Slipstream July 2021

Coffee, Cars & Conversation
by Bill Kruder, Region President
photos provided by Michael Hays and Bill Kruder
Not a lot of good came out of
COVID right? Well for Debi and
me, we made sure to recognize the
good, and meeting Michael was
just that. It was the COVID Relief
Tour to historic Granbury Square.
We were invited to a meet-up
location to make the drive over
to the starting point. Well
Michael pulls up in his ‘88
Targa with a smile, looking
all cool and ready for the
drive. Let’s just say it was
one of those days where the
temps just kept creeping up,
and by the time we arrived
he was about to melt. Some
time went by and we would
see him out and about with
that same welcoming smile.
Fast forward months ahead
and Michael volunteered
to help with the Rally.
Well even with the best of
planning, things can go awry,
and who saves the day and
gets the members back on
course . . . Michael. Most
recently he volunteered to
help with the Concours set up.
Here he is again serving in a
light drizzle, on the show field
getting the banners all in place.
So here is the next in my
series of “conversations” I would
like to share with you . . .
Michael Hays, member since 2018
Owner 2018 Carrera Targa
Bill Kruder: So let’s start with where
did you grow up?
Michael Hays: I’m originally from
Waxahachie (little known fact: so
was Byron Nelson); still have family
there. We moved to Lancaster
when I was about eight years old
and I attended high school at Elsie
Robertson aka Lancaster High. I
didn’t move from there until leaving
for college. After college, I bought
a home in North Dallas near the
Galleria, and still own it today.
Then in 2006 I settled in West Plano
near Spring Creek and DNT.
BK: And where was college?
MH: I didn’t stray too far. I attended UNT
in Denton, studying Criminal Justice.
Michael and Suzanne Hays
BK: So is that what you went into?
MH: No. I was always interested in
car stuff, and while I was going to
college I worked part time at a car
stereo shop. I loved the cars and
the music so I pretty much stayed
in the business working for Dal
Worth CB and Car Stereo for the
next 10 years. Over that time we
grew to 20 locations throughout
the metroplex. Then I went to work
for Alta Mere, which is a franchise
group doing auto window tinting.
We had 68 stores across the
country. It was sold to a company
in Chicago, and one day I was left
without a job. As luck would have
it, a company that sold to us hired
me to sell auto electronics. Matter
of fact, Joe Mills of the Steele Shop
was my customer.
BK: And today?
MH: Well I had learned along the way
how to sell and install residential
and commercial window tinting,
so in 2017 I started my own firm.
A couple of our clients are Bank of
America and Chase Bank.
BK: So how did you and
Suzanne meet?
MH: We met in 2001 through
a mutual friend. We had both
been invited to a birthday
party; I saw her, we talked,
and that was that. Then,
about six months later,
there was another birthday
party we both got invited
to. I asked if Suzanne would
be there and they said yes.
So if you ask her she will
tell you it was that second
meeting that she remembers
me from; I guess I didn’t
knock her off her feet the
first time (laughing)! But as
they say, the rest is history,
as we married in 2007, now
celebrating 14 years.
BK: Let’s talk cars: first car?
MH: Let’s see - I was 16 and it was
a 1974 Ford Courier mini pickup
truck. It was a rebrand of the
Mazda B series compact truck.
BK: So why Porsche?
MH: Simple! As a kid we all had
our dream cars, posters and stuff;
mine was a poster of the Porsche
930. Then as I was working in the
car stereo world, someone had a
930 and I thought, I can do that
some day.
BK: So tell me about your Targa.
MH: Let me start by thanking
Suzanne and her parents. We went
out to meet Suzanne’s parents,
who live in San Diego, and in the
garage there was this white 1988
Porsche. Her dad and I started talking and he told me
how he bought it new in 1988 as a treat to himself
having opened up his practice (he is an OB-GYN).
Well he drove it for several years and then just parked
it in the garage, letting dust settle on it (this is 2004).
Then in 2007 we are getting married and her dad says
“if you two want the car, come get it.” Well that was
some wedding gift! As it turned out I had a friend
that was transporting cars and happened to be in
L.A., and I asked if he had room for one more. Again,
as luck would have it he said “Sure,” so he brought
the car to Dallas. Once home with us I wasn’t sure
what it would take to get it running. We started with
the basics: fresh gas, oil change, and new battery, and
boom, it ran again.
BK: So you joined our club in 2018?
MH: I did but frankly I didn’t really do anything at
first. It wasn’t until 2020 and COVID that I really
took interest. I would see things about “pop ups”
so I thought “What the heck, let’s see what this is all
about.” One day there was one near my house and I
met Pat Carmichael (aka father of pop ups) and we hit
it off, talking about all the stuff the club does. So yes,
something good came out of COVID. Now I enjoy
the club tours, helping with Rallies, car shows, and
of course the monthly coffee meets on the second and
third Saturdays.
BK: So I hear you are big F1 fan?
MH: I guess you could say that. Suzanne’s family is
from Brazil, so I have been lucky enough to attend
two F1 races in São Paulo.
BK: Who is you favorite driver?
MH: So I better whisper this, but it’s Hamilton.
BK: Whisper?
MH: Yes, Suzanne’s mom’s maiden name is Ferrari (no
relation) so her family is all about the rosso corsa and
the prancing horse, so we try to keep my fondness for
Lewis Hamilton on the down low (laughing).
And with all this said, now you know why Michael
was chosen as our July Mav of the Month - see page 7.
He truly defines Driving Friendships.
EAT
DRINK
REPEAT
WEEKDAYS 7AM-3PM
WEEKENDS 8AM-3PM
WWW.NESTCAFE.NET
7777 WARREN PARKWAY STE 325, FRISCO, TX
22 July
23