Hello, are most or few members of PCA on this forum? If so why do you think we should join? If not say why it's not worth it?

I am almost a 20 year member. Not my first or my only Porsche. Some great people, some ok people. Not really a wild party group. There are some National level people who are on here and are PCA board. It’s worth the ticket price.

not a member. no reason to be.
I don't race. I don't do car shows. I just enjoy building, messing with, and driving my cars

I joined in 2002 when I bought Dad's 914 and began participating in the excellent local club activities, Bluegrass Region PCA. Just a great bunch of folks, and a resource for anything P-car related. In my case "it is about the people!"

I joined in 1979 and have always been a member since. If you don't do any activities or go to any PCA events, the magazine by itself is worth the price of admission. I've met a lot of good people thru PCA, enjoyed a lot of social events, car events, drivers ed and more recently club races. I'm not a driver but rather a crew guy for a friend who races a Boxster. Other PCA friends are race stewards and car builders.

Its a big club. There is a place for you whatever you are interested in. And I very much agree with the mantra "its not the cars, its the people"

Larry

I'm a member of the local PCA and it's mostly new Porsches. I've brought both my 914 and my 356 to the autocross. A couple of guys had never seen a 914 up close and most had never seen a 356 at the autocross. So there is some dis-connect with many of the members. It depends on what you look to get out of being a member. If you like auto-crossing, some local events, and the magazine it's worth the money. If you think you're going to connect with legions of like minded Porsche guys you'll probably need to buy a Boxster or 997 to connect on that level.

We are members of the Milwaukee region. At our fall tour we had the oldest care there but we kept up fine with the modern ones. Most people are great and it’s fun to bring the old car to autocross.

You will find very mixed responses.
Personally, my first PCA experience in 1973
was quite unpleasant and nothing I have seen
makes me think it got any better even after
people say they have become more inclusive
over the years.
YOUR experiences may be different..

I have enjoyed the meets and events. It has enhanced my car ownership.

PCA is an excellent Club and I suppose you would have to talk to some one in your area to see what the offer as far as activities. Regardless of that the PCA Magazine is maybe the highest level Magazine of any club's publication I've ever seen and only available to PCA Members. The Magazine is worth the cost of enrollment.

It's a great way to meet and talk with car enthusiasts, not just Porsches. I personally enjoy our monthly KK events. There are charitable events that support local charities. I have personally developed some great friendships in my short time as a PCA member. Give it a chance and if it is not your cup of tea then don't renew for the year. Besides it's a great excuse to take the top off and go for a enjoyable and spirited drive.

Agreed. Excellent magazine and club events, well worth the money.

Always some thing going on , like this:

Click to view attachment

Vintage Racing Motors “VRM” is an adult toy store, this will be Christmas in November.
VRM is a premier ‘race shop’ and ‘mechanical’ restoration shop. VRM is the home for some
unique and breathtaking; Formula 1 cars – Indy cars – Le Mans cars – Can Am cars – Rare
Classics and race cars with their skin off. This is one of our most popular TechEd’s, if you
have never visited VRM do not miss this TechEd, our next visit will be in 2022

Yes. I bowed out for a few years when I didn't own a 914 and when I got back into the club they gave me my old membership number and backdated me to when I first joined. I thought that was cool.

Paul

I’ve been a member since 1974, and a lot depends on your region as well as your personal interests. The 914 was considered a lesser Porsche back in the day, but now is well accepted. Mostly the majority of the members do have newer cars, but the older ones are certainly appreciated. Go to a couple of local events and see how you feel.

I have been a member for over 15 years and just recently became active 3 years ago. We have made many good friends and have gone to many events.
The magazine alone is worth it and 914’s are finally accepted.

At $45 it is very low risk. Try different events. Autocross, concourse, tours. I have met some of the most amazing people that I now call friends. If you don't like it don't renew.

It depends a lot on your local region. Like many others said... $45 is a low price to see if it works for you or not. The magazine alone is worth the price.

And for you others - if you hate your region - move to the Dallas / Fort Worth area; the PCA Maverick region ROCKS! In fact, we've been asked to line up a group of 914's to be displayed at the region's end of year big holiday party - which this year is "Showcasing 50 years of the 914" (they're printing posters, they're printing t-shirts). Yeah, you could say they're 914-friendly!

We joined in 1976. 911 owners ran the region at the time, 356 owners were the elder statesmen and us 914 owners were the stepchildren. It was however, a great group of people no matter what they drove. Each region has a different flavor and focus. NNJR was a track focused club whereas GMT, my present club, is tour oriented. I served as President of both. The 17 years Sue and I did DE’s with NNJR were some of the best of our lives and from that time, we have a group of lifelong friends. Some are on this board.

Give it a try, the cost is low and if you don’t like it, let it lapse.

Charlie

Another perk is that Pelican Parts offers a one time PCA discount of ten percent. I got a few customers to join if they had an order over $450 as they got a free membership.

What lens focal length or camera did you shoot to make this panorama? If it was stitched with Photoshop I'm amazed, as an old film professional.

I just used my iPhone and its panorama setting. I don’t touch my cannon much anymore.

Joined right after I got my car, in January 1971 (yeah I'm that old) but at the time many in the group didn't think 914's belonged. That made it even sweeter when I'd beat a 911 in an autocross...
Of course, some, like the recently deceased Chuck Stoddard, knew a good thing when he saw it and had a beautiful black tricked out 914-6 at the early 1970's Parades.
Have met many of my best friends over the years from activities in the PCA. You get out of it what you put in it.



(Dual region membership- have stayed in Central Iowa because that's where I started and was region President a few times, but more recently also joined AZ region)

Panorama, the magazine, is worth the price of admission (check)
You get out of it what you put in (check)
Most regions have a wide-range of events from social to serious Club Racing (check)
Joined PCA shortly after buying our new 1970 914-4 at the height of the great NARP scare (check)

For the price of a magazine subscription you get a whole lot more.

That's pretty impressive! I used to shoot panoramas with a scanning drum camera back in the film days, was a real trick to make prints from the odd format negatives in the darkroom. Dang cellphones!

Have been a member on and off since 1999. PCA is divided into a few distinct groups of people and they do not mesh very well:

The Racers and or Autocrossers - Very obsessed.
The Officers- Who want to run everything.
The Socializers- For parties and outings only (I'm in this group).
The Snobs- Need I say more.
The New Owners- Only there because the dealership gave them a membership.
The Rich- A new Porsche every year.
The Richer - Two new Porsches every year.
The 914 Owners - Most exclusive (I'm in this group too)

That said, I have met some great and generous people in PCA over the years and I value their friendship.

Ansbacher

Excellent response, I think EVERY CLUB is like what you describe. I am a botanist and it also has these different types of people.

I am a long time member. The magazine is worth the membership fee.

I was a member in the 70s and then joined again the Space coast region in 2007 when I got my Cayman.
As someone has already mentioned, the magazine alone is worth the membership.
But for me it has been a great source for P car knowledge, and have met a really great group of people. As with any group of individuals, there is always an ass hole, but the overwhelming majority are there to have fun and talk about cars.I our region there is something to do every weekend if you like. Competition and social events. We have made good friends and met some very nice people.
I say it is definitely worth joining.
Bill.

I have been a member since the early 80's and have really enjoyed the club. As so many others have said it depends a lot on your local region. Some regions are awesome and some aren't. We have a core group of members in our region that love to work on their own cars which makes it fun.

Our region (membership of approx. 250) is very laid back group so the events are a lot of fun. Our big problem is finding a restaurants that can handle the 40-50 members that show up for a dinner drive. I met a lot of my closest friends though the club and the various activities like autocrossing and drivers ed.

PCA has an excellent magazine and fun club events so I feel that it is well worth the money.

Jeff B

If you want lots of track time including excellent instruction you should consider the Porsche Owners Club (POC) - usually 8 or so two day week end events a year, using all the tracks in S Cal a year (5 tracks).

Betty and I fit into 2 of the groups. AXers, and 914 owners.

And you forgot a couple.

The Social Climbers. They want to be part of the snobs and the rich/richer, but can't really afford it. So they spend all their time kissing up to the people in those groups.

The Posers. They buy the cheapest 911 they can and pretend to be part of the Snobs. But they are always making excuses why their car is not running.


All in all, PCA is a broad organization, there is something there for everyone.

Thanks Clay, I think every club has a BIG diverse crowd, I can see it. My intermittent starting has come back again, I will try an ignition switch then have my old good VW mechanic put in a ford starter solenoid as my relay might be worn out.

Been a member for 8 years and this pretty much NAILS IT.

You can find enough folk in most chapters that love 914's or any Porsche and are great people - you just need to find the good ones and not bother with the others listed below that are not warm & friendly to you.

Worth the money....

GN

You listed 3 reasons to join, "building, messing with, and driving"
Panorama is by far the best publication to read if you do as you say you do.
You really are missing out.
Just sayin'


Dave
43 year PCA member.

I'm with Charlie.
I'm a newcomer (1979) compared to those he was involved with but they were the
inspiration that still keeps me involved.
Great personalities, plenty of events and a world class monthly magazine.
Can't go wrong.
Join !
Rory

Don't let Clay fool you. He is in the Snob/Rich group too! Between he and Betty they own THREE 914's! The latest one is a -6 for cryin' out loud!

Where’s @Tom_T

I'm still around, but have been very busy & traveling a lot.

As for PCA members, one of our SoCal Regional officers would add "Cheapsters" - but I prefer "Thrifty"! LOL

Why join? Well....

1.) You get 12 months of an excellent Porsche magazine "Panorama" for $46 per year, which is less than the $48 "Excellence" Porsche magazine subscription .... that alone is worth the money IMHO, even if you do nothing else (& many don't).

In addition, most Regions (think "chapters") they also publish a monthly smaller magazine focused on local activities & events (by comparison BMW CCA has the national "Roundel" monthly magazine, & LA Chapter has a quarterly one).


2.) In addition to the magazine - you get TWO (2) memberships, yours & a 2nd Associate Membership for you spouse/S.O., kid, grandkid, buddy, or anyone (no separate additional Porsche ownership is required for Associate).

By contrast, the BMW CCA charges $48 per person - so the equivalent would be $96 per year for the 2 you get in PCA for just $46!

Also, if you sell or lose your Porsche, or are between them - then you can still benefit by remaining on as an Associate member until such time as you have another P-car.


3.) There are many events every month or weekly in PCA nationally, regionally & in zones, & you can go to other regions'/zones' events as well. Many of these are free, or where you pay for your own meal, etc. at social gatherings, or fees for the activities such as AX, DE, Racing, Concours to cover the costs. Here in the OCR we literally have 1-2 or more activities PER WEEK of all types, year round.

By contrast, BMW CCA has regular but not nearly as many events in LA & San Diego areas, but Orange County is their "black hole" with maybe 2-4 events per year here!


4.) PCA locally, zone-wide & nationally has a wide range of events for just about everyone - from social & informal, to AX, Racing, Concours CWs, Gearhead Techies, etc., etc.


I compare PCA with BMW CCA because I've been in both, but others can probably draw parallels to other car clubs as well. As car clubs go, I think that PCA is a great bargain for what you get, & you can use them as much or as little as suits you.

I think that PCA could do a better job of selling the benefits of membership by emphasizing the above.


Yes, it's true that all of the above types of members - & more - are in the club, since it's a big club; & yes some of them can be pretty "uppity" - but many more are good regular folks who love their P-cars & others around - including now true respect & like for our 914s.

This was not as much the case back in the 1970s & 80s, & I was not a member back then for that reason, as well as because I was otherwise engaged in playing Rugby & other fun pursuits, in my spare time from working in the Architectural field & on my license for same, then starting my business & MBA grad school, a new family & raising 2 kids, etc.

So I never joined until 2009 when - after my kids were close to going on their own - I started planning, collecting parts & working on restoring my 914 - which was coincidentally & definitely related, when I also joined 914world & 914club for the same reason.

In the end, each of you need to decide what you want to do about PCA - bargain or not - & whether you can get by those folks you don't particularly like, & just hang out with the ones you do like - however many or few. PCA is a microcosm of the world, so there are all types there, but all must have or have had a Porsche.

Cheers!
Tom
///////

Dude... I can't be a Snob, I own 914s, not a 911 or a 356. To quote Rusty "I can't be an elitist, I drive a 914!"

I've always found the ties (perceived or otherwise) between BMW and Porsche interesting. Having owned three BMW's (1994 540, 1998 328 conv, and a 2002 530) over the years, they were always just "appliances" to me. I personally felt the couple of Audi's I owned were FAR better driving cars than the BMWs.

The Roundel was a good magazine. But, I really didn't care about the content. BMW's are just cars to me...I have no passion for them. Porsche's, however, are a passion. I find Panorama interesting (until they start drooling over the latest hybrid Mr. Fusion turbo encapsulator powered Cayenne...yawn).

Unfortunately, as I get older, I realize I am getting left behind. I don't care about Porsche SUV's, all EV's, etc. I like air cooled engines, gasoline and being in control of my car.'s systems. Yes, I'm a caveman.

For now, PCA does a good job of serving those who think like me. But, it won't be too much longer and the shift will occur where the focus will be on those who don't know how to drive a manual, want a self driving car to take them to work, and think air cooled engines belong in airplanes or lawnmowers. Until then, I'll stay a member of PCA.

Well said Bill. Very well said.

I have been a member for 6+ years.

I like Panorama but I really don't read it much.

My biggest endorsement of the club is the San Diego Region and the Allegheny Region.

My Region is pretty spread apart and coupled with home duties I cannot attend much.

When I am on the road for work or vacation I find PCA events and try to attend.

Both of those listed above, and I am sure many others would, greeted me and took me in as the guy from far away where it is cold.

You get all kinds of people, none of them bad, just might be different from you.

I will say that the 914 folk in PCA are the most down to earth.

I rest my case...