“So. You’re a car guy. Now you need to establish your dominance in the pack. How do you do it?
The classic thing to do is to procure some American iron. A muscle car. Something big, nasty, and brutish, with fat tires, a loud exhaust, and lots of swagger. Maybe a ’69 Camaro with glass packs. Vin Diesel on wheels. Or you could go expensive and metrosexual, maybe a late-model Porsche. Forget the image of Porsche guys with gold chains and slicked-back hair; it’s the money that does the talking, baby, and nothing says money like dropping “the Porsche” into a sentence. Especially when it’s mispronounced using the popular but incorrect single-syllabic form, rhyming it with “porch” (it’s actually pronounced “Por-sha,” and don’t get it wrong if you wish to be taken seriously in the car world).
(The alert reader will notice that, before the end of this book, I, in fact, will have dropped the P-bomb multiple times, but the Porsche that I own is an ’82 911SC, worth less than ten grand, and I pronounce it correctly, so we’re good.)”
This is Not a Book About Cars
Surprisingly, Siegle’s book is not what you think. Yes, there’s plenty of trivia and minutia for even the most die-hard car fanatic (a decent bit of it Porsche related), but I don’t think that’s the point of his book. Instead, Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic explores the obsession passion of a car collector (or any hobby for that matter) and the inter-personal relationships that grow out of it.
Extremely well written, funny and engaging this is a book that even a non “car guy” can enjoy. In fact, if you find yourself constantly trying to defend your Porsche obsession to your family or significant other. Give them a copy of this book. More importantly, you read it and see how you can engage them in your passion.
Published by Bentley Publishers*, Memoirs of a Hack Mechanic is available for purchase on Amazon.com for
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Review of Hunt for 901 by Kevin Gosselin
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*Bentley Publishers provided us with a copy of this book to review.
View Comments (15)
I am reading this book currently and am enjoying it immensely. The author has a very relaxed, and readable, writing style. He doesn't just cover the enjoyment of repairing and maintaining cars himself, but has many life stories that are just a blast to read and sometimes relate to. I'm not in any hurry to get to the end of this book, the chapters are mostly short and quick to read, and everything flows pretty smooth. Again, Rob Siegel's writing style is what makes this book one that I look forward to picking up and reading for 15-60 minutes or longer, at a time. Highly, highly recommend it!
Thanks, Todd. Great insight. Much appreciate it!
I would love to read this book -- his writing sounds good in the paragraph you reprint. For us early 911 guys, the book to end all books is Carrera RS by Thomas Gruber; And Georg Konradsheim; Grap (1992) usually very expensive (over $1000) because it is a collectible.
I intend to win the book on the upcoming drawing. It is nice to have a good book to read, instead of just sitting in front of a PC.
I enjoy Rob Siegel's article every month in Roundel. I am on my 117th car since I started driving 29 years ago. 19 Porsche's,34 BMW's,18 Mercedes,12 Audi's,5 Volvo's and 3 Saab's. The rest are not worth bringing up!! I can relate to the obsession oh wait I mean passion.
This looks like a good read, I hope it is as engaging as Johns Horsman's Racing tin the Rain.
I continue to go pull off the shelf my 'The Complete Book of Porsche 911'. I've read through it several times, enjoy the pages on the 356, and just sometimes find myself staring at the pics! Written well too with just the right amount of general information and detail throughout.
Although many of you will have read it, I enjoyed "The Gold Plated Porsche" by Stephan Wilkinson.
http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Plated-Porsche-Fortune-Misadventures/dp/1592282563
It's a good, light read that many of us can relate to.
Best,
Erik S.
I'm a BMW/ Roundel guy as well as a Porsche guy, and have always enjoyed Robs writing in the BMW rag. I'd love to read his book!
Brian
Approaching the rear of the BMW I took the Point-By and scrolled on to the end, but now I have returned to read about the book and it sounds worthwhile to read and enjoy. My favorite Porsche book is Randy Leffingwell's "Porsche 911, Perfection by Design" large format book with lots of great photos.
Easily the most beautiful and evocative book ever done on Porsche is "Liebe Zu Ihm". This fantastic book published by the Factory with Christophorus photos and those from owner/enthusiasts all over the world, has comments in 5 languages. Long out of print since it's publication in August 1960. If I could only have one Porsche book...this would be it !