Well, Southern California a couple of weeks ago where I was.

I'll take that back no matter what.

So anyway, let's get to our guest joining us this morning from the south.

I imagine from Southern California, Mr. Alan Springer.

And Alan is a Porsche guru, consultant now, semi-retired.

Also, the Godfather and the OG, I've heard them refer to you as.

Good morning, Alan.

Yeah, good morning to it.

It's very, very nice to hear you guys speaking.

And I feel sorry for you about the snow because I was in Miami and we just were really, really

lucky to come home on Monday.

And we went over Chicago, but Chicago was okay.

It was fine.

So we just draped it on the side line, but made it home nice.

But you know, that's one of the reasons when I heard you speaking about the snow and the

cold.

And I was in Toronto, you know, that in the beginning of my American or North American

journey and after two winter times, I had enough.

Yeah.

I said, that's it.

That's it.

Life is too short.

It's a long time.

It's a long time ago.

So I'm glad that I'm here.

Yeah, you went to Southern California and you were born in Germany though, right?

I'm born in Germany.

I was in Essen.

In Essen.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

It's, you know, we had a John Rinshaw and it's, but it's in a heavy industrial town.

Sure.

At the time.

Not now anymore.

And did you?

No, coal mines are gone.

The coal mines are gone.

Did you drive the Autobahn much?

Do you get back there often?

Yeah, it used to be two, three times a year, but now it's one time a year.

It's usually around November, December.

And I go home.

Right.

And like I said, 60 years in motorsports.

Can you believe that you've been doing this that long?

Not really, because I tell you, it just started, you know, like when I came to Canada, because

in Germany, I had nothing to do with racing.

Right.

Absolute zero.

But, you know, like in racing, and I don't know if you guy have experienced, but it is

every day.

There is something new, you know, so the time flies by, you have a job, you have an order,

you know, it's always busy.

And so for me, the years, I don't want to say they have flown by, but at the same time,

it was never boring.

Right, right.

Well, exciting.

Why that feeling?

Exciting.

Yeah, exciting.

I mean, that's my day.

Every day I walk into a thousand cars in a building.

I mean, if you don't like that, I don't know what's wrong with you.

Yeah, maybe when I'm back next year or two years from now, I'll call you up and then

want to see that.

Absolutely.

That's a lot.

Love to give you the, love to give you the nickel tour.

I read that you, I don't know if it was your quote or somebody quoted about you said you

were an engineer by trade and a manager by necessity.

Yeah, that is correct.

I mean, my background is, in Germany, we have a journeymanship apprenticeship.

So you have to go three years, learn, and then you have to make a practical exam and

of course, theoretically, and then after three or three and a half years, you can mechanism

and then you are an auto electrician or an auto mechanic or an electrician or, you know,

like a plumber or what, but I found that system very, very rewarding because you have the

basic knowledge when you start out into the, into the business world.

And I was lucky enough that I learned two trades and, you know, like that's what set

the basis for my later life.

Sure.

And you went to Toronto and that was kind of the stepping stone to come to Southern California

eventually, right?

Yeah, that is correct.

You know, I see when I had my second, my second apprenticeship was auto mechanic and I wanted

to become an engineer, but for engineer, we didn't have money or I didn't have the money

to do that.

So I decided a master degree, the time would be perfect and we had that option, but I had

to be four years as an apprentice, as a journeyman.

And that's when I said, you know what, I go to Canada or not, not to Canada, I go to the

United States because I always wanted, I was always fascinated with the United States

and I just want to see the country right about a lot.

Then the Vietnam war started in 65.

You could smell it, you know, it was coming.

And that's when I decided not the right thing.

So because my dad is missing in the world war and I'm the only son, so I didn't have

to go to the army in Germany.

And I said, I don't want to go.

Yeah.

And then somebody came from Toronto and he said, listen, guys like you, you want to come

to Toronto is very close to the United States.

And that's how it went.

I actually accidentally went to Toronto.

I never immigrated, you know, I just wanted to stay there for a couple of years and then

come back again.

That was my plan.

Yeah.

It should have been.

It didn't work out.

It's an exchange.

And you went to, in California, you went to work with Vashik Palak, right?

I mean, how did that happen?

How in the world did that happen?

Okay.

Let's go.

So first of all, how much time do we have?

We got all the time you want there.

Okay.

Because it keeps going and going and going.

Okay.

So how did that happen?

I was already involved.

And in 66, two things happened.

I arrived in October of 65 in Toronto.

So in January 66, first of all, I met my future wife.

That went very fast.

Sure.

And then I worked for Volkswagen Canada and a guy there had an eye, a spider.

Oh.

You know, a 550.

Yeah.

But at that time, the cars were not like today and everybody goes, whoa, but a car was a normal

race car.

And he, he raced it on the weekend and asked me if I can help him.

So that's how I got involved in racing.

Right.

So and then me, myself, I said, okay, perfect occupation, big cause or opportunity, because

I see Canada, the United States, he told me that we go to Watkins Glen and then.

And so I said, it's exactly what I wanted to do.

See the country.

And at the same time, interesting occupation.

Sure.

So that's how I got involved in racing.

And then in 69, like I said, I just had enough from the winter time.

And I, but my wife, you know, like told me she doesn't want to go to Germany.

So there was like other, we were not married.

My future wife, your land, that's her name.

And it's, it just worked on a very, very hard on me because I was torn in between.

And at the same time, the winter time, what I didn't like, so what am I going to do?

And then I went for, it's a 906 from Canada to Daytona and we raced there.

And then people from California came and said, listen, what do you mean?

You want to go to Germany?

People like you, we need there.

Right.

We need here.

And that's, I came home.

I told my, I told your land.

I said, listen, I'm going to leave for California.

She said, when?

I said, as soon as possible.

So a week just, you know, told the tweet at that time, it was very easy.

Got my Volkswagen and a Beetle and put my toolbox in, put my suitcase in it.

I know exactly $870 and off we went to California.

Wow.

So that's, yeah, that was the beginning of 1969.

And didn't they end up sending you back to Germany for like four months to do some

apprenticeship over at Porsche?

Yeah.

It was in 1970.

In 1970, because Mr. Pollock at that time, you know, decided that we should go Can-Am racing.

Right.

And he sent me to Germany.

I went to Sufenhausen at that time.

There was no visor.

And I learned physically for four months here at 917 and the engine transmission chassis,

everything else.

And actually that laid the foundation for my connections in Germany with Porsche.

Right.

Because all the guys I met at that time who were mechanics, who were engineers, but they

all moved up in the company over the years.

Right.

And you always see them, you always connect them.

And I never really lost connection because, you know, I learned from them a lot.

So it was a very nice or it's still a very, very nice place of friends.

Was the 917 a difficult car to work on or was it fairly simple?

For me, you know, don't forget, you know, like a mechanic.

And then you tell him, okay, now he has a 12 cylinder overhauled, you know, it was mind

boggling, but at the same token, you know, like it's, it was not a difficult engine,

but it was a lot of bolts, nuts and stuff.

Yeah.

It's, it's, it's, it was a big engine.

If you ever saw a 917 engine in, in, in reality, then you know what I'm talking about.

It's a lot.

It's also a car difficult to work.

No, but you know, like, don't forget, you know, I didn't really have that much racing

experience.

Right.

So, so, but I figured it too.

And then we, I came back and fixed the old Zifford car, you know, like Polark had bought

it.

And then we went to Canem racing in 71 with Milt Minto.

And Milt Minto was a natural talent, I tell you that he was, he was here from Canada,

from California.

Right.

And it didn't matter what, what car it was, he just drove as fast as you can think it

was smooth.

And that, it was a pleasure.

It was just the two of us, two of us in going with the Canem.

So we had a flatbed where the race car was growing.

And I was driving it, Milt drove the camper.

And on the camper, we had body work and tires and that.

So there was a tour of us and we really did the whole Canem and we saw Polark would come

on the weekends, like Friday, would help us a little bit over the weekend and then we'd

leave again.

Wow.

But it was super years.

And I think in the second year or the first year, we finished in third place or second

place.

It was very, at that time, for me, very rewarding.

And in 1982, 1972, the Penske team came to Canem with the 917 and then later on 917 Turbo.

And of course, they were on a different planet, but, but I have to say they always, the team

and Audra and Mark were very, very friendly.

They did not say, you know, what do you want or on the contrary, if they could help me,

they would do it.

And that again, later foundation for the relationship with Penske Racing.

And you've been involved with Porsche and Penske for a long, long time.

You're involved in the new program now, right?

The 963.

The 963, what I did, I, the main manager from the race team and not the race team from Porsche

Racing in VISA, right, came to me and he said, you know, he did LMP one.

And he said, okay, look, can you help me?

Because the United States, I was everywhere in the world with Formula One, BMW, but United

States and the people.

So come on, help me a little bit, support me.

Sure.

And that's what I did.

Sure.

And that's what I did for the last three years.

And can you believe that three in a row, they won it, right?

Improbable, impossible to you, or does that make sense because of how good they are?

No, no.

I, I tell you, just, just really, really honestly, the Penske organization and the Penske team,

especially the one right now in the sports car racing, and it's Jonathan Deweygood and

Trevor Davis, they are, they're, they're built a team around them where they think,

you know, that BS is not asked for, you know, performances and it is delivered.

So it is definitely a team effort.

And on top of it, you have to give the same.

Roger Penske is there at most of the races.

And that's, that's a sign that he, he's very much interested.

And of course, it gives also a little bit a kick, you know, for everybody who's working

there.

Oh, sure.

Credit and kudos for the three wins to the drivers.

I mean, and I say team, because you cannot just pick one guy.

One guy is irrelevant.

Right.

It is the team almost what wins and that is everybody that's from the tire cleaner over

the, the, the, the, of course, the drivers, the drivers almost get the highlight.

And yes, for a moment, they, they deserve it.

But the rest of the team without them, the best driver is not good enough.

Sure.

So it's always, it's a nice, it's a combination.

And that is for me very important because I don't know if you had a chance to see or

read my book because in my book, you know, when I talk, I always talk about us.

Right.

Not, not I.

Never I and me, you know what I mean?

It's us.

Right.

We did it.

I love that.

That's, that's an important, that's very important to me.

Very important in any business, I think.

Anything that you're in and then you do, it's important.

And I love that someone said about Pinsky's wins and said, it's a, it's not a streak,

it's a standard.

I love that.

I think that that's, that's, I mean, that's the strife for it and show

that's everybody else.

But in the final moments, it is the second year note that Philippe Nazra, you know, against

the Cadillac, what was one and a half seconds, two seconds advantage and their thought for

the last half hour, an hour.

And that is, it's remarkable the nerves in both cars, you know, like that's, and the

drivers that I have to give them credit because it takes a lot of energy and it takes a lot

of knowledge like anything else.

But drivers in their field, mechanics in that field, and what is very important,

strategy in the other field.

So there's a lot of things.

And again, I come back to one thing, team, teamwork.

Well, you see that, you see the strategy in, in all forms of motorsports and particularly

maybe more in Formula one, a lot of strategy.

I mean, the tires and the whole thing and, you know, just planning it all out because

you can get left kind of holding the bag and not be where you need to be at the year, at

the wrong place at the wrong time.

Yeah.

Unfortunately, you know, that's what racing, that's what racing is all about.

Has been, but you know, like in the, in the, in the beginning strategy, we didn't do

anything.

We just race and go for it.

Right.

But in today's world, if you are not clever on, on, on strategy, you either miss

super situations or think, or, or you get them and then you finish the race and yes,

we did it.

It's not a good feeling.

Right.

What are your thoughts on simulators?

Do you, do you, there are obviously an important tool nowadays.

They are very important.

They are very important because the simulators, have you seen one of the new simulators?

I can't even imagine.

I'm not, I'm not talking about the self driving simulators.

I'm talking about the professional ones.

It is amazing what these things can do and how close the driver gets to driving the real

race car.

Right.

And they, of course, like anything else, like computer and electronics, they get better,

better, better.

And yes, to answer your question, I think a simulator is very important.

Sure.

And you were just down in, in Florida, you'd mentioned before we went on and you had a,

a nice little award given to you at the RRDC.

I imagine that was awfully a proud moment for you.

Having Bobby Rahall give you the Phil Hill Award at the Road Racing Drivers Club.

I mean, just amazing, really, really amazing and, and hats off to you for that award.

You know, that was more than, than special to me.

I'm honored.

And I tell you why.

Because, you know, like the Road Racing Drivers Club is the oldest drivers or the, the, the

lead place for drivers in the United States.

You know, it's, and, and, and I knew about them and the club because you cannot just join.

They have to invite you.

Right.

And I think about seven or eight years ago, they invited me as an honorary member because

I'm not a driver.

See, that's the thing.

So I cannot say I'm a Road Racing Driver.

I did everything else in racing, but driving.

So, and that was, that was already then I was very happy about and to be nominated for

the Phil Hill Prize because that is their biggest award where they give in, in Daytona

doing our Denoso meeting.

And I'm, I was blown away when Bobby called me and said, you know, we nominated you.

I was, I think in, yeah, I was in Germany.

Right.

He called me in Germany in November.

And yes, to answer your question, to get that reward meant a lot to me.

And when I got the microphone for the first moment, I honestly, I stumbled.

I was so, I was so touched, you know, I guess it was something I couldn't get my real

thought what I had in my brain, you know, what I wanted to say.

Only half came out.

And then I said, always Lee Duffy.

And then we started to go at moving and it was good.

Well, yeah, I mean, very rewarding.

Well, that happens to me often as well, too.

I mean, you're in, you know, Heady Company.

I mean, you know, the, the, the winners of that award anywhere from Bobby Ray Hall,

who you met, Jack Roush, David Hobbs, Chip Ganassi, Scott Pruitt, Hurley Haywood,

Peter Brock, Rick Mears, Bob Bondram, Pinsky.

I mean, the list of, it's a who's who of racing and it had to be a great honor.

I would imagine the trophy is so cool.

I mean, that is, you know what?

You want to hold on one second?

Yeah, hold on.

I'm, yeah, absolutely.

Hold on, hold on.

Hope he's not connected with a cord.

See, I don't have cordless headphones like that.

Yeah, exactly.

That's cordless headphones.

That's advantage.

That's very, very high tech.

Probably careful.

No, no, no, let's see here and see how we're going to do that.

Oh, am I going to present that to you?

Hold on, I have to.

Oh, my word.

Hold on, hold on.

Oh, there it is.

That is so cool.

No, up.

Yeah, there it is.

There it is.

So, no.

How did you get it home?

Did you put it in your suitcase?

No, no, no.

That's pretty heavy.

And see, it's mirror related.

Have you ever did that with mirrors?

Oh, yeah.

It's the other way, but no, it's really, really see the shark nose.

Yeah.

The whole thing, you know.

Wow.

And it is.

That's got to have a prominent spot in your house, I would imagine.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah, it will.

So, let me tell you, we got off the front presentation.

Right.

And, you know, I had to hook through my hand and I was sitting on Bobby's table

and we know each other for a long time.

So, I said, Bobby, how am I going to get it home?

He said, that's difficult on an airplane.

You know, how?

I said, it's no problem.

I send it to you and by the time I got home, he had sent it.

So, it was very, very nice on top of everything super.

Yeah.

Bobby Rayhall is a first-class guy.

I mean, you talk about Pinsky and his organizational skills and his dealerships and teams.

I mean, Bobby Rayhall is cut from the same cloth.

I got to imagine.

That is absolutely correct.

You know, like, and unfortunately, you know, his venue was with BMW.

You know, it didn't turn out really the way, like, I'm sure,

but Bobby had thought of or had expected.

But, you know, like, it's a European team is running now in America.

So, let's see how that's going to turn out.

Bobby, it's when we had a chance, I was sitting here with Mr. Dewey.

I'm here in my living room right now where I am with Mr. Dewey.

I was supporting him when I came from Weiser, from Porsche.

And we were talking about it and he asked me.

He said, you know, what teams are in the United States for LMP2?

You know, when we started here.

And I said, there are two teams is Rayhall Racing and Pinsky.

All right.

And then he got both addresses, got both phone numbers for me.

And then he met with, I think, with Mr. Pinsky and that sealed the deal.

So, I don't think that he ever talked to Bobby.

Right.

But Bobby was definitely for me on that on the list.

Sure.

Only two people.

And you met a lot of people with your company.

Your shirt, I had mentioned earlier, I want that shirt.

Your company Andile, which was a amalgamation of three names that were

founders of the company, I guess.

And, you know, it was such a well-known company.

I knew about that before I knew about a lot of things.

That your company was somehow you were out there in the spotlight,

more so than a lot of other companies that did what you did,

whether racing parts or consumer OEM parts.

We did.

And, you know, like we had a perfect combination between Arnold Wagner,

between Dieter Insenofo and myself.

Because Arnold did the office and the parts department.

Dieter was very, very good on the street cars.

And I learned the street cars a little bit.

But then my expertise became racing.

And in the beginning Dieter would help me.

But then Andile grow so big that he had to take care on the street side

and I did the racing side.

And it was a good, good, good combination.

I tell you that.

And we were very successful.

And to, yeah, let me just say, you know, how did we get the name Andile?

See, in the, when the 935 started, that's how we start.

ISR, 935, 962s.

And on the cars, we always asked the people,

he said, put our name on the road.

I asked them to put the name on the car in the front and on the sides.

And what do we get you in return?

We come to the racetracks full of charge and help you make sure that the cars are running.

And that's what Dieter and Arnold did in the beginning.

How smart was that?

And that went on, yeah, that went on through the 962s, 935s.

That's when you look at today's 962 in a museum or on an exhibition.

It always has still the names on it.

Sure, it absolutely does.

That was, that was excellent.

And you worked, you guys worked with everybody.

Bob Akin, AJ Foyd, Dyson, Al Hovert, who always comes up.

It was funny, you know, he was from around where we are right here in Pennsylvania.

And when we talk about racing, not just Porsche racing, but racing in general,

Al Hovert's name invariably always comes up.

He must have had such an impact on racing and all the different factions of that.

Yeah, Al Hovert was, had a big, big impact on myself because when we met,

he, you know, like he was just normal race car driver.

He wasn't really a Porsche's manager in the United States.

First time I met him at the racetracks and then later on when we built our 935L,

we're later on at that Longhek 935.

Al, I invited Al if he would drive with us in Riverside in 1981.

And then that's in 1982.

And that is how we really got to know each other.

And I tell you, Al, special person, but the two of us, I would say for my personality,

I'm here on the left side and not on the left side physically.

Oh, on that side.

Al was on the other side.

And yet, you know, like we looked at each other and that was like we had a friendship

already going for 20 years.

And it developed really, really successfully on the business side.

And we became close, close friends on the private side with the families.

And his, the success that we had together.

Again, there was the team with Derek Bell, with Al Ansa, with Al.

We were pretty dominant at that time in the IMSA days.

But it was very important to me.

And that's, I told it to Al because he gave me the complete engine program for the program.

He said, you know, you do what you have to do.

We can just talk about it.

But I trust you totally get moving what you think is necessary.

What a great relationship, right?

Yeah, oh, yeah.

But what I told him then is, look Al,

we have to, we have customers.

And the customers need the same equipment what we need, what we get.

And but yeah, but I explained that to the customers because, you know,

like Bruce Levin and Rob Dyson and the guys, you know,

they didn't know what they wanted.

So you couldn't bullshit them.

So what I, what I went and I got with Al is the thing is, let's say an example turbocharger.

So we were kind of the development team.

So but, you know, like we want to have a different turbocharger for the 9.62,

always 9.62 related.

So, but how many turbochargers do you go to a Garrett area search and say we buy?

So 10, 2, 3, it's development.

Okay.

So that makes no sense to buy 10 or 20 for to supply all the teams.

And then that thing doesn't work out.

So what are you going to do or camshaft is the same thing.

So and that is something what I definitely had an agreement with our week.

We get it, we test it, we try it on the race track and maybe drive one race.

But by the second place, we offered it already to the customers and said,

do you want to buy it?

It's the same.

It's up to you here.

That's what we have.

And that is why the relationship from Ender and the customers,

9.62 customers are still going on strong today.

Sure.

It is honesty and integrity.

And that is what I am, what I like to do.

Well, that's, that's a great way to do any kind of business.

And also you had an interesting customer.

Another one of your customers was Preston Hinn.

I imagine there's a few stories about him that are floating around.

Oh yeah.

Preston Hinn was the on top part from L-Holmwood.

But Preston Hinn had the Southern Florida market under control with his swap shop.

Yeah.

And he was a little bit crazy, but you know, he spent the money.

He did the things and we had some, and again, he supplied or surrounded himself with very

capable people.

Sure.

And like John Shapiro, I mean, a lot of good people.

And that's, that's why they were capable of also winning races.

And they went to Le Mans, they went to Europe.

So Preston Hinn, yes, a very interesting guy.

Yeah.

Well said.

So the new 9.35s are new, I say, 2019 when they built the Moby Dick.

By the way, the name Moby Dick, where did that come from?

Who came up with that?

That I believe either Preston, when Norbert Singer, you know,

from Weisser, built the 9.35 Moby Dick car, because it looked like it was a completely

car made only for Le Mans.

Because when you, when you, I don't know if you, if I say the car was there and that,

so did you see it?

Do you have an idea how it looked like?

You know, it looked like a long heck from a 9.35.

Sure.

And some, and somebody in Germany came up with the name Moby Dick.

And it stuck.

And that, and it stuck.

And I got to, I got to say that the liveries on the 9.35s, maybe you're the greatest liveries

ever.

I mean, interscopes liveries and brumos and, and, you know, the days of, they just had some

of the coolest looking, they were the coolest looking race cars, I think, that ever existed.

And even I know they weren't purpose built, but they were, they were certainly cool looking.

Yeah, no, no doubt about it.

No doubt about it.

And that's, that was the beginning, you know, like in the later on and today.

But see, the cars were still painted.

Right.

They were not, no fully, not what we have today, you know, like it's so,

they tried really hard and the painters tried really hard to make it nice.

That's, and I agree with you, always a good looking car.

Sure, sure.

Well, we could probably do this all day, but I know you've got things to do.

And we really appreciate you getting up early and coming on the show with us.

I, I've got always one last question I like to ask people.

And that's what, what's in your garage?

What's in my garage?

It's interesting combination.

I have a, I have a 1911 ST.

Special car.

Yes.

Very special car.

On one side and on the other side, I have a Genesis GAD.

You're, you're a practical man too, right?

But I'm telling you, I'm very, very satisfied with both cars, obviously.

I would imagine so.

Well, we certainly enjoyed this, Alan.

And so thankful that you were able to be on the show with us.

And I got plenty of notes.

We can do it again.

If you're ever available, we'd love to have you on again and continue our conversation.

I'll tell you, anytime you want to, because this year, that's for an end,

I cut down the professional attendance of races.

Sure.

Because I'm going to be 83 on the 8th of February.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

So I want to spend time with my wife.

And, and my two kids and my two grandkids sort of family is now this year a little bit

About this episode

Stewart Howden hosts a lively discussion with guests Alwin Springer and Keith Martin, diving into the world of classic cars amidst a snowy backdrop. Alwin shares his journey from Germany to North America, detailing his extensive experience in motorsports and his connections with Porsche and Penske Racing. The conversation touches on the evolution of racing strategies, the importance of teamwork, and the significance of simulators in modern racing. Keith Martin provides insights into the current state of the classic car market, emphasizing the vitality of the hobby and the impact of younger enthusiasts. The episode is rich with stories, industry insights, and personal anecdotes.

383 stroker aluminum heads BMW crate V8 flat four Formula One four speed manual transmission Garrett Holley Sniper EFI Le Mans

Chevrolet Corvette Chevrolet Nova Ford Mustang Genesis G80 Hudson Custom Jaguar E-Type Oldsmobile Cutlass Porsche 911 Porsche 917 Porsche 928 Porsche 935 Porsche 968 Porsche Boxster Volkswagen Beetle Volkswagen Bus Volkswagen Type 2

Original notes

CAM Show #228 01-28-26 Stewart welcomes Alwin Springer, Automotive Consultant, Racecar Driver and "Porsche Guru" as they review his career including moving from #Germany to #Toronto to #Daytona to #California. also his working for #VasekPolak, the #Czech-American car dealer, race car driver and race team owner as well as @PenskeRacing. Plus Keith Martin of SportsCarMarket bringing his blog to life discussing offering his #Jaguar on #BringAtrailer #auction at #NoReserve. @F1 @BMW @VW #BobbyRahal @IMSA @Daytona #HolbertRacing @Porsche #PorscheRennsport #LagunaSeca #GrandPrixOfLongBeach #RoadAmericaCanAm

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