The House of Von Dirk exists to document the people, machines and stories that bring automotive culture to life.
It would feel wrong to talk about connection, community and shared journeys without remembering our sorely missed friend, Charles Evans, better known to many as Douze Coupes.
Midweek seems like an odd time for a group drive. But is it?
Cold air, early light and a quiet pull towards something familiar. A former airfield, a gathering of machines and the stories that keep them alive.
Where the cold fades, something else takes over. Not just cars, but people, stories and a way in.
As 2024 sped toward its finish line, there was still time for one final Legends Drivers Club event. Following the success of the Christmas Brew just a week earlier, I wasn’t expecting much of a turnout on this damp, misty morning. Yet, by now, I should know better than to underestimate the draw of Andre’s events. Over 80 Porsches, spanning all types and eras, created a visual and aural treat for everyone who braved the weather.
Summer sun, great people and an array of the finest air-cooled Volkswagens and Porsches displayed along the fairways and bunkers of the perfectly groomed Sandford Springs Golf Club made for a great weekend.
This past weekend, London’s historic Tobacco Docks reverberated with the roar of custom motorcycles and the hum of excitement as the Bike Shed Show took over. This iconic 200-year-old venue was the epicentre of the global custom motorcycle culture for three days, welcoming enthusiasts and creators alike.
Exquisite design, refined lines, and unmistakable style came together seamlessly at the Concours on Savile Row, celebrating the perfect marriage of fine tailoring and iconic automobiles. This event paid tribute to the best of both worlds, showcasing the pinnacle of craftsmanship in both fashion and automotive design.
Forget daffodils, the scent of fresh tarmac and the rumble of a classic engine are the true harbingers of spring. The annual 356 Spring Drive route and date are locked in, and the prospect of a day spent carving through Kent and East Sussex B-roads in a pack of iconic Porsche 356s has my camera bag prepped, batteries charged, and navigation skills primed for an adventure.
Goodwood Revival rekindles the circuit’s heyday from 1948 to 1966 through the sights and sounds of cars and motorcycles racing around the hallowed tarmac. Period decoration and entertainment bring the whole venue to life, and guests dress to the nines in the fashions of the day.
Early September saw the return of the popular Festival of Porsche at Brands Hatch. The festival provided another chance to celebrate all things Porsche during this 75th anniversary year of Porsche Cars and the 60th anniversary of the 911. In the true spirit of the marque, there was plenty of on-track action alongside all the static displays around the historic race circuit.
This year’s final bank holiday Monday saw the Legends Drivers Club running another of their Breakfast Brew meet-ups at the Westerham Brewery. The thought of a lovely sunny morning drive, a chance to hang out, drink coffee and talk Porsche for a few hours, was too good to pass by.
Returning to the Festival of Speed this year was a damp disappointment. Not just because of the weather but because something didn’t sit right with me. My last visit was in 2019, which I thoroughly enjoyed, like all my previous visits. After such a break, did I expect too much from the 30th edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed?
Last year’s inaugural FlatSix Show displayed a high standard through the images and reports which surfaced after the event, making it a definite on my calendar for this year. With all good intentions, the day was blocked out in my calendar, but for some reason, I hadn’t purchased a ticket. Two weeks before, I was still sat on the fence. It took a message from a good friend about an early morning B-road jaunt down to Goodwood before I committed and bought my ticket. With the meeting place agreed upon and time set for ‘oh-my-it’s-early’, another Porsche adventure was ahead of us.
Following close on the heels of Lavenham, the Käffer Nation UK show provided another opportunity to indulge in the wonderful classic Volkswagen scene. With a very different approach, this event focuses on bringing together wonderful people and vehicles in the Surrey hills and caters for every taste, whether you like stock, custom or race cars. There were even a few hot rods and other classics squeezed into the stunning lakeside location, which even has a small sandy beach that adds to the cool vibes.
Over the course of our local car night dinner, the discussion turned to the following week’s 356 Spring Drive. Not owning a 356, I felt a little envious of those who would enjoy this adventure. Desperate to not miss out, I asked the organiser, and long-time friend of mine, Richard, if he’d be happy to share the route with me. I offered to capture some images of all the cars as they traversed the quieter roads of Kent and Sussex. ‘Why don’t you jump in with me?’ was his reply—this offer took milliseconds to decide on. Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to spend a day riding around the countryside in a beautiful 1965 Porsche 356C?