Cincinnati VW/Porsche Club Family Reunion

Before I was invited to the Cincinnati VW/Porsche Club's Family reunion show last year, I remember thinking to myself "There's a stronghold of VW enthusiasm in Cincinnati?" Nah, couldn't be. Then, after going last year, and even in the rain finding all kinds of beautiful VWs, I knew I had stumbled on a little-known secret: there's lotsa VWs in the Southern Ohio/Northern Kentucky area. This year, without the rain to contend with, all the VWs came out in force, and I would venture to say that close to, if not over, 200 cars made the trek to G.E. Park, the site for the show. And, just to pay back promoter Mark Schlachter for last year, the weather was absolutely, Chamber-of-Commerce perfect.

It's an interesting idea to have the VWs and Porsches together at a show, but it makes perfect sense, sharing Dr. Porsche's finest on the same day at the same place. You might also think that the Porsche guys might turn up their nose at the lowly VW owners, but nothing could be further from the truth.

As a matter of fact, one of Mark Schlachter's customers, Dean Trindle, offered me the chance to park the rental car for the weekend and offered me his "daily driver," which was a 1999 Porsche, Carrera 996 Cabriolet.

Dean, are you sure you want to give a gearhead free reign on a car with 330 horsepower and six speed gearbox?

I Promise I won't go a mile over 140...

Anyway, the day dawned crisp and clear, with nary a rain drop I sight. And the VW owners came. It's a very family oriented, laid-back affair, and one that, if you are in the Ohio or Kentucky area you shouldn't miss.

I'll let the secret out--it has a swap meet that is really quite good. You can find everything from a set of Porsche "B" brakes for your early Cal-Look car, new VW stuff for your watercooled or Split and Oval parts; you name it; it might be there.

You don't usually hear about VW dealerships helping promote and preserve the heritage of the VW marque, but the event promoters have managed to get the blessing and support of no less than four local dealerships.

Any show of this size and magnitude must have the support of many organizations, and the Club would like to thank Champion VW, North Gate VW, Century Motors, Northland VW, Beechmont Motors, Saybrook Imports, White Allen, Lynx Grafx, Vogt Auto, and Metalkraft Coachwerkes, for their support of this show.

All the planning and preparation pays off in a well-run, well-organized, fun show, with lots of VWs and Porsches.

You can bet I'll be there next year.