Slipstream - February 2018

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Kruder’s Cars & Conversations By Bill Kruder, Region Advertising Chair his month takes on T a different twist than most on how I met this Porsche enthusiast; frankly, up until writing, this we had never met. The reason for our meeting was in large part thanks to John Labunski, “Pops”’ son-in-law. John and Pops attended Mavs & Mochas at Highland Park Village as part of our Founders Day Celebration. Upon arriving, they were surprised to see some 200 Porsches, including several 356s. As they walked amongst the cars, Pops commented “I bought that one, which was our 356 coupe with the tree on it,” and then over breakfast the memories came flooding back as Pops proceeded to tell John stories of his past cars. John just had to share this story of a man and his love affair with Porsches, maybe the longest Porsche owner he knows (back to 1958), and I knew immediately I needed to share this conversation. So here is the next individual in my series of “conversations” I would like to share with you . . . Albert “Pops” Magazzine, Porsche Enthusiast since 1958, Owner today of a 2011 (997) Bill Kruder: So are you originally from here? Pops: No I grew up in Youngstown, a small steel city in Ohio between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. BK: And how did you find yourself in Dallas? Pops: Well, back in the day, I was in the Air Force and stationed at Perrin Air Station in Sherman, and eventually, years later, after lots of moving around the world, ended back here, and now I call Dallas home. 12 <strong>February</strong> BK: And what did you do in the Air Force? Pops: I was a fighter pilot and trainer, flying the early T-33 Shooting Star, which was essentially the training craft for the P-80, and later the F-4 fighters. BK: And did you make a career out of it? Pops: I did. I was in for 20 years and 1 month, retiring in 1975. BK: What did you do as a second career after retiring? Pops: DFW Airport had just opened in 1973 and I was hired shortly thereafter, working there for nearly 38 years in various jobs, primarily in operations, and ended up in “Code enforcement” on DFW construction projects. BK: Ok so let’s talk cars. Were you always a Porsche guy? Pops: Heck no! Where I was from it was all American cars. We were into muscle cars. It wasn’t till I joined the Air Force that I even really paid any attention to Porsches, and that was because I found myself stationed in Germany, and all the pilots were buying them. BK: So what was your first Porsche? Pops: That was a 1958 356A coupe; I was stationed in Germany and ordered it there. I paid $3200 cash for it, which was a crazy amount of money considering that I was making $250 a month, and that included my flight pay (laughing). BK: Tell me more about that car? Pops: It was Red with Savannah interior, had chrome knock-off wheels, a radio, and an extra side mirror as the only options. Think the knock off wheels were a $100 option, and the extra mirror cost me another $3 (laughing). I still have the sticker and receipt. BK: So you brought it home with you? Pops: I did! I had it shipped to New York, and in those days they would come off the ship and be pushed by hand around the lot until picked up. Well somewhere along the line they dented it in a couple spots. I then picked it up in NY and drove it the 1500 miles to Dallas. Once here, when I needed to get it repaired, the only shop doing work on Porsches was Van Winkle Pontiac of all places. As I recall it was located in the city around Oak Lawn and Avondale maybe. BK: And how long did you have it? Pops: I sold it in 1961; I was being shipped off to Japan, so I drove to California and sold it for I think $900. BK: So what was next? Pops: Well, some time had passed and I found myself in England in 1974. I bought a 1965 356C and I don’t have to tell you how much rust this car had, having spent 10 years on the roads there. I brought it back to the States with me and ending up selling it for I think $1500. Pop’s Red 1958 356A coupe
BK: But I understand that wasn’t your last 356? Pops: No, there was yet one more. At this point I had retired from the Air Force and lived now in Dallas; this was 1976. I found a 1961 B, black with the double grill, at essentially a junk yard in Weatherford. I bought it and had it running pretty well and decided to basically restore it. I drove it up to Ohio, where I have a nephew who restored cars, so he took on the project. We restored the body, taking out all the fillers, and changed the color, painting it Fish Silver Grey. I loved that ’61; I drove it for about 15-16 years and sold it in 1992. BK: And thinking you did a little better selling this one than the previous two? Pops: Yes we did! (laughing) I think I had about $15,000 in it and sold it for $45,000. John and Pops at the December Founders Day Mavs & Mochas BK: Then I hear you jumped into the modern era of Porsches? Pops: I did. I bought a 1998 Boxster, and still today drive a 2011 Cream White 997 as my daily driver, with my co-pilot Dutch. And that’s the story of how a young serviceman finds himself attracted to a funny little car and the car guy lifestyle, and soon finds himself in a lifelong love affair with Porsche. I’d like to also thank Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Albert Magazzine for his service around the world including Germany, Japan, England, and Vietnam. Lastly for his long dedication to PCA and the Porsches he so loved and kept on the roads for us to enjoy today. 13
Page 1 and 2: http://mav.pca.org February 2018 Pu
Page 3 and 4: http://mav.pca.org Volume 56, Issue
Page 5 and 6: 3
Page 7 and 8: VISIT OUR NEW 8600 SQ FT LOCATION!
Page 9 and 10: The Grey Ghost - 1965 356SC technol
Page 11 and 12: Welcome Our New Mavericks! By John
Page 13: MarvelousHomeMakeovers.com | 972.95
Page 17 and 18: Porsche of the Month Selected by Bi
Page 19 and 20: 17 Upcoming Maverick Region Events
Page 21 and 22: Frances Kwan: Last minute change of
Page 23 and 24: Maverick Driving Tours: What First-
Page 25 and 26: We Buy, Sell & Tradethe World’s F
Page 27 and 28: Santa Boots: Maverick Region’s Wo
Page 29 and 30: DIY: Repairing Your Porsche Key Tra
Page 31 and 32: Five-Speed Chatter: A Blustery Brus
Page 33 and 34: 2017 Maverick Region Financial Stat
Page 35 and 36: Parts or Service, We Deliver Excell
Page 37 and 38: autoscope.co 3 Dallas Locations: Po
Page 40: Hiram Saunders, Slipstream 155 Jell

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