Some of you may know the name, for others this may be the first time you’re hearing it. Either way, on November 24, 2010 the Porsche community lost a great friend and patron when Matt Drendel unexpectedly passed away. Here at PorschePurist we only recently came to know Matt over a series of emails and discussion on how best to create a tribute to his wonderful collection of Porsches and the shop he created to support them (Heritage Motorwerks). Despite his busy schedule Matt was always generous with his time and accommodating to a fault. For that we are grateful!
By the young age of 35 Matt was friends with many of the most influential people in the Porsche community. As steward of a superb collection, his Porsches were known far and wide. When the time came for Porsche to film their now famous Panamera Family Tree commercial, it was Matt (and Heritage Motorwerks) who supplied many of the historical race cars. As recently as this past October, Panorama (the monthly magazine for PCA members) featured Matt’s TAG McLaren-Porsche MP4/3. Perhaps one of the rarest and least well known of Porsche race cars. This open wheeled F1 racer took McLaren to three Grand Prix World Championships in the 1980s, while powered by a Porsche V6.
It came as a great shock when I learned of Matt’s passing and I’m still trying to process it. We owe a special thanks to Dede Seward for letting us know of this untimely loss and to Paul Powell for the use of the tribute video above. Our thoughts and prayer go out to all of Matt’s family and friends. If you’re interested in sharing memories or passing along condolesces you can do so here.
View Comments (7)
Incredible tribute...
Gone from our planet at 35. Wow. The tribute was well done. Kudos.
One day while I was still in the aerospace game I got a call one of my best young men was gone. He was only 32. Witnessing young people check out is a very difficult experience. The feelings will fade, but never be gone.
Rob
Pleasure to have put this montage together.
Rob / @RLavigne42
Great memorial tribute!
Although I never met Matt, he agreed to send his beautiful rare 968 Turbo RS (first one made by Porsche AG Motorsport, raced in both ADAC and Le Mans) to Hershey, Pa for my 2007 Porsche 968 Celebration. The car was the hit of the Celebration plus won lst place at the Swap Meet Concours. He was truly a gentleman who would do anything to help other Porsche fans. He will be sorely missed.
Don Hassenbein, former PCA 968 Register Advocate
Great memorial tribute! Although I never met Matt, he agreed to send his beautiful rare 968 Turbo RS (first one made by Porsche AG Motorsport, raced in both ADAC and Le Mans) to Hershey, Pa for my 2007 Porsche 968 Celebration. The car was the hit of the Celebration plus won lst place at the Swap Meet Concours. He was truly a gentleman who would do anything to help other Porsche fans. He will be sorely missed. Don Hassenbein, former PCA 968 Register Advocate
My wife, son and I had the rare privilege of spending a day at VIR with Matt and his family and crew several years ago. Matt and his dad were committed to inspiring my son John to be serious about his education and to that end he got the ride of his life in one of Matt's racing Porsches.
I will always remember Matt’s generosity and thoughtfulness - as well as the memorable moments on and off the track from that day. We still find it hard to believe that he is no longer with us and our hearts go out to his family.
May your Porsche dreams be forever remembered, and the wind be at your back. May you apex every corner perfectly and know we earthbound friends wish you Godspeed , our friend.